> Fall of Equestria: For Honor
>  by Valiant Charge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Warborn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

My name is Wulfric of the Warborn clan and this is my story.

My people and I lived peacefully in the northern mountains, completely isolated from the modern world. My father was the chieftain of our clan and a great warrior. He taught me how to survive in the wild and what it means to be leader of the clan and he was proud to have me as his son. For a long time, my father and my people were happy but one day all of that changed when a warrior from one of our neighboring clans came to us with a declaration of war against a far-off kingdom known as: Equestria.

His name was Ragnar of the Stonehoof Clan, he came to us with word from his chieftain: Dainn Stonehoof. Dainn had heard of Equestria and how it was ruled by four princesses and to him this was an abomonation against nature.

Ragnar then began to spout nonsense about how it was our sacred duty as men to put these women in their proper place; however my father would hear none of it and before long argument sparked between the two, out of arrogance, Ragnar challenged my father to single combat for leadership of the tribe. My father had easily defeated Ragnar but spared his life and ordered him to deliver his message to Dainn. It would have been better if he had killed him that day. 

A month after the duel an unnatural blizzard fell upon the mountain. It blocked out the sun causing our crops to die, then the rivers that were once filled with fish turned to blocks of ice. All of us knew that this was the work of the Stonehooves for they killed or enslaved any who did not follow their will.

For a whole year, our people starved and those who were able to survive took it upon themselves to find food for their loved ones in the harsh blizzard surrounding our village; sadly, few ever returned. By that time, my father had become gravely ill and the future of our people grew darker by the second; yet even as death creeped upon him he did not despair and as he laid their in his bed, I stayed with him in his final moments.

"Wulfric...my axe." He wheezed while pointing at our clans most sacred treasure that had been passed down through the generations. I handed the blade to him, thinking that he would want to take it with him to the afterlife, when he suddenly placed my hand upon it.

"Our people...will look to you now."

At that moment, my heart sank for what was meant to be a joyous occassion turned into one of sadness.
"Father...you can't!" I begged him to hold on just a little longer but in my heart I knew he wasn't long for this world.

"Do not fear my son," He told me while gently placing his hand on my cheek.

"I now go to Valhalla, to join Odin in the great hall and from there I will always be watching you. Be strong my boy..."

My father's hand then slipped away from me and as I caught it, I felt nothing but cold. Though I was a warrior, I could not help but weep at my fathers passing and clung to his lifeless body with tears falling from my face like raindrops. One guards gently pulled me back while the other placed my father's hands over his chest and draped his blanket over him. A great funeral pyre was built that day in the center of our village and as the pyre was lit, I recited the ancient prayer of our ancestors to send my fathers spirit off to Valhalla.

Lo there do I see my father
Lo there do I see my mother,
And my sisters and my brothers.

Lo there do I see the line of my people
Back to the beginning.

Lo they do call to me
They bid me take my place among them.

In the halls of Valhalla
Where the brave
May live forever.

As the fire was lit, the blizzard that had plagued our village had suddenly dispersed, yet our people found no joy in this for we had lost so many of our loved ones and as I looked at their faces, I saw only anger. When we finally came down from the mountains, we discovered that it was not only us who were affected by the stonehooves wrath: many of the other clans were also suffering and had their homes burned to the ground. after seeing so much suffering, my hatred could no longer be contained. It was clear what needed to be done, Dainn Stonehoof and his clan would have to answer for the suffering they caused our people. We would have vengeance!




A year later

A year after the caribou conquered equestria, things changed for the worst: Dainn and his followers enslaved all the mares in the kingdom and began stripping them of their rights and freedom as well as their horns and wings; however the ones who seemed to have the worst of it were the Elements of Harmony and the princesses.

When Dainn had them captured, he made Princess Celestia and Luna his personal slaves while Princess Twilight and her friends were given to Ragnar and his men as a reward for leading the first attack against Equestria. Ragnar had taken a personal liking to the one known as Applejack and would have her tied up in the barn every so often to rape her whenever he was in the mood. Today was no exception.

Applejack was in a barn stall with her arms tied above her head and her legs spread apart by an iron bar, she had not bathed or eaten for three days and smelled of sweat and musk from her exhausting rape sessions with Ragnar, and that's just how he liked it. The savage came bursting through the barn doors with a wicked grin on his face as he looked at the helpless mare before him. She was all covered in sweat and bits of hay. He began to undo his belt buckle revealing his hardened cock to her and even began rubbing it in her face while forcing her to take in the stench.

"Ready for some fun my little pet?"

"Go to hell..." The mare glared at him with murderous eyes even as he positioned himself between her legs and began licking the sweat off her neck and breasts. It was more than Applejack could bare as she heard him moan with pleasure while suckling on her left breast before viciously pulling on it with his teeth and releasing it just to see it bounce around for his amusement. She did her best not to make any noise but was thwarted when Ragnar rammed his cock right into her exposed marehood causing her to scream.

"Yeah! Scream, you bitch!!" He growled as he began to mercilessly pound his way into her womb while listening to her grunt trying to resist the pleasure she was feeling. His next step was slapping her breasts left and right making her cry out more in hopes that she would beg him to stop, yet Applejack still refused to give in.

"I'M!! GONNA! KILL YOU!" She yelled with her teeth clenched as she felt him moving faster. It wouldn't be long before Ragnar would reach his limit and Applejack figured he would just pull out at the last second and spray her with his disgusting seed like he'd always do until she caught the familiar scent of hard cider on his breath. He was drunk, and whenever he was in that state he would always do the one thing that disgusted her the most.

"Ohh yeah! Here it comes!" He hissed with pleasure as his thrusts and breathing became more rapid.

"No! Stop!!" Applejack struggled to get away but was held back by the ropes and chains. Within moments, Ragnar reached his limit and let out a blood curdling roar as he gave one last thrust into the helpless mare and filled her with his sperm.

"No..." Applejack sobbed as she the seed of her rapist fill her womb. Thankfully, she was not in heat yet, but it still felt humiliating to take in this monsters sperm and not being able to do anything about it. Ragnar then passed out from exhaustion and collapsed on top of her falling into a drunken sleep unaware of the events that were about to unfold.




After a year of travelling, The Warborn had finally arrived in the land of Equestria; unfortunately it was not the place they were expecting. Everywhere they went they saw suffering and enslavement as the strong preyed upon the weak. Mares and fillies were sold as slaves or breeders while the stallions gorged themselves on the riches given to them by the Stonehooves, be it food, wine, gold or all the mares they could want.

Wulfric and his clan had arrived on the outskirts of a town called Ponyville, and just like any other town it was filled with many enslaved mares being sold off to random stags or stallions, yet what was most troubling was that the mares were getting little to no food at all unless they performed some distasteful act for their masters. To the Warborns' disgust their was no limit to the amount of humiliation the slavers would inflict upon their victims. It ranged from a simple beating to publicly raping them while others laughed at their plight. It was more than they could bare, and so they decided to do something about it.

The next morning, Ragnar held a feast for his men in the building that used to be the town hall. A large banquet had been set at the table by the mares who had been selected for the banquets entertainment. Among them were Applejack and her friend Rainbow Dash who was now stripped of her wings and chained to the wall by a black collar.

"Hey Applejack, you okay?" Rainbow asked after seeing the fatigued look on her friends face. She knew that Applejack had been raped again and wished she could break the chain holding her and use it to choke every last male in this room to death.

"I'm fine Dash." Applejack replied with a weak smile before they helped finish setting up the table.

Ragnar looked at his bounty with pride as he raised a mug shouting, "LET'S FEAST!!"

The stallions and stags who had joined him cheered proudly as they began filling their plates with food, all the while tossing the scraps to the mares in back.

"Eat up whores! You're gonna need the energy for later." A caribou shouted with his cheeks stuffed as the mares quietly held hands knowing what was going to happen next.

While the males were feasting, Wulfric and his raiders began their attack by storming through the town and killing any who tried to fight back while freeing the slaves. The attack on the town came swiftly and because of Ragnar's feast there were very few soldiers guarding the area.

A group of mares who had been locked in cages saw the massacre with their very eyes and couldn't believe the caribou were being slaughtered by their own kind; they had figured all of their species were the same. Wulfric and a few other warriors approaced the frightened prisoners with their axes raised high. The mares thought that this would be the end for them until they began cutting the locks on their cages and shackles.

"Go! You're free!" One of them shouted after opening the cage. At first, the mares thought this was some kind of trick before looking at the bodies of their captors.

"Hurry!" The warrior shouted again before the prisoners finally made a break for it as the fighting began to die down. Wulfric took this moment to relax when another one of his warriors called him over to reveal a storehouse loaded with food and seeds for planting.

"HAH! Food!" The young chieftain shouted triumphantly while tossing some fresh apples to his warriors; however, they had come for more than food, they had come for Ragnar. The Warborn marched through the bloodied streets of Ponyville as they made their way to the great hall, where the screams and moans of mares being raped could be heard, followed by the laughter of Ragnar and his men.

Two of the warborn raiders began throwing axes at the door as a means of knocking. When a stonehoof warrior peeked out to see what the commotion was, the last thing he saw was an axe being planted right between his eyes as the doors flung open.

"What's going on out there?!?" Ragnar shouted after hearing the dying scream of the guard at the door and stormed out, only to see the faces of the Warborn clan. One in particular caught him by surprise.

"You!" 

Ragnar could easily recognize the young stag and his fathers axe. He had hoped they had died in the blizzard along with their clan but sadly luck was not on his side.

"Face me..." Wulfric growled at his enemy with a thirst for blood. Rangar found this amusing and figured his men could use a bit more entertainment so he allowed them inside while his men cleared the hall to make room for their duel.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were moved to the back of the room along with the other slaves. When they saw who was challenging Ragnar, they could not believe that it was another caribou. The mares watched as the young stag matched Ragnar's attacks blow for blow while slowly driving him back.

"You will pay for what you did to our people!" Wulfric shouted after kicking Ragnar into a wooden beam before going for a killing blow, narrowly missing his head. Ragnar then countered by bashing Wulfric's head against the beam. Afterwards, cutting him on the back of his right shoulder.

"Oh, the poor people! My heart bleeds!" He mocked while bashing Wulfric in the gut before throwing him into the center of the room.

"You Warborn are weak! A bunch of self-righteous pups! You should've died along with that mongrel father of yours!!"

To hear him mock his father was the final straw for Wulfric as he used his own horns to impale Ragnar and throw him back to the ground. For the first time in his life, Rangar was afraid and made a break for the exit while ordering his men to kill them all.

"Oh like HEL!!" Wulfric roared as he chased Ragnar out the door and through the streets of Ponyville.

"Turn and fight you coward!" The young chieftain shouted. In response, Ragnar began turning over food carts and empty cages to slow him down and it seemed like he was on the verge of escaping. Then, a chain suddenly caught him by the throat and sent him crashing to the ground.

"Whoops!" Came the voice of a certain farm pony who was twirling the chain that once held her captive like a lasso. Ragnar became furious and was prepared to lash out at her until he felt the firm grip of Wulfric's hand grab him by the horns and dragging him into the center of town.

"What you've done is wrong!" Wulfric said as he bashed Ragnar's face with the pommel of his axe and parrying a blow to his stomach.

"You and your men feast while your own women and children starve!" The beating continued as Wulfric sliced up his rival on the left shoulder before bashing him in the face with the blunt end of his axe, covering his face in blood.

"You and your warriors will learn to live like the rest of us! or you will become food for crows!!" He then raised his axe to deliver a crushing blow that split Rangar's in two and left a huge gash in his chest.

"Idiot child!" Ragnar spat back while reaching for what was left of his axe.

"Might as well ask me to pick up...FARMING!!" The injured raider then attempted to cleave off his enemy's legs with one swing but was easily blocked and had his weapon wrenched away, making him fall to the ground.

"We're vikings..." Ragnar was on his knees as he gave a defiant look to the young chieftain.

"So that's a No?"

"Heh...Valhalla!" Ragnar then prostrated himself before Wulfric and awaited the killing blow but the young chieftain would not grant him the warriors death he desired and ordered two of his warriors to hold him up instead.

"You're no warrior Ragnar; You're a thief and a coward and so you shall die like one." Wulfric spoke with malice in his voice as he reached into his boot pulling out a large dagger, he then proceeded to stab the blade into his prisoners back and began cutting downwards through the right rib cage. Ragnar screamed in agony as the same method was applied to the left rib cage and, with his bare hands, Wulfric ripped open his wounds to let his lungs hang out. A truely gruesome sight.

The torture, however, did not end. Ragnar's screaming resumed as his lungs began to inflate to the point of splattering open like a pair of water ballons covering the ground in his blood. It was the vikings most brutal execution method: The Blood Eagle. The other caribou saw this and were instantly demoralized. Some even fell to their knees as they looked at the young stag who slew their leader and began to think he was some kind of demon.

"So you're in charge now?" Wulfric asked a captain who approached him with what was left of Rangar's army. It seemed like another fight was about to break out until the young chieftan did something unexpected.

"Join us."

The captain looked into Wulfrics eyes and could tell he was being genuine with his offer. After living among the stonehooves for so long it seemed like a good change of pace for him and his men.

"Sigh...we are with you."

In that moment both sides went from sworn enemies crossing blades to comrades shaking hands. While they weren't much to look at these warriors would be a start in striking back at Dainn Stonehoof and his corrupted regime.




Later

A while after the raid, the citizens of Ponyville were taken back to the Warborns' camp located deep in the Everfree Forest, where they were fed, clothed and had their wounds treated. Some were reluctant to let the male warriors help and preferred the help of the female members of their tribe. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were among the latter group.

Applejack watched as the male warriors began treating the wounds on the freed slaves thinking that they would ask for sex as a form of gratitude. The opposite turned out to be true; the warriors simply moved on to the next mare in need and even provided them some decent clothes to keep them warm from the harsh weather.

"You there," A voice called out to Applejack when she turned around to see Wulfric who had just finished cleaning off the blood staining his fur.

"I wish to thank you for helping me catch Ragnar, what is your name?"

Applejack wouldn't say a word since she was still untrusting of the caribou. Wulfric would not hold that against her.

"Surely mares have names," He joked with a smirk until the mare finally answered.

"Applejack; My name is Applejack."

"I've heard about you, and if I remember correctly, your friend there must be Rainbow Dash."

The pegasus only looked at him for a moment and turned away as he approached her from behind.

"Let me see your wings." He said while placing a hand on her back before she struck him with a right hook.

"BACK OFF!! I know what you're trying to do! You wanna get on my good side in hopes of getting lucky right?!? WELL FORGET IT!!" There was much anger and pain in the mare's voice. Ever since the invasion, Rainbow Dash was put through all kinds of humiliating tortures by the caribou and stallions of Equestria making her hatred of all males well founded; but despite her outburst, Wulfric gave her a stern look and spoke with a more serious tone.

"I understand you don't trust me or my men but if you don't let us treat you, you'll never be able to fly again!"

Rainbows anger suddenly subsided when she saw that he was really worried about her. A caribou of all people! Thus, she reluctantly allowed him to remove the cases containing her wings as he gave her a thorough examination.

"Hmm...it's not so bad. No sign of infection. You should be flying within a year or two." The young chieftain then left the two mares alone to rest for the night but not before telling them:

"Welcome to The Warborn."

End.
> Knights of The Golden Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am Marshall of The Knights of The Golden Sun. Two thousand years ago, during the war against King Sombra our order was formed by Princess Celestia herself. 

This is how I joined the order.

At that time, I wandered the land as a mercenary for hire in hopes of improving my skills and seeing the outside world until I came into the service of one Prince Blueblood who was a member of the royal family in Canterlot but he was also a slave merchant in service of Equestria's newest king; Dainn Stonehoof. It was during this time that I met The Knights of The Golden Sun and their leader as they laid siege to the fortress that Blueblood was residing in.




The siege began at the crack of dawn. Marshall was the first to rush to the fortresses defenses yet he couldn't believe how many they were up against, the army attacking them was a thousand strong and to make matters worse they had brought a battering ram and flaming catapults to set fire to the rooftops of the keep.

"Blueblood! Come out!" A voice cried out as Blueblood rushed to the wall looking like he had seen a ghost after recognizing it.

The commander leading this siege was another knight; A Lawbringer carrying a poleaxe with a crystal blade. At first he seemed unrecognizable thanks to his helmet then Marshall noticed the crest on his breastplate. It was Shining Armor, the banished prince of the Crystal Empire.

"What the hell is he doing here?" He thought to himself as the fighting went on around him.

"It doesn't have to be like this!" Shining called out trying to reason with his enemy but Blueblood was too stubborn and proud to admit defeat.

"Keep them off the walls!" The fool shouted while running back to the safety of the keep leaving his men to fend off the enemy. Shining sighed in defeat as if expecting this and ordered his men to press the attack as siege ladders began popping up on random sections of the wall while a barrage of arrows began picking off the defenders.

"STAY LOW!!" Marshall shouted when an enemy knight nearly cleaved his head off. The warden was able to dispatch his opponent quickly before several more began climbing up the east wall.

"Damn!" He cursed after realizing he was the last defender and found himself completely outnumbered. For a moment things looked grim until he began using his superior sword skills to cut down the enemy, reinforcements finally arrived to help push them back but it did little to halt their assault as more and more began swarming the courtyard.

"Hold them here!"

"Yes sir!"

Marshall ran down the steps towards the courtyard along with another squad of soldiers who helped to stop the enemy from opening the gate from within. The victory was short lived as enemy archers began taking positions along the north wall and began firing upon the guards, those that survived the barrage hid under the gates archway completely pinned down by arrow fire. Marshall needed to do something and fast especially with the enemies battering ram moving closer by the second.

"You men stay here!"

The warden rushed towards the keep as arrows whizzed past him before he made his way up the stairs and along the western wall towards the archers, there he noticed a catapult that had been turned on its side.

"That catapult's still ready to fire." An idea came into the wardens head as he ducked past a flurry of arrows and with a quick swing of his sword, the catapult was triggered and sent the entire line of archers flying off the wall but that didn't stop Shining Armor's attack.

"CHARGE!!" The commander shouted after a boulder smashed open a hole in the lower section of the wall.

"Get their leader! Get Blueblood!"

Soldiers began pouring out of the breach turning the courtyard into a bloodbath. Blueblood had finally decided to show himself but was still too afraid to even fight let alone lead the charge.

"Go! Protect me!!" The coward cringed behind a pile of rubble after shoving several soldiers out to fight in his stead.

"I don't get paid enough for this job." Marshall said as the duties of leading the defense once again fell onto his shoulders. The warden leaped into the fray and began cutting down a great number of enemies but they were still being pushed back. It wasn't until after the battering ram had smashed the gate open that Shining Armor finally showed up on the battle field.

"STOP!!!" Shining roared after killing three soldiers and just like that the fighting came to a halt.

"Blueblood! Blueblood show yourself!!" The soldiers stepped aside as the prince finally came out of hiding with a bejeweled sword held tight in his grip and stood face to face with Shining Armor.

"These warriors don't have to die. Trial by combat, right now!" Shining Armor openly declared his challenge to Blueblood but still the coward refused to fight.

"What, fight you? That's no trial, that's an execution!" In truth, an execution would be fitting for the traitorous prince since he was the one who sold out the elements and the royal family after Dainn and his army took over but Shining was a man of honor so he decided to oblige him by offering an easier opponent.

"...then fight my second." Shining called forth a warden in his service for the coward to fight but instead of accepting Blueblood turned to Marshall who had slain a great number of Shining Armors men and demanded that he fight for him.

"You! You will be my second!" Blueblood marched up to Marshall with a firm look in his eyes, trying to look like an actual officer.

"...Alright then." Marshall had no choice but to accept or the rest of the men would be slaughtered. The two knights stood in the center of the courtyard and saluted each other before taking a stance, the first strike would start the duel.

Tensions were high as both wardens stood just a few feet away from each other waiting for one to make the first move. Marshall struck first with an overhead strike that was easily blocked before he received a boot to the breastplate, the soldiers began cheering on both sides as the knights clashed over and over with the duels momentum constantly shifting from one to the other. The warden facing Marshall had remarkable skill and left very little openings in his defense but Marshall needed to win this fight for the men and he needed to win fast.

"He's good..." He huffed after fending off another series of attacks. This next one would decide the match.

The enemy warden gave a wide sweep with his blade towards Marshalls head in hopes of ending the duel but that ended up being his undoing as his rivals blade came sweeping at the neck and cutting his windpipe open. Blood was pouring from the wardens neck as he began to suffocate before Marshall delivered the killing blow with the hilt of his sword using a technique known as the Mordhau Strike thus finishing the duel but despite his victory he and the men were still at the mercy of their enemies.

Prince Blueblood he reached for his sword as Shining Armor approached him but instead of trying to strike him down the coward tried turning his champion into a scapegoat.

"It will not do for a knight of the golden sun to be defeated by a common mercenary." Blueblood whispered trying to use Shining Armors pride against him as he let him take hold of his sword.

"You there. What is your name?" Shining asked while removing his helmet.

"Marshall, sir."

"Kneel."

Out of respect, Marshall fell to one knee and planted his sword firmly in the ground as Shining Armor stood over him. Under his helmet, he closed his eyes as he prepared for what looked to be his execution when he felt two taps on his shoulder as Shining said aloud.

"For valor in battle, for honor in service I Shining Armor raise you. Stand brother and Knight of The Golden Sun." The commander then offered his hand in friendship to help the newly recruited warden stand while Blueblood stood there shocked by what he had just seen and to add insult to injury Shining Armor threw Marshalls old sword to the feet of the disgraced prince while giving him the one that Blueblood so generously offered him.

"We're done here." The knights then left the battered fortress with what provisions they could carry and returned to their stronghold in a land far off to the west; a land called Ashfeld.

End.
> Traitors and Cowards
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The land of Ashfeld was different from Equestria. It's valleys were filled with dead forests, lakes of acid and rivers of lava that came seeping down from a volcano that had erupted one thousand years ago but it was also the homeland of the knights of the golden sun.

The army had been travelling for three days after destroying Bluebloods fortress with their newest recruit; Marshall. The former mercenary was now baring the crest of Celestia's Sun on his tabards and was given a fresh suit of armor to go along with his new sword but despite being given such a great honor the warden had questions and he had a feeling Shining Armor could answer those questions.

"Commander Armor." Marshall addressed his commanding officer with respect while keeping pace.

"Please, just call me Shining." Shining Armor replied in a friendly manner as they kept walking.

"Why is it that we are fighting our own countrymen? What has happened to Equestria?" Marshall's question wasn't surprising, many who were not there to witness the fall had no idea what was happening back in their homeland. Feeling he could trust him, Shining Armor began to tell the story of how he became the banished prince.




It all started back in the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were visited by a group of caribou priests who said they were representing Equestria's newest king and that they had come to free the prince and their fellow men from the shackles of enslavement. Their proclomation seemed odd to the couple until they began chanting some kind of spell onto Shining Armor causing him great pain as images of his own wife being ravaged in numerous ways began flashing through his mind and after the spell was finished the priests ordered for Shining to attack his wife and rape her in front of the entire empire.

Cadence became scared as her husband began to breathe heavily like a wild beast and stare at her with murderous intent but instead of obeying the priests command he drew his sword and cut him down right where he stood, the caribou were completely confused as to how this could happen when Shining told them that he had gone through some rigorous mental training after he was maniuplated by Queen Chrysalis to make sure that could never be controlled by an enemy again.

"Men! Arrest these barbarians!" The prince ordered but his men did nothing. The two remaining priests began to laugh as they pointed out that he wasn't the only one affected by the spell.

The male guards suddenly began ganging up on their female members and started to rip away their armor and weapons before viciously raping them on the cold ground, some even began to beat them to stop their screaming. Shining Armor and Cadence felt like they had just walked into a nightmare as four guards managed to grab hold of them, they forced the prince to watch as his wife's clothes were ripped from her body while she kicked and screamed for help yet all the other guards were doing was laughing. A special ring was placed on both their horns to cancel out their magic before the guard standing above Cadence allowed his trousers to drop revealing his hardened member but just as he climbed on top of her, he was impaled by a spear tip from behind while the guards holding Shining Armor had their throats slit.

The ones who had saved Cadence and Shining Armor were members of their personal guard who had undergone the same mental training as their prince.

"Quickly your majesties!" One of them pointed an escape route through the streets as Cadence was covered up while Shining Armor was given back his sword. The group ran fast through the streets of the city and saved as many civilians as they could and ran beyond the safety of the empires magical barrier but the tragedy did not end there as the priests began to use their twisted magic on the Crystal Heart to give it a more perverse shape.

"Behold! The crystal cock!" A priest shouted triumphantly with arms raised high as the betrayers of the empire cheered. On that day, The Crystal Empire fell.




"It was after that, we learned of Bluebloods betrayal and of Dainn Stonehoof." Shining's story came to a halt when he spotted a smoke stack rising out of a nearby forest.

"Hmm...Marshall."

"Sir?"

"Go see where that smoke is coming from and do not engage unless necessary."

"Yes sir!" The warden rushed into the forests without a moments hesitation while the rest of the army hanged back. As Marshall drew closer to the source of the smoke, he spotted a large campsite surrounded by cages filled with mares and fillies.

"Slave traders..." He whispered hatefully while sneaking closer to the camp when one stallion popped out of a tent dragging a young pegasus by the hair. The filly was no older than ten and had her wings plucked and sealed in black cases to make sure her feathers couldn't grow back while a black color was strapped around her neck. The girl kicked and screamed as the stallion dragged her to a more secluded part of the camp to avoid any unwanted attention.

"GET DOWN THERE!!" The thug shouted as he threw the defenseless filly to the ground and began unbuckling his belt.

"No..." The frightened child whispered as his pants drooped to the ground. She was grabbed by the hair once more as the stallion pinned her head to the ground while raising her flank in the air.

"This'll teach ya!" He said smugly while prodding her entrance with his tip as she began to cry and that was all Marshall could take. The warden ambushed the assailant from the side and cleaved his head off with one clean sweep as his target let out a short scream, the filly whom he had saved turned around to see the gruesome sight and gasped in horror before a hand was placed over her mouth.

"Sssh!! It's alright!" Marshall whispered before she finally calmed down to see two blue eyes staring at her from behind the knights helmet; eyes that showed no hate or lust, only concern.

"Now. I'm going to move my hand away from your mouth. Do you promise not to scream?" He asked as the little filly nodded. Once she had calmed down, the warden cleaned off his blade and asked the child her name.

"S-Scootaloo." The little pegasus answered nervously, still in shock of what happened.

"My name is Marshall, I am a Knight of The Golden Sun. Can you tell me what is going on here?" He asked gently as the filly nodded again before telling him of how she and her friends were sold off as slaves in Ponyville and how she overherd the guards saying they were being moved to a Training Center that lied just beyond the other side of the forest but before she could explain any further, a scouting party showed up armed to the teeth. Marshall had noticed some of them were members of the crystal and canterlot guard.

"A dog of the golden sun has wandered from his pack." One of them said while brandishing a flail made of solid crystal. Scootaloo was starting to become afraid and hid behind the warden for safety.

"What is this madness? Why have you turned your backs on the kingdom?!?" Marshall demanded an answer but was met with silence as the group began to fan out slowly.

"Since when does a mercenary care about anything other than gold?" Another soldier asked as they drew closer while Marshall readied his sword.

"What has become of your oaths?!" The warden shouted angrily but was once again met with silence and knew what was coming next as he whispered to Scootaloo.

"Scootaloo. When I tell you to run, take that path and don't stop til you reach the road."

"Kill him!" The first scout shouted as the rest of them came at the warden with swords swinging.

"RUN! NOW SCOOTALOO!!" Marshall quickly knocked back the first soldier to give the filly a chance to escape, Scootaloo made a break through the trees running as fast as her feet could carry her while hearing the sounds of clashing steel and shouting as Marshall fended off the enemy.

"Get the little bitch!" The enemies leader shouted sending two of his men after Scootaloo only to see them have their legs cleaved off by a sweep of the wardens blade while two others were cleaved right across their guts killing them almost instantly. The fighting died down for a second as Marshall looked at the enemy with nothing but hatred and disgust before readying his blade once again.

"You are not worthy to be called Knights!" The warden declared with fury before unleashing his sword skills upon the enemy and by the time he was done, many soldiers were either missing their arms and legs or their heads. Only the leader was left to face Marshall.

"Fine. I'll do it myself." The enemy knight grunted while readying his flail. Marshall struck first in an attempt to break the enemies shield but the iron was too thick and he soon found himself at the mercy of the weapon swinging towards him, the knight was being pushed back with every step until he made another attempt to strike the enemy.

"Fool!" His opponent shouted before pushing him to the ground as he winded up his swing for the killing blow.

It seemed like this would be the end for Marshall until his foes arm suddenly came flying off before he was impaled through the spine by a poleaxe. The warden was greeted by another lawbringer with blood red tabards marked by the same crest as his.

"I got you brother." The mysterious knight said while helping him to stand as the other knights of the golden sun appeared with enemy prisoners from the camp.

"These are all the prisoners sir." Said one of the soldiers to the stranger. The lawbringer began to walk up slowly to the captives and removed his helmet to show he was a pony from the Crystal Empire, yet his coat did not shine or sparkle and his face was dark and brooding with eyes full of hatred as he began to dispense judgement upon the prisoners.

"You men are convicted of crimes against Equestria. Unlawful imprisonment, five years! Attempted rape of a minor, twenty years! And above all the buying and selling of innocent lives."

"Let me guess. Life?" A prisoner joked before being viciously impaled on the lawbringers poleaxe while the other prisoners looked on in complete terror.

"Death." The crystal pony whispered while blood began to stain his armor. Marshall had never seen such brutality before as several large wooden pikes were brought up for the enemy soldiers to be impaled on one by one and for the entire afternoon, their cries of agony echoed through the forest leaving the warden a bit traumatized by what he had seen.

"You there, soldier!" The red knight called out to Marshall after wiping some blood off his face.

"What is your name?"

"Marshall, sir."

"I saw what you did back there, Impressive work. I am Sergeant Quartz; Shining Armor's second in command. Report back to the commander and tell him we've taken care of the slave traders in this area."

"Yes sir!"

Marshall reported back as ordered and delivered the news to Shining Armor who seemed relieved to hear that the last of the slave traders in this area had been dealt with. The army soon arrived at the valley where their stronghold was located and like much of Ashfeld, it was a barren wasteland but what made this place more gruesome was the number of rotting corpses and skeletons held up by the wooden pikes that decorated the field. No doubt more of Quartz's handy work.

"Gruesome isn't it?" One of the soldiers asked Marshall who only nodded in response before asking.

"What do you know about Sergeant Quartz?"

The soldier hesitated for a moment as he looked around to make sure the pony in question couldn't hear them.

"Well. The story is that Quartz was a member of the Royal Guard back in Canterlot before the fall and he was the bodyguard of a wealthy ambassador but when the other guards turned traitor they killed the ambassador that sent him over the edge. Since then, the Sergeant has been executing any traitor he finds. They call him The Blood Knight."

Marshall could easily guess as to how the sergeant earned that name thanks to the numerous victims of his brutal execution methods decorating the valley. A true example of what happens to those who would betray their oaths.

He then began to wonder what would have happened if he hadn't met Shining Armor and the other knights and if he was even worthy of joining them since he spent most of his life fighting for gold. The commander however saw something in that warden, something that would be useful in the war that was to come when they would bring the fight to King Dainn.

End.
> The Myre
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Myre is a harsh swamp land far to the east of Equestria and very few who entered that place ever returned, it would also be the safe haven two mares seeking to escape Dainns cruel laws of female enslavement. The mares were the elements of laughter and kindness; Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy who had escaped during the raid on Ponyville by The Warborn. Like the other pegasai who came before her, Fluttershy had her wings plucked clean of feathers before they were encased and was collared like a common house pet along with her friend Pinkie.

The two friends had been on the run for an entire week before Dainns slavers had finally tracked them down to the swampy terrain. During the chase, Fluttershy twisted her ankle after tripping on some moss covered rocks leaving Pinkie to carry her.

"Come on Fluttershy!" The Pink mare urged her friend to climb on her back as she could hear the slavers drawing closer, Pinkie carried her friend deeper into the swamp with the sound of the caribou closing in and all she could do was run and hoped she would lose them in the thick brush when suddenly she began to hear them scream in terror along with the clashing of swords. In an instant, the myre became eerily quiet.

"D-did we loose them?" Fluttershy asked nervously while Pinkie set her down on a nearby log to treat her ankle.

"I don't know but we have to get moving soon." Pinkie replied while tearing off some of her rags to bind her friends leg when a caribou suddenly came bursting out of the bushes. It seemed like Fluttershy and Pinkie were going to be caught again when they noticed something about the stag before them; His horns were cut off and most of his armor was rippied to pieces by some kind of animal but what was most surprising is that he was running scared from something or rather someone.

"H-help me! Please!" The frightened slaver cried out just moments before several arrows were lodged in his back. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie screamed at the top of their lungs when a stranger appeared dressed in samurai armor, the warrior walked up slowly with a longbow in his left hand as he stood over the dead caribou.

"You savages never learn." He whispered hatefully before turning his attention to the frightened mares and stared at them with two glowing green eyes. The eyes of a changeling..

"S-stay back!!" Pinkie shouted at the samurai yet all she could find to defend herself and Fluttershy was a measly stick.

"I'm not going to harm you." The warrior replied while raising both hands after dropping his bow but the pink mare was not gonna take any chances.

"I said stay back!!" She shouted in a more firm tone even as her body began to tremble but the samurai did not show any signs of fear or anger.

"You must listen to me." He spoke gently while getting Pinkie to drop her weapon.

"More of these slavers will be drawn to this area once they realize their scouts have not returned, so if you wish to stay alive then you must follow me."

It wasn't long before the sound of more caribou could be heard and the mares began to panic until the changeling showed them a hidden path through the marsh and by the time the caribou had arrived, the only thing they found were mangled corpses.

After making their escape, Fluttershy and Pinkie followed the changeling deeper into the myre until they came upon a strange archway in the middle of a clearing where more samurai were waiting. The mares were surprised when they saw that there were not only samurai who were changelings but Thestrals as well and all dressed in black armor with a crescent moon as their emblem one of them came up with a curious look before talking to the samurai who brought them here and from the way he was dressed, this samurai was of a higher ranking.

"Orochi, to explain these two?" He spoke in a deep stern voice as the changeling quickly kneeled before him.

"Sir. I came upon these two during my patrol, they were being chased by slavers."

"I see, more refugees. We shall bring them to the empress."

The samurai guided the mares deeper into the swamp until they had reached their destination; A city built on top of a small mountain with a grand palace towering above it all and its only entrance was a narrow bridge built over the series of cliffs and ravines.

"Holy guacamole!" Cried Pinkie as they entered the city to find more thestrals and changelings living amonst each other before reaching the palace gates. A large group of samurai were in the middle of training, leading them was a certain queen that Pinkie and Fluttershy had met before only now she was an empress.

"Well well well, the elements of Laughter and Kindness brought to my doorstep."

"C-c-Chrysalis!!" Fluttershy stuttered before getting a glare from one of the samurai.

"That is Empress to you peasant!"

"Now now. Let's not be mean to our guests." The empress said gently while lifting Fluttershy by the chin to see her face covered in mud and twigs while looking at Pinkie's mane which had become a type of greenhouse for the plants that had been tangled up in it.

"Let's get these two cleaned up and give them some proper clothes, then we shall all sit down to eat."

With a clap of her hands, the attendants of the empress brought the two mares into the palace for an entire day of rest and relaxation like they used to have at the Ponyville spa before the caribou came. The mares were soon dressed in silky robes and had their manes done before joining the empress in the dining hall along with the samurai they had met earlier.

"Oh I don't believe you've been properly introduced to my champion." Chrysalis said in an amused voice while introducing the one next to her.

"This is Crafty Dodger my bodyguard and commander of my army. He is also known as The Jungle Fox."

Pinkie and Fluttershy simply waved at Chrysalis's champion while he simply bowed in response as they began to feast on the exotic dishes that had come from the myre and for the first time in years, the mares had tasted real food and savored every bite. Things were quiet until a scout came bursting into the room with an urgent report.

"Empress. There are intruders in the swamp!"

"Stonehooves?" The empress asked while allowing the scout to look at her in the eye.

"I am not sure. One was a caribou and the other two were Equestrian."

This news made the empress curious so she sent her champion to investigate as the other party guests began talking amongst themselves. The ones who had infiltrated the myre were none other than Wulfric, Applejack and Rainbow Dash who had gone on a scouting mission to find new camping grounds for the clan.

"Stay close y'all, the swamp has a way of changing on you when you least expect it." The farm mare warned as they ventured deeper into the marsh, a foul aroma caught the groups attention and was even starting to make Rainbow feel sick to her stomach.

"Sweet Celestia! What is that smell?!?" The pegasus shouted in disgust as the scent grew stronger.

"Uhh...y'all might wanna come see this." Applejack said in a grim tone while looking upwards at three freshly hung corpses that had missing arms and legs.

"That's just barbaric." Wulfric said as the mares raised their eyebrows at him.

"I've seen you take scalps." Rainbow stated a rather disgusting hobby of Wulfrics as his cheeks turned a slight pinkish hue.

"T-that's different!" The young chieftain argued before spotting a dead stonehoof warrior with three arrows in his back and from what he could tell, the slaver was running scared before being shot down. Wulfric then spotted a fresh set of tracks leading through the swamp and decided to follow them with Rainbow and Applejack close behind.

"This is weird." Applejack said aloud while getting a closer look at one of the tracks near Rainbow Dash.

"What?"

"These tracks don't go as deep into the mud as the others. It's like whoever made them was light as a feather."

Rainbow looked down at her feet and saw her friend was right but what surprised her more was a single strand of pink hair among the tracks.

"This is Fluttershy's!" The pegasus declared after picking it up. Rainbow had no doubts about this single piece of hair belonging to her friend and believed that she might have had help escaping the stonehooves, the group moved deeper into the swamp to find a wooden archway lying in the middle of nowhere.

"The tracks end here." Said Wulfric after seeing the trail lead into a small wetland as they stopped to rest. The group set up a small campfire as night began to fall on the myre, unaware that they were being watched from the shadows.

"I'll take first watch." Wulfric said while keeping an eye on the swamp for signs of movement while Applejack and Rainbow Dash got some sleep, hours passed and all was still calm with nothing but the sound of frogs and crickets filling the air as fireflies danced in the night sky but the young chieftain couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched by something. A sound of a twig snapping alerted the young chieftain as he went to investigate while a shadowy figure crept through the treetops above him.

The young stag kept walking until he came across a strange ring of stones illuminated by the moonlight and that is when a blade grazed his right cheek and narrowly missed his head.

"What the hel?!?" He cursed while turning around to see a samurai standing before him with the tip of his sword stained by his blood.

"Impressive, you are much more alert than the others." The samurai complimented while flicking the blood off his blade and prepared to face his opponent, Wulfric was more than happy to oblige after nearly getting his head cut off while being attacked from behind and within moments the two began clashing blades. While Wulfric was strong, the orochi was faster and more agile with his strikes and began doing a series of jimps and flips to outmaneuver Wulfrics axe.

"Stand still and fight you little jack rabbit!" Wulfric shouted furiously after missing another swing while his opponent continued to outwit him with every strike before delivering a crippling blow to his left leg and for a moment, things quieted down as the orochi looked at his opponents weapon.

"You are a Raider, legendary. This axe will make a fine trophy."

There was nothing Wulfric could do with his body now completely mangled by his opponent as he watched him raise the katana over his head.

"Your death will be swift." The orochi spoke out of respect for his opponent as he prepared to deliver the final blow when a single throwing axe knocked the weapon out of his hands and he was tackled to the ground by a rainbow haired mare holding a shield and shortspear.

"Don't. Move." Rainbow Dash held the tip of her spear up to the assailants neck while Applejack checked to see if Wulfric was still breathing, their friend was in bad shape and had lost a great deal of blood thanks to the numerous cuts around his body followed by a single kunai embedded in his left lung but by some miracle, he was still alive.

"I don't think he'll make the trip back to camp." The farm mare seemed worried after checking his pulse while the orochi laid there on the ground with Rainbow's spear just one push away from slicing open his jugular.

"Who are you?" The pegasus asked while looking at her captive in the eye and could see he was a changeling but just when he was about to answer, several more appeared and surrounded the group with bows drawn and spears pointed at them. One of the chagnelings noticed the injured chieftain and the mare tending to his wounds.

"What are you doing?!? Stop!" He shouted while trying to shove Applejack away when she brought an axe up to his throat.

"You would help this savage?" The samurai asked looking rather disappointed at the mare.

"He is no savage, he is my friend." Applejack replied sternly before going back to bandaging Wulfrics injuries. The changelings found this very confusing and believed it to be some kind of trick, so they decided to bring the group back to their city where Rainbow and Applejack saw some familiar faces.

"Applejack! Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie cried out with joy as her friends joined her in a group hug along with Fluttershy who's wings were on the mend thanks to the help of the changeling medicines, their reunion was cut short when Chrysalis came forward with her personal guard.

"Well what a nice surprise. I now have four of the elements of harmony as my guests." The changeling queen smiled as she looked at Applejack and Rainbow Dash who had been dressed in viking armor.

"An odd choice of fashion." She joked before noticing her gurads carrying Wulfric in on a stretcher. Up until now, Chrysalis had never actually seen a caribou up close. The empress demanded to know why a caribou was brought into her courtroom when one of her guards told her of the events that happened back at the swamp.

"My empress, the farm mare claims that this stonehoof is a friend of hers but I believe this to be the result of brainwashing." One of the soldiers declared out loud when Chrysalis noticed Applejack was becoming very annoyed.

"How many times do I have to tell ya?!? He's not a stonehoof!!" The farm mare shouted at the top of her lungs but many of the samurai seemed unconvinced, even Pinkie and Fluttershy were having a hard time believing her. While the others talked among themselves, Chrysalis began using her magic on the injured stag and began to read his emotions.

Being a changeling herself, the empress was able to feel even the most deepest desires of ones heart. When she looked into Wulfrics heart, she saw only hatred and saddness but also sensed a caring soul.

"How interesting." She whispered before clapping her hands and demanding for silence as the arguments between her guards and Applejack instantly ceased.

"We will keep this one alive. Have our best doctors tend to his wounds and make sure that he is brought fresh food and drink for when he wakes up." Chrysalis ordered two of her attendants to fetch her best doctors while the guards carried off Wulfric to a private room to rest.

"Applejack, I want you and Rainbow Dash to bring the others here; I want to know more about these Warborn."

End.
> Blood and Honor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Dainn Stonehoof rose to power and began to spread his twisted ideals across the land, the ponies of Equestria suffered. The royal guards who had once sworn their loyalty to the princesses turned traitor, the nobles soon followed along with many other stallions who had been seduced by the stonehooves foul magic. Those who were able to resist fled the land with their families in hopes of escaping the wrath of the tyrant king.

All hope seemed lost until the Knights of The Golden Sun began marching down from the west, lead by their new commander; Shining Armor. The army was over ten legions strong and all of it's soldiers were descended from the original army that fought King Sombra during the war on the Crystal Empire two thousand years ago, each had the fighting force of an entire squadron. Into this great army came a warden named Marshall, once a mercenary, now a soldier in the army fighting to return freedom and equality to the ravaged kingdom that he once called home. It felt right to him, for some reason.

After being recruited by the knights, Marshall had led several raiding missions against the slavers in Ashfeld by order of his commanding officer Sergeant Quartz or better known as: The Blood Knight. For his next assignment, the warden was sent to a fortress that was owned by a group of caribou slavers, the commander leading this assault was a female knight; a conquerer named: Bronze Pommel. The assault however proved difficult thanks to the archers and siege weapons placed along the wall followed by the moat surrounding the base of the fort, Pommel had lost a great deal of troops thanks to this.

"INCOMING!" She shouted as a fireball came crashing down on their current position. The siege had lasted for two days and it was only a matter of time before the enemy would completely repel them, she needed an army. Shining Armor only sent Marshall.

"You there, Warden! Where's our reinforcements?" The conquerer asked when she noticed he was the only one to arrive.

"...I'm it." Marshall simply replied while Pommel just stood there in disbelief.

"Is this a joke?" She mumbled to herself but now was not the time for complaints, she needed to take the fortress by any means necessary.

"Alright. Let's see what you can do."

The warden wasted no time in charging towards the nearest garrison with a handful of troops and began taking out a great number of enemy soldiers as they were thrown from the north wall. Pommel took this opportunity to advance up the field and began using siege ladders and grapples to assist Marshall in his assault, turning the inside of the fortress into a battlefield. Dozens of caribou and royal guards were thrown from the walls while others were cut down or struck by arrows.

"I'm impressed warden!" Pommel shouted while swinging her flail at a line of charging soldiers. Marshall began to notice that the enemy was in full retreat and began pursuing them towards the forest where a second group of knights caught them in a pincer attack, turning the forest floor into a pool of blood.

"Leave none alive!!" The warden shouted after cutting down another enemy, victory was near until a large caribou stepped forward from the enemy ranks carrying a sword and shield.

"All of you step back!" He ordered while pointing his sword at Marshall.

"I'll end that one."

Having no objections, the warden stepped forward and readied himself for battle, his opponent banged his shield twice before taking a stance as the two entered a standoff to see who would strike first. Marshall could tell that this was the forts commander thanks to the smell of ale and musk surrounding his body followed by the design of his weapons and armor. He was a warlord.

"Prepare to die!" The caribou shouted with confidence as he began lashing out at the warden with a broadsword while keeping his shield close. All Marshall could do was defend and wait for an opening as he parried one attack after the other, his opponent was much larger and stronger so a defensive strategy was best. In an unexpected move, the warlord slammed Marshall with his shield and pushed towards the edge of the wall.

"NOW DIE!!" He roared as he went for a wide swing, foolishly leaving his stomach open for Marshalls blade as it cut right through the leather and chainmail like a scissor through paper. For the killing blow, Marshall shoved the warlord off the wall and down onto the field of corpses below. The scream of his foe was instantly silenced after his neck snapped from hitting the ground.

"Your leader has fallen!!" The warden shouted to the surviving slavers.

"Surrender or die!!"

The fighting came to a stop as the enemy soldiers stared at the lifeless body of their commander that now laid in a pool of blood and began to surrender. The battle had been won.

"Not bad warden. Though I could've done a better job myself." The conquerer joked before giving her new comrade a friendly handshake and ordering her men to take the remaining soldiers prisoner while the rest scavenged for gear on the battlefield. One of the prisoners who was a royal guard struggled against his captors and demanded to speak with the warden. Marshall allowed this and listened to what he had to say.

"Why?" The stallion asked while staring at the warden with anger.

"Why have you done all this?!?"

In response, Marshall removed his helmet to reveal his icy blue eyes that made the prisoner freeze in fear; He was an earth pony with a light brown coat and black mane with his face riddled in scars. As the warden marched up to the prisoner, he spotted a medallion baring the once proud symbol of Canterlot and ripped it right off his neck. He didn't deserve to wear it.

"I took an oath to fight for peace....so did you!" Marshall growled angrily before stomping the medallion into the dirt like a piece of garbage.

"All of you..."

The warden looked at the fallen guards with nothing but shame and stormed off. By noon, the entire fortress was cleaned out and set ablaze so that it would be of no use to the enemy and the soldiers returned to their stronghold with the freed slaves and captured slavers.

"You alright?" Pommel asked the warden who at the time was focused on the road ahead.

"I'm fine." Marshall responded as they continued to walk but Pommel wasn't convinced.

"You don't seem fine." She stated while keeping her eyes locked on him until he eventually answered with a question of his own.

"Why did you become a knight Pommel?"

"I couldn't forge a blade to save my life like my Dad, and there's not much one can do with a name like mine, so I decided that if I couldn't protect our knights by forging their armour, I'd protect them on the field." She replied with a gleeful smile before returning his question.

"So why did you become one Marshall?"

"Hm...When I was a boy, I was caught in middle of a civil war down in Prance. My father was on the opposing side and the enemy decided to use me as a hostage during a battle. They told my father that if he did not surrender, I would be hanged in front of the castle....he refused." The warden said bitterly.

"In his own words, my father said: Go ahead! I still have the hammer and the anvil with which to forge better sons!."

To hear such cruelty towards ones own child broke Pommels heart as she continued to listen to her friends tale.

"I should've died that day but the commander of the army was not able to bring himself to kill an innocent child, so instead he took me in and raised me like I was his own until I was eventually freed."

"Did you return home?" Pommel inquired.

"No. After I was freed, I took my sword and armor and left Prance to wander Equestria as a mercenary and looked for strong opponents to improve my skill but I was so bitter from my father's resentment that I ignored the suffering caused by the Stonehooves....then I met all of you."

Even under his helmet, Pommel could tell the warden was smiling and that made her happy. It was only until they were nearing the fortress that the mood turned dark. The newly captured prisoners saw the impaled corpses of the caribou and their fallen bretheren, and began to fear the worst.

"Sir Marshall and Lady Pommel have returned! Open the gates!"

The fortress gates slowly opened to reveal a large crowd that had gathered to greet the heroes after hearing of their victory. Showers of petals fell from above while young mares began handing out flowers to the knights, one was even bold enough to give one to Marshall.

"Thank you milady." The warden said politely as he took the flower, making the young mare blush. The prisoners however found this to be a revolting act and even cringed away in disgust when they noticed a lawbringer in blood red tabards marching up to them with his own personal guards.

"Welcome back you two." The knight greeted the two heroes while his guards took the prisoners to the dungeons.

"Good to be back Sergeant Quartz." Pommel said in response after removing her helmet. Quartz looked at the line of prisoners before him with his usual glare and felt nothing but disgust.

"Haul these wretches off. They'll stand trial tomorrow."

"Yes sir!"

All watched as the slavers were taken into the keep while some of the crowd began booing and throwing rocks and rotten vegetables at them. It was no better than what they deserved after the all the horrific acts they commited towards others.

In honor of their recent victories, Quartz proclaimed that there would be a great feast for Pommel and Marshall. The crowd was pleased with this announcement as were the men who raised their weapons while cheering loudly and as night fell upon the stronghold, music and laughter filled the air. Something the slaves had not seen or heard for some time.

A great bonfire was lit in the courtyard where a circle of dancers began moving in rhythm to the sound of the music and clapping, among them was Pommel who was having the time of her life and laughing herself silly while on the staircase leading to the wall was Marshall and a few fellow knights sharing a glass of well deserved ale and cider. As they shared a toast, the warden noticed Shining Armor had stepped out of the keep to join the feast and was welcomed with open arms by his men, including Sergeant Quartz.

"Attention! Can I have every pony's attention?" Shining said aloud as the music and chatter died down.

"As you all know, we have managed to secure this great land of ours. Thanks to our brave knights."

The men shouted in agreement while raising their mugs to one another. Shining continued his speech.

"But now it's time we take the fight to the enemy." At that moment, the crowd began to talk among themselves. Shining Armor was declaring war on Dainn Stonehoof and Equestria.

"I know it seems rash but you've all seen the cruelty carried out by these barbarians! They show no mercy to any who resist and exploit others for their own personal gain. How can we live such happy lives knowing others are suffering?" Shining looked at the faces in the crowd and saw a few with their heads bowed down while others seemed to acknowledge his point of view.

"I read stories about The Knights of The Golden Sun when I was a colt, I read stories of them conquering armies of demons and thwarting evil lords as they defended the weak. Until a year ago, I didn't think you'd be real or have me as your leader so I ask you-No. I beg of you:will you help me reclaim my homeland?"

At first, there was no response, then Sergeant Quartz and his men stood before their commander and saluted followed by the citizens of Ashfeld, then came Marshall and Pommel with their glasses raised in respect. Shining was touched by the loyalty of his men and even began to shed tears or as he would call it: Liquid Pride.

"Thank you...thank you all!" The prince said with tears in his eyes as Sergeant Quartz began shouting orders.

"Men! Tonight, we eat and drink our fill! Tomorrow! WE MARCH TO WAR!!"

End.

> The Spark of Gods
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For three days, Wulfric had been bedridden by the wounds he had received from the orochi. His injuries were tended to by the empresses best physicians and was given the best medicines they had to offer while under the careful watch of Applejack who seemed reluctant to let Chrysalis handle his treatment. It was no secret that she still didn't trust the changelings, given their past history but she had very little choice in the matter.

"Applejack?" Called the gentle voice of Fluttershy who noticed her friend standing outside Wulfric's room.

"Oh. Hey Fluttershy."

"Is everything alright?" The pegasus asked with concern when she noticed Wulfric laying in his bed.

"I'm fine sugarcube." Applejack replied.

"I'm just worried about Wulfric is all."

"Wulfric?"

"That's the caribou in there. He saved me and Rainbow Dash."

"You mean he's the one who attacked Ponyville?" Fluttershy asked before two physicians left the room with bloodied bandages and empty vials of medicine.

"Yeah. I don't suppose you've met the rest of his clan?"

"Um...not really."

Applejack wasn't surprised about her friends behavior towards the caribou, even if they weren't stonehooves. The caribou had raped and tortured her as she was sold from one slaver to the next with no end in sight, it seemed like death would be an easy escape from all of this torment. Then the warborn came.

Wulfric and his clan were the polar opposites of Dainn Stonehoof and his minions, they were kind and caring, and looked after the weak and the sick unlike the stonehooves who would toss them aside. What surprised her most was the number of female warriors they had in their clan and each seemed to be more than a match for their male counterparts, even Rainbow Dash seemed to be welcomed among them. At that moment, the mares heard a groan coming from the bedroom and rushed inside to see Wulfric sitting up in his bed with a bad headache.

"Well hey there!" The farm mare greeted her sleepy friend with a smile and wave while Fluttershy cringed behind her as he stood up.

"Applejack?" He grumbled while opening one eye.

"How long was I out?"

"Three days." Applejack replied while handing him a bowl of water. Wulfric could see the bandages covering his body but even as he moved, he felt no pain. Struck by curiosity, the young chieftain removed the bandage covering his right arm and was astonished to find that the cut that was once there had completely vanished. Not even a scar was left.

"What in Odins name?" Wulfric was completely astonished by how fast he had healed, not even his tribes medicines were capable of doing such a feat. A pair of guards who were on patrol saw the young chieftain standing and rushed to inform the empress who wasted no time in using her magic to teleport herself right into the middle of the room with a gleeful smile.

"Oh. So you're finally awake are you?" The empress asked while holding Wulfric by the chin. Chrysalis had never seen a caribou this close before and had never expected one so young or handsome, she found him very physically attractive.

"I do apologize for my guards behavior. They have a tendency to hack first and ask questions later."

"I noticed." Wulfric replied while keeping an eye on her as she examined his physique. The empress held his arm gently and began feeling his muscles while grinning like a child with a new toy.

"I have heard stories of you chieftain but I would never imagined you would be so...Young." She said in a somewhat seductive tone while licking her lips.

It was clear that Chrysalis was using her charms to seduce the young stag but instead of accepting her compliments, Wulfric simply shrugged her off while removing the rest of his bandages to find his body completely healed. The empress was a bit curious since no man had been able to resist her beauty, yet he seemed immune to her feminine wilds.

"How interesting." She whispered to herself before calling her servants with a clap of her hands.

"You called your majesty?" Asked the first servant while bowing to her master.

"Tonight we will have a feast. Have the chefs prepare their finest dishes and...invite the warborn."

"As you command."

The servants vanished in a flash of green light, leaving their leader to speak to her house guest in a more private manner. Present company excluded.

"What are you planning changeling?" Wulfric asked with suspicion while Chrysalis pretended to gasp in shock.

"Why young sir I am offended! I simply wish to show my hospitality to you and your people."

"I'll bet." Retorted Applejack.

"I will have my servants prepare baths for all of you along with some clothes."




As promised, Applejack and her friends were given their own private bath to wash up for tonight's feast. This was one of the many things they had missed since the Stonehooves took over and it was much better than getting a cold bucket of water splashed on their faces once a month.

"Isn't this relaxing?" Fluttershy sighed while gently pouring another bucket of water over her.

"It sure is." Rainbow responded while laying back with a hot towel on her face before getting splashed by Pinkie Pie diving into the hot tub.

"This hot spring is great!" The pink mare shouted while splashing around like a foal in a bath tub. Her fun was interrupted by a thestral maid holding fresh towels for the four mares to dry off.

"Dinner will be ready shortly." The maid said briefly as the mares got out of the tub and were dressed by several more attendants. Each of them was given a silken robe to wear and had their hairs tied in a bun, save for Rainbow Dash who stuck with the clothes Wulfric gave her as she preferred to not dress in frou frou outfits.

"Ohh Fancy! I bet Rarity would love these!" Pinkie said aloud when the room became awkwardly quiet.

"Oops! I didn't mean-."

"It's fine Pinkie." Said Rainbow Dash while placing her hand on her friends shoulder.

The girls followed the maids to the dining hall where the Warborn had already begun feasting and it came as no surprise that their table manners were somewhat barbaric, given their heritage. Wulfric however ate his meal calmly while scanning his surroundings and noticed some of the empresses servants were looking right at him like he was some sort of criminal.

"Enjoying the food?" The empress asked while playfully taking a nibble from her plate.

"It's good." Wulfric replied after taking a few bites. The food and drink were very exotic in their flavor and very tasty.

"Now as for why I spared you. It is because I believe you can help us with a problem here in the swamp." The empresses revelation instantly piqued the young chieftains interest as he began listening intently to her problem.

"The Stonehooves have built a fortress just on the edge of the myre, it would only be a matter of time before they find me and my subjects here." She paused, knowing that Wulfric would be able to piece together her offer.

"So you want me and my clan to take care of it." 

"Smart boy." Chrysalis complimented him while booping his nose like a child. It was after the feast that Wulfric assembled his best warriors and the elders of the clan for a war council to discuss Chrysalis' offer and of course many found it very suspicious.

"This whole thing reeks of deception chieftain." Said one of the warriors who was sharpening his axe.

"Yes but it could benefit us also." Wulfric responded before rolling out a map given to him by Chrysalis.

"The fortress serves as a storehouse for Dainn's slave trade so it will be stockpiled with food and weapons which we'll need if we are to continue this war."

"True but how do we know this isn't a setup?" Asked one of the elders.

"We don't."

That was Wulfric's only response as the council fell quiet. On the one hand, the supplies in that fortress could help Wulfric refit his warriors and if possible, give them a stronghold from which they could make a stand against Dainn. On the other, the location of the fortress was far too secluded from any roads or cities and seemed like a good place for an ambush.

"We could send a small group inside. See what we're dealing with." Another elder suggested. The plan seemed simple enough, infiltrate the enemy and then strike from within but the question was: How to do it.

"Send two of our best scouts to the fort and tell them to report back in three days." In a split decision, Wulfric quickly devised a plan to get inside the enemy stronghold and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed his warriors to prepare for the mission.

"As you command chieftain."




Three days had passed since the scouts returned from the stronghold. Wulfric and his entire clan were disguised as slave traders coming in with a fresh supply of newly captured mares and does to sell to the fortress' commander who didn't hesitate in letting them in after hearing the good news. At the front of the caravan was Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie who were tied by the wrists and collared like any slave caught by the Stonehooves.

The slavers were more than pleased to see the former elements of Kindness and Laughter tied up like wild beasts but were more curious about the large wagons covered by tarps.

"What you got in there?" Asked one of the stonehooves when the guard next to him pulled off the tarps to reveal a cage full of naked does wearing black collars while under the wagons were Rainbow Dash and Applejack who had chosen to stay out of sight for risk of being recognized.

"Take these wenches into the stables!" A stallion shouted as the wagons rolled in while they closed the gates, unaware of what was about to unfold. While the does were taken into the stables, Wulfric and his warriors moved to different sections of the fort and began gathering some intel from the enemy including their trade routes and the number of troops stationed here in the fort. As night fell, the female warriors of the warborn began arming themselves under the cover of night while the guards were lazily sleeping the night away. Wulfric and the rest of the warriors were busy getting the stonehooves drunk on ale and wine as they snatched the keys to the prison cells and handed them to Rainbow Dash and Applejack disguised as servant girls wearing veils.

As the sun began to rise, the warborn began to reopen the gates as the rest of the army awaited Wulfrics signal. This would be a day of blood.



Sometimes a viking is born who carries the spark of gods: Raiders, we call them. It is a name that can summon armies. They are ruthless, fearless warriors made for battle who wield their axes without mercy. The moment of a vikings death is chosen by destiny, so what use have they of armor? Or of fear?




"VALHALLAAAAAAA!!!"

At the sound of their chieftains warcry, The Warborn began storming the fortress in a wave of fury and bloodlust. The stonehooves and royal guards had become too drunk to stand properly let alone fight but that did not stop them from shrieking in terror as they were struck by the axes and swords of their enemies.

"We gotta get out of here!" A caribou shouted as he made a break for the prison cells with a few others following him.

"There's an escape tunnel just below the prison!"

"What about the slaves?"

"Leave em! We can always get more!"

The moment the prison doors open, the slaver was struck by an axe held by an orange mare as the female warriors began pouring out of the prison leaving the rest of them trapped by a circle of spears and axes. There was no way out of this circle of death, the slavers could see the hate in the eyes of their former captives and each looked like they were ready to tear them apart like wild animals.

"Shall we dispose of them now chieftain?" Asked a female warrior twirling her spear.

"No. We're not going to kill them." Wulfric answered as he pulled his dagger out of his boot.

"We're going to make an example of them."

Later That Day

After hearing news of the attack, Dainn Stonehoof himself rode out with his personal guard to see the destruction with his own eyes. What he found enraged him.

The entire fortress was scorched and dozens of his loyal followers laid rotting on the ground, swarmed by flies. Save for a few survivors who were tied together on a single banner baring the colors of the warborn clan and above their heads was a single bag dripping with blood.

"You there! See what's in that bag." The tyrant king ordered as one of his guards cut down the bag. As he opened it, his face became filled with shock before he tossed the bag aside and began throwing up on the bloodsoaked ground.

"What's wrong with you?" Dainn asked before noticing the survivors groin areas were stained with blood and as he looked inside, he found a disgusting sight. The genitals of the slavers were cut clean off and placed in the bag as a warning for all who continued to follow the ways of the Stonehoof Tribe.

This was a declaration of war.

End.
> Unlikely Allies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been several months since The Knights of The Golden Sun departed from Ashfeld. After arriving near the western borders of Equestria they noticed something was amiss. The outpost stationed there had been ransacked and the guards had been dead for a while as the smell of their rotting corpses began to attract flies, some of which were hung by rope at the main entrance. Only one survivor remained huddled in a darkened corner of the burnt stronghold quivering like a foal as he tried to hide himself from the knights approaching him.

"S-stay back! I'm warning you!!"

The guard threatened them with a broken sword that shook in his trembling hands before both knights dragged him out kicking and screaming to Sanguine Quartz.

"Looks like he's the only survivor sir." Said one of the knights as Quartz handed him his poleaxe.

"No, he didn't survive." The sergeant replied as he kneeled down to see the terror in the prisoners eyes.

"Whoever did this left him alive as a messenger."

The prisoner was a traitor from the canterlot royal guard, his body was partially blackened by the smoke and from the looks of his complexion, he had not slept in days.

"What happened here?" Quartz asked when the prisoners head jerked up and looked him straight in the eye still filled with terror.

"T-The Warborn..." The stallion whispered in fear.

"The Warborn came during the night...they slaughtered the guards and killed the prisoners!"

His breathing became more frantic as he began to recall the horrors he had witnessed that night.




Two Nights Ago

The border guards had begun a feast that night as a way to kill time and get drunk while a few others remained posted on the walls. The attack began when the first watchmen heard a strange noise and peered out into the darkness only to find nothing, the second time he heard the noise, it was nearest to the wall where he peeked over only to be impaled by a spear straight into his throat preventing any screaming.

The other guardsmen met a similar fate as hands began to reach out from the shadows, slicing their throats open one by one until the entire fortress was left defenseless. The ones responsible for these murderous acts were none other than Wulfric and Applejack along with a few warborn raiders who volunteered to help sneak into the fortress.

"Applejack. The mead hall." Wulfric whispered before heading to the gate controls. Applejack snuck her way towards the mead hall where she could hear the sounds of the Stonehooves and stallions feasting and set a tripwire on the two braziers near the gate before heading towards the prison cells where another group of female slaves were held captive.

"Shh it's alright. We're here to rescue you." The farm mare whispered while picing the locks open with a dagger and guiding the prisoners toward the exit. The plan seemed to be going smoothly until one guard who had been asleep spotted the escapees and quickly sounded the alarm.

"Shit!" Wulfric cursed as he began to crank the gates open faster.

The guards who had been feasting heard the horn call and quickly rushed outside to stop the fleeing prisoners only to be set ablaze by Applejacks trap, the ones caught in the fire began screaming and running around frantically setting the hall aflame and trapping most of the other guards while some managed to escape through the windows.

"WARBORN!!" The young chieftain cried out at the top of his lungs with his axe raised high in the air and just like before, the entire fortress was turned into a bloodbath. Many Stonehooves and royal guards fell to the blades of the warborn that night, only the officers in charge of the outpost were left to be executed in the most brutal manner their captors could think of. The first of them was brought before the chieftain as they had finished castrating and beheading all of the surviving soldiers.

"No! Please, no!!" The first officer shrieked as he was forced on his knees before Wulfric.

"Please? No?" The chieftain mocked the prisoners cries for mercy before kicking him into the mud.

"How many women said that as you raped them? How many wives, daughters and sisters cried for mercy while you ravaged them like a beast?!?"

Without a second thought, Wulfric began furiously stomping on the officers crotch until it splattered beneath his boot as he wailed in agony. The torture continued as the officer was brought up to the gate where a noose was placed around his neck.

"No please..." The captive whispered in fear as he looked down to the field of corpses.

"Watch the first step." Wulfric replied coldly as he shoved the officer off the ledge to be suffocated by the noose while his clan cheered triumphantly. Through the night, the executions continued until only one officer was left but instead of executing him, Wulfric had another idea.

"I want you to remember what happened here tonight." The young chieftain looked at the frightened prisoners face.

"And I want you to relay a message to that king of yours. Tell him: These lands are now under the protection of The Warborn."




The guard was able to tell the sergeant every gruesome detail of the events that transpired that night but before the knights could ask him any further questions, he began shrieking like a mad person and ran through the crowd.

"After him!!" Shining Armor shouted as Marshall and Pommel gave chase, their pursuit ended up being a short one as the escapee suddenly threw himself on a broken spear. The fear and trauma had driven him to suicide.

"Sweet Celestia..." Said Pommel completely shocked by what she just witnessed. For a while, the knights just stood there completely baffled by the carnage until their sergeant gave an order.

"Pile the bodies and burn them." Quartz ordered, having had enough of the stench beign given off by the corpses. The knights immediately went to work while he and Shining Armor searched for signs of any other survivors but all they found were bloodstained walls and severed limbs.

"And I thought the Stonehooves were animals." Shining Armor said to himself when he noticed a light coming from the room down the hall and in that room was an entire hoard of gold, jewels and treasure all ripe for the taking.

"Well this oughtta make the men happy." Quartz chuckled slightly while picking up a large ruby but Shining Armor just stood there somewhat confused.

"This makes no sense. Why sack a fortress if not to get its treasure?" Shining asked while taking a handful of coins then dropping them back down.

"Perhaps they didn't have the time to haul it out." Quartz replied when one of the knights urged him to come see something.

The commanders returned to the battlefield amd found one of their men holding a banner with a strange symbol; Two black crows crossed over what looked to be some kind of sword that was painted red. Perhaps this was the symbol of these warborn mentioned by the royal guard.

"We also found these sir." A second soldier held up a pair of shackles that had been unlocked.

"Seems that these Warborn raided this place to free the slaves."

"Hmm...I did hear rumors of such rebels during our journey here." Marshall said aloud while helping with the last of the bodies.

"Rebels? What do you mean?" Pommel asked.

"It seems that not all the caribou tribes agreed to join Dainn on his conquest, some of them actually resisted but ended up getting killed."

"Then Dainn Stonehoof truly is a monster." Quartz stated before ordering his men to hang the banner at the gates as a sign of respect for The Warborn.

Because of the damage done to the fortress amd the lack of resources to repair it, the knights marched on until sunset and rested on the edge of a nearby river. A small camp was set up with two bonfires in the center to help combat the cold night with smaller campfires dotted around the tents to help cook meals for the troops who were quite famished from the long journey from Ashfeld.

"Come and get it!" A soldier called out while banging the lid of his stew pot and began serving the troops a hot bowl of soup and some bread.

"Yes! Finally, a hot meal!" One of the troops cried out before joining his comrades for dinner as they began to feast while their commanders plotted their route through the kingdom knowing that word of their crossing would soon reach Dainn's ears. Planning this invasion course were Shining Armor and Sanguine Quartz.

"We'll take this road here and if our luck holds we can avoid any unecessary battles." Said Quartz while crossing his arms.

"Sounds like a plan to me but what if we run into refugees or civilians?" Shining Armor inquired.

"Then we'll just have to try and avoid any collateral damage."

The commanders wrapped up their meeting and joined their soldiers around the bonfire before turning in for the rest of the night.

The Next Day

By the time the sun rose the next morning, the army was in full march and headed towards Canterlot. The morning sun was bright and warm followed by a gentle breeze blowing from the east making this a perfect morning to march, that was until the soldiers noticed a large smoke stack just up the road. After bringing the army to a halt, Shining Armor called for Marshall to help investigate.

"Marshall, with me!"

The two knights ran ahead of the army and spotted a small outpost under siege by what appeared to be bandits.

"Sir. You might wanna look at this." Said Marshall as he handed his commander a spyglass. What Shining Armor saw completely surprised him, the outpost was under attack by another group of caribou and a small army of changelings.

"What in the name of Celestia?" The commander said aloud as he focused on a single changeling taking out a group of heavily armed royal guards.

"Marshall. Take Pommel and a few of your best men, I wanna know what's going on over there."

"As you command, sir!"

The Outpost

The stonehooves and royal guards were completely overwhelmed by the changelings and raiders laying siege to their fort as their defenses were completely overruned and their soldiers were butchered like lambs in a slaughterhouse. The commander in charge of this outpost could do nothing but watch in terror from the safety of his tower while his men cried out in agony on the battlefield below.

"Take care not to kill any prisoners!" A young stag shouted after dispatching another royal guard when he heard a horn call coming from the outposts rear gate.

"Wulfric!" A raider shouted, running throught the battle and nearly out of breath.

"A group of knights are coming this way."

"Enemy reinforcements?"

"Not sure."

At that moment, the rear gates began to open as the enemy started to regroup but instead of receiving help, the slavers were greeted by the edge of a longsword and the blunt edge of a flail.

"It's the knights of the golden sun!!" A caribou shouted before being cut down by Marshalls blade. Within moments, the remaining forces of the outpost were dealt with while their commander leaped to his death knowing the tortures that awaited him should he be captured.


Both Marshall and Wulfric stood just feet away from each other amongst the corpses of the slavers with both weapons at the ready but instead of fighting, the two took this moment to examine one another.

"You're not royal guards." Said Wulfric lowering his axe as Marshall laid down his sword replying.

"And you're not Stonehooves."

"Hm...it would seem we are on the same side."

Both warriors greeted each other with a firm handshake before ordering their troops to help pile the corpses.

"I am Marshall of The Knights of The Golden Sun." The warden introduced himself while placing a hand over his breastplate.

"And I am Wulfric, Chieftain of The Warborn Clan." The chieftain responded while looking Marshall in the eye before asking why they joined in on their battle.

"My commander saw what was going on and sent us to investigate." Marshall answered while noticing some of Wulfrics warriors were female and Equestrians.

"Is that so?" Wulfric replied while scratching his chin.

"I want to meet with him."

"Hm...I'll see what I can do." Marshall was still unsure about Wulfrics intentions and was not sure what to make of him since they had just met but this seemed like a good opportunity to gain what knowledge the warborn had about the enemy and possibly form an alliance with them. When Marshall told Shining Armor of the meeting request, his commander agreed on the condition that Wulfric come alone, unarmed and that the meeting would take place in their camp. Wulfric agreed to the terms.

That evening, Shining Armor and Wulfric met in the center of his camp as agreed with the chieftain came unarmed and with no escort. The knights of course felt uneasy about this sudden meeting since Wulfric was a caribou. The leaders sat down on opposite ends of the campfire while examining one another before beginning the meeting.

"So you are the one they call Shining Armor. I was told you are a prince." Said Wulfric while rubbing his hands near the fire.

"And you must be the one they call Wulfric." Shining replied while slouching forward ever so slightly and asked why Wulfric called for this meeting.

"I came to let you know that we are not your enemy." The chieftain declared while pointing a finger to the prince.

"We seek the same thing Shining Armor: The death of Dainn Stonehoof. We can help each other."

"And how do I know you and your changelings won't turn on us the first chance you get?" The prince replied while looking at Wulfric for a straight answer.

"If I wanted to go to war with you, I would've killed your men the other day." Wulfric responded with an offended look upon him.

"The Warborn look after their own, both strong and weak. We are nothing like the Stonehooves."

Shining Armor looked at the caribou standing across him and still didn't know what to make of him but seeing as this was a war he couldn't afford to lose, he decided to test Wulfrics loyalty.

"There's a fortress just up the road that was built on a river. We'll need that place taken for a command base if we are to gain a foothold in this war."

"Very well. Consider it taken." Wulfric responded more quickly than Shining Armor anticipated and returned to his camp but not before the prince gave him a clear warning.

"Don't make me regret this Wulfric or you will...."

End.
> Uneasy Alliances
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shining Armor sat in his tent thinking about the events that transpired the other night, he was unsure whether he could trust The Warborn or not. 

They are caribou; they are the enemy is what his usual train of thought would be until he met Wulfric and his clan. While most of the caribou Shining Armor met were sex hungry monsters, Wulfric and his clan seemed more noble but that was not enough earn his trust.

"Commander." A soldier called from outside Shinings tent with an urgent report.

"The Warborn are preparing to besiege the fortress."

"Very good. Tell Commander Quartz: I want him and some volunteers to escort me to the battle."

The prince left the camp along with Marshall and Quartz to the siege line just outside the fortress. Upon their arrival, the knights noticed that the warborn were gathered around a campfire while a priest raised his arms to the heavens and began chanting some kind of prayer while two others held out bowls of strange plants that were consumed by some of the warriors.

"I've heard about this." Quartz said quietly so as not to disturb the ritual.

"They're berserkers. They drug themselves before battle so they can't feel pain and they are always the first to charge.

"And the chanting?" Marshall asked.

"The priest is saying a prayer to the gods, asking them for safe passage to Valhalla should they die in battle."

The knights continued to watch the ceremony unfold as the priest began painting the warriors faces one by one until they were finally ready for battle with their chieftain leading the charge.

"Victory or Valhalla!!" Wulfric cried out with his axe raised high as his warriors began shouting like wild beasts before charging head on towards the fortress where a platoon of guards shielded by a wall of wooden stakes waited for them. Arrows and balls of fire rained down from the sky on both sides, killing many warriors in the crossfire but the attack continued as both Equestrian and Caribou blood began to soak the ground.

Once enough of the enemy had been pushed back, the warborn quickly took shelter beneath the archway of the gate while forming a shield wall to protect themselves from the arrows.

"ROPES!!" A soldier cried out as several more ran up with strange looking cannons.

"Grapples! Here!"

The devices were placed on different parts of the wall and in almost rapid succession, a grappling hook was shot from each cannon and hooked itself on the gaps of the wall.

"Applejack, Rainbow Dash! lead the climb!!"

The two mares climbed up the wall as fast as possible with arrows flying in every direction and rocks being thrown from the wall. Rain began to pour onto the field as the battle raged on with warriors on both sides slipping and wrestling each other in the mud, it was up to Rainbow and Applejack to get the gates open or it would end up being a massacre.

The farm mare noticed a soldier trying to knock off the grappling hook where Rainbow Dash was and quickly hurled her axe into the side of his skull as her friend finally made it over the wall.

"Nice move cowgirl." The pegasus said with a friendly nudge before joining the rest of their group in the attack.

"We need to reach the gate controls!" Applejack shouted over the thunder and lightning while the soldiers began to fight along the wall. Both mares rushed towards the gatehouse where a small squad of guards tried to stop them, Rainbow struck first by hurling her spear into the first guards chest leaving her friend to butcher the rest with her twin axes that seemed to dance in the air with each of her swings.

As the tension died down, Applejack found herself in a daze as she stood amongst the corpses of her enemies but she did not feel guilt or pity; only hate. Hate for what they did to her friends and family, hate for being treated like a whore and having everything she ever loved taken from her. She had been raped, whipped and tortured by these animals and had desired nothing more than to see them dead by her own hands, her only regret was that she could kill them once.

With the last of the guards dead, the warborn storming the wall were finally able to open the gates for their comrades down below and that is when the battle turned bloody.

"I welcome you all!" Cried Wulfric with his arms fanned out as the army charged into the fortress with arrows whizzing past their heads.

In a desperate attempt to repel the invaders, the fortresses remaining troops formed a shield wall as the army came flooding through the gates shouting and screaming like wild animals. The shield wall had been easily broken after a single charge and the guards were trampled to death by the warborn who began slaughtering the last of the defenders and looting what treasures they could find.

Shining Armor and his knights watched as the stronghold went up in flames while listening to the sounds of the warborn cheering, it seemed like victory had been claimed for their new allies until the prince noticed something horrific; Stonehoof warriors who had surrendered were being thrown from the walls one by one while others were brought down by axes and spears. Shining needed to stop this.

Back inside the fort


"WE SURRENDER!! WE-ACK!!" The stonehooves please for mercy were silenced by Wulfrics axe as he and his warriors continued to butcher the survivors.

"For the love of the gods we-AGH!" Another survivor was cut down when The Knights of The Golden Sun finally arrived on the battlefield to see the slaughter.

"STOP!!" Shining Armor cried out before parrying the chieftains blade away and looking very furious.

"This is murder!" The prince shouted after seeing the mangled bodies of the unarmed guards.

"Oh like Hel it is. They're Stonehooves and they've earned it." Wulfric replied while pulling his axe out of his victims skull

"You're killing your own people!"

"They are NOT my people!" Wulfric roared as the argument began to heat up.

"They're animals! They kill and take whatever they want with no regard for others!"

"Like you're any different!" Shining Armors response instantly ignited Wulfrics rage as the two prepared to cross blades to settle their dispute.

"Chill you two!" Shouted Rainbow Dash who began pushing back the prince while Applejack handled Wulfric.

"You wanted us to take the frotress didn't you? Well we did just that!" The chieftain shouted as he pointed his bloodied axe to the prince.

"This is no way to deal with prisoners!" Shining spat before calming down.

"Well it's how we deal with OUR prisoners." Wulfric replied as Applejack moved him back.

"Besides we didn't kill ALL of them."

The chieftain signaled for his warriors to bring forward two equestrian prisoners they had found hiding inside the fortress and from the looks of their attire, all could tell they were nobles.

"They said they had some information but they said they would only tell you."

Shining looked at the two prisoners and recognized them as members of Bluebloods court who sided with Dainn during the invasion, they were also the ones who sold out Twilight Sparkle and her friends along with the secret of The Crystal Empire.

"My prince!" The first prisoner cried out, looking relieved to see Shining Armor.

"Thank heavens, you've come to save us!"

Their smiles would soon fade as Shining met them at eye level with a hateful glare in his eyes as he placed the blade of his poleax against their necks.

"I should slit your throats for what you've done to this kingdom..." The prince said with malice in his voice before ordering Quartz and his men to haul the second prisoner back to their camp.

"Do what you want with this one." Shining said before leaving with his men.

The noble that was left with the warborn began to shake with fear for he had heard of how they treated their prisoners of war. He proceeded to cover his groin area for fear of being castrated but Wulfric had other plans for him.

"Applejack, do you recognize this one?" The chieftain asked when the farm mare walked up to the prisoner and delivered a kick that shattered his muzzle. The vikings laughed as the prisoner let out a shriek of pain while covering his nose that began to bleed profusely on the ground.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"This bastard stole my families land and my little sister! He even took away my granny and big brother!!" Applejack shouted furiously while her victim whimpered in fear.

"Please, I'll tell you anything you want to know just spare my life!" The prisoner begged when Wulfric yanked him up by his mane saying.

"You're in no position to bargain..."

Wulfric then noticed a strange necklace hanging from the nobles neck and broke it off, the necklace seemed to be a medallion baring the emblem of the stonehoof tribe and as Wulfric began to fiddle with it, the medallion suddenly popped open revealing a folded piece of paper hidden within. It was a map.

"We have what we need." The cheiftain said while placing the shaft of his axe on his shoulder.

"What do we do with this one chieftain?" Asked one of the warriors holding the prisoner.

"Shining Armor said he was a traitor and you all know what we do with traitors."

The warriors nodded in agreement before taking their prisoner to the forts mess hall where he was stripped and laid down on a wooden table.

"What are you doing?!?" The noble yelled in terror before hearing the sound of hammers driving large nails into his hands. The prisoner screamed in agony as his hands were nailed down slowly but that was only the start of his torture. A viking who had been heating a dagger in one of the braziers walked over to his chieftain who carefully took the dagger in his hands and whispered.

"If this hurts, just scream."

And scream the prisoner did as Wulfric began to slowly carve off the skin on the his back into a pair of bloody wings while another of the vikings walked over with a hatchet and began to slowly hack open the now exposed rib cage of the wailing prisoner. Throughout the day, the noblemans screams could be heard all the way to Shining Armors camp where the surviving noble quivered in fear at the screams of his dying companion.

The execution was finally brought to an end as the warborn hoisted the corpse of the dead prisoner high above the gates with the flaps of his skin tied open on opposite ends of a wooden cross making them look like a pair of wings as fresh blood began to drip from the two gaping holes in his back.

At the knights camp, Shining Armor and Sanguine Quartz were busy interrogating their prisoner who had been completely traumatized by the brutal execution of his companion.

"If you don't wanna end up like your friend, I suggest you cooperate." Quartz whispered before sitting down to ask one question.

"Where is Princess Twilight?"

End.
> Blades In The Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the changeling camp, a single samurai hones his skills through intense training. His eyes are blondfolded so he cannot see what's in front of him but his other senses are hightened; he can hear the faint sound of footsteps all around him and creaking of leather sandals his opponets surround him in a circle yet he stands as still as a statue and waits for the right moment to strike.

"HAJIME!!" Shouts an elderly voice as a flurry of wooden swords come swinging from every direction only to be parried away before their wielders were struck down in rapid sucession, leaving a circle of bruised trainees and broken swords. The samurai was none other than the changeling queens own Crafty Dodger who had been preparing for a special night raid after receiving some intelligence from their new allies; The Warborn Clan and The Knights of The Golden Sun.

Thanks to the map discovered by Wulfric and the information attained by Shining Armor, the allied forces had discovered the location of Princess Twilight Sparkle who was sold into slavery after Dainn took over Equestria. 

The king tried to force Twilight into giving him the secret of how she became an Alicorn but there was no secret, Twilight kept telling him over and over that she had earned her wings and status but Dainn would not believe her and accused her of witchcraft then sentenced her to enslavement until she revealed the truth he wanted to hear.

The one who had bought Twilight was a slave trader named Olaf who delighted in sexually torturing females until they broke. Twilight was no acception.




Olaf's Manor

In the basement of Olaf's home, the sound of thumping and grunting could be heard followed by the moans of a helpless mare being raped.

Twilight screamed to the heavens as Olaf rammed into over womb and over with her tongue hanging out like a dog in the hot sun, the princess squirmed and whimpered while trying to resist the waves of pleasure ravaging her body but thanks to a special herbal mix she was given and the scent coming off the candles around her, she was not able to stop herself from moaning and screaming as her body was filled with her captors seed.

The princess had been forced to walk on all fours with a leather strap tied around the base of her tail to make it easy for males to enter her while her horn was made into a necklace for Olaf and her wings encased in black boxes.

Olaf was another stonehoof slaver from Canterlot who had made a fortune on selling young mares to corrupt nobles. When he was not raping the princess himself, Olaf would throw her to his diamond dog soldiers or war beasts just to see her moan and cry while demeaning her and insulting her very existence in an attempt to break her yet still his new slave would not bow to his rule.

"Ya like that don't you whore?" He asked while pulling Twilights mane and going faster.

"Just hurry up you lard ass!" The princess spat back and gritted her teeth as he began to spank her repeatedly.

"Maybe a night with the dogs will change your tune!" Olaf threatened when he noticed Twilight grinning.

"At least they can last more than five minuets!"

"You little bitch!!" The slaver yelled angrily before pulling out and ramming into her flank. Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs when she felt the burning sensation of her tailhole being penetrated while her captor slammed in over and over before finally climaxing inside her and letting her flop to the ground covered in sweat and semen.

"You're lucky the king wants you alive. He's got plans for you." The stag said while hiking up his pants.

"He's no king....he's a bastard." Twilight replied with a defiant look in her eyes; a look that made Olafs blood boil.

"Guards! This bitch gets no food or water. Three days!"

The slaver was finished with Twilights attitude and decided to break her for good but little did he know was that a certain visitor was paying his manor a visit that night.




Crafty Dodger had made his way to the manor under the cover of a moonless night and thanks to his abilities as a changeling he was able to disguise himself among the guards and servants. He saw many female slaves in rags and chains scrubbing the floor of the estate while guards lifted their skirts up to peek at their flanks knowing they could do nothing about it.

To find out where Twilight was being held, the orochi used his magic to transform into one of the guards he had taken out and asked where he could find the dungeons while trying not to rouse suspicion.

"Hey guys. Do you know where the dungeons are? This place is like a maze."

"Oh I see. Lookin' to get a taste of the former princess eh?" A caribou joked while handing him the keys.

"Just head straight down this hallway and uh...between you and me. That little bitch loves a good tit squeezing." The stag whispered lustfully before letting the changeling pass through.

With the location of the prison found, the orochi snuck to the nearest window and launched a red flare and within moments the entire manor was swarmed by samurai coming out of the shadows with Queen Chrysalis leading the charge.

"Hello boys~." The queen waved at the first squad of guards playfully before brandishing her naginata; a long spear with a curved blade at the end. The canterlot guards began to quiver in fear after remembering her from the royal wedding but the stonehooves were not intimidated at all and rushed her from all sides.

"Ohh what fun!" Chrysalis giggled as she began slicing them to bits with a fighting style that made her look like she was dancing a ballet and by the time she was done, her blade was dripping with the blood of her enemies yet she seemed disappointed.

"Pity. I was hoping they would put up more of a fight but the night is young."

In that moment, the queens eyes turned to the canterlot guards who were still frozen by fear and soon found themselves screaming for mercy as flashes of silver danced around in the night air.

Inside The Manor

Olaf was pacing around his private chambers while the battle raged on outside and from what he could hear, it was not going well. Twilight was chained in the corner of the room with a blank expression on her face unaware of what was happening around her, her mind was a complete mess thanks to an overdose of drugs meant to keep her senses dulled so that she would not struggle.

Outside the chamber were the elite guard of Olaf's manor and among that group was Crafty Dodger in his disguise.

"Be ready men!" Said the squads captain standing at the fron as the fighting grew louder.

"Hey. We're dealing with Changelings right?" Asked one of the guards.

"Aren't they supposed to be shapeshifters?"

"Yeah but you'd have to be a complete idiot not to notice one." Answered a second guard when a flash of green appeared out of nowhere followed by a flash of silver that cut open the two guards at the rear.

"An idiot eh? Well I guess you two win that prize." 

The guards turned around to see a single changeling standing before them with his sword now dripping blood from the first two victims.

"Let me make one thing clear. None of you are getting out of here alive." The orochi warned his foes only to have them laugh in his face.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Said the captain as he bragged about their superior numbers.

"There's at least twenty of us and only one of you!"

"True. You should've brought more." The orochi replied before a puff of smoke appeared out of nowhere and the walls began to stain with blood.

Just beyond the door, Olaf could hear the dying screams of his men being butchered one after the other and just as the last soldier cried out in agony everything became eerily quiet. The slave master leaned an ear against the door but didn't hear a thing.

"I think they got him." He told himself before slowly opening the door. A flash of silver blinded the caribou for a moment when he felt the sting of the orochi's blade cleaving a wound in his chest deep enough for him to bleed to death.

"You bastard!" The old stag hissed as he laid in a pool of his own blood.

The orochi stood over his dying victim while cleaning off his blade and told him a very interesting fact about one of Equestria's insects.

"Did you know that the Star Spider didn't just get its name because of the star shape on its abdomen but also its venom?"

"W-what do you mean?!?" The slave master wheezed before he began to see spots all around the room.

"Star Spider venom is very lethal, a single bite can cause one to become disoriented and off balance before they begin seeing flashes of light then succumb to paralysis and cardiac arrest; in short, it literally makes you see stars."

It was after that moment, the slave master choked on his final breath and Crafty Dodger was able to rescue the captive. By morning, the entire estate was filled with the bodies of stonehoof warriors and royal guards.

The Next Morning

Twilight had begun to awake from her drug enduced slumber when she found herself in a bed and fully clothed, the black boxes that once covered her wings had been removed and her horn somehow reattached itself to her head and was bandaged. At first, she thought this was a dream until she heard the familiar voice of her big brother who was sitting by her bedside.

"Welcome back." Shining Armor said softly while holding his sisters hand to let her know it wasn't a dream. There were no words to describe how Twilight felt when she saw the gentle smile if her big brother greeting her as tears streamed down her face and despite her injuries, the princess sprang from the bed and wrapped her arms around her brother crying tears of joy.

"Shining Armor!" Twilight cried as she tightened her embrace while crying on his shoulder.

"Shhh. It's alright little sis." The prince whispered while stroking the back of her head with a few tears of his own.

"I promise, I won't let anyone hurt you again."

He laid her back down to rest as her friends rushed into the tent and gently surrounding her in a group hug.

"I thought I'd never see you girls again!" Twilight weeped while leaning against Fluttershy.

"We sure did miss you sugarcube." Said Applejack wiping a tear from her face along with Rainbow Dash who was holding her friends hand.

"This calls for a party!!" Shouted Pinkie Pie who immediately rushed out the tent to plan the celebration.

"I'm so glad to see all of you...but how did I get here?" The princess asked when Crafty Dodger stepped into the tent. Twilight was shocked at first when she saw he was a changeling until he humbly folded his hands and bowed to the princess to show his respect.

"I am glad you are well Princess Twilight, my name is Crafty Dodger."

"Um...a pleasure to meet you." Twilight responded.

"Now if you'll excuse me. I must report back to my queen."

With another bow, the orochi left the tent in a respectful manner while Twilight laid in her bed, a little bit confused and asked her friends what was going on. They were more than happy to share the story.

"Have we got a story for you." Said Rainbow Dash who began telling Twilight of The Warborn Clan and their chieftain before Fluttershy told her of the samurai they met in the swamp and how both armies joined up with Shining Armor. Twilight's only regret was that she did not have a parchment and quill to write it all down.

End.
> Bound by Friendship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a quiet, brisk morning on the knights encampment when Twilight awoke without the feeling of chains on her wrists and ankles but she had a long way to go before being fully recovered. Her horn was still on the mend as were her wings that had been bandaged until her feathers grew back.

"Good morning!" Said a nurse walking in with a tray of food. Twilight looked down to see a fresh stack of pancakes steaming in the morning light with syrup oozing down the side and a tall glass of applejuice next to it, she wasted no time in tasting the food and the flavor was nothing short of amazing. Her meal was slightly interrupted when Shining Armor walked into her tent with a tray of his own and joined her for breakfast.

"Shining Armor!"

"Morning Twily."

The prince seated himself next to his sister before helping cut up her pancakes, the siblings enjoyed each others company even as Shinings men began their morning drills around the camp.

"How do you like the pancakes?" Shining asked to break the silence.

"They're delicious, especially the syrup." Twilight replied while taking a few more bites.

After their breakfast, Twilight stepped outside to stretch her legs and tour the camp when she noticed her friends all together at the camps bonfire in a friendly conversation.

"I'll leave you to catch up with your friends." Shining said as he left to attend to his duties knowing his sister would be safe around her friends.

"Twilight!" Pinkie shouted with a gentle hug to her friend before letting her join them around the campfire.

"Morning girls. So what's everypony up to?" The princess inquired when Applejack told them they were going to take a look around the camp.

"Wanna join us sugarcube? It's been a while since we hung out together."

"I'd love to Applejack."

The friends toured every inch of the camp while being greeted by some of the soldiers, Pinkie of course could not help herself around the new sights and sounds and began zipping around the tents like a school filly in a museum when she heard the clashing of steel coming from a small crowd just outside the camp.

"Ohh! what's going on?" The pink mare asked curiously before spotting Shining Armor sparring with Marshall and Bronze Pommel.

The prince stood still as a statue with his poleax planted in the ground while his opponents stood on opposite sides of him ready to attack.

"Whenever you're ready." Shining said before Marshall came in with an overhead strike while Pommel charged in with her shiled. In the blink of an eye, the prince instantly twirled his weapon off the ground and parried the wardens blade before weaving past Pommels attack and sending both of them to the ground. There was a mix of cheering and laughter as the soldiers and Twilights friends continued to watch and throughout the whole fight, Shining did not activate one ounce of his magic.

"No more! I yield..." Marshall huffed in defeat as the weight of his sword became too much for his arms.

"So do I!" Cried Pommel dropping her weapon and with her surrender the match ended.

"Okay. Who wants to go next?" Shining called to the crowd but no one seemed interested in taking him on after witnessing just how skilled he was with his weapon.

"I'll take ya on!" Called the familiar voice of Wulfric as he and a few of his warriors came marching through the camp. Needless to say, Shining Armor was not very happy to see them.

"What are you doing here Wulfric?" The prince asked spitefully while the vikings began seating themselves wherever they pleased.

"We heard you boys were training and thought we'd join you."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

At first, Shining thought of just telling them to leave but figured he could use this opportunity to learn about their fighting style and weapon skills.

"Alright, you can choose anyone to be your opponent." The prince offered while letting Wulfric decide who would fight him when he gave an unexpected answer.

"I pick...you." The chieftain said with his finger pointed at Shining Armor who seemed surprised.

"You did say Anyone."

"So I did."

Both warriors stepped into the circle ready to fight when Wulfric made a little request to the knights commander.

"How about we do this my way? Three shields for each fighter. if you break all three of your opponents shields, you win."

"Sure, why not?"

Just as agreed, both warriors were given three shields and one sword as they prepared to fight. Wulfric banged his shield twice to show he was ready along with Shining Armor and within seconds the duel started.

"HMM!! RRG!!" The chieftain struck first with an upward swing and slammed his shield against Shining Armors before pushing him back with a barrage of attacks.

Much to Shining Armors surprise, Wulfric was well adept at using a broadsword and his swings had enough force to send the prince staggering back with each blow of his sword ringing like a bell.

"Damn! He's strong..." Shining mumbled to himself before the next swing broke his shield in half and sent him toppling into the mud. The vikings cheered for their chieftain while Shining went to retrieve another shield and could feel that most of his left arm had gone numb from the force of Wulfrics blows.

"Are you alright sire?" Asked the soldier handing him his second shield.

"I'm fine." Shining replied while rubbing the numbness out of his arm. The second time they clashed, Shining Armor was more nimble in his movements and was able to weave past Wulfrics attacks while delivering a few of his own until finally destroying his opponents shield with a powerful strike.

"Pff! Luck." Wulfric scoffed while tossing the broken shield aside. Shining quickly asked his soldiers for some water, having exhausted himself in the second round thanks to the shields weight.

Both fighters began trading blows in no time after Wulfric retrieved his shield and just like in the first round, his blows were powerful and staggering. Shining did his best to avoid any unecessary blocks kept moving in circles around his opponent while striking at his shield.

"What's wrong? Getting tired?" The prince teased after noticing Wulfrics movements had slowed down.

"Oh don't you worry about that!" The chieftain shouted back before unleashing another barrage of strikes that were easily parried by Shining Armors blade. The crowd was eating this up as both sides cheered on for their leaders, even Twilight and her friends were getting into the spirit of things.

"Come on Wulfric! Show em what ya got!" Rainbow Dash shouted over the crowd.

"You can do it Shining!" Yelled Twilight after seeing her brother stand his ground against Wulfrics attacks. The fight seemed to be at a stalemate until both swords came crashing into each other and shattered like glass thus ending the duel before a winner could be decided.

"Well then, I guess that's that." Said Wulfric before tossing the broken sword aside.

"You sure you don't wanna get another sword?" Shining Armor asked when the chieftain gave him a rather odd answer.

"It seems the gods do not wish for us to fight Shining Armor, perhaps another time."

As the vikings returned to their camp, Shining Armor kept his eyes fixed on Wulfric and could not help but feel a small sense of pride now that faced him in a fair fight for it is said you cannot truly know another warriors character unless you have crossed swords with them. It was after that moment, the prince was interrupted by his sister and her friends who came to congratulate him on his match.

"That was amazing!" Pinkie shouted slightly in excitement.

"I'm impressed Shining Armor. I've never seen anyone take a hit like that." Said Applejack who was looking at the dents in the princes shield.

"The way you two were fighting was like out of a video game! So! Awesome!!" Rainbow Dash squealed.

"It was pretty amazing. I've never seen someone fight like him." Shining admitted while looking at his reflection in the broken sword.

"Perhaps he isn't as bad as I thought."

"I know! Let's have a party! That way you guys can get to know each other." The pink mare shouted once again while jumping for joy.

"I think that's a wonderful idea Pinkie." Said Twilight in agreement along with the rest of her friends but Shining wasn't so sure.

"I don't know girls, party might be kind of distracting."

"Don't think of is as a distraction, think of it as a reward. It's a known fact that soldiers throughout history have always held a feast after a great victory." The princess argued using her collective knowledge on military history and at that point, Shining Armor knew he was beat and allowed Twilight and her friends to organize the victory feast while he told his other officers to spread the word.

Pinkie had never been so excited now that she was planning a party for the first time since the stonehooves took over and didn't waste a single second. With the help of Fluttershy and Applejack, she was able to whip up some food for the feast and left the organizing to Twilight who was already arranging the tables and chairs around the camps bonfire with the help of Rainbow Dash.

"All set. This is gonna be sweet!" Dash squealed in anticipation, knowing that a party usually meant cider.

"Now we just need to...." Twilight had suddenly stopped mid sentence when she saw a surprising sight; Wulfric and his vikings were marching up to the camp holding baskets of food and barrels full of ale.

"Applejack said you were planning a feast. Thought we'd help." The chieftain said with a friendly smile as his warriors began spreading food across the tables.

"But...why?" Asked Twilight.

"Call it a friendly gesture. We were going to throw a feast of our own anyway."

Later That Evening

By the time night had fallen, the entire camp was filled with the sounds of laughter and music. The vikings and knights sat next to one another as if they were old friends and began exchanging stories and telling jokes, it was a display of true friendship and one Shining Armor did not expect to see.

"I don't believe it." The prince said in disbelief as he watched the two factions laughing and drinking together. Even the changelings were invited to join in the festivities and among them was Crafty Dodger sipping from a small white bowl near the bonfire.

"What's that stuff?" Wulfric asked as Crafty Dodger offered him a sip with a fair warning.

"Sakè; Rice Wine. It's very strong so be careful."

"Looks like regular water to me." Wulfric replied before taking it all down in one gulp and before he knew it, a strong flavor attacked his tongue and he began sputtering the drink while the others laughed.

"I warned ya." The orochi said while taking a shot of Sakè like it was nothing.

As Wulfric grabbed the nearest mug of ale to wash out the taste he noticed Applejack leaning against a tree, far secluded from the others with a troubled look on her face.

"Something troubling you my friend?" The chieftain asked while taking another sip from his mug.

"I was...just thinking about my family." Applejack admitted while staring out to the horizon.

"I wonder if I'll ever see them again...it's been so long that I can barely remember their faces..."

"We'll find them, I promise." Wulfric said with a smile and a friendly tap to her mug that seemed to cheer her up a bit.

"Mind if I ask where y'all are from?" The farm mare inquired after finally taking a sip from her mug.

"My home is in Valkenheim, a land far to the north. You'd love it there Applejack." Wulfric sighed with nostalgia as he recalled the memories of his homeland.

"In spring, the north wind caresses your face with the gentlest touch and the sun warms your very skin in the morning light. The land is lush and green and full of life, untouched by the modern world." The chieftain could not help but let out a cheerful smile as if he were already there.

"It does sound nice. Maybe one day I'll come visit." Applejack said with a smile of her own.

"Hm. I'd like that."

Once she felt better, Applejack returned with Wulfric to the feast where Shining Armor and the others had been waiting for them.

"Wulfric, I'm glad you're here." The prince said getting a surprised look from the chieftain.

"You are?"

"Yes. I've talked with some of the refugees from your camp and have heard some incredible things so....I wish to thank you." Shining paused for a moment while looking at the warriors surrounding him.

"Before me and my knights came, you and your clan stood up to Dainn and his followers. You gave my people hope and even helped reunite my sister and her friends. At first, I thought you were no different than Dainn Stonehoof and his warriors but now I see I was wrong." The prince paused once again before raising his glass high in the air for a toast.

"To brothers old and brothers new!!"

The soldiers joined Shining Armor in his toast and raised their mugs with a mighty cheer along with Twilight and the others. Now the armies were bound by both honor and friendship in the war against Dainn thanks to the efforts of Princess Twilight and her friends.

End.
> Letters From The Front
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A day after the feast, the knights and vikings had returned to the fortress by the river to begin fortifications and establishing a base of operations for their war against King Dainn. Upon their return, the knights noticed the mangled corpse of the noble the vikings had executed and were shocked to see such a gruesome sight.

"That's the blood eagle?!?" Marshall asked while looking at Wulfric who was cutting down the dead body like it was no big deal. Even the smell of rotting flesh seemed to have no effect on him.

"What did you expect?"

"I don't know, maybe you just chain him down and have an eagle rip out his liver or something!!"

"Hm. That actually sounds like a good idea." The chieftain replied with a nod of the head before tossing the body onto a wagon.

The army spent the entire morning repairing and cleaning out the fortress until it was fit enough to live in. The refugees were housed in the forts living quarters until they could be safely transported back to Ashfeld while the army slept in the barracks and any available space they could find, some even preferred to sleep along the fortress walls while using the braziers to keep themselves warm against the cool air blowing in from the north.

"It's getting cold, winter is coming." Bronze Pommel said while warming her hands against the brazier in front of her.

"Must be snowing in Canterlot by now." Marshall replied when he noticed Fluttershy handing out bowls of soup to the troops.

"Here, this should warm you up." The pegasus offered kindly after seeing how much their hands were shivering.

"Where's the commander?" The warden asked while blowing on a spoonful of soup.

"He's in his room writing letters to his wife back home." Pommel responded when Fluttershy handed her some warm bread to go with her meal.

Meanwhile

Shining Armor sat at his desk with a parchment and quill while his sister slept soundly in her bed next to him. Seeing her in such a state reminded the prince of their foalhood; when he would read her a bedtime story and often sleep with her until morning and as his sister slept he began to write a letter to his beloved wife waiting for him back in Ashfeld.






My dear Cadence,

I am writing you this letter to let you know that our campaign is going well thanks to the help of our new allies; The Warborn Clan and their chieftain Wulfric along with the changeling army lead by the queens champion. (Shocking, I know)

I was shocked at first to see caribou and changelings actually siding with us to liberate our kingdom and people from the stonehooves but over time, the men and myself have come to welcome them as friends. It was even because of them that we were able to find Twilight and some of her friends again.

Wulfric is so much different than the other chieftains i've encountered in this war, he is kind and caring to his people and will even risk his own life on the battlefield to protect them and though it pains me to admit it, I see a bit of myself in him.

Perhaps one day I'll introduce him to you when the war is over.

I promise to write to you again soon.

Your Husband, Shining Armor.

P.S How are the decorations coming along for the nursery?






After sealing the letter with a special magic wax, Shining Armor lit the scroll ablaze and sent its ashes flying into the horizon while he made sure his sister was tucked in.

"Everything alright?" Twilight whispered half asleep.

"Just taking care of some paperwork." Shining replied before gently planting a kiss on her forehead and brushing her mane out of the way and sleeping in the bed next to her, just like he used to when they were foals.

End.
> The Beautiful Assassin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three days had passed as winter began to set in on the northern borders of Equestria. The allied armies of the knights, samurai and warborn had pushed deep into enemy territory after taking the fortress and raiding the nearby towns for supplies and freeing slaves, with each victory came the promise of hope for those who had been suffering under the stonehoof regime.

The most recent battle was taking place on the outskirts of a small village that housed slaves and rebels who openly spoke out against Dainns rule and thanks to the lack of supplies, it was an easy target to raid.

The attack began when Shining Armor lead a small company of knights to attack from the north while Wulfric moved in from the south to catch the enemy off guard leaving the samurai to quietly smuggle the slaves out during the chaos.

From atop the nearest hill, Twilight and a few other knights could see her friends fighting alongside her brother but was barely able to recognize them. Applejack had been viciously hacking away at anything that dared to come near her and her twin axes while Rainbow Dash swung her spear to and fro, cutting several throats open.

"So..." the princess said quietly to herself.

"This is war."

Twilight had read many stories of war and the horrors that came with it but she had never experienced them first hand. Even from a distance, she could smell the burning village and hear the dying screams of the enemy soldiers as they were slaughtered.

"Come your highness, your brother will be returning soon." Said one of the knights escorting Twilight as they returned to the camp.

Later That Night

The army returned from the battlefield along with the rescued slaves and whatever spoils they could find. Shining Armor would send the refugees to Ashfeld while Wulfric and his smiths melted down the chains that once held them and had them reforged into weapons and armor for their allies.

The slaves were given fresh clothes and a hot meal while others were treated for injuries inflicted by their former masters after being taken into the forts living quarters.

"Here you go little one."

A shaman from the warborn was tending to the fillies that were found among the slaves and many had been severly whipped or beaten to the point where they had gotten sick from their wounds. The shaman applied bandages and ointments to each of his patients until he could barely stand and sat down to catch his breath.

"Odins beard. So this is what it would be like to have grandchildren." He huffed while receiving some giggles from the children and for him that was a good sign of their recovery.

While the slaves were being tended to, the soldiers went about their daily routines around the fort. Some of the troops were guarding the walls and gates with only the braziers keeping them warm against the bitter cold.

"Ohh what I wouldn't give for some hot tea right now!" One of the soldiers whined as he began to shiver in the cold.

"Tea nothing! I want some hot chocolate with marshmallows!" The second one complained when Pinkie Pie seemingly popped out of nowhere with a flask full of hot chocolate and two mugs for the soldiers.

"Ask and you shall receive!" The pink mare said with a smile as she handed them their cups.

"Thanks Pinkie, you're a lifesaver!"

"Aw it was nothing."

Pinkie had discovered a small supply of coacoa powder amongst the kitchen supplies and decided to make a batch of hot chocolate for the soldiers as a way of saying thank. As she was strolling around giving drinks, the pink mare caught a glimpse of something in the shadows but whatever it was quickly disappeared without a trace.

"Hm. Must've been a shadow." Pinkie said to herself before going back inside for a hot meal and warm bath with her friends while two azure eyes watched her from the darkness.




The entire fortress was sound asleep by the time the moon was high and as the hour grew late a hooded figure crept through the shadows and into the hallway leading to Shining Armors bedroom while sneaking past the two guards using magic.

"Excuse me gentlemen." The figure whispered in a refined feminine voice as she snuck into the room where Shining Armor and Twilight were sleeping. The mysterious figure then pulled out a scroll hidden in her boot and placed it quietly on the mantle before sneaking out the window, it seemed like the intruder would make a clean get away until the blade of a longsword was placed against her neck.

"Don't move." Said the voice of Marshall who was out on patrol when he spotted the intruder.

"Who are you and what're you doing here?" The warden asked his prisoner before getting hit with blinding powder as the mysterious mare made her escape.

"INTRUDER! Sound the alarm!!!" Marshall cried out while rubbing his eyes and within moments the entrie fortress was swarming with guards.

"Going somewhere?" Another voice called when the intruder turned around to see Sanguine Quartz and his personal guard who began blocking every possible escape route.

"Damn." The mare cursed under her breath as the sergeant began marching towards her with his weapon raised high.

"AD MORTEM INIMICUS!!" With all his might, Quartz swing his poleax with enough force to shatter the stone floor and creating a small dust cloud while his opponent countered with a crossbow hidden on her waist. The bolt whizzed passed the sergeants face leaving only a small cut while he began pushing her back further until she slipped on a stone hidden under the snow.

"This ends now!"

Quartz swung down his weapon to deliver the killing blow and it seemed like it would hit its mark until it was stopped midway by a magic aura.

"What the devil?!?" The sergeant shouted as he struggled to regain control of his weapon. At that moment, Shining Armor rushed passed the guards along with twilight and her friends.

"Stand down sergeant! That's an order!" The prince barked at the now confused sergeant.

"But sir she's a spy!" The sergeant argued.

"No she isn't. Go ahead, you can show them your face."

With the situation now under control, the mare removed her hood to reveal herself as none other than Rarity; another of Twilights friends who was lost during the takeover.

The five friends were overjoyed to see her again as they surrounded her in a group hug which she was more than happy to accept.

"I can't believe it, you're alive!" Twilight said with tears of joy while her friend held her close and stroked her head like a child.

"I've missed you all too." Rarity replied gently while looking at their happy faces.

"I really wish I could stay but I have to get back. The others are waiting for me."

"Others?" Shining Armor inquired while she pointed out the scroll held in his hand. It was a map leading through the everfree forest.

"Meet me at that spot tomorrow, we will talk then. Oh and tell your friend I'm sorry about the eyes." Without another word, Rarity used her magic to teleport out of the fortress leaving her friends a bit saddened but knowing that she was still alive was good enough for them.

"Come on y'all, we got a big day tomorrow." Said Applejack as they all headed for bed with high hopes about their reunion.

End.
> Reunion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the midst of their campaign, the allied forces learned of a resistance group in the Everfree Forest thanks to a message from Rarity Unicorn; The Element of Generosity. The mare had given Shining Armor a map leading to a secluded area of the forest with instructions for him to bring the leaders of the other factions and her friends to discuss a possible alliance.

The group met at the fortresses west gate fully armed to the teeth knowing the dangers that were hidden inside the forest. Accompanying the prince were Wulfric and Crafty Dodger while the other officers were left to guard the fort in their absence should the enemy attack.

"So we're really doing this?" The chieftain asked while sharpening his axe.

"It's necessary my friend. After all they don't trust us, given our reputation." Dodger replied while sipping some morning sakè before heading outside the gates.

"Don't worry sugarcube, Rarity is a good friend of ours." Applejack said to reassure the others as they began their journey to the western borders of the forest yet even from a distance, the place seemed eerie and foreboding.

"Why did Rarity have to pick such a scary place?" Fluttershy whimpered while looking around for any signs of movement yet all she could see were falling leaves and beams of light piercing through the thick foliage.

"Relax Fluttershy, we'll be fine." Rainbow said with confidence as they began to venture deeper into the forest but with each step, the trees seemed to close in around them and the light from the sun began to fade away as if it were setting but something seemed very off about these woods.

"This forest has eyes, I swear it." Said Wulfric cautiously taking a step forward to avoid making any noise.

"I think you're right, we're being watched." Shining Armor said in agreement before finally unsheathing his weapon and taking a defensive position around the group.

"Stay close girls, it's easy to get lost in here." Applejack advised when they heard the snapping of a twig.

"AH! What was that?!?" Pinkie shrieked while clinging to Fluttershy. At first, everyone was on edge until they spotted a harmless rabbit with a twig in its mouth hopping past them and from what Fluttershy could tell, it was building a nest for its home.

"Oh how cute!" The pegasus said cheerfully as she watched the little critter hop away when out of nowhere came several crossbows pointed straight at her and the rest of her friends. Wulfric was prepared to take action when Shining Armor slowly placed down his weapon and held up both arms as a sign of surrender.

"I am Shining Armor and these are my companions. We were told to come here."

Upon hearing those words, the guards surrounding the group lowered their weapons and had each one blindfolded so they could not find the way to their camp. Hours seemed to pass with each step they took into the forest until they finally reached their destination.

"Alright. You can remove your blindfolds now." Said one of the guards escorting them.

What the group saw next was not a small camp but a thriving village just beneath the shade of the trees which made it a perfect sanctuary. There were huts built from mud and twigs that were large enough to house small families while above were rope bridges and more huts built right into the trees to keep an eye out for signs of danger.

"Odins beard..." Said Wulfric who was in awe of the sight, as were the others.

"This is amazing!" Twilight added as she took in the sights. The village was built by a small river that had a small water wheel built next to it and from what the princess could see, it was used to power a small mill they used to grind wheat into flower.

"How did this happen?" Asked Applejack who was watching some workers building a new hut.

"We are what's left of Canterlot and Ponyville, even some of the caribou who defected from the Stonehooves. We almost would've perished out here had it not been for our leader." Replied one of the guards leading them to a large hut at the center of the village.

"This is our meeting hut, the council should be in session right now."

The guard requested that they wait outside until the council was ready to see them. Time seeme to go by slowly as Twilight and her friends looked around the village and began to remember their peaceful days in Ponyville before the Stonehooves came, they saw children laughing playing in the street while the older members of the village went about their daily routine.

"I still can't believe there is a village in a place like this." Shining said while looking at the structures around him but noticed that the villagers were severely lacking in materials and most seemed to be stuck wearing the same rags they were given as slaves.

"Our leader will see you now." The first guard said before the other told them to hand in their weapons and of course each one of them obliged until Applejack shot Wulfric a scolding look.

"What?" The chieftain asked while shrugging his shoulders.

"Aren't you forgetting something sugarcube?" She asked while pointing at his boot and reminded him of the dagger hidden inside.

"Oh! Heh."

With the last of their weapons relinquished, the group was finally allowed to step inside to meet the village council, all of whom were once members of the royal council in Canterlot that had been banished for speaking out against Dainn. Their leader stood at the center of the room and the moment the ponies laid eyes on her, they immediately began to bow.

"Princess Luna!!" Shining Armor said aloud after recognizing the princess of the night whom he thought had been held prisoner all this time.

"Shining Armor, it is good to see you again." Luna replied while helping him to his feet with a gracious smile and doing the same with Princess Twilight and her friends.

"It is good to see you all again."

"I don't understand, we saw the castle was overrun." Twilight said in disbelief when Luna placed a hand to her cheek.

"All will be revealed in time Twilight, I promise."

Luna's attention quickly turned to Wulfric who had been standing there as if observing her.

"And who is this?" She asked Shining Armor

"Oh right. Princess Luna this is Wulfric; Chieftain of The Warborn Clan."

"Ah. So you're the one we've been hearing about." She said while looking him over. He seemed like a decent enough person for a viking but Luna was cautious of his kind and decided to ask a series of questions.

"Tell me Wulfric, what are your goals in this war?" She asked with her arms crossed.

"I will kill Dainn Stonehoof and claim lordship over the other clans." Wulfric replied bluntly, leaving everyone a bit concerned.

"And what then? Will YOU attempt to rule Equestria?" The princess inquired with the other council members listening intently.

"No. My people and I will return to Valkenheim to rebuild when this war is over and we have many back home in need of us."

"What do you mean?" Asked one of the council members as the chieftain began telling the story of how he and the other clans were forced under Dainns heel and how many more were left to wither and die back home. The tyrant king truly had no mercy, even for his own people.

It was after hearing his story, that Luna requested to speak with him and Shining Armor privately while Twilight and the others went to visit Rarity who lived just on the other side of the village. The friends were excited to see their friend again, especially after last night and were eager to hear her story.

"That must be her place up ahead." Said Rainbow Dash pointing to the hut at the end of the village where Rarity was waiting to greet them.

"Girls, you made it! Come on in, I have tea and biscuts waiting." Rarity said in a cheeful manner while escorting them inside her home.

"I know it's not much to look at but it's the best we could do with what we have." 

"It's lovely Rarity." Fluttershy complimented after looking around the interior, it seemed to remind her of her cottage back in Ponyville. For a while, the six friends were glad to be back in each others company

"Now to business." Rarity spoke as she placed her cup back down.

"You're all wondering how I escaped with Princess Luna. Well...."




Day of the invasion

Rarity was in Canterlot when the attack began. She saw the once gleaming towers set ablaze by the barbaric stonehooves as they looted the city while others began rounding up mares and fillies in the streets. It was a nightmare.

Rarity knew every street in the city like the back of her hand and thanks to her magic she was able to sneak past the soldiers patrolling the streets while offering what help she could to others who were able to escape capture but with the city now flooded with enemies, it was only a matter of time before they were found.

The group had managed to reach the western courtyard of the castle where they saw royal guards assisting the invaders capture their female counterparts and house maids as they chained them up and locked them in cages after ripping away their clothing.

"What in equestria is going on?" Rarity whispered to herself when she saw a small platoon of guards escorting princess Luna away from the castle.

Just as Shining Armor trained his men to resist mind control magic, Luna and Celestia did the same with their most trusted guards should another foe attempt to infiltrate their ranks or turn them on each other.

"Quickly your highness." One of them whispered as he opened a secret entrance in the castle garden but just as the princess was about to enter, she spotted Rarity and her group and saw they were in desperate need of an escape.

"We are taking them with us and that's an order." Luna spoke firmly but there was no need since her guards were more than willing to help. The entrance was then sealed and the group navigated their way through the mining tunnels beneath the city until they made it to a river where two boats were waiting for them.

"You have all done your duties well."

"What should we do now your highness?" One of the guards asked while loading the civilians onto the boats.

"For now, we must hide. We do not have the strength to retake the city but mark my words: These barbarians will pay..."

All they could do was watch as the once proud city of Canterlot was set ablaze like a giant bonfire while they drifted down the river towards the everfree forest.




"It was after that day that I pledged myself to Luna's Nightguard and we've been gathering any refugees we could rescue or find."

Hearing their friends tale made the others feel more saddened than ever, now that they knew what happened to Canterlot during the invasion.

"What about Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked but was answered by the shaking of her friends head.

"She's locked up beneath the dungeons in Canterlot Castle. It seems Dainn failed to break her through physical torture so he's trying a different method."

"RRRG! THAT CREEP!!" Rainbow shouted furiously as she slammed her fists on the table, startling Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

"When I get my hands on him, I'll kick his balls so hard that he'll be singing soprano for weeks!!"

"Calm down Rainbow Dash!" Applejack scolded her friend while helping her sit back down.

"I know your upset but gettin' riled up ain't gonna help."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Rainbow huffed before noticing a commotion going on outside.

"What in the hay seed?" Applejack peeked outside the window with Rarity and noticed a huge crowd gathered at the center.

"Something is wrong." The unicorn said to herself as she rushed over to find another face she had not seen in a long time.

"Sweet Celestia! Spike!!!" Rarity shrieked in an almost startled voice.

The others could not believe what they had heard and rushed over to see for themselves but were horrified by what they found. Spike was covered in cuts and bruises as well as mud and twigs, his right eye had been blackened by his attacker and his left arm was badly broken in three places.

"What happened?" Asked one of the guards to the ponies that brought him in.

"We found him like this by the river, we thought he was dead!"

"Get him inside quick! Fetch a doctor!!"

As the crowd began to disperse, the little drake was able to make out Twilight and the others amd reached out a hand for them.

"Twi...light..." He wheezed while the princess held his hand.

"Yes spike, it's me!" Twilight sniffled while trying to hold back her tears but to see the little drake she considered her baby brother in such a state broke her heart.

"Twilight...he's coming..." Spike wheezed again in a more frightened voice.

"Who Spike? Who's coming?"

"Blue....blood..."

The little drake passed out before he could say any more and was carried off to the healer while Twilight looked at the others with a concerned expression on her face.

"We need to send a message to the others!"

End.
> Bluebloods Folly Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Spike had brought word of Bluebloods army, the village was in a panic. Dozens of civilians had crowded around the meeting hut to urge Princess Luna to evacuate them to somewhere safer while others said that they should stand and fight and it wasn't long until they were at each others throats with the guards trying their best to seperate them.

"SILENCE!!" The princesses voice boomed across the hall as both sides were instantly silenced.

"Now is not the time to panic."

"But your majesty we have to get out of here!" One of the villagers urged her when she made a compelling argument.

"And where would you have us go hm? Back out into the wild? Or back to Canterlot where you will no doubt be imprisoned and tortured while your wives and daughters are raped before your very eyes? Is that what you want?"

Her question was met with silence from the crowd, they knew she was right but with an army headed towards them it seemed things looked grim.

"Princess, we need to get a message to the others. They don't know about Blueblood." Twilight pleaded with Luna, fearing for the safety of the refugees back at the fort.

"There is no need Twilight Sparkle, my scouts returned shortly after Spike was found and they say the army should be arriving very shortly."

Back at the fortress

Just as Luna's scouts predicted, Bluebloods army was spotted coming over the horizon with banners flying high in the air. The prince rode in a gold chariot pulled by two giant polar bears covered in armor while his personal guard marched behind him.

"So this is the place?" The prince asked to himself as he stared at the stone structure before him and found it less than appealing to his tastes.

"Tell me soldier, who resides here?" He asked one of his soldiers.

"Sir. There are multiple escaped slaves and a small battallion of enemy troops garrissoned in the fort."

"Ah. So we found my precious merchandise."

Blueblood ordered his army to make camp on the hilltop while he and his guards went to the fortress to negotiate with its commander. The soldiers inside the walls were less than pleased to see the traitorous bastard that sold out their kingdom and were eager to put an arror between his eyes but Sergeant Quartz forbade it.

"Who goes there!?" Quartz shouted from atop the wall.

"I am Prince Blueblood of Canterlot and I have come here under orders of King Dainn to reclaim slaves you have stolen from the empire!" Blueblood responded while Quartz looked down at the refugees and with a smug grin he shouted back at the prince.

"I see no slaves here. Just women and children who've lost their homes thanks to a traitorous dog!!"

"Wait...I remember you!" The prince yelled in outrage after recognizing the symbol on the sergeants breastplate.

"Where is he? Where is Shining Armor and that traitor?!?"

"Traitor? That seems a bit harsh, don't you think?" Said Marshall coming into view of the prince.

"Last I checked, You tried to have me killed after I successfully defended your honor back at the keep. So tell me Blueblood, who betrayed who?"

Blueblood was outraged by the way he was being treated, first he was denied the slaves that he believed were rightfully his and now a mercenary who was once under his employ was disrespecting him in front of his own men.

"Impudent bastards! I'll see you get a flogging for this!!"

"Don't bark if you can't bite little colt!" Sergeant Quartz responded as the soldiers began bursting into laughter.

Blueblood had never been so humiliated, not since the incident at the grand galloping gala. To add insult to injury, the warden borrowed one of the guardsmans longbows and took aim.

"Blueblood! Before you go, here's my resignation!"

Marshall fired an arrow past the princes head making him shriek as he toppled over into the mud below. The laughter from inside the fortress instantly grew louder along with Bluebloods fury as he mounted his chariot and left in a huff with his men.

"We haven't seen the last of him." Said Quartz who knew a battle was inevitable.

"Double the watch on the walls and make sure all the refugees are inside."

And just like the sergeant predicted, Blueblood and his army began marching upon the fortress with banners flying and wardrums beating in the air. At that same time, another army began marching out of the everfree forest lead by Shining Armor, Wulfric and Princess Luna who was less than happy to see her traitorous nephew.

"Aunt Luna! So good to see you again!" Blueblood shouted across the field trying to sound happy and even gave a deceitful grin.

"Same to you my dear nephew, I look forward to seeing your face as I tear your heart out from your body!!" The princess shouted back causing her men to break out in a triumphant cheer.

The atmosphere had grown tense as both armies stood at a distance from each other as the snow began to fall but while Blueblood and his men shivered in their boots. Wulfric, Shining Armor and their warriors readied themselves for battle.

Wulfric stepped forward with his axe raised high and gave a mighty shout to rally the troops.

"Who owns the north?"

"We do!"

"WHO OWNS THE NORTH?!"

"WE DO!!!"

"SHOW ME!!"

The vikings began shouting like wild beasts and banging their shields in a frenzy to intimidate their foes with the knights joining them and in that moment, Blueblood did not see an army of rabble standing before him but an army of bloodthirsty beasts.

As the cheering continued, Shining Armor raised his arm and prepared to lead the troops in the first wave of the assault.

"For Honor! For Victory!! CHARGE!!" With a wave of their commanders hand, the soldiers charged forward across the snowy field, their armor plated boots ringing out like thunder.

"Sheer them like the sheep they are!!" Blueblood yelled as he gave the order for his troops to charge and thus the battle for the north had begun.

End.
> Bluebloods Folly Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

All hell had broken loose after both armies clashed on the field, soldiers were being impaled by spears and swords while others were struck down with axes and trampled down by boots and through it all, Blueblood watched from atop a hill in the safety of his chariot.

"Ready the archers." The prince ordered with a smug grin on his face as he prepared to unleash an arrow volley on the field. One of his officers didn't seem to be in agreement.

"But sir! Our men-"

"Are expendable captain and so are you!" The prince responded coldly while the archers took aim.

"FIRE!!"

With a single order, the archers loosed their arrows upon the field with no regard for the safety of their comrades while Bluebloods grin turned into a smile.

"SHIELDS!!" Wulfric shouted after hearing the whistling of the arrows now raining down from the sky. The barrage had killed a great deal of soldiers on both sides while many more were left wounded on the field.

"He's firing on his own men, is he crazy?!?" One soldier shouted before returning to battle.

"Hold! Hold the line!!" Shining Armor yelled after noticing his troops were loosing ground. The allied forces struggled to hold the front as they fought tooth and nail on the cold, muddy soil but eventually they were routed thanks to the enemies superior numbers.

"Fall back! Back to the forest!" Luna cried as she joined her troops in the retreat.

Taking this chance, Blueblood ordered his army to pursue them in hopes of capturing the princess and the elements of harmony. They had chased them into a sloped area of the forest and it seemed victory was within their grasp.

"Say goodbye worms!" Blueblood yelled in a sadistic tone when his troops were struck by a rain of fire arrows that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"HOLD THE CHARGE!!" An officer shouted while trying to regroup his men before seeing an army of samurai charging down the hills in a pincer maneuver while the previous army began to regroup and prepare for a second charge.

"Twilight! Flasks!!" Shining called out to his sister who was hiding just behind the bushes with her friends. The mares began lighting up several pieces of torn cloth tied to jars filled with a strange liquid and began hurling them at the enemy.

"What the devil?" A royal guard watched as the first flask shattered upon the ground, erupting into a blazing inferno. The  soldiers caught in the blast screamed in agony as they tried to get out of the fire but were trapped by their comrades at the rear and the slopes surrounding the area leaving no chance of escape.

"This...this is a dream! A nightmare!!" Blueblood said to himself while watching his men being slaughtered.

"How else can that Shining Armor...that pompous upstart and his sister beat me?!?" The prince glared at his rival from across the field with hatred in his eyes. Blueblood had never liked Shining Armor or his sister and her friends, to him they were just worthless peasants that were spoiled by his aunts while he was denied everything.

"I won't be outdone!! FORWARD!!" The prince urged his army to charge forward in a desperate attempt to break through the enemy lines and escape. Only Wulfric and his vikings stood in the way.

"SHIELD WALL!!" The chieftain yelled as his warriors began to form a wall, stopping the prince in his tracks as his men crashed against the viking shields.

The stonehooves and royal guard fought desperately to break through as their enemies closed in around them but each attempt was met with failure; those who tried jumping over the wall were struck down by arrows and spears while those trying to go around it were quickly cut down by axes and swords. Blueblood was running out of options.

"Think Blueblood, you can do this!" The prince said to himself while trying to figure out his next move.

"The first duty of a commander is to....of course! Save myself!!"

With no regard for the lives of his men, Blueblood turned his chariot around and began charging back to the forests edge in hopes of escaping while the armies continued to battle.

"He's getting away!" Yelled Rainbow Dash before seeing Shining Armor shoot up a flare of magic.

"He won't get far." Shining said with a grin before returning to the battle.




Near the forests edge

Blueblood cracked his whip upon the backs of the beasts pulling his chariot as he saw daylight ahead of him and with it the promise of eacape.

"I got better things to do than die here!" He said while laughing to himself when his chariot got snagged by a tripwire that sent him flying out while his beasts broke free of their harness and kept on running towards the edge of the trees.

"Get back here!!" He shouted as they began to fade from sight but that was not the end of his misfortune. After stumbling a ways toward his escape, Blueblood was suddenly surrounded by a mob of villagers carrying pitchforks and other farming tools as weapons while others held coils of rope and shackles.

"S-stay back!" He threatened while trying to reach for his sword but quickly discovered that it had flown out of its scabbard when he crashed. Thankfully, he had magic at his disposal.

"I said stay back!!" The prince shouted in a more threatening tone as his horn flared up.

"That's right! One more step and I'll vaporize you! Now I am going to walk out of here and none of you peasants are gonna stop me!"

"Is that so nephew?"

Blueblood turned around to see his aunt Luna standing before him with her sword in full view and just before he could react, she sliced off his horn in one clean sweep making him cry out in pain while the villagers cheered.

"Tie him up and take him to the village! He has much to answer for."

The villagers were more than happy to take the traitor back with them in chains as they dragged him back to their village while Luna sent up a magic flare signaling that Shining Armors trap had worked.




The Battlefield

The remaining forces of Bluebloods army were now in disarray thanks to the absence of their leader, the officers who had been left behind did their best to try and repel the enemy but to no avail. As the battle raged on, one officer who had been pushed to the brink of exhaustion saw the carnage going around him and knew this was a fight they could not win.

"Save yourselves!" He shouted after getting back to his feet.

"SAVE YOURSELVES!!"

It wasn't long before the soldiers began to break ranks and start running for their lives while the knights and vikings shouted and cursed as they allowed them to escape. They wanted to send Dainn a message that they were not to be taken lightly and that they had the strength to defeat his armies.

"Retreat...RETREAT!!"

With that final order, the stonehooves and royal guards had been pushed back and the allied forces had claimed their first major victory in the war. Knights, vikings and samurai alike began cheering and embracing each other after their hard won victory, even Wulfric and Shining Armor were glad to see one another after the battle.

"HAA WE WON!!" Wulfric shouted while embracing his friend in a firm hug, despite being covered in mud and scratches.

"Well done my friends." Said Crafty Dodger who was just coming out of the crowd with his armor now damaged from battle.

"Alright! Men, get looting!!" Shining Armor yelled to the troops who let out an even louder cheer as they began scavanging the battlefield for valuables. Some of the men were more concerned with their thirst as they began sharing their rations with their comrades while others helped the wounded off the field and back to the village.

Among the soldiers were Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were relieved to see one another as they headed back with the others but as they passed by the three commanders, the farm mare did something unexpected.

"Something wrong Applejack?" Wulfric asked her when she suddenly planted a firm kiss on his lips making his face turn red while his soldiers cheered and whistled at the mares bold display of affection. Even Twilight and the others were shocked.

"My tent, tonight. Be there." She said with a wink before leaving while Wulfric just stood there, his face red as an apple before fainting.

End.
> Love Blooms
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prince Blueblood; The one who betrayed Equestria had been defeated on the field of battle. His army was scattered, his horn taken from him and his armor had now been replaced with ragged clothing.

He had been shackled by the peasants he once loathed and abused as they dragged him through the streets, throwing rotten food at him and cursing his name. They had brought him before the village council to stand trial for his crimes with Princess Luna, Shining Armor and Princess Twilight as his judges.

A soldier in Luna's night guard marched before the pedastal and read the Bluebloods crimes aloud for all to hear.

"Prince Blueblood of Canterlot. You stand before this council accused of high treason, extortion, the illegal practice of trading slaves and the attempted murder of one Spike The Dragon."

"Attempted? So the little bugger is still alive." Blueblood said in a smug tone, making everyone gasp in shock while the council demanded silence.

"So you admit to trying to kill Spike. Why?" Shining Armor inquired when the traitor gave him an amswer that made his blood boil.

"Why? Because the little rat spilled tea all over my new cloak." Blueblood responded in a nonchalant manner while everyone just stood there in shock.

"don't know why that idiot sister of yours calls him number one when he can't even serve a cup of tea right."

"YOU BASTARD!!" Twilight shouted furiously and was prepared to go over and give him a well deserved right hook but Luna had her guards restrain her until the questioning was over.

"Now to the next question. You sold out the royal family and the elements of harmony when Dainn Stonehoof and his army invaded. Why?"

The prince stayed silent at Luna's question for a time and seemed to have spaced out while the council awaited his answer.

"I ask again Blueblood, why did you betray your fellow ponies? Why did you sell out your family, your kingdom? Why?"

"WHY DO YOU THINK?!?" Blueblood furiously shouted back, stunning everyone.

"I was a prince of Canterlot, I should've been the one ponies loved and admired! But then that brat from Celestia's school showed up and suddenly all the attention was on her!! everything that should've been mine was given to her! The fame, the glory, the power! All of it went to that upstart Twilight Sparkle and her friends!"

Bluebloods ranting continued while staring into his aunts eyes.

"Then as if it wasn't bad enough, Shining Armor was given the Crystal Empire to rule after marrying Cadence and then THEY end up becoming worshipped! By an empire that was gone a thousand years no less! So the reason my dear aunt is that I betrayed Equestria because my family betrayed ME!!"

"Is that what you believe?" Luna asked looking very disappointed after seeing how far her nephew had fallen.

"Let me tell you the real reason Twilight Sparkle and her friends are well known throughout Equestria. It is because they earned their fame!" 

The princess shouted with the same ammount of rage Blueblood had shown earlier.

"They had all worked hard to get where they were while you were busy galavanting around and flirting with mares all the time! You were always such a spoiled brat!!" She told him bluntly leaving him shocked.

"Twilight and her friends saved Equestria countless times, they represent the elements of friendship. Kindness, laughter, loyalty, honesty, generosity; All of the qualities you lack! My sister had never given them anything Blueblood and the real reason you betrayed your kingdom and country is that you were just plain jealous and quite frankly, that's pathetic!"

Blueblood said nothing as he stood there completely shocked, his aunts words had cut him deeper than any blade ever could.

"Were you not family, I would have you executed! But it's not what my sister would want."

Luna took this moment to calm herself before sentencing Blueblood.

"Blueblood. For the crimes you have commited, I hereby strip you of your royal status and sentence you to a life in prison never to be set free. Have you any final words?"

Blueblood did not say a word and just stood there as the guards dragged him away.

"Was that wise Princess?" Shining Armor whispered while the villagers returned home for the day.

"In all honesty, no." Luna replied with a sigh.

"But we need him to talk. Only he knows what's happened to my sister."

"I see."

Shining would make no arguments with the princess and returned to his fortress on the border while Twilight rejoined her friends who were waiting outside after the trial had ended.

"Hi girls." Twilight greeted her friends in the usual calm manner but they could see she was still upset about the way Blueblood had treated Spike who was still resting at the healers hut.

The friends decided to head to the local tavern for lunch when Twilight noticed that Applejack was nowhere to be seen.

"Has anypony seen Applejack?"

"Oh she had a....prior engagement." Rarity giggled to herself after remembering her antics on the battlefield. At that moment, Twilights face turned red along with Fluttershy as they made their way to the tavern. Pinkie pie however was none the wiser.

"I bet those two are throwing their own party."

"Heh. Yeah, party." Rainbow snickered as dirty thoughts began to enter her mind.




Applejacks tent at the warborn camp

The farm mare was on her back with her arms wrapped around Wulfrics shoulders as they shared a kiss and did their best to keep quiet.

She had been in this position many times but always with chains and ropes holding her down while numerous stags and stallions came to ravage her body until she could barely move but this was the first time she was willingly giving herself to a caribou and one that she grew to trust over time.

"Applejack, are you sure you want this?" Wulfric asked as he broke the kiss and brushed her mane out of her face to look into her emerald green eyes.

"I am sugarcube." She responded before gently pulling him back down to resume their kiss.

The two rolled around on the bed mat locked in each others embrace when Wulfric decided to get a little more bold by grasping his lovers flanks and she seemed to be enjoying the attention as she bit her lower lip while he continued to massage her rump and kiss her neck. Wulfric then began moving his hands toward the leather strap tied around her chest and was almost done untying the knot when his mare stopped him midway.

"W-wait!" Applejack said sounding a bit frightened and looked away from him.

"What's wrong?" Wulfric asked as he gently held her shoulders but she would say nothing.

"Applejack, you can trust me." He told her as she turned her head slightly to look at him.

"Alright but...promise you won't freak out?" She asked him with a pleading look in her eyes.

"I promise."

After taking a deep breath, Applejack undid the leather strap on her chest and moved her mane aside to reveal her back was covered in scars, the kind that could only be made by a whip.

"Oh Applejack..." Said Wulfric who was shocked as his lover told her story.

"Whenever I fought back or refused to sleep with someone, they had me whipped over and over until I was too weak to even stand." She told him with bitterness in her voice after remembering the humiliation she suffered at the hands of Ragnar and his men.

"They're ugly aren't they?" She asked her lover, looking away in shame when she felt his arms gently wrap around her.

"Ugly? No." Wulfric responded gently while holding her hand.

"I think they're beautiful." He whispered into her ear lovingly while she turned around looking surprised.

"Beautiful?"

"These are the marks of a mare whose spirit would not be broken, a mare who who has the true soul of a viking, a mare who I would be happy to call my love...if she'll have me."

Like all vikings, Wulfric was poetic with the words he spoke to his lover and they worked. Applejack smiled with tears in her eyes and nodded yes before being laid back down and allowing her chest to be exposed for him to see.

"Beautiful." Wulfric said as he looked at her blushing face before feeling her up. Her breasts were softer than any pillow and her coat was so smooth that his hands seemed to just glide across her skin.

"Ahh~..." Applejack sighed in pleasure as she felt his hands gently squeeze her breast before feeling his lips suckling on her right nipple.

"Mmm~." Wulfric hummed as he gently tasted her breasts one after the other while Applejack removed her pants and slowly spread her legs just enough for him to see her marehood.

"I'm ready now sugarcube~." She whispered while looking at him with bedroom eyes.

After finally disrobing, Wulfric gently placed himself between her legs and slowly poked at her entrance with his hardened member. Applejack gave a short gasp after feeling the first few inches slowly push into her and then braced herself as her lover moved all the way towards her womb.

"Ah!"

"You okay?" Wulfric asked after hearing her cry out.

"I-i'm alright hon. It's just...really sensitive down there..." she admitted while blushing once more.

"Just hold onto me and let me know if it's too much." Wulfric told her with a gentle smile. Applejack nodded in response and held onto him as he began thrusting in and out of her gently while taking deep breaths to stimulate the adrenaline now coursing through his body.

Applejack huffed with each thrust she felt going into her as her body began to sweat from the heat of their bodies being so close while her lover hung over her gritting his teeth, trying to be gentle as possible.

"D-do it harder!" The farm mare squeaked as she firmly wrapped her legs around his waist. Wulfric was more than happy to oblige his mare as his thrusts became more aggressive and his breathing became harder.

"You're so beautiful." He huffed before kissing her.

"S-sugarcube, i'm getting close!" Applejack whimpered while clutching him closer and from the way her lover was acting, she could feel he was close to climaxing as well.

"Applejack! I'm gonna!!" Wulfric grunted before giving one last thrust.

Applejack screamed at the top of her lungs after feeling his seed fill her to the brim. The sensation was hot and soothing throughout her body and it felt much better than when she was forced to endure it as a slave.

For a while, the lovers laid there in each others arms completely exhausted and in pure bliss as they stared into each others eyes and for a moment time seemed to stand still.

"I love you Applejack." Wulfric said while gently pulling her to his chest.

"I love you too sugarcube." She replied while enjoying his embrace before stating a rather embarassing fact.

"Heh. You know, I think the whole camp heard us." Applejack giggled with a slight blush along with Wulfric.

"Then we're in for a long night. Vikings like to compete in everything and I do mean EVERYTHING."

End.
> Absolute Justice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack was in pure bliss thanks to the romantic night she had, her body was wrapped in the arms of Wulfric who had been slightly snoring while laying on his back. Not that she minded, of course. After waking up to the first glimpse of sunrise, the farm mare quietly got up to get dressed and prepare breakfast but her lover had other plans.

"OH!" Applejack shrieked slightly when she felt his hands firmly grab both her flanks.

"AJ, come back to bed." He whined before his hands were gently removed.

"I'd love to sugarcube but I got breakfast to make." She replied while gently planting a kiss on his lips. The moment she turned around, Wulfric gave her rump a playful smack that made her gasp in shock while he grinned mischieviously.

"Behave mister~." She said playfully while swaying her hips to taunt him as she left the tent.

"Damn I love her." Wulfric told himself after laying back down to get some more rest.

Applejack was brewing some soup for breakfast when she noticed her friends walking into the camp. Rainbow was the first to say hello after getting a whiff of the soup.

"Smells good!"

"Sit down girls, you're just in time for breakfast." 

The friends sat around the campfire to enjoy a hot meal as Wulfric finally emerged from the tent to give his mare a morning kiss to her cheek.

"Morning." He whispered slightly before joining them.

"Morning Hon." she replied in a nonchalant manner as her friends began looking at her with grins on their faces.

"I trust you two had a Historic evening?" Rarity inquired while flipping back her mane.

"A gentlemen doesn't discuss such things." Wulfric responded before being called over by one of his clansmen to resolve an issue.

"You girls go ahead and eat, I'll be back."

The moment Wulfric was out of earshot, the girls began discussing their friends romantic evening with the chieftain.

"So. How was he?" Rainbow asked with a grin.

"I ain't talkin'" Applejack replied with a grin of her own.

"He didn't force you did he?" Asked Twilight looking worried.

"What?!? No!" The farm mare responded in an offended tone while dropping the soup ladle.

"How could you ask that Twilight?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's just that I'm having a hard time believing it." The princess admitted as Applejack resumed serving breakfasts to her guests.

"I mean you and Wulfric?"

"Yeah. I can hardly believe it myself but we kinda just...happened."

"Well I think it's sweet." Said Fluttershy.

"Wulfric and his clan are nothing like the stonehooves. They're nice, friendly and they are so good with kids."

Fluttershy's point was proven when one of the clan elders was being escorted to a nearby campfire by some young foals and fawns. The sight alone was enough to make her friends smile as they enjoyed their meal together.

Meanwhile

While Applejack and her friends were catching up, Wulfric and the other commanding officers were facing a serious problem.

The recent battle and the increasing number of the refugees had put a major dent in their food supplies and now that winter had set in, it would be near impossible to grow more.

"Hmm according to our inventory, we should last a few days." Said Shining Armor who was scrolling through the most recent supply report.

"Then we need to find a new spot to raid. Unfortunately, that would be a few days away from the fort." Wulfric added as he looked at the map.

"I could take my best raiders and strike the closest town."

"Too risky. Our scouts report large patrols on every road." Crafty Dodger cautioned the young chieftain as they continued to debate their next move.

"It's worth the risk! Otherwise we all starve!" Wulfric argued, desperately trying to convince the others when a guardsman walked into the room.

"Sir. Urgent report!" He saluted to Shining Armor.

"What is it?"

"A group of Stonehoof loyalists were spotted heading to one of the villages."

"Numbers?"

"At least a few hundred lead by a priest."

"Fanatics." Shining Armor hissed knowing what kind of monsters the stonehoof priests were. Unlike most of their kind, the stonehoof priests used words and intimidation when manipulating others, they would preach about their kings rule as a sign from the gods and how those who spoke openly against him should be put to death and what's worse is that they would force young females to lose their virginity as a sacred ceremony to welcome new members into their order.

"There's more sire. They've taken over one of the villages we liberated, scouts have reported seeing women and children wearing shackles and ripped clothes."

This news was more than Shining Armor could take. After all the blood he and his comrades spilled, he was not going to have it ruined by one lunatic in robes.

"Well Wulfric, looks like you get to go on a raid after all." He told the chieftain feeling slightly disappointed that they have to fight again but Wulfric welcomed the challenge.

"Perfect." The chieftain said with a toothy grin as he left to assemble his raiders.

"Send orders to Marshall and Bronze Pommel. The are to join Wulfric and his group in the attack."




Meanwhile

Marshall and Pommel were just returning from a patrol when the trouble began.

The two knights heard the screams of a young filly coming from down the road and rushed over to see a caribou ripping the clothes off a unicorn foal like a wild animal as she screamed and begged for him to stop. Pommel was first to rush to the fillies aid just as her rapist finished tearing off the last of her clothing.

"GET OFF OF HER!!" She shouted furiously as she booted the assailant off of the filly while Marshall carried her to safety.

"You bitch!!" The stag shouted after seeing blood dripping from his muzzle.

"You dare a to rob me of my property?!?"

"Wait...I remember you! You were one of the villagers we liberated!" Said Marshall after getting a good look at the stag before them.

"Liberated you say?" Called the voice of a stallion dressed in priests robes who was marching up the road with a mob of stallions and stags.

"I'd say you reimprisoned them sir knight. You just don't see it."

"Who the hell are you?" Pommel asked the stranger and she could already tell he was trouble.

"Mind your tongue wench, I am a high priest of his majesty; King Dainn. My mission is to spread his truth."

"And what truth is that?"

"That men are superior to women in every way, that we have the sole right to rule while you live only to serve and breed."

The priest ranted while his follwers cheered and seemed to be hanging on his every word.

"Now if you please, Hand over the girl." He demanded when Marshall stepped forward.

"No."

In his arrogance, the priest called forth four large stags carrying farm tools for weapons on an attempt to intimidate to two knights. It did not work.

"That wasn't a request." He whispered slightly as he gave the order to attack. The four thugs were easily cut down by the wardens blade while the rest of the mob stood back in fear but the priest still maintained some of his composure and simply smiled at Marshall with a slight bow.

"Very well, She is yours but the village is ours."

"For now." Pommel replied in a forboding manner before they left.

The knights wasted no time in returning to the fort and reporting their findings to their commander. Shining Armor was relieved to see two of his best unharmed and ordered them to prepare for an attack on the occupied village with their viking allies.

"So we're only bringing...fifty raiders against an entire mob?" Pommel asked after seeing their numbers.

"Best to bring fifty wolves to a battle than a few hundred sheep to a slaughter." Wulfric replied when he noticed Applejack waiting for him by the gate.

"You know I won't allow you to come." Wulfric told her while the raiding party began to assemble outside the gate.

"I wasn't gonna ask." The mare replied to her lover before kissing him.

"Just come back to me." She said with a worried look in her eyes as Wulfric kissed her hand saying.

"I love you."




The Village

As the raiders prepared for their attack, the priest and his followers began wreaking havoc in the nearby village as they began dragging women and children out of their homes while taking away their husbands and fathers.

"Take these heathens to the square!" He ordered as the thugs in his mob began forcing them on their knees.

"You scum are traitors to the crown! Our king gave you paradise and you dare to defy him?!?" The stallion asked while looking at his prisoners but was met with silence.

"Have you forgotten what he has done for us?"

"Oh I haven't forgotten." Answered the vilage chief.

"I remember what he did. He and his savages came and ravaged our lands, plundered everything we worked so hard to build and then stole the throne from Celestia and Luna."

"Do not speak those witches names!!" The priest yelled before slapping the chief hard across the face.

"Those false rulers blinded you to the truth! That equality between the sexes is a sinful act but....If you are willing to seek forgiveness, all you have to do is kiss the symbol on my robe and give praise to our savior and king."

The priest presented his robe to the chief and gave a gentle smile like he was some savior but instead of complying, the chief spat on his face and kicked dirt into his eyes as he screamed to the high heavens.

"LONG LIVE CELESTIA!! LONG LIVE LUNA!!"

In a fit of rage, the priest grabbed a sword from one of his henchman and prepared to strike down the chief when the entire square was suddenly struck by balls of fire and vikings began charging down the street with Wulfric and the two knights leading the way.

"CHARGE!!" Marshall cried out as they broke through the mob with ease.

"Don't just stand there! Kill them!!" The priest shouted while shoving two of his suboordinates onto the battlefield but with poor weapons and no armor to protect them, the followers were instantly brought down to a few hundred with dozens of bodies now staining the streets with their blood.

As the town was set on fire, Marshall singled out the stallion dressed in a stonehoof priests robes amongst the terrified crowd and called him out.

"You..." The warden hissed while pointing his blade.

"Kill these blasphemers! Quickly!!" The priest shouted at the once angry mob but Marshall wasn't going to stand for it.

"No! Just you and me. You may be a priest but you're still a warrior!"

The warden marched up to the frightened priest with eyes like daggers while the crowd dispersed.

"Come on. You had no problem...Trying to rape a filly this morning." He mocked the priest while the villagers who were once held prisoner began showing angry looks.

"You had no problem betraying your kingdom and Celestia!"

"Celestia was a tyrant!" The priest shouted in defense but that only made the wardens anger rise.

"No she wasn't! Celestia was the kindest, wisest and most benevolent ruler our kingdom had. It was your king who started all this by sending us back to the dark ages! Your king who lied and manipulated his way to the throne! The only tyrant in this land....is the one you serve."

"Grr! DIE BLASPHEMER!!" The priest was driven mad with rage and lashed out at the knight with his sword only to be struck down by an armor plated fist that sent half of his teeth flying into the mud.

The priest now found himself in a grim situation. His men were killed off, he was surrounded on all sides and was now at the mercy of the knight standing before him.

"Please...show mercy..." he begged while raising both hands in surrender.

"Alright." Marshall responded as he sheathed his sword and told the villagers.

"He's all yours."

At that moment, the villagers siezed the priest and began dragging him out of the village by his legs before tying him to a cart on top of a rocky hill.

"Mind the big rocks!" One of them said just before the cart was sent rolling down the hillside with the priest shrieking in terror as he was bashed agaisnt one rock after the other covering the hill in blood and as a sign of their victory, they hung the torn and bloodstained robe in the village square like a flag to warn all others what happens to those who try to enforce the ways of Dainn Stonehoof.

Shortly after the battle, the raiders had found the camp where the priest and his followers were staying and within it was enough food and supplies to last them for the rest of the winter.

"The gods smile on us again! Let's head home!" Wulfric shouted as they gathered their loot and returned to the fortress for a hot meal and a well earned rest.

End.
> The Great Rebel Army
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the passing of winter, the noble families who served under King Dainn began marching towards the north in an attempt to destroy the rebellion and retake the lands that were once theirs. The one leading these nobles was a baron who was at the head of the newly established slave market and who also had a distinct hatred for those born in the lower class.

"My lord!" Called a scout who was riding down the road ahead of them.

"Enemy knights, just up ahead."

"Numbers?"

"Only a few hundred and Shining Armor is with them." The baron grinned wickedly upon hearing this news and quickly ordered his army to march faster in hopes of capturing the prince.

"I hear this prince is quite the fighter, he even joins his men on the field of battle." Said one of the other barons as they began to laugh amongst themselves.

"The fool throws himself into harms way for a few measly pawns?"

"Disgraceful."

The barons conversation came to a halt when they spotted Shining Armors group on a nearby hill.

"Not such a great army after all my friends." Said one of the nobles sounding rather disappointed.

"Let's try not to kill their women, I hear female knights are quite fiesty in bed."

Their humor soon turned to fear as the hill slowly began to fill with more knights followed by vikings and samurai in great numbers. The baron and his men just stood their frozen with fear and could see the bloodlust in the eyes of their enemies before hearing the sounds of their war cries.

"Gods help us..." One of the nobles pleaded as the numbers seemed to be endless.

"I don't think they can..."

Shining Armor lead the first wave against the enemy and with a single charge, the barons were defeated and their banners trampled into the dust.

It wasn't long until news of this most recent defeat reached Canterlot where a great meeting was held to discuss what many citizens were now calling The Great Rebel Army. To some, the name brought fear and terror but to others it brought a sense of hope and freedom and with that spark of hope came the spark of rebellion as female slaves began to rise up against their oppressors along with ruling families who were once too afraid to speak out against the king and his followers.

With each uprising came more support for the campaign to take back Equestria and with each passing day, more and more rebels flocked to join the ranks of the allied forces.




Meanwhile, In Canterlot

The entire council room at Canterlot Castle was in an uproar, nobles who once ruled the northlands came flooding into the city with news of constant rebellion spreading across the kingdom and ruling families defecting to the enemies side.

"These rebels must be dealt with!" One councilman shouted over the various arguments in the room.

"They've destroyed every army sent at them! We must seek peace!"

At that moment, Dainn Stonehoofs fury erupted as he slammed his fist on the table silencing everyone.

"NOO!! I am their king and they dare to stand against me?!? There will be no peace!!" The king huffed as the room fell silent. 

"Contact the mercenary guilds throughout the kingdom. Tell them I will pay five thousand in gold and jewels for each guild that will fight for us and the reward will be doubled for any who can bring me the heads of the rebel leaders!"

"Excellent idea sire!" One of the nobles replied trying to kiss up to Dainn as he began writing the declaration.

"I have personal matters to attend to." The king declared as he left the council room and made his way through the castle halls. Dainn made his way to the castles dungeon built into the mountain where only one prisoner was held; Celestia the former ruler of Equestria now chained and dressed in rags with her horn and wings removed along with her magic and ability to control the sun.

"My my, his majesty has come to greet me. I'm flattered." The princess said with a sarcastic tone as she stared at her jailor through her roughed up mane.

"Humurous as ever I see." Dainn replied while seating himself in front of her.

"It seems they are coming for you."

"Who?" Celestia inquired to humor her guest.

"The Great Rebel Army. Lead by that puppet prince; Shining Armor and that bitch sister of yours."

"....you're afraid." Celestia grinned after seeing the kings face.

"I fear nothing." Dainn boasted but the princess could see past his facade.

"You're afraid of what will happen when the people finally turn against you....when they see you for the monster you are and how you've destroyed their kingdom."

"I SAVED THIS KINGDOM!! I liberated it from your unjust rule!!" Dainn roared at the top of his lungs in an attempt to intimidate Celestia but was only met with laughter.

"And what was it about my rule that was so unjust?"

"Everything." He hissed.

"You allowed females like yourself to go beyond their assigned roles in nature, you gave them independence from men, you let them become soldiers, heroes even! I could not allow such blasphemy to continue!"

"Oh spare me the theatrics." Celestia replied in an annoyed tone, completely unphased by his words.

"The only reason you became king was because you were jealous."

"Jealous?! Of you?!?"

"Not just me but my whole kingdom. We were happy and free and lived as equals, no pony was higher or lower than the other, we were united in friendship....but then you and your fanatics came and destroyed it all by bringing us back to the age of slavery and bigotry while disposing of those who refused to see things your way. You honestly thought you could just get away with such a thing?"

The princess began bursting into an amused laugh that seemed to send a chill up Dainns spine before staring at him with a gaze that made him freeze like a statue.

"You are not a king Dainn, you are a tyrant and in the thousand years I've lived on this earth I have known one absolute truth." She paused to stare at him with both her eyes and a toothy grin that gave her a more wicked appearance.

"In tyranny lies only failure."

Celestia began to laugh once more while Dain quickly made his way towards the exit with all due haste as sweat began to drip from his brow. Her words had shaken him to the core.




Meanwhile

The allied forces had claimed another victory in a battle for the northlands but not all seemed to be enjoying the celebration.

During the battle, Wulfric had shattered his family heirloom; the family axe that had been passed down through the generations. Every smith he went to said that it was far beyond repair and that he should consider finding a new weapon. The young chieftains spirit began to sink after hearing those words over and over.

"Perhaps I should take this as a sign." He told himself while looking at his broken weapon.

"It seems I no longer need your strength, Father."

As Wulfric placed his axe gently on the table, Shining Armor walked into the room to see the broken blade for himself and couldn't help but feel sorry for his comrade.

"I heard what happened, you okay?" The prince asked as he closed the door.

"Nothing a pint of ale won't fix" Wulfric replied with a sigh.

"Hmm...follow me, I think I might have just the thing."

Shining Armor lead the way to his own private armory in the camp, there Wulfric beheld a variety of weapons and each was unique in its own shape and design.

"Pick one." Shining Armor said with a generous wave of his hand as he allowed Wulfric to choose a new weapon.

"Shining Armor, I can't"

"Hey. You need a new weapon and it's my gift to you." The prince insisted as his friend continued to browse around until he suddenly noticed a gleaming claymore sitting alone on one of the tables. The blade was well crafted from the tip to the pommel and seemed to give off a silvery glow in the sunlight and as Wulfric picked it up he felt a strong connection to it and even began to smile with pride.

"What do ya think?" He asked as he placed the blade on his shoulder to strike a pose.

"I think...it suits you." Shining Armor replied with a smirk and he was right.

End.
> The Warriors Path
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After spending months in recovery, Twilight was finally allowed to remove the bandages on her horn and wings and was ready to do her part in helping take back Equestria but all she seemed to be doing so far was organizing inventory while three of her friends were on the front lines risking their lives day after day.

During her usual inventory check, the princess noticed Applejack sparring with Rainbow Dash on the training grounds while Wulfric paired off with her brother to get a handle on his new claymore.

"Twilight!" Called the cheerful voice of Rarity who was carrying a tray of bandages to the medical tent nearby.

"Morning Rarity." She greeted with a smile and wave before joining her.

"More supplies for the nurses."

"Yes and I see you're as busy as ever." Rarity complimented after noticing the notepad in Twilights hand.

"Yeah..." The princess sighed as she became a bit depressed.

"Why whatever is the matter darling?" Rarity asked feeling a bit concerned.

"I'm a princess and I should be helping us win this war." 

"But you are helping."

"But I should be doing more!" Twilight shouted slightly as they continued towards the tent.

"You, Applejack and our other friends are risking their lives out there while I'm stuck here! I mean sure Pinkie just cooks the food and Fluttershy helps the wounded but still."

"I understand darling." Rarity replied as an idea popped into her head.

"How about this? After this delivery, let's see if we can get you some basic training?"

Twilight squealed in delight at the sound of her friends offer and couldn't help but feel slightly embarassed. Once Rarity made her delivery, she brought Twilight to the training field where Rainbow and Applejack were still sparring along with some other soldiers.

"Mornin y'all!" The farm mare greeted her friends after taking a break.

"Why Applejack you braided your hair." Rarity replied and noticed a slight blush on her friends cheek.

"Uh yeah well it was just getting in the way that's all."

"You sure it wasn't for your man over there~?" Rainbow teased while making kissy noises before getting shoved by her friend.

"So what brings y'all here?"

"Twilight was thinking about getting some basic training and we figured you two could help."

"Heck yeah we'll help!" Rainbow shouted with her usual enthusiasum as she wrapped an arm around Twilights shoulders.

"Brace yourself girl cause you are gonna be put through the workout of your life! First thing we gotta do is get some muscle on those scrawny arms of yours."

"Scrawny?!? My arms are not scrawny!" Twilight shouted back in defense when Applejack held up her left arm.

"No offense sugarcube but your arms are about as scrawny as a scarecrow in a cornfield."

Twilight sunk her head in defeat while Rarity patted her head like a small child before grabbing a training sword from the nearest rack. The three mares made their way to an open area in the camp where Marshall was training a fresh set of recruits and was very strict in his instructions.

"You!" The warden pointed to a trainee who was moving rather sluggish and stank of wine.

"Let me demonstrate. When I say thrust I don't mean point or reach I mean-THRUST!!" The knight demonstrated by using his own sword to pierce the wine jug just hanging off the drunkards side and it immediately caused him to sober up as the recruits resumed their training.

"Damn greenhorns." Marshall huffed when he noticed Twilight and her friends standing behind him.

"Ladies, what can I do for you today?" He asked making Rarity giggle.

"Such a gentleman. Twilight needs some sword practice and we believe you are the one who is best suited for the job."

"Is that so?" Marshall inquired while inspecting Twilights physique.

"Mmm some standard strength training might do her some good and we'll need to get her fitted for armor."

"Leave that part to me." Said Rarity with a wink.

"Now for a test."

"Ohh! I love tests!" Twilight squealed in anticipation when the warden unsheathed his longsword.

"Twilight, hold this."

"Okay."

The moment Twilight took the sword in her hands, it instantly weighed her down. She could barely lift the handle, let alone hold up the blade.

"Hmm...perhaps something lighter might suit you better." The warden suggested before hinting Rarity to fetch a shortsword and dagger for Twilight but before she could actually carry those weapons, she would need to learn how to use them and no pony was better to teach her than Rarity.

The training began with a pair of sticks given to both mares as they stood just a few feet away from each other and of course Twilight was nervous since she never had any real combat training like her brother or her friends.

"Now. Our first step is to stand in a firm position like so." Rarity instructed by taking a fighting stance much similar to that of a ninja while keeping her dagger and shortsword in striking positions.

"Notice how my feet are spread apart from each other. This is to make sure you have a firm stance when in battle so that the enemy can't knock you over."

"I see." Twilight replied while scribbling down some notes, much to Marshalls dismay.

"Now also notice the position of my weapons. Both are at my side so that I can attack or defend whenever needed."

Rarity's lectures soon turned into basic instructions as she began teaching Twilight the first few techniques in duel wielding and showing her the proper way to keep her weapons and armor from falling into disrepair and over the next few weeks she began to show progress but their was one final test she needed to pass.

On the last day of her training, Twilight was brought to a ring of stones where Shining Armor, Wulfric and Crafty Dodger awaited her.

"So what's going on?" She asked when Wulfric stepped into the ring with his claymore.

"This is your final test, Twilight." Shining Armor answered.

"Before you can join us, you must have the ability to not only fight....but to kill as well."

"K-kill?!?"

Before the princess could ask any further questions, Wulfric swung his claymore at her with full force. Twilight soon found herself in a fight to the death and this time without magic or her friends to help her.

"Come on! Fight Back!!" The viking shouted while giving another powerful swing that sent Twilight staggering back.

"Is this a joke? I heard you fought Lord Tirek to a stalemate, you risked your life to protect your friends!"

The torture continued as Wulfric began knocking Twilight down over and over until she could barely stand and though this was part of her test, Shining Armor could barely watch his little sister getting beaten.

"Pathetic." The chieftain said in disappointment while looking at Twilight. The princess was barely able to stand after taking so many hits yet stood her ground.

"You're holding back your hate? Why?" Wulfric asked after seeing the fire in her gaze.

"Don't you despise me and my kind? We took everything from you, your home, your family, your friends. You should be burning with rage by now!" Wulfric gave a powerful downward swing that forced Twilight down to one knee as she tried to push the blade back.

"Or could it be thar Dainn was right about you? Maybe you are only good for housework and fucking!"

"SHUT UP!!!" Twilight roared as she finally snapped and began forcing Wulfric back with a flurry of combo attacks and magic blasts with tears of anger streaming down her face.

"What do you know about me?! You're just a savage like the rest of them!!" She spat before leaping behind the chieftain and delivered a spin kick to his spine. Wulfric suddenly found himself on the defensive as the weight of his claymore made it difficult to keep up with her movements.

"You take what you want with no regard for how others feel! You bully them just because you think you have the right!! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A PACK OF MONGRELS!!!"

Twilight swung both blades down for a killing blow, completely blinded by the anger she held back for so long and it seemed like she was going to kill Wulfric until his claymore blocked both blades at the last second and Shining Armor immediately demanded for the duel to cease.

"Enough!!" The prince shouted while erecting a barrier between the two. As Twilight began to calm down, she saw the traces of blood on her blades and clothing along with the various cuts on Wulfrics body but instead of being angry, the chieftain smiled and gave a nod of satisfaction as he turned around and headed back to camp without a single word.

"She is ready." Crafty Dodger said with Shining nodding in agreement. Twilight was now an official warrior of the great rebel army and would soon be playing her part in the war to liberate Equestria.

Later

After narrowly having his head removed from his body, Wulfric returned to camp for some much needed medical attention and a massage from his mare who seemed a bit upset at how he handled Twilights initiation.

"I can't believe you made her snap like that!" She told him while massaging his back.

"It was the only way to get her to fight seriously." Wulfric replied as she began to put pressure on his stiff shoulders.

"Well I'm just glad she didn't cause you any serious harm. I've seen how Twilight gets when she's angry."

"Oh yeah. You said she literally bursted into flames one time right?"

"Yeah, that was kind of funny." Applejack giggled while continuing her massage.

"Applejack?" Wulfric asked with a mischievious grin.

"Yeah sugarcube?" The farm mare replied with a smirk of her own when she suddenly felt both his hands grabbing her rump.

"Your butt feels really great on my back." Wulfric smiled to himself when he suddenly felt Applejack get off him.

"Applejack?" He called out but was met with silence.

"That was meant to be a compliment!" He said feeling he might have offended her but as he turned around he was met by his mares bare rump landing right on his face. The incident of course made him turn bright red since Applejack had never been this bold before and for a while he just laid there in a blissful shock as she wiggled around rubbing her flank in his face.

"So ya like my flank that much do ya~?" She asked in a flirtacious voice while getting up to let him breathe.

"Eh heh. Call it a weakness." Wulfric replied sheepishly before noticing her bending over and shaking her rump with a lustful gaze in her eyes.

"I think I know a better way for you to loosen up~." She sighed while raising her tail slightly. Wulfric accepted his lovers invite as he climbed on top of her while kissing her back and working his way up to her neck and feeling up the front of her body with both hands.

"Oh and Wulfric?" She called while sighing in pleasure.

"Yes my love?"

"Don't be gentle this time~."

End.
> Fox Hunt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Samurai of the east are warriors trained since birth to be ready to fight and to die for their master. It is said that the most disciplined of their soldiers are capable of taking on hundreds of foes with blades that could cut the very air around them.

Among these elite warriors were the Orochi; samurai who were capable of using the ancient techniques of the ninja clans that long been thought of as myth and legend but only those chosen as the empresses personal guard were allowed to learn such secrets. Crafty Dodger was one such individual.

Ever since he was young, the queen selected her best generals to train the changeling in the ways of the samurai and the shinobi until he became the perfect living weapon for their ranks and in time he rose to become the empresses most elite general. He was renowned for his cleverness and tactics when it came to defending their borders from outsiders despite others seeing his methods as cowardly but the empress favored deception and cunning over brute force and strength of arms.




The orochi was sitting near a bonfire with a fellow changeling, playing a game of shogi while the rest of the army was busy with their daily tasks. His opponent had been sweating bullets for what seemed like hours as he had been outmatched move for move 'til he was on the very brink of losing.

"I win." Dodger finally declared as he placed one last tile piece on the board. The officer challenging him could do nothing but cry out in frustration since this was his tenth loss in a row and the others who had been watching simply laughed before returning to their duties.

"Truly, you are a fox my friend." The officer said humbly while bowing his head in shame.

"The key to any victory is deception." Dodger replied while putting away the board and game pieces when a scout suddenly came rushing through the camp covered in twigs and mud.

"Sir, an urgent report!"

"Speak."

"Enemy troops were spotted in the everfree forest. I believe they are looking for the hidden village."

"A scouting party."

The orochi then turned his attention to a map leading to the hidden village and began to formulate a plan as one of his officers offered to send a group to intercept the enemy.

"Sir, my men can stop them before they find the village."

"No. A large number of troops would only show the enemy that they are getting close, I'll handle this myself."

Dodger returned to his tent to grab a bow and arrows along with several other tools including a set of throwing knives dipped in star spider venom and sacks filled with poison powder. As a final touch, the orochi placed a fox shaped mask on his face before bowing to a small shrine lit with incense offerings.

"Ancestors, watch over me." He whispered before vanishing in a puff of green flames.




Everfree Forest

The scouting party was a hundred elite mercenaries hired by the king to search the everfree forest for the hidden village and Princess Luna but the only thing that awaited them beneath those trees was death.

The troubles began when the group made camp by a small creek as night began to settle upon the forest. Dodger had noticed one of them filling their water flasks and using the shadows of the trees to his advantage, he crept close to the unsuspecting victim and with one swing he sliced his head clean off his shoulders and tossed it to the camp.

The sight of the disembodied head startled the mercenaries as it rolled towards them with bits of blood staining their armor and in the dim glow of the campfire they spotted the one responsible standing firm with his bloodied sword pointed straight at them.

"This is your only warning, leave this forest or suffer the same fate!"

The orochi warned them only to be met with laughter and smug grins as the rest of them simply stepped over the head of their comrade and gave chase. Dodger quickly vanished into the forest without so much as leaving a trail when his pursuers followed him deeper into the woods.

"Fan out! He couldn't have gone far." One shouted to the others as they began to spread put amongst the trees, unaware that they had already fallen into the samurai's trap.

Using his ninja skills, Dodger had stealthily hid himself among the branches of the forest and because of his body beign slightly lighter than average he was able to move while barely making a sound as he began to draw his bow on the first target.

The second the arrow was let loose the mercanaries heard another of their comrades fall as it struck him in the back, killing him almost instantly. They began to panic and frantically looked around to see where the shot came from.

"He's in the trees!!" Another shouted after spotting a shadowy figure dart above their heads. The ones armed with crossbows began firing aimlessly at the canopy before another was struck in the neck with a kunai as blood began to spout from his throat followed by an agonizing gurgle.

"Shit! He's toying with us!!"

"Alright just stay calm! He can't pick us all off!"

For a moment, things began to quiet down as they moved deeper into the forest with only feint beams of moonlight to guide their way. One of the mercenaries spotted the orochi's helmet sticking out behind a rock and quietly signaled for the others to surround it as they prepared to attack but the moment they charged in they found only the helmet resting on a twig. A dummy used to throw them off the trail.

"Well it's not a total loss." Said one who was reaching for the helmet to take as a souvenir.

"NOO!!" Another cried out as the helmets removal set off a trap that sent a bag of poison powder crashing down  upon them. At first, the powder seemed harmless until the mercanaries slowly began to choke on the air around them and each gasp for air seemed to hasten the process. The others who were lucky to escape the trap ran off in a panic while throwing aside their weapons in hopes of running faster only to end up as pin cushions for the arrows that came flying from the darkness of the trees.

The last merc watched horror as his comrades were killed off one after the other leaving him standing in a field of corpses. It was like something out of a nightmare, all around him were bodies foaming at the mouth with blood shot eyes from choking on the poison while others were pinned to the trees and dirt with arrows and knives while the one responisble for these brutal killings stayed hidden.

"DAMN COWARD!!" He cursed with his voice echoing around him.

"Show your face!"

The merc suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine as he heard the footsteps of leather sandals approaching him and as he turned around he saw a lone samurai standing before him with his katana glowing in the moonlight. Both stood silently before each other without exchanging a word and as the clouds blocking the moon began to disperse, the merc saw a glimpse of the changelings glowing green eyes and was instantly frozen with fear.

"There is no escape..." The orochi whispered before taking one step forward. His opponent came rushing at him, screaming like a wild animal with his weapon raised high in the air.

"SHINÈ!!"

With one quick draw of his sword, the samurai cut through his opponents torso as if it were made of paper and spilled his guts all over the forest floor killing him instantly. With the enemy defeated, Crafty Dodger flung off the excess blood staining his sword and vanished into the night leaving the remains of the slaughtered mercs to be devoured by the forests scavengers.

End.
> The Dragon Legion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After many failed attempts to locate the hidden village and Princess Luna, the mercenaries hired by King Dainn had stopped sending scouting parties into the everfree forest while the rebels had begun their plans to retake Ponyville.

The vikings had begun to build massive longboats to traverse the rivers through the forest and with the help of their allies they could navigate the rivers easily. Like all their ships, the warborn decorated the front of their vessel with a dragon head carving to ward off evil spirits and placed rows of shields on the side to help protect the crew from enemy fire.

"Steady!" A foreman called out as his workers began to hoist up the main mast of the first ship when a certain baby dragon came walking up with a scroll and quill in his hands.

"Wow, that looks great guys!"

"Thanks Spike but are you sure you should be walking around now?" The foreman asked the little drake who gave a cheerful smile.

"I'm fine now and besides, I miss doing this." Spike replied while jotting down a few notes.

"Alright, just take it easy."

Spike had left the foreman and his crew to continue their work while he attented to other duties around the camp now that he was back at full health and as Princess Twilights number one assistant, there was no one better suited to the task of helping organize the army. By the time it had reached noon, Spike was off to Twilights tent for a well deserved nap when he noticed Shining Armor and the other commanders discussing their next move.

"We should march on Canterlot while they're weak." Said Wulfric pointing at the city on the map.

"And risk running into an army of mercs? I'd rather not." Chrysalis argued knowing a full scale assault would be suicide.

"My spies tell me that the city is filled with them. Dainn empties the cities coffers to pay for their army and gives them slaves on a daily basis both old....and young."

"Then there's the city guard. They're the best in the royal army. I should know, I trained them." Shining Armor added while looking over the map.

"Our best course is to break camp and move south."

"Why south?"

"The lands to the south are far too secluded for Dainns armies to reach plus if we stay here we're bound to get overrun, plus we got a lot of mouths to feed."

"Alright. South it is then."

With the leaders in agreement, the council was brought to a close and the leaders returned to their respective camps and prepare their armies to move out.

"Oh Spike, there you are!" The prince called to the little drake as he greeted him with a hug.

"I want you to meet someone. This is Wulfric, the leader of the warborn clan."

"So you're the little one Twilight was so worried about."

Spike saw the caribou standing before him and could not help but feel intimidated. Like all the vikings Spike had seen before, Wulfric was tall, muscular and savage in battle yet what made him so different from the others was his compassion towards his people.

"Hm. Didn't expect him to be so small."

"Hey! I'm not that small!" The little drake protested before having his scales ruffled by the chieftain.

"Mmm...I have twilights report." Spike huffed while handing over the scroll. As Shining Armor read the report, the little dragon walked over towards the map and saw just how much a difference the resistance had made in their battle to free Equestria. Villages that were once used as prison camps had been liberated, trade routes that supplied Dainns armies had been completely cut off and with each victory came more volunteers to join the ever growing army.

"This is amazing!" Spike said in astonishment as Shining Armor joined him.

"This is just the beginning Spike. When we finally take down Dainn, his entire empire will be nothing more than a bad memory."

Hearing those words filled Spike with relief, he wanted nothing more than to see Equestria as it once was; happy and free without any fear and back under the rightful rule of the four princesses.

"Wulfric. How soon can your ships be ready?"

"I'd say within a week or two."

"Good. We need to move out as soon as possible."




The Next Morning

Spike had awoken from his sleep to grab some water from the river with only a few guards keeping watch. After grabbing the nearest bucket, the little drake noticed some fireflies lighting up the field in the distance.

"Pretty lights." He yawned before noticing the lights suddenly fly into the air and swarming towards the camp, that's when he realized that the lights weren't fireflies but flaming arrows that began setting the camp on fire.

"AHHH!!!" Spike screamed as he ran back to Twilights tent while the guards began sounding the alarm.

"Get those fires out! Move it!!" Shouted sergeant Quartz who was first on the scene. 

In the midst of the chaos, a band of mercs suddenly swarmed into the camp and began killing the guards while snaring the fleeing refugees. Quartz and a few of his men rushed to their defense as the rest of their troops began to take up arms against the attackers but their numbers seemed to grow with each wave of assault.

"There's too many, we can't fight them all!"

"Send word to princess luna! Tell her we need reinforcements!!"

A scout had managed to break through the battlefield and ran into the everfree forest to get help but with each passing second, the enemies attacks grew more fierce.

"Everyone! THIS IS WAR! THIS IS DEATH!!" The leader of the mercenaries shouted from atop the hill as he began to rouse his troops into a frenzy.

"Slaughter every man, woman and child you see! Let their deaths serve as a message to all who dare to stand against our one true leader! Dainn Stonehoof!!"

The mercenaries had begun to amass for one finall attack when they heard the feint beating of wardrums in the distance followed by the sound of a horn call and as the sun began to break over the horizon they saw several banners flying in the wind atop a nearby hill followed by legions of armored dragons and war machines.

"Welcome my friends! You are just in time for the slaughter!" The merc leader shouted to his new reinforcements before he was suddenly struck down by a javelin. The mercenaries were shocked as their leader laid there in a pool of his own blood before a rain of arrows came falling down upon them followed by several volleys of the legions ballistae that decimated huge numbers of their ranks.

As the mercs began to panic, the leader of the dragon legion stepped forward with a sword raised high and signaled for them to advance on the enemy. 

"LOCK SHIELDS!" The commander shouted in a female voice, much to the enemies surprise. In loud clap of thunder, the soldiers locked their shields together to create one massive wall of iron and spears as they drew closer to the enemy.

"What are you idiots standing around for?!? Get them!" Shouted another captain as he tried to lead a countercharge only to have his men impaled by spears and swords hidden under the shield wall before being struck down by the commanders blade.

"RETREAT!!" After seeing another one of their leaders slain, the army of mercenaries finally broke ranks and fled for their lives.

By some miracle, the rebel army had survived the attack and all thanks to the arrival of their new allies. In the moments after the battle, the allies had begun to gather their dead and make repairs to the camp while Shining Armor and the other leaders went to greet the legions commander.

"My thanks friend!" Said Shining Armor who was greeted with a salute before the commander finally removed her helmet to reveal an all too familiar face.

"EMBER!!" Spike shouted with joy after seeing  the face of his friend; Princess Ember of the dragon lands. The little drake greeted her with a friendly hug and a smile.

"It's good to see you too Spike." The princess said with a smile as she hugged her friend.

"What are you doing here?" Shining Armor inquired when he spotted Princess Luna and a few of her guards marching through the burned camp with the scout that had been sent to them during the start of the battle.

"She called us." Ember said as she bowed to Luna.

"I am glad you could answer my summons Princess Ember. You arrived just in time, it seems." Luna said as she surveyed the burnt camp and dead soldiers being carried away.

"I am sorry we couldn't get here sooner, Shining Armor."

"Nothing to apologize for. We were just caught off guard." Shining Armor replied while wiping off the sweat from his brow.

"Your warriors fought valiantly, even against such impossible odds but I'm sure you all are tired. My men can help with the dead."

Shining Armor humbly accepted Luna's offer and allowed her men to assist with the cleanup and by the time the sun was at its highest point the number of dead tallied in the thousands. The allies had won another great victory but his time at a great cost.

"No way we can march on Canterlot now. Even with our new reinforcements." Said Wulfric who was drinking mead from a large horn with a few of his best fighters next to him.

"Chieftain! We got a problem!" A soldier cried out as he ran towards his leader.

"What is it?"

"It's Prince Blueblood my lord. He was spotted fleeing over the hillside during the battle!"

"WHAT?!?"

Upon hearing this news, Wulfric tossed aside his drinking horn and stormed into Shining Armors camp where he found two guards with their throats slit open and the ropes that once bound Bluebloods hands had been cut clean off.

"Send word to Shining Armor. The attack was a trick!"

When Shining Armor received this news he became as furious as his viking friend. Even Princess Luna began to regret sparing his life and wished she had killed him when she had the chance.

"My men say that Blueblood swiped our battle plans during the attack. By now he's in Canterlot, giving them to Dainn."

"Nothing we can do about it now." Chrysalis admitted before sipping some wine to relieve a headache.




Canterlot

As Shining Armor predicted, Blueblood had rushed to Canterlot Castle holding the battle plans of the rebel army in hopes of making up for his failure to capture his aunt. As he was brought before the king, the prince fell to his knees and groveled before the tyrant who seemed rather displeased with the prince.

"You got some nerve showing your face here boy." Dainn said in a spiteful manner before drinking some wine.

"I should have you executed not only for your incompetince but for losing my two prized war bears!!"

"My lord, please show mercy." The prince whimpered as he held up the rolled map in his shaking hands.

"I brought you this, the rebels battle plans."

Out of curiousity, Dainn snatched the map from Blueblood and looked at the plans himself. A smile began to creep onto the tyrants face as he gestured for the prince to rise up and look him in the eye.

"Well done Blueblood. I will spare you...this time."

"Thank you sire!" The prince whimpered in a cheerful manner knowing he was spared the kings wrath but even in his mercy, Dainn asserted his authority as ruler by siezing the princes throat and slowly choke him.

"But fail me again and I will personally. Place your head on a pike and leave your corpse to be fucked by the dogs!"

"Yes....my king."

Dainn then released Blueblood and ordered for his servants to take the prince to be bathed and fed while he assembled his generals to make plans against the rebels now that he knew their every move.

End.
> A Long Awaited Reunion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the camp in ruins and the army now crippled, the allied forces were forced to speed up their plans to move south and regroup along with Princess Ember and her dragon legion. The journey began as soon as the last of the refugees were loaded onto the viking ships while the rest travelled by air and on foot.

"Be sure to stick close to the army at all times! Do not wander off!" An officer shouted from atop a boulder while some of the soldiers began helping the civilians move along. The path to the south was on harsh terrain filled with rocky hills and damp marshlands since they could not risk taking the main road and throughout the journey, Ember saw just how much Dainns cruelty affected the ponies of Equestria.

"I wish we'd have gotten here sooner." She sighed.

"It's not your fault Ember." Spike answered while taking a back seat on a wagon as he enjoyed some bread and cheese.

"You know what I miss? Cupcakes!" The little drake slurped his lips as he imagined the taste along with a few of the men who nodded in agreement.

"Oh! Especially the cream filled kind." A soldier added and the mood seemed to lighten up until one of the vikings began to complain as his stomach let out a loud growl.

"Can we not talk about food? I'm dying here!"

"Don't you guys go to some dining hall when you die?" Marshall inquired as they continued.

"Valhalla, yes. But we have to die in battle! NOT of starvation!"

"Well you're fighting hunger. Maybe the gods will make an exception." A second viking joked and in an instant the men began to burst into laughter along with a few civilians, it was good to see that they hand't lost their sense of humor in such dark times.

After a long days travel, the army had set up camp near a shallow bend in the river and thanks to the rugged terrain they had only needed to post a few guards while the civilians helped prepare the soldiers dinner.

"Is dinner ready yet mommy?" A colt asked his mother who was stirring some soup in a small cauldron.

"It's almost ready dear. Go wash your hands by the river." The mother replied with a gentle smile as her child went to go wash his hands. Things seemed quiet until the little one let out a terrified shriek and soldiers came rushing onto the scene.

"What's going on?!?" Shouted the first guard when the child pointed to a half eaten carcass just on the rivers edge and next to it a giant paw print. A small crowd had gathered before Wulfric was called to examine the carcass himself and after careful examination, the chieftain was able to determine what predator made this kill.

"A bear....big one." He said aloud while placing his hand on the print.

"Tracks are still warm, this kill was made recently."

With his keen eyesight, Wulfric was able to pick up the bears trail across the river and called for one of his men to bring him some arrows and a hatchet.

"Wait. You're going after it?" Asked Rainbow Dash who wasn't sure about her friends idea.

"No other choice. He's down wind of us and when he smells the food he'll be back." Wulfric replied as he fashioned the quiver to his back before giving Applejack a goodbye kiss.

"I'll be back in the morning."

"Just be careful." The farm mare advised before letting him run off into the woods to go hunting.

"If we're gone by the time you get back, just follow the river!" Shining Armor shouted to his friend just before he faded into the shadow of the trees.




Wulfric had tracked the bear deep into the forest as he followed its trail when he finally discovered the creatures den in a large cave. All around, bones and rotting carcasses surrounded the cavern entrance amd from what Wulfric saw, some of the corpses were those of unfortunate travelers caught by the beast.

"He must be huge to make this many kills." He whispered to himself before hearing a twig snap followed by the distinct grunting of a bear pacing through the trees.

Wulfric quickly ducked behind the tree nearest to the cave and readied an arrow as the noise grew louder but as he prepared to fire, everything fell silent as if the bear had just vanished. Wulfric looked around to see where the beast had went but found no trace of it and that is when he felt the bears nostrils breathing down his back followed by a low growl as its drooling maw came into view.

"Clever beast...!!"

ROAAR!!

The bear was indeed massive as clamped its jaws around Wulfrics bow and began wrestling him around the entrance to the den and throwing him into a tree before breaking the bow in two with one crunch of its jaws. As he reeled from the pain in his back, Wulfric was finally able to get a good look at the beast and saw what could only be described as a monster.

The bear stood ten feet tall and had paws that could crush a grown mans skull, it's fur was thick and dark as the night sky and had teeth sharp enough to cut through steel but what was most intimidating were the claw marks on its face. No doubt from fighting another bear.

"So you wanna play rough eh?" The chieftain asked the beast while pulling out his hatchet.

"COME GET ME THEN YA BASTARD!!"

RAAGH!!

With one powerful sweep of its claws, the bear cleaved the tree in two while Wulfric ducked to the side delivering a slice to the bears left hind leg yet the pain only seem to enrage the beast even more as it reared up and began to roar with fury before leaving several cuts in the chieftains chest.

"GAGH!!" 

The pain of the cuts was almost unbearable to handle but thanks to his viking spirit, Wulfric grinned at the beast before tackling it into a nearby rock as they grappled once more. The two tussled with each other for what seemed like hours as they came upon a ledge that hung above a small river leaving the chieftain no more chances to escape.

"Crap..." Wulfric cussed as the bear came into view with fresh cuts on its body.

Both Wulfric and the bear stood across each other covered in bleeding cuts and dirt as they tried to catch their breath. As they prepared for one final clash, Wulfric smiled in acknowledgement of the beasts strength.

"You are truly a worthy foe. Your pelt will make a fine trophy for my beloved!"

ROOOAAARRRR!!

"WAAAAAGGH!!"

Wulfric charged at the beast with all his might but was ultimately overpwered and sent falling into the river while the bear stood on its hind legs to give a thundering roar that echoed through the forest.

The bear returned to its den to lick its wounds while Wulfric was carried down river completely exhausted from battle. As the currents carried his body downstream, the chieftain fell in and out of consciousness while sounds around him began to fade in and out as if he was on the verge between life and death. He soon began to hear voices echo in his head, voices that were not familiar to him.

By the time he had awoken, Wulfric found himself in what looked like a small tent and outside he could hear the sound of ponies talking and children laughing but what surprised him most was that his wounds had been cleaned and bandaged.

"Where am I?"

"You are in our village." A kindly voice answered as a mare came into the room with a tray of food.

She was a unicorn with a magenta colored mane and cerise eyes, her voice was gentle and sweet along with her smile as she layed the tray in front of him.

"Thank you."

"No problem. My name is Sugar Belle and you are?" She asked kindly while pulling up a chair.

"Wulfric." He replied while carefully examining his food until the mare next to him began to giggle.

"Don't worry it's not poisoned. You're not the only caribou here."

When Sugar Belle said those words, Wulfric was a bit surprised since most ponies were hesitant to approach those of his kind.

"There are others like me living here?"

"Yes. When Dainn took over, a lot of his people went into hiding here in the forest and they took some of us with them." Sugar Belles voice held a slight hint of sadness when she began to remember her village being destroyed by the stonehooves and her friends being taken from her one by one.

"Once you're done, you can just leave the tray."

"Thank you."

As Wulfric began to enjoy his meal, a voice called out to Sugar Belle followed by a name that made the chieftain almost choke on his first bite.

"Sugar Belle?" A deep voice called from outside with a distinct country accent.

"Coming Big Mac!" Sugar Belle called back with a smile just before she heard Wulfric gagging on the spoon.

"Oh my goodness!"

The mare quickly wrapped her arms around his torso and began the heimlich maneuver until the spoon shot out with a slight pop as Wulfric began to gasp for air.

"Are you alright?" She inquired while rubbing his back.

"I'm fine. Did you say Big Mac? As in Big Macintosh?" Wulfric asked with a bit of urgency in his voice.

"Well yes. I'm his marefriend." She replied with a happy smile.

"Are you a friend of his?"

"Not exactly. I gotta see him and tell him-AGH!!"

Wulfric grunted from the pain of his injuries as he tried to get out of bed but Sugar Belle was not going to allow him to walk around in such a state.

"You eat up and rest. I'll bring Big Mac to you later, I promise."

Wulfric did as he was told and rested up until his strength returned. When he was finally able to move about, the chieftain stepped outside to find himself in a small village much like Princess Luna's and it was just like Sugar Belle told him; Other caribou were living in this village and many of them had children who were playing in the streets.

"This is incredible." He said to himself when he noticed Sugar Belle giving water to a large red stallion with a yellow mane who was chopping wood.

"That must be him. Excuse me? Are you Big Mac?"

The stallion turned to see who was calling out to him before looking back at Sugar Belle who gave an assuring nod before he answered.

"Eeyup. Sugar Belle said you had something to tell me."

"Yes. It's about your sister; Applejack."

Before he could say another word, Big Macintosh grabbed Wulfric by the shoulders looking shocked as he began to ask a series of questions. 

"Where is Applejack? Is she alright? Is she alive?!?"

"Easy big guy!" Wulfric replied as he laughed at Big Macs enthusiasm before they all sat down to hear his story. By the time Wulfric had finished his tale, Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle sighed with relief knowing that Applejack was alive and well and helping in the fight to win back Equestria's freedom.

"Applebloom will be so happy to hear this!" Said Sugar Belle wiping a tear from her eye.

"Oh right. Where is she?" Big Mac asked when he noticed it was getting close to noon.

"She's out gathering firewood, she'll be back soon."

At that moment, the entire village heard the terrified scream of a child and instantly recognized it as Appleblooms before hearing the roar of a bear.

"Applebloom!!"

"I recognize that sound!!" Wulfric growled in anger as he grabbed an axe and ran towards the source of the scream along with Sugar Belle and Big Mac following close behind. The three heard a second scream before stumbling across young Applebloom trapped in a tree with an injured bear trying to shake her down.

"No! Applebloom!!" Big Mac was prepared to rush in when Wulfric stopped him.

"You're no good to her dead! I'll distract the bear, you two grab the filly and run back for help."

"You sure?" Sugar Belle asked as Wulfric removed his bandages to move more freely.

"Oh I'm sure and besides, me and him have a score to settle."

As Wulfric stepped forward, the bear turned his attention away from the crying filly to see his old foe standing before him.

"You remember me?" He asked the beast while pointing at the three claw marks on his chest.

"Cause I sure as hell remember you ya hairy bastard!"

The bear let out a low growl after seeing the three claw marks on Wulfric and began to remember the pain it felt from his axe as the wounds began to flare up again.

RAAAGH!!

"YAAGH!!"

Just like before, Wulfric charged the bear head on with the axe held tight in his grip while Big Mac and Sugar Belle used this chance to take Applebloom to safety.

"Come on sweetie." Sugar Belle whispered to the weeping filly as Big Mac handed her over.

"Let's get back to the village."

Big Mac lead the way as they snuck around the battlefield while Wulfric dealt with the bear. Applebloom watched as the chieftain grappled with the beast from the safety of Sugar Belles arms.

"Who is that?" The filly asked while continuing to watch the fight.

"He's a friend." Sugar Belle whispered back just as they faded from view.

With Applebloom safe, Wulfric was now able to focus on his fight with the bear and this time he would not allow it to escape. The beast raised its paw to deliver a killing blow when the chieftain suddenly tackled him off his feet and sent him crashing against a large boulder before breaking its maw with a bone crunching knee bash. The impact had knocked the bear for a loop as its world began to spin.

"That all ya got? HUH?!?" He taunted the beast as it regained its vision but Wulfric was careful not to be reckless for the only thing more dangerous than a beast is an injured one on the verge of death.

In a last effort to slay his foe, the bear charged forward in a blind fury with a terrifying roar but instead of running, Wulfric dodged to the side and gave a mighty swing of his axe. After burying his blade in its skull, Wulfric stepped back and watched the bear stumbled forward as it let out a cry of anguish before sliding into the dirt and huffing out its last breath.

"Hrrr...VALHALLAAAAAAA! HA HAA!!! RAAAAAAGH!!!"

Consumed by the thrill of battle, Wulfric placed his foot on the neck of the slain beast as he let out a triumphant war cry with both fists raised in the air. The villagers who had heard his cries rushed over and could not believe what they were seeing, a monstrous bear slain by a single warrior.

"He killed it?!?" One shouted in astonishment as they drew closer to the dead beast with the axe still buried in its skull.

"By Celestia...." Said another who saw the warrior that had slain the bear covered in mud, twigs and blood yet still standing.

Later

Applebloom could not stop herself from crying after experiencing something so frightening but her brother didn't care, he was just happy that she was safe and unharmed.

"Thank you." He told Wulfric who had just finished washing off the mud from his fur.

"Don't mention it. Though I'll admit, that bear was one tough bastard!" He replied while rubbing some tension out of his shoulder.

"So what happens now?"

"I've been gone too long, I need to get back to the others or they'll leave without me."

"Can't you stay?" Asked Applebloom with a pleading look when Wulfric rubbed her head gently.

"I'd love to Applebloom but I can't leave my clan to fight this war alone. They're my family and speaking of family, your sister Applejack would love to see you again."

When Applebloom heard this her heart began to race with excitement, she wanted nothing more than to see her big sister again after all this time.

"And I'm gonna need some help carrying that bear back to camp. Big Mac, you and Sugar Belle care to join?"

Big Mac hesitated for a moment since he didn't really know Wulfric and he didn't want to risk getting Sugar Belle or Applebloom into danger.

"Please big brother?" Pleaded Applebloom who gave the stallion the infamous puppy dog eyes which he could not resist.

"Alright." The stallion sighed in defeat as his little sister ran off to pack her things.





Campsite

By the time the sun was high, the entire camp was preparing for another long trek through the fores. Only Applejack stood by the rivers edge as she waited for Wulfric and began to fear the worst.

"Applejack, come on. We gotta get moving." Said Rainbow Dash who had just finished loading the last of the supplies on the boats.

"Wulfric said he'd be back by morning, it's almost noon." Applejack sighed before noticing her lover coming out of the bushes with the three distinct claw marks on his chest.

"Where in the hayseed have you been?!? I was worried sick!" She shouted to him feeling slightly angered yet all Wulfric did was smile as the carcass of the large bear came into view followed by the stallion holding it.

"I uh...stopped to meet the family." Wulfric finally responded as he gestured for Big Mac to go over and greet his little sister.

Applejacks heart began to race as tears started to form in her eyes. She had thought that this was some kind of dream; That the moment she held her brothers hand, he would vanish in a cloud of dust but the moment Big Mac held her she knew this was no dream and allowed herself to cry her eyes out.

"It's alright sis...i'm here now." Big Mac whispered as he held her tight while crying tears of his own but that was just the start of Applejacks joy.

"Applejack!" Called the voice of a little filly followed by the sound of running footsteps as Big Mac moved aside to reveal little Applebloom running towards her big sister.

"APPLEJACK!!"

Applejack dropped to her knees with arms wide open as her little sister leaped into them with a tearful smile. She had forgotten how good it felt to hold Applebloom in her arms again as they held each other tight.

"I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too sugarcube..."

As Applejack held her little sister, she was greeted by another familiar face as Sugar Belle came out of the forest escorting an elderly mare.

"Oh...bless my soul...Applejack!" The old mare weeped happily before gently hugging her.

"Granny!"

Even after all this time, Applejack could never forget the face of her beloved Granny Smith. After a year of war and suffering, the Apple Family was finally back together again and this time they were going to stay together no matter what.

End.
> The White Wolf
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a year of being seperated, the Apple Family was back together once again and were now joining the rebel army on their journey to the southern lands of Equestria. Applebloom watched from the bow of the ship as they sailed down river, past the dense forests and open hillsides while the vikings paddled in rhythm to the beat of their war drums.

"Applebloom!" Applejack called to her little sister as they neared Ghastly Gorge.

Never had a place been so perfectly named. The winds that passed through this eerie place always gave off a dreadful howl and the constant fear of falling rocks were enough to make even the bravest warrior flinch.

"Keep the sails down and row slowly." Wulfric shouted over the winds as they continued to move forward yet every step deeper into the gorge made both the soldiers and the civilians feel uneasy.

"I'm cold." Applebloom said as she began to shiver.

"Here. This'll keep you warm." Said Wulfric who wrapped the little filly in a cloak made from the skin of the bear he slew. Applejack was happy to see her family getting along with him so well and was relieved that she didn't need to hide her relationship from them.

"We'll be out of the gorge soon." The chieftain said aloud as they neared the end of the gorge.

"Good. The faster, the better. This place gives me the creeps." Said Marshall who had been keeping an eye on the cliffside for falling rocks and the ever elusive Quarray Eels that have been known to drag unwary travellers into their nests.

"Easy soldier, we passed the nests already." Shining Armor said to the uneasy warden as they finally exited the narrow canyon to come upon a strange sight.

"What the hay? Snow?" Applejack said in astonishment as they beheld snowflakes falling from the sky.

"I thought you said the south was warm." Wulfric said while catching a snowflake in his hand.

"It usually is...I don't get it."

"This is the work of Dainn Stonehoof." Sergeant Quartz answered as they pressed on.

"After his takeover, he demanded that all male workers to quit their jobs and let the mares handle it and this is the result."

"I remember that." Rainbow Dash said in a bitter tone while rubbing her wings and started to remember her days as a slave before seeing a small town in the distance.

Applejack instantly recognized it as the town of Appleoosa but noticed something was off. Most of the towns buildings were in shambles and the clock tower that had stood in the center seemed to have stopped working for some time but what was most shocking were the dozens of slaves freezing in the cold weather or huddled together by small campfires.

"It's a waystation for slaves. They must've been left here for the next ship to take them to the market." Twilight Said after noticing a slave ship that had docked on the towns port. When Shining Armor saw this, his eyes became filled with anger and he ordered his troops to prepare for an attack.

"Then it's too bad the next shipment won't make it."

As the ships drew closer to the town, the knights and warborn covered themselves in cloaks while Embers legion played the role of an armed escort as a slave merchant and his bodyguards approached the ships.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy whimpered as Pinkie and Twilight held her hands.

"Steady...steady..." Sergeant Quartz mumbled while gripping his poleax as the merchant drew closer.

"Welcome my friends to the Appleoosa outpost." The merchant greeted the strangers in a distinct middle eastern accent while checking out the mares who appeared to be in chains.

"What brings you to our humble home? Business? Pleasure?" He inquired to the lawbringer while a small band of knights moved into position.

"A bit of both. Our first and only order of business is to take this port." Quartz replied while stepping closer with his weapon at the ready.

"And it will be our pleasure to put you all out of your misery."

The second the merchant heard those words, Pommels flail came flying out towards the first guards skull while Marshalls blade impaled the second.

"What is the meaning of this?!?"

"This town is now under controll of the rebel army and you have just been evicted!"

"This is an outrage! G-GUARDS!!"

A small skirmish broke out the moment the rebels revealed themselves. The guards were easily overwhelmed and the merchants were quickly imprisoned or executed while the rebels began freeing slaves from their shackles and cages.

"Let's get them some proper clothes." Marshall shouted to a medic when a slave merchant shouting at him in rage.

"How dare you steal our property!"

"Property?....PROPERTY?!?"

The knight did not hesitate in kicking the merchant into the muddy streets and stuffing his face in the dirt with his boot.

"This is what the rest of your life will taste like! I hope you enjoyed your days of freedom cause they will be your last!"

"Marshall, that's enough!" Shining Armor shouted though feeling a little bit satisfied after seeing one of his best knights put a criminal in his place.

"Lock these scumbags in the prison."

"With pleasure sir."

"No wait! I'm sure we can come to an agreement!!" A second merchant begged while being dragged off.

"How about a thousand bits for my freedom? Two thousand? OKAY! TAKE EVERYTHING!! Just don't send me to jail!!" 

"Grow a pair ya big wuss." Pommel groaned while listening to the prisoner sobbed as they continued to drag him through the streets of Appleoosa. The townsfolk laughed as their former masters were dragged through the mud and tossed in a cage with their bodyguards while the rebels began looting the town for valuables and provisions.

"Hey, check this out." Pinkie shouted while holding a loaded crossbow towards Ember.

"Cool."

"Pinkie be careful, that has a hair trigger." The dragoness warned as Pinkie gave a confused look.

"A what?"

With just a slight pull of the trigger, the weapon fired straight at Embers face leaving everyone a bit startled. Thankfully, Pommel and her shield were just in time to stop the bolt just inches from Embers face.

"Oops." Pinkie said sheepishly while gently putting down the crowssbow.

"I think that's enough searching for today." Said Twilight who had just finished taking inventory of their loot.




Meanwhile, In Canterlot

News of the fallen outpost had reached King Dainns ears and like always, he was furious since he knew this would devastate his increasing debt to the mercenary armies he had hired and inspire new uprisings across the kingdom as rebel activity grew with each passing day.

"My king." A servant called to the fuming tyrant after he turned over a table piled up with bills.

"What is it?" Dainn huffed while glaring at his servant.

"It is the seer my lord. He calls for you."

The seer was the kings most trusted advisor and the wisest among his clan. Though Dainn was king he still respected the old ways and heeded the words of the seer.

The seer was a blind old stag dressed in black robes and carried a walking stick wherever he went. He was kept in the castles laboratory in the highest tower and rarely had any visitors save for the king and those willing to pay for a vision of their future.

As Dainn stepped into the room, he became hesitant and wary for he did not trust the ways of sorcery even amongst his own kind.

"You called seer?" He spoke gently so as not to startle the old man who seemed to have already noticed his presence.

"Enter King Dainn." The seer replied in a low voice while fiddling with a set of bones in his hand.

"You honor me with your presence."

"Spare me the pleasantries old man. Why did you call me here?" The king spat as he seated himself in front of the seer. For a moment, things were quiet until the old stag scattered the bones on the floor while mumbling a strange incantation.

"What do you see?" Dainn whispered as the seers chanting came to an end.

"Your kingdom...in ruin." The seer replied while looking up to the heavens with his blind eyes.

"I see sails decorating the water and the skies...blades of silver, fire and chaos....and a white wolf bathed in the blood of kings..."

"Can this fate be changed?" The king asked as he felt a bit nervous.

"Only if the gods will it." The old stag replied just before giving the king a clear warning.

"Beware the White Wolf, King Dainn for it is you he hunts...and it is he that shall take your throne."

"....we shall see."

The king left the seers tower to continue his work and prepare his armies to march south. He would end this war and claim his rightful place as ruler of all Equestria once and for all.




Back In Appleoosa

The allied forces had finished freeing the last of the slaves and began building fortifications around the town until it became a fortress but the harsh weather conditions made it difficult for most of the workers while the vikings and dragons seemed to move about with ease.

While the fort was being rebuilt, Wulfric stumbled upon a trading post at the end of town where he found a cloak made from the skin of a dire wolf. The fur was as white as the snow itself and seemed to glisten in the dim light but that was only part of his discovery as he began to hear a feint whimpering coming from below.

"Puppies?" The chieftain said before stumbling upon a trap door leading to a basement. As he ventured down a bit further, he came across a surprising sight; A full grown female dire wolf with two pups. The she wolf noticed the intruder as she stood up and prepared to attack with a ferocious growl that easily startled Wulfric.

"Whoa easy girl." He spoke gently while tossing aside his weapons and knelt down before her to show he meant no harm. The she wolf then approached him slowly and began to sniff him. From what Wulfric could tell, the cloak he had found must've been the skin of her mate who had no doubt been killed for his fur coat and when the female noticed her mates skin on him she began to cry and nuzzle the cloak gently.

".....I'm sorry." Wulfric spoke gently as he placed his hand on the she wolf who responded with a friendly lick and tail wag before her pups began to cry. Wulfric saw she had not eaten in days and could give no milk for her cubs and they would die soon without nourishment.

"Wulfric?" Called the voice of Fluttershy who had also stumbled upon the trading post and hidden basement to find Wulfric and the pups.

"Oh my!" She gasped slightly after seeing the she wolf growl at her.

"It's alright, she's a friend." Wulfric spoke gently while petting her and letting her sniff Fluttershy's hand and finally allowing the mare to pet her.

"She needs to eat or her pups will die."

"I'm sure I can get some food from the supplies."

Fluttershy quickly left the trading post to grab food while Wulfric kept the mother and her cubs company.

When Fluttershy returned with the food, the mother wolf was able to fill her belly and give her pups the milk they desperately needed while the two friends watched and smiled, when the she wolf let out a few small barks as if she was speaking.

"What did she say?" Wulfric asked Fluttershy after remembering her ability to talk to animals.

"She was asking if she and her family could come with us. The rest of her pack was driven off by hunters." Fluttershy replied.

"Of course she can come. Her and the pups."

The she wolf let out a second set of small barks to the mare who only nodded in response.

"I see."

"What else did she say?"

"She said her name is Arya of the white wolf clan and she hopes that you'll take good care of her and her children"

In response, Wulfric knelt down before Arya once again and gently stroked her head while looking at her two pups who had fallen asleep after filling their bellies.

"I'll watch them as if they were my own." Wulfric said in a gentle voice when the she wolf gently held his hand in her jaws and placed it on one of the pups showing that she truly trusted him. The pup wriggled under his hand with a little growl before falling back asleep.

"Thank you. Arya." Wulfric whispered before letting the she wolf rest with her pups and returning to the camp to help finish fortifying the town.

End.
> Knight of The Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite their forced retreat and heavy loss of troops, the rebel army was able to gain a foothold in the south and establish a base in the fortified town of Appleoosa. With the slave merchants gone, the town had seemed to return to its normal self.

Children were once again playing in the streets without any chains or rags while their families went about repairing the old clock tower and helping the rebel soldiers any way they could but none were more helpful than Big Macintosh whose great strength made it easy for the townsfolk to move the supplies and tools around. Even the vikings were impressed by the ammount of muscle this stallion was carrying.

"By odin! Does he ever get tired?" A viking asked as he watched Big Mac carry a pile of wooden planks on one shoulder.

"That's our big brother." Said little Applebloom with a smile. The filly had brought the men some hot cider from the tavern to warm their bodies against the cold weather.

"Weird. Shouldn't Rainbow Dash and the other pegasus have cleared the clouds by now?" She asked while looking up to the falling snow.

"They actually tried yesterday but there's so much cloud cover that the ones they get rid of just get replaced by the ones drifting in." The second viking answered before handing back the empty mug and resuming his work.

"Thanks for the drinks kid."

"Bye!"

As Applebloom went back to fetch more hot cider for the workers she heard the distinct sound of weapons clashing coming from around the next corner followed by the sounds of cheering.

"What's going on here?" She asked herself as she turned the corner to find Applejack and Wulfric sparring with one another but it appeared to be something more.

"You sure you wanna do this?" Wulfric asked as they began to circle each other when his mare replied in a smug manner.

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle with ya."

The match started with Wulfric bringing his claymore down with a powerful swing while Applejack weaved to the side and began overwhelming her lover with a series of combo attacks from her twin axes. The weight of the sword made it difficult for Wulfric to counter at close range but with a single side step, he was able to weave past Applejack and deliver a smack to her rump using the flat edge of his blade.

"Did you just spank me?" She asked in a slightly annoyed tone while rubbing her flank.

"Not my fault you got a fine piece of tail." Wulfric replied with a sly grin before Applejack pelted his face with a snowball.

"Oh now you've done it!"

Applejack screamed for a moment as Wulfric began throwing back at her after dropping his sword and the couple soon found themselves in a little snowball fight that made Applebloom giggle.

"Gotcha!" The chieftain shouted after grabbing hold of Applejack who continued to laugh as her lover toppled over and into the snow. As the couple rolled around in the snow, Applebloom giggled to herself when she saw something unexpected. Her big sister was kissing the warborn chieftain on the lips and in a loving embrace.

After she first met Wulfric, Applebloom knew of his relationship with her big sisters and couldn't be more happy for the two of them despite him being a caribou. True, most of the caribou tribes she met were lust crazed monsters with no care for anyone other than themselves but there were some who were kind and caring.

"I think that's enough training." Said Applejack as she got up and wiped off the snow in her fur.

"Shame. I was winning." Wulfric replied with another grin while getting a playful nudge from his mare.

As the couple retrieved their weapons, Applejack noticed a little red bow sticking out of an alleyway and a mischievious grin crept upon her face. The mare quietly stepped closer before plucking her little sister out of the shadows with gleeful laughter.

"Gotcha!"

"AHH!!"

Applebloom squealed and laughed as her big sister tickled her sides and covered her face with little pecks and kisses while Wulfric chuckled and smiled to himself. He had no siblings of his own when his mother died and he spent most of his childhood training with his father, seeing the two siblings made him a bit envious but he was still happy that he could reunite Applejack with her family.

"Now what were you doing? Spying on us?" Applejack asked her little sister while nuzzling her.

"Sorry." The little filly responded before getting her mane ruffled.

"I'm gonna take Applebloom back to the tavern, it's getting late." Applejack said to Wulfric while giving him a peck on the cheek. As the sisters headed to the tavern, Applebloom noticed a squad of knights training in the town square and among them was the face of a certain pegasus she had not seen for some time.

"SCOOTALOO!!"

"APPLEBLOOM!!"

Scootaloo had joined up with the knights of the golden sun after she had made a full recovery and hoped that journeying with them would help her find her friends. So far, her plan seemed to work now that she found Applebloom at last.

The two fillies hugged each other tightly as they laughed with all eyes watching them. It was rare to see children so happy in these dark times and such a sight seemed to warm the hearts of the battle hardened knights.

"Squire!" Marshall shouted as the rest of the squad stood at attention.

"Ah! Sorry sir!" Replied a startled scootaloo as her commanding officer approached.

"Care to introduce your friend?" The warden inquired as Scootaloo gave the introductions.

"Yes. This is Applebloom. One of my best friends from Ponyville. Applebloom this is Marshall, the knight I was assigned to."

"By request." Marshall added as he ruffled her mane before dismissing the rest of the troops.

"I guess you two will want to catch up. But after you're done Scootaloo, I want you to polish your armor before bed."

"Yes sir!"

The fillies returned with Applejack to the tavern to have lunch and make up for lost time while Marshall went to the barracks to see how the plans for the march back to Canterlot were coming along. Upon his return, the warden received some urgent news from a fellow officer who was waiting to greet him at the entrance.

"There you are Marshall. Prince Shining Armor wants to see you. He said he hand an assignment for you."

"Really? I'll see him right away."

As Marshall made his way to the council room he passed by the medical wing where many of his fellow knights and other rebel soldiers laid injured or dying, it served as a reminder of how much a knight must be willing to sacrifice in times of war. It was hard to believe that he was just a common mercenary not too long ago.

"Marshall." Called the prince as the warden quietly entered the room.

"You summoned me sire?"

"Yes, we need you for a special assignment. Princess Luna is heading back to the fort near everfree forest and she'll need an escort so I've assigned you personally."

"Just me sire?" Marshall inquired when Luna explained the situation.

"A large armed force would attract too much attention plus we don't exactly have the manpower since most of the army is busy fortifying the town."

"Understood. I'll prepare my gear at once."

Just before Marshall left, a smirk crept upon the princesses face after she had gotten a good look at him. Despite the many scars covering his face, the stallion was handsome in his own right, well disciplined and loyal to a fault and could easily see why Shining Armor recruited this former mercenary into his army.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me." The princess said as she left the room to prepare for her journey.

Marching down the hall in a full suit of armor reminded Princess Luna of the war against she and her sister fought against King Sombra in The Crystal Empire centuries ago but this time she was fighting a war to save her kingdom as well as Celestia.

"Sister..." Luna whispered to herself while pulling out a small locket and inside was a picture of her and Celestia eating cake at her last birthday party. That was the day before Dainn and his followers came.

"Please hold on."





That Night

Just as they planned, Luna and Marshall left under the cover of night riding two war bears through the frozen wastes as they headed back to the fortress. The skies were clear and their was a full moon shining bright on the lands below.

"If we keep up this pace, we should be there by dawn!" Luna shouted over the stamping paws of her mount when a bolt struck her down.

"PRINCESS!!" Marshall quickly halted his steed to help the princess after seeing the bolt lodged in her left shoulder, the impact of the fall had knocked her out cold and to make matters worse a band of brigands began appearing out of the shadows.

"Rogue knights..." Marshall whispered slightly after seeing their armor and weapons. From what he could tell, these men were disgraced soldiers who had been discharged and hired as mercenaries for the kings army.

"Well well well. Looky what we got here boys! A knight of the golden sun and Princess Luna herself!" Shouted a mercenary carrying a spear while the others got a good look at Princess Luna as her wound began to bleed.

"Why don't you let us take care of that for ya? We promise to treat her real nice~!"

The brigands began laughing among themselves as they began to imagine the princess withouth her armor and chained to a bed like a helpless slave. Their fantasy was cut short when the heard the warden unsheath his sword and clamp down his visor.

"You two, head back to the town and get help. I'll guard the princess." Marshall whispered to the bears behind him just before they raced back to town.

Under the full moon, Marshalls blade seemed to glow with an almost mystic light as he stood between the band of renegades and Princess Luna.

"You will not lay one hand on the princess..." He spoke in a low, threatening voice while readying his sword.

"You're a fool! There's at least fifty of us and only one of you!" Said one of the rogue knights trying to sound intimidating but as he looked into Marshalls eyes, his blood began to freeze. The eyes he were gazing into were not those of a knight but a highly trained killer.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to come at me?" The warden dared for his opponents to make the first move but all of them were frozen with an unnatural fear.

"Fine-I'LL COME TO YOU!!"



With one stroke, Marshall had cleaved off three heads from the enemy standing before him and the battle was instantly underway. The brigands attacked from all sides, thinking their superior numbers would overwhelm the warden but his sword skills proved to be too great.

"You're all lacking in combat training! Disgraceful!!" Marshall shouted as he cleaved another of the brigands in two. One by one, the enemy fell beneath the wardens blade until they were reduced to half of their original number.

"Ready crossbows!!" A captain shouted as his men formed a firing squadron.

"FIRE!!"

Marshall ran towards the enemy while receiving three bolts in his breastplate but despite his injuries, the warden fought on with the fury of ten soldiers. By the time the moon was at its highest peak, the entire roadside was littered with the rotting corpses of the brigands and in the center stood Marshall.

Exhausted, wounded and covered in blood, the warden was finally able to lay down his sword just as the princess began to awake.

"Oh...my head..." The princess groaned just before she felt the sting of the bolt in her shoulder and started to remember what transpired after.

"That's right, I was knocked out...we were ambushed and-!! Marshal!"

It was after her recollection that Luna saw the bodies and an exhausted warden laying in the center with three bolts in his chest.

"Marshall!!"

Luna rushed over to Marshalls side and cradled his head in her lap after removing his helmet. The wardens complextion was pale from the loss of blood and his breathing had become shallow.

"Princess...you're safe." Marshall huffed as Luna gently placed a finger on his lips.

"Shh. Don't speak, save your strength."

The wardens eyes slowly began to close despite his efforts to stay awake and it seemed like this would be his end until the princess spotted a squad of her night guards racing down the road with torches and wagons.

"There they are!" One of them shouted after seeing the princess and Marshall amongst the field of corpses.

"Your majesty! You're hurt!" Said a medic who was first on the scene.

"I'm fine! Help him!!" Luna shouted to the medic who immediately ordered the soldiers to get Marshall onto a wagon.

"We have to get to the fort. It's his only chance!" Said the medic after checking Marshalls pulse. It had become very weak.

"Double time it! MOVE!!"

The party ran as fast as their mounts could carry them until they had reached the fortress. Marshall was instantly taken to the medical wing with little time to spare as the surgeons began to carefully remove the bolts before taking off his armor and cleaning the rest of his wounds.

"I'm surprised he's still alive." Said one surgeon who handed over the bloodied breastplate to his assistant.

"No joke. Two punctured lungs and a fractured rib followed by a gash in his torso? This is one tough bastard." Said another who had just finished washing his hands of blood from the surgery.

The moment the doctors stepped out, they were met by the princess who seemed very distressed after hours of waiting.

"How is Sir Marshall?" Luna asked while doing her best to stay calm.

"He'll pull through your majesty." One of the surgeons replied as the princess sighed with relief before ordering two of her guards to stand by Marshalls room in case anything happened.

"I must send word to Shining Armor and let him know what's happened."

The Next Morning

As the first rays of the sun peeked through the window, Marshall was slowly roused from his sleep and found himself in a soft bed and wrapped in bandages. His body was still weakened from the wounds he had sustained and his throat was a little dry.

"Water..." he wheezed while looking around for a drink.

At that moment, a nurse came in with a tray of food to see the injured knight holding his throat and quickly gave him a glass of cold water to drink while helping him to sit up.

"There ya go dearie." The nurse said before laying him down.

For a while, Marshall laid in his bed and enjoyed his meal when Shining Armor and Princess Luna came into the room with two guards.

"Your majesties!"

"At ease soldier." Said Shining Armor as the injured knight tried to stand.

"Princess Luna told me of the what happened last night. You've honored your legion."

"And such a deed demands merit." Princess Luna added before gesturing for the guard next to her to read a scroll loud enough for all to hear.

"Sir Marshall, Warden and Knight of The Golden Sun. For your service and heroism, Princess Luna of Canterlot has hereby granted you the title of Lumiere; Royal Knight of The Moonlight."

A small round of applause filled the room while Marshall just laid there in his bed completely dumbfounded when Shining Armor gave a friendly nudge to his shoulder.

"Try to look more excited!"

"Uh...thank you princess. You honor me." Marshall said to the princess who shook her head with a smile.

"The honor is mine Sir Marshall. Now rest and regain your strength, your part in this fight is far from over."

Luna and Shining Armor left to room soon afterwards to prepare for the journey back south but not before Shining Armor inquired something from the princess.

"Princess Luna, you haven't chosen a royal knight of the moon in a long time. Why him?"

At that moment, Luna stopped to think of an answer but only smiled as she replied.

"I'm not sure. Impulse I guess."

End.
> Nightfall
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Luna sat alone in her private chambers and on her desk laid Marshalls longsword. The blade had been severely damaged beyond repair during his last battle with notches and cracks decorating every inch leaving the hilt as the only salvageable piece.

"This will not do." The princess said to herself as she tried to think of a way to replace the blade when out of the corner of her eye came the gleam of her own sword; Fantasia.



The sword was crafted by her finest smiths using a special ore called Star Metal. The ore had made the sword glow in a mystic light, as if it had been forged from the stars themselves. On the pommel rested a giant sapphire attatched to a hilt of gold and shining silver while at the base of the blade was a crescent moon. It was after staring at her own sword that Luna came up with a brilliant idea.

"Call the master smith at once!"

"Yes your highness."

As requested, the master smith was summoned to the princesses private chambers where he was presented the sword.

"Well I'm not gonna lie to ya princess. This blade has seen its last days." The smith said after examining the swords condition.

"Can the hilt be saved?" The princess asked while he took a second look at the hilt.

"Mmm...I suppose."

"Good. I have request for you."

At that moment, a guard stepped forward carrying a small chest filled with star metal. Needless to say, the master smith was astounded to be given such a gift since star metal was very rare to come by and very expensive to purchase.

"I wish to commission your skills. I want you to forge a new blade for this sword, the finest you can make and I promise you will be paid in full."

"....The blade will be ready in a months time!"

"Excellent. You may get started."

With a quick bow of his head, the master smith took the star metal and damaged sword and rushed back to his workshop to begin forging a new blade while Luna had gone off to visit Marshall in the hospital wing.

Hospital Wing

Marshall was laying in bed, gazing out his window to watch the recruits train. Even from a distance he could see the many mistakes they were making but thanks to his injuries he could do nothing except watch. It was at that moment, the warden heard three knocks on his door followed by the familiar voice of the princess.

"Hello?"

"Come in."

Luna walked into the room quietly to see him still staring out his window, wrapped in bandages and covered in scars from countless battles with the newest addition being the three marks on his chest.

"Princess."

Marshall was slightly surprised to see the princess herself paying a visit as he tried to stand but the sting of his wounds quickly reminded him to not get out of bed while Luna helped him to lay back down.

"Please, there's no need to stand." She giggled slightly.

"I came to see how you were doing."

"I've been better. This isn't the first time I've been in this position." Marshall said to himself with a slight chuckle as he began to share some war stories.

"I was once hired by a rivertown that was being plagued by bandits. During the battle, pikeman managed to stick me in the side just before I cut him down and as I laid there bleeding, I wondered if this was going to be my last day on this earth." Marshalls hand moved to a scar just below his rib cage where the spear had left its mark while he smiled like an old man remembering his youth.

"How did you survive?" Luna inquired before he continued.

"The townsfolk took me in and healed me, they put a roof over my head."

"They must've been greatful." She added with Marshall nodding in agreement.

"They were. I thought I might have found a home in that place....but chose to leave anyway." The wardens smile slowly faded away as he poured himself another cup of water. 

Luna looked at the numerous scars on his body and could not help but feel sad for him.

"Perhaps, when this war is over you can come to Canterlot. The royal guard could use a knight like you." She suggested as his smile returned.

"Hm...I'd like that."

Over the course of his recovery, Marshall recieved visits from the princess after her daily routine and they would often spend the day getting to know one another.




Meanwhile

The master smith had worked diligantly over the course of the month as he shaped the sword with each strike of his hammer. He would barely stop to eat, sleep or rest as he pumped the furnaces day and night to keep the metal hot before having it tempered, cooled and sharpened to perfection.

"There." The smith whispered with delight as he gazed upon his creation.



The width of the blade was slightly larger than a normal longsword and gave off a sinister emerald glow even when kept out of the sunlight. The hilt had also been painted black, as a final touch to the smiths creation before having it placed in a new sheath.

"Tell the princess that my work is finished." He told one of his workers after dousing himself with a bucket of cold water.




The moment the princess heard the blade was finished, she called for Marshall who had finally recovered from his wounds. She would personally hand him his new sword as a gift.

"Sir Marshall. I present you, your new sword." The princess said aloud as she handed it over.

The moment the knight unsheathed his blade, he was in awe of its craftsmanship.

"If I may sir, I've given the sword a name." Said the smith feeling a bit bashful.

"What is it?" The warden asked while getting a feel for the sword.

"I call it Nightfall, sir. The steel of that sword will be sharp enough to cut stone like paper." The smith bragged before Marshall strapped the sword to his waist and bowed his head in gratitude.

"You have done well master smith." Said Princess Luna who handed the smith a hefty bag of gold.

"I hope to acquire your services again in the future."

"Of course your majesty." The smith replied before returning to his workshop.

"And as for you Sir Marshall." She addressed the warden in a more regal tone.

"I have requested for Shining Armor to transfer you over to my unit. My men have need of a soldier with your skill."

Marshall stood there completely stunned by this sudden news as one of the night guards presented him with a black tabard baring a crescent moon.

"Do you accept?" Luna asked him.

For a while, Marshall stood as stiff as a statue. He was offered a chance to serve at the princesses side, to be her champion and such offers were considered to be the highest honor of any knight. When his eyes finally turned to Luna he sensed a hint of desperation, almost as if she was begging for him to be by her side and so without thinking he stood firm and placed his hand over his heart to give his answer.

"It would be my honor, your highness."

End.
> Battle of The Frozen Wastes Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the rebel army pushed to the south, the borders surrounding Canterlot were finally secured but this was not enough for the tyrant king. He wanted to have the rebels completely crushed under his boot, to show others what would happen to any who challenged his rule.

But with most of his army defeated, the king had resorted to hiring mercanaries from all across Equestria and had even emptied the royal coffers to fund his campaign. The nobles of course were in objection of this but would not dare to speak out against the king for fear of being accused of treason.

And while most of the mercanary bands took the gold, others sought a different form of payment.




The Royal Dungeon

Dainn was paying another visit to the dungeons beneath the castle where one of the mercenary leaders was receiving his payment in the form of Princess Celestia herself. As the king ventured deeper into the dungeons depths, he could hear the sound of the princess crying out as her chains rattled in a steady rhythm followed by the slapping sound of her flesh being pounded against another.

The mercanary leader in question was a diamond dog bandit leader named Rover. He and his pack once held Rarity prisoner in hopes of using her magic to find gems in their mines but his plan had backfired thanks to the mares whining and other means of annoyance but now he had a chance to pay her back for that humiliation.

"Enjoying yourself?" Dainn asked as Rover continued to violate Celestia.

"Absolutely my king~!!" Rover huffed while giving the sun princess a few spanks to her rump to make her scream.

"Remember: Once the rebels are defeated, you and your pack can have Celestia and all her former female members of the royal guard."

"Why not keep her for yourself?" Rover asked as his pace increased.

"Because she has not been able to give me what I want; an heir to my empire." Dainn replied while watching the princess pant like an animal as her eyes rolled back and her tongue hang from her mouth.

"I've decided to take another as my bride. One Twilight Sparkle."

The king grinned after noticing the shocked expression on Celestia's face before her mane was viciously pulled by her rapist.

"Yes Celestia. I'm going to bring your pupil down here and I'm going to strip her in front of you, then I'm going to fuck her in front of you until she breaks and when she is pregnant...I'm going to have her give birth to my child right in front of you."

Every fiber in the princesses being was telling her to strangle the monsters neck as he stepped out of the dungeon. For what seemed like forever, the princess gritted her teeth and grunted with each thrust Rover was giving her until she felt a large bulge pressing up against her entrance.

"No..." the princess whispered in fear as the canine brute began thrusting harder.

"Yesss~!!" Rover hissed as his knot slowly began to make its way into the princess.

"No! NOO!!"

With one last thrust, the canines knot plunged its way into the princesses nethers as he howled in pleasure. The feeling of the disgusting mongrels swollen cock was more than Celestia could bare as it began to stretch her inner walls to their limits but what made this most unbearable was that she was feeling more pleasure than pain as she felt the seed of her rapist slowly filling her womb.

"That was great." Rover huffed before turning around once his knot was firmly secured inside Celestia.

"Rest up while you can bitch. In another half hour, your flank is next~!"

As the mongrel brute said those words, the princess fell into despair and quietly broke down in tears while the disgusting warmth of her rapists seed continued to flood through her body. All she could do was pray that this nightmare would end and for Dainn Stonehoof to finally be cast down from the throne.




In another part of the castle was the kings second in command; Prince Blueblood who had been keeping himself occupied with one of his favorite concubine. The former stage magician, Trixie who was branded a red collar for the royal family.

Unlike most unicorn slaves, Trixie was allowed to keep her horn in order to perform her stage magic for the prince and other guests. It was because of this that Blueblood took a personal liking to her and kept her as his own personal companion.

"Hmm..." The prince sighed to himself in an unamused tone while Trixie used her magic to make a deck of playing cards swirl in the air before  turning it into a shower of petals.

"Is something wrong my prince?" The slave asked her master while saddling herself in his lap.

"Hm? Oh nothing my pet, I was just thinking." Blueblood replied while gently groping her flanks with a smirk before kissing her.

"If my magic is not enough, Trixie has other ways of pleasing you my prince~." The mare hinted in a sultry voice as she rubbed her bare breasts against her masters chest while rubbing her hand over the growing bulge in his pants. Her masters response was a firm smack to her rump followed by a bite to her left breast that made her gasp in ecstasy.

"Bend over." The prince growled to his slave.

Trixie did as she was told and exposed herself to her master while tempting him even further by wiggling her rump in a playful manner. It wasn't long before Trixie heard the princes belt buckle clatter to the ground and his hands had gotten a firm grip on her rump but just as things were about to get heated, the king and two of his guards stormed into the room.

"Blueblood!" The king shouted before noticing the position his two subjects were in.

"Ah, one last rump before the battle I see. By all means continue." The king said bluntly yet Blueblood seemed reluctant to oblige.

"I would your highness but the recent scare I just had has put me out of the mood." The prince sighed in annoyance as he redressed himself.

"Then bring her along. The army will be moving out tomorrow."

"We're marching south my lord?"

"The rebels are weak, the chill of the southlands will have crippled their army. Now is the time to attack!" The king said with confidence before leaving the room to assemble his generals while Blueblood lounged back in his chair and ordered for Trixie to join him.

"I still don't see what the big deal is." The prince sighed while enjoying his mares warmth.

"We've beaten back the rebels, reclaimed most of our territories yet still it's not enough."

"Perhaps he is just greedy." Said Trixie as she nuzzled against her masters chest.

"Perhaps he is." Blueblood replied in agreement before rolling on top of her. Trixie of course was more than happy that her masters mood had returned as he began to kiss her passionately while talking about his ambitions.

"If the king dies without an heir, the whole kingdom will look to me for leadership and I will have the power that has eluded me for so long." The prince hissed with anticipation before thrusting into his mare. It seemed that talking of his plans for the future was just the sort of motivation he needed to get back in the swing of things.

"And I will be there by your side~." Trixie moaned as her masters thrusts became more intense. It wasn't long until the screams of Blueblood and his favorite pet were heard throughout the castle while the king continued to make his plans for the march south.

This would be the deciding battle in the war for Equestria.




Two Days Later

The sun had just begun to appear over the horizon when Marshall was patrolling the main gate with a cup of fresh hot coffe in his hand. A cool breeze was blowing in from the north followed by a snowflake caressing his cheek.

"Winter is coming early." The warden said to himself before taking a sip of coffe and just as he was finally relaxing, the liquid in his cup began to ripple and the small pebbles decorating the forts walkway began to shake.

"Captain! Something on the horizon!" The lookout shouted as Marshall made his way up the nearest tower where another lookout handed him a spyglass.

As the warden peered through the lens, he was blocked by a glimmer of sunlight for a short moment until finally he saw them. The banners of the Stonehoof Tribe and the Royal Guard fluttering in the breeze and beneath them was a massive army lead by the king and Prince Blueblood.

"Celestia help us...TO THE BATTLEMENTS!!" The knight shouted at the top of his lungs before making his way to the armory. The alarm was sounded as knights and squires began scrambling for their gear while archers and footmen began occupying the wall.

"Close the gates and lower the portcullis! Prepare for a siege!!"

While the knights prepared for battle, Dainn and Prince Blueblood sat atop the highest hill in a large tent as their army prepared to attack the fortress.

"My lords, the siege engines are in position." Said one of their scouts.

"And Princess Luna?"

"We have her cornered sire."

With a sinister smirk. Dainn seated himself and raised a small cup of wine to give the signal.

"Begin."

End.
> Battle of The Frozen Wastes Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"GET DOWN!!"

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

The fort was bombarded with boulders and fireballs from the enemies siege weapons as the first wave of soldiers began storming the walls with ladders and grappling hooks.

"If any man dies with a clean sword! I'LL RAPE HIS FUCKIN' CORPSE!!!" A caribou officer shouted as his troops began to climb their way past the arrows and stones flying down from the wall.

"Man the cauldron!!" Marshall shouted after the enemy had assembled along the walls and began climbing the ladders. It wasn't long until the entire fortress wall was in chaos.

"Captain! Help!!" Shouted a foot soldier who was struggling to push back the enemies with his shield.

With his new sword, the warden marched up behind his men and prepared to attack as more of the enemy began swarming a section of the wall.

"CLEAR!!"

At the sound of their captains voice, the soldiers quickly opened up the shield wall as Nightfall came crashing down its victim and cleaved him in two. The enemies behind the slain soldier began to stagger back in horror as the blood from their fallen comrade spewed on them like a water sprinkler. The assault continued as Marshall kept hacking away at the enemies before him while throwing some off the wall and allowing his men to retake their posts.

"The cauldrons  are ready sir!" One soldier shouted as Marshall leaned over the wall to see the enemy cluttered together.

"Pour away!"

With just a pull of the lever, cauldrons filled with boiling hot oil began pouring down on the enemy ranks, killing hundreds of soldiers and burning hundreds more but that was just the beginning of the forts counterattack.

"Scootaloo! Torch!" The knight called for his squire who dropped a single torch onto the drenched soldiers below and as they were set ablaze by the flames, the young squire looked down on her foes with hatred as she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"THAT'S FOR PONYVILLE!!"

The troops cheered in response to young Scootaloos cries of revenge as the enemy forces sounded the retreat. By the end of the day, both sides had casualties and wounded numbering in the hundreds. With the first battle ending in a stalemate, the king and his generals began discussing their next move.

"Tell me gentlemen, how can a few hundred men repel a thousand in just one day?" King Dainn asked while glaring at his officers with disappointment.

"With all due respect sire, those men are fighting for a small rock in a field!" One retorted.

"We should just go around it, winter has come early so they'll be trapped!"

"That 'Rock' as you called it." Blueblood interjected.

"Is a well supplied fortress that is stocked with enough food to last three winters, furthermore it is the ONLY outpost for miles in these parts so it is vital that we take it before we proceed to march further south or do you want our troops to die of frostbite and hypothermia?"

"My apologies." The officer replied after a brief moment of silence.

Meanwhile

While the kings army camped out just beyond the walls, Marshall was busy trying to repair the damaged sections of the wall and clearing the area of dead bodies. Even his young squire was helping by bringing water to the wounded that were now filling the fortresses halls and rooms.

"Scootaloo, get me more bandages." One of the surgeons ordered as he was working on a patient.

"Yes sir!" The little filly replied as she dashed towards the supply room.

Ever since she became a squire, Scootaloo had been working hard to aid the knights in their efforts to reclaim Equestria but it was not an easy life. On most days she would spend her time in the armory with the other squires polishing armor and sharpening weapons while on others, she would spend the afternoon training and keeping up with her basic studies.

It was in the hours after nightfall that Marshall found his young squire asleep on a dining table with an empty flask and food bowl in front of her. Like a caring parent, the warden gently scooped up the little filly in his arms and carried her off to her bed chambers.

"You worked hard today." He said proudly while tucking in Scootaloo. As Marshall quietly shut the door, he noticed Princess Luna was standing alone on the wall looking out towards the enemy campfires in the distance. Knowing such a move was damgerous, he decided to join her amd began to feel a strong breeze blowing down from the north.

"It never gets old does it?" He asked casually.

"Staring out in the distance, wondering when the next attack will be."

"Hm. No it does not." Luna replied while rubbing her arms to keep warm.

"The last time I fought in a winter like this was during the reign of King Sombra. Even to this day, I remember the snowfall..."

The princess sighed while continuing to stare out into the horizon. For a moment, things seemed to be peacefull until Marshall began to slowly unsheath Nightfall with a grim look upon his face.

"They're coming." The warden grumbled slightly before the war drums began thumping across the field and the lookouts began to sound the alarm.

"They're not giving us a moments rest!" Luna shouted as she slammed her fist onto the stone of the fortress wall.

"Head inside your highness, leave the defense to me."

"Very well. Good luck Knight of The Moon."

As the last of the defenders positioned themselves on the wall, Marshall raised his sword high to signal a mighty warcry before they were bombarded by the enemies siege weapons.

"Listen up, Soldiers of Equestria! AVENGE YOUR HOMELAND AGAINST THE INVADERS!!" Marshall roared before charging into the first wave of enemies that began swarming the wall and with each foe that fell beneath his sword, the morale of his troops increased bit by bit.

"You there, soldier!" He called to one of his officers.

"Yes captain?"

"Was the messenger dispatched?"

"Yes sir. We sent him just before dawn, as you instructed!"

Knowing that they could not hold the fortress forever, Marshall sent a messenger back to their allies in hopes of getting reinforcements and hoped that he and his men could hold the fortress until they arrived.




Back in Appleoosa

Unaware of the battle at the border, the rest of the rebel army were putting the last of the fortifications on the town of Appleoosa and refitting their troops with new armor and weapons.

"So this new armor is really gonna help?" A soldier asked a dragon blacksmith who smirked with pride at the knight wearing his creation.

"Trust me, this armor will even stop a bolt from a crossbow." The smith bragged before hearing the horncall of the watchmen at the front gate.

"URGENT MESSAGE!! URGENT MESSAGE!!" Shouted the voice of a lone rider, heading towards the town astride a war bear. The moment the rider was through the gate he immediately stumbled off his mount and ran frantically towards Shining Armor and Wulfric who were waiting for him near the towns tavern.

"My lords!!"

"Easy man! Calm yourself." Shining Armor said while handing him a flask of water to calm down.

"Now what is it?"

"We're under attack! Dainn and Prince Blueblood brought the entire army to the border!"

"That bastard!!" Wulfric cursed after hearing the news.

"There's no way we can reach them in time, the rivers are frozen over!"

Things seemed hopeless until Twilight showed up with Princess Ember and a smug grin on her face.

"That's not entirely true." She said before gesturing her brother and Wulfric to follow her to the docks where several massive air ships were tied to the ground and in front of each one was a dragon legionarre fully armed and ready for battle.

"I had the engineers work on these in their spare time." Said Twilight with a proud smile as she admired her handiwork. Each ship was carried by a massive balloon and all were fully armed with ballistae and thick hulls to prevent damage.

"Each ship can carry up to a hundred soldiers and with the wind in our favor, we can reach the border in a matter of days."

"You are awesome Twily!" Shining Armor said proudly while ruffling his little sisters mane.

"Alright! I want fifty of our best warriors on one of these ships! We're moving out!!" Wulfric shouted to his tribesman as they let out a mighty cheer, eager to join the fight.

"Oh and Shining Armor. Try not to get air sick." Twilight said with a smile as her brother became defensive.

"I do not get air sick!!"

End.
> Battle of The Frozen Wastes Part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aboard their new air ships, the rebel army sailed towards the border with all due haste. 

For the vikings, it was like a dream come true. On each side they could see clear across the horizon as they felt the strong gusts of wind blowing in their faces and watched as the ships sailed through the oceans of clouds like water on the open sea but not everyone was pleased with the ride.

"HMMMMBLAARRRGGGHH!!"

Shining Armor, Prince of The Crystal Empire and commander of the rebel army had been brought low by severe air sickness as the ship creaked and rocked in the air currents.

"So you don't get air sick huh?" Wulfric joked with the rest of his men laughing.

"Uhhh...the sooner we hit solid ground the-MMP!!-B-better..." The prince groaned before Twilight escorted him below deck to rest.

"Helmsman! How far are we?" The chieftain asked one of the crew members after noticing they were passing over Ghastly Gorge.

"Just a few miles north of Appleoosa sir." The helmsman replied as Wulfric stared to the back of the ship.

"Remarkable. It would normally take us weeks to pass through that gorge but with this, it only took less than five minutes. Our world has gotten smaller."

"Indeed it has." Said the voice of Chrysalis who was lounging back in her easy chair while two servants held up bowls of fruit for her to snack on.

"Last time I was on a cruise like this, I disguised myself as a rich stallions mistress." She yawned before dismissing her servants and joined Wulfric on the bow of the ship. Much to the chieftains discomfort.

"You're worried about your friends aren't you?"

"What's it matter to you?" Wulfric retorted while looking away.

"Oh come now Wulfric. We're all good friends here." The queen said while slyly wrapping her arm around Wulfrics to feel his muscle.

"And if you want we can be more than friends.~" She said in a sultry voice with her lips just inches away from his. Her attempts at seduction were cut short when Applejack stepped in and pushed back Chrysalis with a hateful glare.

"Keep your filthy hands off my man..." The farm mare hissed as the queens bodyguards prepared to strike while Wulfric prepared to defend his mare.

"Oh Applejack I'm just teasing." The queen said in a friendly manner while getting her guards to stand down.

Chrysalis retired to the lower quarters of the ship for a nap while Applejack stayed close to Wulfric, fearing she might try to seduce him again.

"The nerve of that bug, tryin' to kiss you!" Applejack pouted.

"Like I'd let her do that. I do keep a dagger hidden for a reason." Wulfric said to her with a kiss to the forehead.

"That bugs got nothing on you. You are the strongest, fiercest and most beautiful woman I've met."

"Fierce?" Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow as she snuggled up to her stag.

"Yes, fierce. A real she wolf~." Wulfric replied in a flirtatious voice before yanking her in by the tail and wrapping her in his arms.

"You know the others are watching right?" Applejack replied in the same manner while drawing closer to his lips.

"Let em watch.~"

Without a care in the world, the lovers kissed each other with the whole crew cheering them on until Twilight and the others came onto the deck with smug looks on their faces.

"I hope we're not interrupting." Said Rarity who kept a keen eye on her friend as Wulfric released her from his embrace.

"Sorry Applejack but Twilight needs Wulfrics help to help go over our plans." She told her friend feeling slightly guilty for interrupting a touching moment.

"No trouble at all Rarity." The chieftain replied before giving his mare a quick peck to the cheek. After Wulfric went below, the two mares kept each other company while enjoying the view of the world below and listend to the gentle sound of the sails rustling in the wind.

"You really are lucky darling." Rarity sighed while resting her head.

"Whaddya mean?" Asked Applejack.

"You have your family back together and you have such a wonderful gentleman for a lover. Though he can be a bit rough around the edges." Rarity giggled slightly.

"I'm also lucky to have found you all again." Applejack added as she leaned on Rarity with a happy smile.

"I thought I'd never see any of you again. We lost so much in this war, our homes, our families...I almost gave up hope."

Applejack began remembering her days as a slave and how she almost submitted to the Stonehoof regime with only Rainbow Dash to help keep her going. She would have given in long ago if Wulfric and his clan hadn't attacked Ponyville that day and joined them in the fight against Dainn.




Below Deck

Wulfric and Twilight were overlooking their strategy to launch a counterattack against the royal army and hoped that Princess Luna and Marshall could hold out long enough until the arrived. Twilight was the leading tactician while her brother and Princess Ember lead the ground assault.

"Listen carefully everyone." She addressed the others as they went over their plans.

"Once we arrive at the battle, our best shot is to land just outside the rear gate of the fortress with the other ships. That should be just outside of their firing range so this all depends on you and the crew Wulfric."

"My men can do it." The chieftain said with confidence as the continued.

"Ember, you and your dragons will join Shining Armors pegasus unit in securing the fort. Once you've done so, raise up your banner on the highest point you can find. It'll be our signal to launch the second wave."

"Second wave?" Asked the dragon princess when Chrysalis stepped forward, hiding her smile behind a fan.

"I had Crafty Dodger and a thousand of my changelings camp out in the forest just beyond the stronghold, in case your soldiers needed reinforcements. I even had some of them disguise themselves as soldiers to infiltrate the enemy ranks." The changeling queen bragged before clamping her fan shut.

"Once the signal is given, my men will attack the enemies right flank and destroy their siege weapons which will give our comrades in the fortress ample time to regroup and join us in the attack. However..." She paused slightly.

"In the event of us not making it in time, Dodger and his men will attack to help delay the enemy."

"A thousand against the entire royal army?" Said Sergeant Quartz feeling doubtful.

"Do not underestimate my men sergeant. Each of them can take on a hundred of your best soldiers any day." The queen responded in a prideful manner, as if praising her men like they were her children. The sergeant however was not convinced.

"For the sake of our our comrades, I hope you're right Chrysalis."




Forests Edge

Just as the queen anticipated, the royal army was now on the brink of breaching the fortress gates as a massive battering ram was rolled across the field with only a small army of samurai standing in its way.

"My tigers!" Crafty Dodger shouted to his warriors as they stood at attention.

"You stand before me because you are the best. None of us would bow before the false king; Dainn Stonehoof. Make no mistake my tigers, their army outnumbers us greatly but if we are to die then so be it! For we will die legends, we will die warriors, we. Will die. SAMURAI!!"

Roused by their champions speech, the samurai let out a mighty warcry as they charged out of the forests edge with swords gleaming in the sunlight and the faces of their enemies stricken with fear as they stared into the glowing emerald eyes behind their demon masks.

With just a thousand troops, tide of the battle had once again turned.

End.
> Battle of The Frozen Wastes Part 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One thousand.

One thousand samurai carrying one thousand swords charged out of the forest; one thousand soldiers trained since birth to fight and die without hesitation. At the head of this small army was the Empresses champion, Crafty Dodger whos' blade was the first to come slashing through the enemy ranks as his men began punching a hole in their formation.

"We're under attack!!" An enemy officer shouted before an arrow pierced his chest.

"ARCHERS!!" A samurai officer shouted as his troops began to rain fire down upon the enemy. Though the opposing army was greater, many of its soldiers were untrained mercenaries who had not experienced a real battle nor faced warriors as fierce as the samurai and the snowy fields soon turned red with their blood.

In the midst of battle, Dodger noticed the enemy siege engines on the nearby hill as they continued to batter the fortress while keeping Marshall and his knights pinned down with each strike.

"I want a hundred of our best men reinforcing Marshall! The rest of us will go for the siege weapons!"

"Yes my lord!"

At the sound of another horn call, the samurai divided their army into thirds in order to drag out the battle while Dodger and a group of his best warriors began cutting their way uphill to the enemy siege engines.

Atop the furthest hill from the battle, Dainn and Blueblood watched as the enemy reinforcements smashed into their army with devastating effect but only Blueblood seemed to have been worried by the situation.

"We had numbers and we have the war machines! How are we losing?!?"

"Patience boy. Just a minor setback." Dainn said calmly before ordering his servants to hand him his helmet and warhammer.

"Time we joined the fray Blueblood."

"Indeed."

Leading the last of their troops in a final assault, the two tyrants charged into battle making the odds tip in their favor once again.

As the battle dragged on, Marshall and his surviving troops had been pushed to the breaking point and with the enemy now surrounding the fortress it was only a matter of time until they were overpowered.

"Stand fast to the end boys! Die with honor!!" The warden shouted in one last battle cry while holding his ground against the enemy.

Amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Dainn was furiously smashing one soldier after the next beneath his warhammer with great speed and efficiency, not even the strongest samurai or knight could stand against him while in another section of the battlefield was Blueblood trampling over both enemy and allies alike in his new war chariot.

Siege Line

With the rest of the army holding the battlefield, Crafty Dodger and his troops finally arrived at the enemy siege weapons and quickly dispatched the enemy troops posted there but with the enemies superior numbers it seemed to be a pointless effort. It was only after looking upon the battlefield that Dodger came up with a brilliant plan to help turn the tide of battle once again.

"Reposition the weapons! We're going to blow up the enemies rear guard."

"Brilliant idea my lord!"

Following their leaders plan, the samurai repositioned the weapons and established a perimeter around the hill as they began to rain fire down upon the enemy while keeping any troops from reoccupying the hill. It wasn't long until Dainn had noticed this and ordered several platoons to retake the hill.

"My lord, wave of enemies approaching!" Shouted one of Dodgers retainers as he pointed out a large group of diamond dogs charging up the hill on all fours like wild beasts.

"Let's give em a hello present."

With a wave of his hand, the samurai began rolling down what appeared to be large red lanterns down the hill towards the attackers. The diversion seemed to work as the dogs halted their charge to inspect the strange objects completely unaware of what was to come next.

"ARCHERS!!"

The sky suddenly became filled with flaming arrows that rained upon the unprotected mercenaries as they tried to find cover or escape the range of the arrows but what came next completely caught them off guard as one of the red lanterns suddenly exploded after coming in contact with the fire. The first explosion set off a chain reaction as the lanterns began to go off one by one until the hillside was covered in smoke and fire.

"Napalm. Never leave home without it." The orochi said to himself while pouring some sakè.

Despite having the superior fire power, the allied forces were still outnumbered and loosing momentum as the battle dragged on. It seemed like victory would at last belong to Dainn Stonehoof until one of the soldiers spotted a group of airships coming over the horizon.

"Sire, look at this." One of the kings bodyguards handed him a spyglass and pointed to the lead ship.

When Dainn saw it his heart had suddenly began to beat rapidly and his eyes widened in shock for at the bow of the ship was a banner in the shape of a white wolfs head and as he continued to stare at the approaching ships he began to remember the seers words.

"Beware the white wolf for it is you he hunts."

Without warning, the ships began to fire upon the kings army with exploding ballistae that scattered his troops everywhere. As the first of them made landfall, the bow of the ships opened up to reveal dozens of fresh soldiers ready for battle lead by Shining Armor and Princess Ember.

"Reinforce our troops! Knock down those ladders!!" The prince shouted before smashing through the enemy ranks with his trusty halberd.

"Shield wall in the center line! Hold them here!!" Shouted the dragon princess as her legionarres began to form their ranks.

The last of the ships held Twilight and her friends who wasted no time in storming the battlefield and cleaving their enemies apart until their was an opening large enough for Marshall to get his troops through the gate.

"This is our chance! Raise the portcullis!!" The warden shouted while leading the rest of the troops to form up behind the gate.

"The second those doors open, you come out swinging! Don't stop until every last one of em is dead!!"

The second the gates began to open, the fortresses defenders charged forward with their allies as they began pushing back the enemy. As the battle grew more desperate, Blueblood quickly siezed this chance to make his escape in hopes of Dainn dying in the battle.

"BLUEBLOOD!!" Shining Armor roared out the traitors name as he fired a magic bolt that splintered his chariot into pieces and sent him flying into the mud. As Blueblood rose to his feet he could hear the clanking footsteps of his rival coming towards him.

"It's over traitor." Shining said while tossing aside his helmet.

"The time has come to answer for your crimes!"

"I answer to no one!" The traitor prince spat back while drawing his blade.

"Least of all a peasant like you!!"

Shining Armor knew their was no reasoning with Blueblood and he honestly could care less, all he wanted was to see this traitors head cleaved off his shoulders by his own halberd. In wasn't long before the two princes came to blows with Shining Armor pushing back Blueblood each time their blades clashed.

"Feel like tapping out?"

"I won't yield to some peasant!!"

Blueblood struggled to keep his footing as Shinging Armor continued to batter him with each strike to the point where he could barely lift his sword.

"This ends it." Shining Armor said as he prepared to deliver the final blow when by a cruel twist of fate, a stray fireball fell between the two making it an easy escape for Blueblood.

"Damn coward."




Frozen River

As the battle raged on, Dainn Stonehoof and Wulfric stared each other down across a frozen with weapons in hand. All that was left was for one of them to make the first move. The fight began when both combatants carefully stepped towards each other over the ice that began to creak beneath their boots.

"There's room enough for two kings." Dainn said as he offered to share the kingdom with Wulfric. Though the young stag was his enemy, Dainn respected him for his valor in battle but that was not enough to sway Wulfric to his side.

"There can only be one." The young chieftain replied just before they began to battle on the frozen river.

Dainn swung his hammer to and fro with great strength while Wulfric matched him blow for blow with his claymore. Sparks were flying in the air as their weapons clashed over and over until Wulfric was able to parry away the hammer once more and deliver a deep cut into Dainns left arm.

"AGH!!"

The king reeled back after feeling the sting of the blade and saw his blood dripping onto the ice. The duel continued with both warriors resuming their clash once again.

"It doesn't have to be like this boy, think of what we could achieve together!" The king shouted over the clanging steel.

"I want nothing from you Stonehoof! Except your head!!" Wulfric shouted back as they locked weapons.

"But think of what you could have! All the food, wealth and women you could want!"

"What I want is vengeance for what you did to us in Valkenheim!!"

With all his might, Wulfric threw Dainn off his feet and crashing onto the ice as it began to crack beneath their combined weight. Dainn was now at the mercy of Wulfrics blade as it rested just above his heart waiting for its master to plunge it deeper.

"You left us for dead! I watched mothers and fathers bury their children while others had to risk their lives just so they could feed their families!! What kind of a king does that to his people?!?"

"You forget yourself boy..." Dainn hissed while reaching for his hammer.

"The strong rule and the weak....PERISH!!"

In a desperate move, the king smashed the ice beneath them as the river began to crack open. Wulfric made a dash for the shore, narrowly avoiding the freezing waters.

It was at that moment when Twilight and the others arrived to see the king make his escape while Applejack helped her lover to stand.

"You alright sugarcube?" The farm mare asked when she saw the anger in his eyes.

"I had him..." Wulfric hissed in anger. The chieftain had never been this furious since the death of his father and as he watched Dainn and the rest of his army flee into the sunset he shouted with absolute fury, at the very top of his lungs.

"I'M COMING FOR YOU STONEHOOOF!! I AM COMING FOR YOUUUUU!!!"

End.
> The Chosen King
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rebellion had scored a major victory in the battle of the frozen wastes, the kings army was now scattered and broken and his remaining generals lay dead on the battlefield with many of his mercenary soldiers. Only one last march stood in the way between Dainn and the fall of his empire.

However, the final battle would have to wait until the soldiers had finished feasting in celebration of their victory. The party had taken place inside and around the fortress walls with all three factions of the rebel army raising their glasses together in friendship as music and laughter filling the air.

Pinkie of course was in charge of the party prelarations and made many sweet treats and party games with the help of her friends.

"Hey everypony!" The pink mare shouted while standing on a table as she got the crowds attention.

"ARE WE HAVING FUN???"

"YEAHH!!"

The soldiers had never been more lively than before and some had even begun to flirt with their female counterparts during the feast with the does of the waborn clan being more aggressive towards the youngest members of Shining Armors legion.

"Hey there little man~." Said a female berserker to a young squire as she leaned over to give him a clear view down her shirt while getting up close and personal.

"Let's ditch this place and have some real fun back at my tent~."

"Uh m-miss I'm very flattered but I need to um-!!" The squire replied timidly when the doe pulled him right into her breasts, nearly suffocating him.

"Come on, it'll be fun~!" She said seductively with a grin. The squire finally gave in and nodded yes to her offer before being dragged off towards her tent with a little surprise.

"Don't worry, me and my friend are gonna treat you real nice~."

"Wait. Friend?!?" The squire shouted when he saw another doe with a slightly bigger bust line winking at him as he was thrown into the tent.

"Good luck kid!" Another viking shouted as he passed by the tent.

In the forts mess hall was Twilight and her friends celebrating together around a feasting table with Shining Armor and the other rebel leaders but not all were in a partying mood.

"Hmm..."

Wulfric was sitting next to his comrades and beloved mare but despite the festive atmosphere, he didn't smile or laugh and just stared at his reflection in the ale swirling around in his cup.

"Hey there handsome. What's the matter?" Applejack asked after noticing her lovers mood. The chieftain let out a short sigh before placing his mug back down on the table.

"I let him get away Applejack. I had him..." he replied while taking a few small bites from his plate.

"Now that wasn't your fault." She told him with a kiss to his cheek that brought out a little smile.

"We'll get him sugarcube, I promise."

Applejack leaned against his shoulder as a form of comfort while getting a few teases from Rainbow Dash and a few of the soldiers. Not that she minded of course.

"How's about you meet me back at my tent?" She offered with a sly grin, much to her lovers delight.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. I got something special planned for ya~." She hinted while pressing her chest against his right arm and winked.

"My tent, later tonight. Be there."

"Yes ma'am."

The couple leaned against each other, looking forward to their evening plans while Applebloom and Scootaloo were in the back of the hall playing with Arya's pups. The sight warmed Applejacks heart as she watched her little sister snuggle with one of the cubs and noticed that the she wolf herself seemed to enjoy watching them play as well.

On the next table over was Rarity and the night guards playing their usual game of throwing knives and like always, the mare was on an impressive winning streak and had not used one ounce of magic through the entire game. As her turn came once again, she showed off her skills with a knife by seating herself a distance away to have a cup of tea before hitting the bullseye with a simple flick of the wrist and all the time her eyes were closed.

"Miss Rarity, how do you do that?" One of the guards asked as he scratched his head in confusion.

"It's a gift darling." She replied before taking another sip of tea when one of the wolf pups startled her by tugging on her boot.

"Oh! Good heavens!"

"Sorry Rarity!" Said Scootaloo as she pulled the cub away.

"Oh it's alright darling. These are more functionable than fashionable." Rarity replied while gently petting the little wolf and noticed that Scootaloo was looking rather sad despite the festive atmosphere.

"Is everything alright darling?" She asked the little filly.

"Well it's just...I was really hoping to see Sweetie Belle again."

"Oh now don't you worry dear. Sweetie Belle is being looked after by a good friend of mine."

Hearing that news gave Scootaloo a bit of comfort but it still didn't change the fact that she missed one of her closest friends.

As the hour grew late, one of the lookouts sounded the alarm with news of a small army approaching the gates under a white flag.

"Wulfric, you better see this." Said Shining Armor who peeked outside to see the reminents of the clans who once served the king. The soldiers who had been guarding the gate had readied their arrows when Sergeant Quartz ordered them to stand down.

Many were confused about this sudden visit as the leaders of each clan stepped forward, all of which were known by Wulfric and the Warborn.

"The bear clan, the eagle feathers and the dragonsbane clan. What are you all doing here?" The young chieftain asked suspiciously since they have had several confrontations throughout the war.

"We came seeking sanctuary." Said the chieftain of the bear clan as he laid down hos sword and shield before Wulfric.

"The king has gone too far. He's giving what food and gold we have left to his army!"

"King? What king?" Yelled the chieftain of the dragonsbane to the whole crowd.

"Dainn Stonehoof is no king of mine!! What kind of king slaughters his own people and then leaves them to die of hunger while he feasts in his great hall?!?"

Many of the clans nodded and shouted in agreement with the chieftain as he continued his speech.

"What kind of king hides behind an army of sellswords and then flees in the heat of battle? There's only one stag in all the four clans that I am willing to call king and he's sitting right there!"

All were shocked when the leader of the dragonsbane pointed his axe to Wulfric and bent a knee to him.

"King Wulfric! My king...THE KING IN THE NORTH!"

At first, there was silence until the chieftain of the eagle feathers stepped forward and bent a knee before the young chieftain.

"I'll have peace on those terms. To the frozen hells with Dainn Stonehoof! The King in The North."

One by one, the wariors of each clan began to kneel before Wulfric. Even the members of his own clan stepped forward to swear their loyalty again.

"Are we your people? Now and always?" Asked one of Wulfrics warriors.

"Now and always."

With that answer, the warriors of the warborn clan kneeled before their leader with a renewed faith in his strength as they proclaimed their fealty to him.

"Then our blades are yours in victory and defeat, from this day until our last days."

"THE KING IN THE NORTH!!" The dragonsbane chieftain shouted once again as the other clans began chanting it over and over, until the entire fortress had begun to shout with them. Even Twilight and her friends began to join in with much enthusiasm.

That night, for the first time in their history. The viking clans had chosen a king who was worthy of their loyalty and one who could lead them to a brighter future.

End.
> The Final March
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The king was now on the verge of being overthrown. His armies had either been defeated or had deserted, his gold had nearly been spent and he had just received news of the enemy marching their way across the border towards Canterlot.

To make matters worse, he began to hear news of uprisings happening all across Equestria with slaves escaping by the hundreds and killing their masters. The only thing standing between his throne and the growing rebel army was the walls of Canterlot and the city of Cloudsdale that had been turned into a flying fortress.

As the floating stronghold came into view, Dainns fear seemed to instantly fade away when a guard marched into the throne room with an urgent report.

"My lord, General Wind Rider is here." 

"Excellent. Send him in."

Wind Rider was once a proud member of the Wonderbolts aerial team before he was kicked out for trying to frame Rainbow Dash whom he viewed as a threat. It was after the takeover that he was enlisted into the kings army as one of his top generals because of his superior flying skills and his knowledge of Equestrias cities.

As Wind Rider made his entrance, he appeared before the king in a standard military officers uniform decorated with medals and badges while wearing a cape of pure silk decorated with animal fur.

"General. So glad you made it." Dainn said cheerfully as he called for his servants to take the generals cloak.

"My pleasure your majesty." Wind Rider replied with a grin before joining his king for breakfast.

"I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

"I did and you'll be pleased to know that Saddle Arabia has decided to join us."

"Excellent."

As the two began to enjoy their meal, the king told his general of the events that had transpired while he was away in southern equestria and it came as no surprise that Wind Rider wanted to lead the counterattack against the rebels after hearing Rainbow Dash and her friends were among them and had even requested that she be made his personal slave once they had recaptured her and the other elements of harmony.

"One question sire." The general said after a sip of wine.

"Speak."

"What about this new king I keep hearing about?"

"What new king?" Dainn asked after his curiosity was piqued.

"It seems the other tribes have named a new king; they call him"The King in The North" what was his name...Wulfric!"

As Wind Rider prepared to take another sip of wine he noticed the king beginning to grit his teeth and grip the table furiously before flipping it and letting out a bloodthristy roar.

"They dare name that mongrel king?!?" Dainn shouted with anger while his servants began cleaning up the mess.

"Wind Rider, I want you to assemble your best troops and move out at once!"

"With pleasure sire." The general grinned with his glass raised up for a toast.

"The only thing this boy will be king of is a pile of ashes! No one defies me and lives!!"





Meanwhile

Unaware of the encroaching danger, the rebel army was busy repairing the damage to the fort while making preparations to march back to Canterlot. The damage to the stronghold was severe and would take months to repair or it would if not for the changelings and their incredible building skills.

"Lunch break!!" Shouted Pinkie as she and Fluttershy began handing out snacks to the workers.

"Plenty for every pony." Fluttershy said with a smile before returning with Pinkie to join their other friends for breakfast. All except one.

"Any pony seen Applejack?" Asked Twilight who was serving morning tea.

"Oh she's probably still keeping the new king company." Rarity replied before nibbling on a pastry.

In a tent just beyond the east wall, Wulfric laid in bed with his beloved mare after another night of passion as he held her close and kissed her forehead to gently wake her.

"Morning, your majesty." She teased slightly while snuggling up to her stag.

"Good morning." Wulfric replied before giving her a kiss and caressing her body.

"You were amazing last night."

"You weren't so bad yourself stud~."

The farm mare rolled herself on top as she stradled her lover and prepared for another session of love making while he gripped her breasts and kissed her passionately.

"So how did you like your surprise last night~?"

"I loved it. Especially when you showed me what you were wearing~."

In his right hand, Wulfric held a red laced bra with a mischievious grin before kissing his mare again and rolling on top of her. Applejack let out a slight giggle as he began to take charge and show his more aggressive side by groping her flank very firmly on both cheeks and biting down on her neck.

"I gotta ask Applejack, where did you get such naughty underwear?" He asked while rubbing her hind quarters.

"I asked Rarity for it. Told her about our special night~." She replied while enjoying the attention.

Before they could go any further, Applejack noticed the sun had just begun to rise and realized it was getting close to breakfast.

"Well I'd love to stay sugarcube but I got cookin' to do."

"No complaints. You and those bodacious hips of yours wore me out~." The chieftain complimented his mare with a kiss to her neck and a playful smack to her rump before allowing her to leave.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

After she finished dressing, Applejack joined her friends for breakfast and some quality time before helping around the fortress.

"Morning Applejack." Said Rarity with a friendly smile.

"Mornin' Rarity." Applejack replied as they continued to chat about the events that transpired after last nights feast.

"I trust everything went well last night?"

"Better than I hoped. He couldn't even keep his hands off me this morning." The farm mare boasted with a wink before helping take the dishes to the river to be washed. Rarity decided to help in hopes of getting more juicy details about her friends romantic evening and to help lighten the load while the rest of their friends returned to the fort.

"So how is the rest of your family doing Applejack?" Rarity inquired while rinsing a few pots and pans with her magic.

"They're doing great. Granny is a lively as ever and I may get a sister in law soon." Applejack responded with a grin.

"You mean Sugar Belle?"

"Eeyup."

"Well if you ever need wedding gowns, be sure to inform me." Rarity said with a wink before joining Applejack in a friendly laugh when a thought had crossed her mind.

"You know, with way you and Wulfric have been getting along so well, I should expect a proposal for you very soon."

The second she heard that, Applejacks face turned red as a fresh apple before dropping a plate into the river and startling a small fish that splashed her in the face.

"Are you alright darling?"

"I-I'm fine!" She stuttered while gathering the dishes and heading back to camp.

It wasn't long until the thoughts of marriage started to flood Applejacks mind as she began to picture herself in a wedding outfit with her and Wulfric standing in front of an altar as they said their vows in front of their friends and family. Her fantasy was cut short when she spotted him with Shining Armor in front of the command tent and from what she could tell, it appeared to be an important discussion as both he and Shining Armor called for the troops attention.

"Listen up men!" Shining shouted as they began to form a crowd in front of the tent.

"We just got word that General Wind Rider has returned from Saddle Arabia with the floating fortress of Cloudsdale."

It was no surprise that the troops were discouraged after hearing such news but not all seemed to be displeased.

"Good! I owe that jerk some serious payback for framing me!" Rainbow Dash shouted with a few fellow shield maidens cheering her on.

"So what's the plan?" Bronze Pommel asked with the soldiers repeating the same thing.

"Glad you asked." Wulfric replied as he stepped into the middle of the crowd.

"Our plan is this. We take half the army and occupy the town of Ponyville, now understand that we will be traveling by longboat since the airships are slower. Once we have taken the town, our next step is to delay the enemy by any means possible."

Though the plan seemed sound, not many were enthusiastic about taking on a flying fortress with an army of pegasai ready to swarm down upon them. It was at that point, when Shining Armor joined his friend in the center.

"Listen. I know many of you are scared and believe me, so am I but if we win this battle then we will be one step closer to taking back our home....many of us were there when the Crystal Empire fell and we have seen first hand the crimes Dainn has committed against our people...and his own."

The soldiers began nodding in agreement with their prince as Wulfric added to the speech.

"Make no mistake, this will be the greatest battle we've ever had and many of us will not make it but remember: We are fighting not only to dethrone a tyrant but to bring back peace, prosperity and freedom to this land!" He shouted with his sword raised high as the troops let out a short cheer.

"You saw how that bastard fled from me on the battlefield! He is a coward. He hides behind his stone walls and sellswords while good men die on the battlefield! He is not worthy to be a king, nor is he worthy of Valhalla! He knows how powerful we are and together-WE CAN WIN!!"

The cheering grew more tense as the troops began banging their shields and raising their weapons when Shining gestured for them to quiet down.

"Any soldier willing to go on this mission, report to Sergeant Quartz and prepare to move out. This time, we take the fight to the enemy!"

"VALHALLAAAAAAA!!!"

With that last war cry, the entire camp erupted in a thundering cheer with all knowing that the end of the war and Dainn Stonehoof's reign was in sight.

End.
> Sailing Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the last days of summer, the rebel army began to make preparations for the final march towards Canterlot as the smiths worked day and night to repair and reforge the armor and weapons needed while the ship crews began loading huge amounts of cargo onto their vessels.

"Let' move it! Pick up the pace!" An officer shouted while helping to load up the crates of food and supplies into the ships hold as crews kept bringing in one shipment after the next.

In another part of the camp were the armies soldiers being refitted with new armor and weapons while being given their daily rations for the long journey.

"So we're finally heading back home." Said one soldier as he strapped on his breastplate.

"After all this time..." Said another while looking at this reflection in a shield.

Many of the soldiers began to wonder what coming home would be like after the war was over while others focused on sharpening their blades and preparing themselves for the upcoming fight.

"So what do you think will happen once the king is defeated?" Asked one of the soldiers who was polishing his helmet.

"What else? Celestia and the other princesses get back into power, restore our government and we go back to living peacefully." Answered the one behind him.

"Okay but what about the warborn? you think they'll keep their promise and just return home? I mean they are vikings after all."

It wasn't long before the whole garrison began to have the same thoughts about their viking allies, while they did help them throughout the war, not many of the Equestrian soldiers were thrilled about siding with the same race that helped take over their homeland. Some even thought that the whole rebel alliance was just a trick to get their enemies to lower their guard so that Shining Armor and The Elements of Harmony could take them out when they least expected it.

"I bet the prince will order their new "King" to pledge his loyalty to Equestria or risk open war."

"You think the prince would really do that?"

"Why wouldn't he? I mean you really think he's gonna just let em take what they want and head back home? Just watch, he's gonna force those warborn to work for us."

Meanwhile

In the command tent, the rebel leaders had been going over the plans they had made to seize Ponyville with Shining Armor handling the debriefing with Wulfric and Chrysalis.

"Alright. let's go over the battle plans one more time." Shining began the debriefing as he pointed out key checkpoints throughout the town.

"Once the longboats reach the town, our first step would be to secure a beach head for our troops and supplies. Thanks to Princess Luna's spies, we know that the area by the riverside is hardly guarded so it will be a while before the enemy can mount a proper defense." The prince then stepped aside to let Wulfric explain the assault tactics of their plan as he pointed to the town square.

"Once we've secured the shore, my raiders and I will charge straight for the town square where we can use the town hall for a watch tower. Putting some archers and artillery will probably help give us a slight advantage."

"And that is where my children come in." Chrysalis interjected while fanning herself.

"Crafty Dodger will take the market along with a squad of his best warriors. From there, we can secure a place for the civilians and any who surrender. The only thing to worry about is General Wind Rider arriving ahead of time."

"That's where I come in."

It was at that moment when Princess Ember walked in fully armored from head to toe with a proud smirk on her face as she explained her plan to delay Wind Rider.

"My troops will set up a small camp just beyond the hills near Ponyville. With any luck, the enemy will spot us and focus all their efforts on trying to wipe us out but we'll have a little surprise." She paused for a moment to give a little dramatic effect to her plan.

"Go on." Said Wulfric as she began to explain the details.

"During our march into Equestria, my troops came across a band of mercenaries looking for work and after seeing their skills, we decided to hire them. They should be here soon."




As the meeting went on, the band of mercenaries that Ember mentioned had begun to make their way into the camp with all eyes focusing on their leader who was a young female griffon armored from top to bottom. Even her wings were plated with metal as they clattered with each step.

It was when the leader spotted Rainbow Dash, that things began to take an interesting turn.

"Hey Dash!!" She shouted to the pegasus who instantly recognized her voice.

"GILDA!!" Rainbow Dash shouted while running towards her old friend with a welcoming hug as they sat by the nearest fire to have a chat.

"So what are you doing here?" Rainbow asked while handing her friend some water to quench her thirst.

"Oh you know, merc stuff. Got hired by a wealthy client, took the job and here I am with my crew." Gilda replied before chugging down some water and looking at the warborn raiders around the camp.

"What's with all these caribou?" Gilda asked as they passed by a few raiders.

"They're on our side, don't worry." Rainbow replied as she started to tell her old friend of her journey's with the rebel army while listening to a few of Gilda's stories in return and before they knew it the two of them were sitting by a fire, having a meal and exchanging stories like old war veterans.

"So Dash. What are ya gonna do after this war is over?" Asked Gilda who began chugging down a cup of cider.

"You know...I never thought about that." Dash replied while staring at her reflection in the mud.

She had never thought of what she would do after the war she could still get her old job at the weather factory back but then there was her Wonderbolt career which would probably be restored once Celestia and the other princesses were back in power. However, it would be a long time before she would get back in the air since her wings had been severely weakened from lack of use.

"Well I know what I'm gonna do. Hit Las Pegasus baby!" Gilda shouted with her crew cheering in agreement when she spotted Shining Armor and Wulfric heading to the river to prepare their ships.

"I take it that's the boss of these bucks?" She asked while examining him.

"Yup, that's Wulfric. He'll be leading the first wave of the attack along with me and my friends."

At that moment, Rainbow's gaze turned to her short spear gleaming in the fires glow and began to picture herself in battle against the very savages that robbed her of her hometown and who made her friends suffer for over a year as they destroyed everything she loved.

"It'll be nice to see the frightened look on those Stonehooves when we show up with an army." Said Gilda interrupting her train of thought as her friend smiled in agreement.

"I hear that."

The friends then raised their mugs in a toast to a successful raid and chugged down their ciders before letting out two loud belches that earned some cheers from the troops as well as a few laughs.




Meanwhile

While the rest of the camp was busy preparing for the raid, the members of the Apple Family had just gotten some big news from Sugar Belle. She and Big Macintosh were going to have their first child.

The news of course was shocking to everyone, especially Big Mac who sat on the ground completely stunned while his beloved mare placed his hand on her belly with a slight blush to her cheeks and a warm smile.

"I'm gonna be a daddy..." The stallion said to himself as a smile began to creep on his face while his sisters hugged Sugar Belle from both sides with laughter and happy faces.

"I'm gonna be an auntie! I'm gonna be an auntie!!" Applebloom shouted giddily while hopping around the tent.

"Congrats big brother!" Said Applejack with a firm slap to her big brothers back as he continued to sit there completely shocked.

"Big Mac? Are you okay?" Sugar Belle asked after noticing her coltfriend had not moved a muscle.

"Okay? I'm better than okay!" He finally answered before hugging her tight around her neck.

"You just made me the happiest stallion in all Equestria." 

Hearing those words made Sugar Belle cry tears of joy as she snuggled closer to her stallion and before long, the entire camp was up in celebration of the upcoming birth. Music played, laughter filled the air and everyone was feasting and drinking with their comrades.

"Attention y'all! I'd like to make a toast!" Applejack shouted as the noise quieted down for a moment.

"A toast to Big Mac, Sugar Belle and their baby. May all of you have the happiest of times in the days ahead. To family!"

"TO FAMILY!!" The soldiers shouted with their mugs raised high as the music and chatter resumed.

"Now we have an even better reason to fight." Said Shining Armor who was seated with the other leaders at the table.

"The sooner we win this war, the sooner Big Mac and his family can have a better future for their child."

"And yours. Twilight told me the news." Wulfric added with a smile and a glass raised to his friend who smiled in return.

By mornings light, the troops were fed, sober and ready to sail out with the first wave of the attack and none were more eager than Princess Twilight and her friends who were boarding the first ship along with Gilda's mercenary band.

"Be careful Twily." Shining said to his little sister before letting go of her hand.

"You all remember the plan?" Asked Sergeant Quartz after boarding the ship.

"Once the attack starts, our troops will set up a forward command base using the second ship of the first wave." Twilight replied with her friends Rarity and Rainbow Dash explaining the other details of the plan.

"Then we light a fire to signal Wulfrics troops to begin the second attack."

"After that, we push to the town square to secure a safe zone for the civilians."

After an approving nod of the head, the sergeant gave the signal for the crews to let loose the sails of the ships with Embers dragon troops providing the wind speed needed to increase their pace.

"Today we sail to war! And to victory!!" Marshall shouted with his black sword raised high as the troops let out a mighty shout that seemed to make the skies tremble. Even Princess Luna could not help but smile as the ships began to move down river and slowly fade out of sight.

"Sister....please hold on."

End.
> Dominion part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The town of Ponyville.

Once it was the most friendliest place in all of Equestria but now it had become the most wealthiest slave market in all of Equestria. Mares of all species and all ages were auctioned off on a daily basis and each slave bought was a profit to fund Dainn war efforts against the rebel army.

"Alright gentlemen! Today we have a special treat!" The auctioneer shouted to the crowd of stags before him while two mares were brought up wearing nothing but red collars as the males started to gasp and cheer at the sight.

"I give you Aloe and Lotus of the Ponyville spa! Both mares are excellent at giving massages with their hands as well as their bodies~!"

To help seal the deal, both mares bent over and raised their tails to show off their flanks to their future masters and just like that, the buyers began shouting out their bids.

"I'll pay a hundred bits for Aloe!"

"I'll give you two hundred for Lotus!"

"Hell! I'll give you one thousand bits for both mares!!"

Needless to say, the auctioneer was pleased with the results of his newest seller and was waiting for just the right price to be called when the towns warning bell suddenly began to ring and white sails began to appear on the edge of the everfree forest. At first it seemed like nothing but when the townsfolk saw the ships occupants were soldiers fully armed for battle, they quickly realized what was happening and ran back to their homes in complete fear.

"It's the rebels! They're attacking the town!!"

"Call the town guard! Quick!!"

The warning bells began to ring frantically as the townsfolk began to panic and scramble around the streets looking for cover while the guards rushed to the shoreline in their battle formations as the first of the ships began to make landfall.

"Prepare the gangplank!!" Shouted one of the captains as the rebels prepared to charge forward with Bronze Pommel leading the first wave. A shower of arrows came raining down upon the ships as they quickly rushed out of the ships with their shields raised up while their own archers did their best to provide cover fire.

"Keep moving forward! Don't stop!!" Pommel yelled after another barrage of arrows hit her unit before they were finally able to secure several barricades for the remaining troops as they marched off the ships with the supplies and weapons from the cargo hold.

"This is our chance, press the attack and move towards the town!!"

To help tip the odds in their favor, Pommel charged right into the enemies front line with her mace smashing their armor and shields to splinters

Amidst the troops now storming the riverbank of the  town, one group of soldiers had found themselves being overwhelmed by a  single knight wielding a black sword that cut through them as if they  were made of paper.

"What the hell are you?!? Some kind of  demon soldier?!?" One royal guard shouted in terror when Rarity  announced her friends name loud enough for the enemy to hear.

"Are  you ruffians telling me that you have been fighting him all this time  without knowing his name?" She smirked while stepping aside to make sure  they got a good view of the knight standing before them.

"I almost pity you. May I present Princess Luna's  personal champion; Sir Marshall!"

The second they heard that name, the enemy soldiers began to tremble in fear before running back to the town.

"That's...Sir Marshall?!?"

"It's The Knight of The Moon! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!"

"Don't let them escape! Cut them down!!" 

Taking only a handful of men, Marshall lead his troops in an all out pursuit to crush the enemy and secure the remaining front lines as the rest of the ships began to come ashore. With the first wave of their attack successful, the rebel army had gained a foothold on the towns outskirts and proceeded to move on to the second phase of their attack.

"We've captured Zone-A! Light the signal fires!"

As the flames were lit, Wulfric and his raiders began banging their shields in rhythm before charging and screaming like wild beasts. The streets of the town had now become a battlefield with soldiers fighting in narrow streets and burning homes as frightened families huddled in darkened corners while listening to the chaos unfolding in their town.

The raiders wasted no time in freeing the slaves that had been abandoned in the market square and burning down the stalls where they were once held and in the center of it all was Twilight and her friends leading the charge with Gilda's mercenary group following close behind.

"Hey Dash! I got two already!" Gilda shouted after dodging some attacks while Rainbow Dash swooped passed a line of soldiers to announce her kill count.

"I'm on seventeen G! Try to keep up!"

"Oh it's on!"

The two warriors began to compete with each other as the battle dragged on, leaving Twilight and Rarity to help guide the townsfolk to safety.

"This way, you'll be safe at the town center." Twilight said calmly as she helped a few civilians with her magic.

"Don't shove, there's no need to panic." Said Rarity who was doing her best to disperse the crowd when she saw a pack of diamond dog mercenaries charging right at them and screaming with drooling mouths.

"Twilight darling, I suggest we brace ourselves!"

Following her friends lead, Twilight drew her weapons and prepared to do battle when one of the dogs was suddenly yanked in by a lasso and the others were struck by a charging caribou soldier who smashed them into the wall of a building.

"Applejack! Wulfric!"

"We got this, get those ponies out of here!" Applejack shouted before knocking out her captive and joining Wulfric in a counterattack to hold off the enemy.

"Good luck darlings and be careful." Rarity said to her friend who winked in reply before returning to battle.

"Get lost-YOU PACK OF MONGRELS!!" The chieftain roared as he swung his blade two and fro, cleaving many of his foes into pieces.

By the end of the day, the entire town of Ponyville was now liberated but the rebels had yet to secure another victory for in the distance, the floating fortress of Cloudsdale was drifting on the horizon as Shining had predicted and with the army now exhausted from the recent battle, the allied forces quickly began to build defenses around the town while sending the refugees to a camp further down river.

The battle for Ponyville had just begun.

End.
> Dominion part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cloudsdale, The greatest city in the sky.

That is what it used to be called before Wind Rider and his fellow pegasai turned it into a flying fortress of fear and devastation. After the king took over, Wind Rider reconstructed the floating city into an impenetrable stronghold with a magic barrier that was powered by four individual crystals with a single archway as the only entrance.

Unlike most cities however, this stronghold was filled with highly disciplined soldiers who were trained by Wind Riders most trusted lieutenant; Soarin Skies. Former co-captain of the Wonderbolts and one of the top ranking flyers in all of Equestria. Together, they helped spread Dainns regime to all of Equestria and were even proclaimed heroes of the kingdom before being sent off to the eastern lands in hopes of gaining more allies.

The plan had worked for Saddle Arabia was one of the few remaining kingdoms that functioned on slave labor despite Celestia's law forbidding it and it was thanks to the kings proposed alliance that they were allowed to operate in the open.




Wind Rider was in his private chambers overlooking the small town just on the horizon while enjoying a glass of wine as the city slowly drifted towards it.

"Guard." He called as one of his soldiers entered the room.

"Yes sir?"

"Bring me Lieutenant Soarin."

The soldier did as he was told and marched his way to Soarin's private chambers where he could hear the sound of a bed creaking and banging against the wall followed by the rattling of chains that were almost drowned out by the yelps and screams of a fiery haired mare being viciously raped by the stallion behind her.

"Come on! Cry for me!!" Soarin shouted as he smacked the mares rump with each thrust of his hips.

"S-Soarin! Please let me rest..." The slave pleaded with her head slumped on the pillows as she tried to endure her masters onslaught.

"What's wrong Spitfire? I thought you liked screaming and shouting."

Soarin mocked her as he continued to ram his stallionhood into her over and over before finally making her scream to the top of her lungs with her back arched. The guard who had been watching the whole event grew jealous as he listened to the mares cries of ecstasy before she flopped onto the bed with her master.

"Did...did I please you master?" Spitfire panted when she received a kiss from Soarin who began to unshackle her.

"You did."

"Forgive the interruption sir but General Wind Rider has requested your presence in the war room."

With an annoyed grunt, Soarin released his slave and allowed her to rest on the bed before getting dressed and following the guard back to the war council to discuss the plan to retake Ponyville. Much of the debate seemed pointless as the other officers bickered over destroying the town and recapturing the freed slaves while others suggested wiping it off the map completely with a bombardment from the city.

"Our first priority should be recapturing the slaves!" One officer shouted over the inane chatter that filled the room.

"We have a flying fortress, I say blast Ponyville off the map!" Said the one of the other officers when Wind Rider slammed his hoof down.

"ARE YOU NUTS?!?" The general shouted angrily.

"You're all forgetting that we have a massive slave shortage thanks to this rebellion! We have reports of riots and outbreaks coming from all across the kingdom so if we destroy Ponyville the king is gonna hold us responsible and each of us is gonna have his head on a pike decorating the walls of Canterlot!!"

The entire room fell deathly quiet after hearing those words and all arguments the officers had were instantly shut down when Soarin stood up to propose his plan.

"General, how about sending one of my advanced units? I heard that a small army of dragons is planning to intercept us with Princess Ember leading them. If we capture her then we can force her troops to join us in the upcoming battle."

"Not a bad idea Soarin." Wind Rider said with a pleased smile.

"Have your best men ready to move out at dawn and I want you to personally lead the assault."

"Yes sir!"

The council was then brought to a close as Soarin made his way back to his private quarters and when he was finally alone he let out an angered grunt and slammed his fist against the wall startling Spitfire.

"Soarin?" the mare approached cautiously before getting him to sit down and massage his shoulders.

"Hey babe, what' wrong?"

"I can't keep doing this..." Soarin sighed as he allowed his mare to continue her massage.

"I can't keep pretending to be loyal to that scumbag! It's infuriating!!"

The stallion began to rub his temples in hopes of relieving the oncoming headache when Spitfire straddled herself on his lap and pressed him against her soft breasts with a gentle smile.

"You'll be fine Soarin."

While he appeared to be a loyal soldier of the kingdom, Soarin was secretly placed in Wind Riders court as a spy by Princess Luna after she had fled Equestria with Spitfire as his partner. The ruse began when Soarin offered Spitfire up as a prisoner when Wind Riders forces took over Cloudsdale and of course the general was pleased with this display of loyalty and instantly made him his second in command.

Over time, the duo had fooled the entire city with their act as Soarin would take Spitfire around the city as his pet while secretly gathering information for the princess and as time went on, he and Spitfire had become an actual couple. (much to his delight)

"Let's get rid of all that stress~." The fiery haired mare whispered in a seductive manner as she began to grind her body against his while letting out a few silent, pleasurable moans.

"Babe, you spoil me." Soarin said with a grin before gripping her rump with both hands and kissing her passionately before carrying her into bed where she proceeded to strap on her leash and collar.

"Really Spitfire?" The Stallion asked, playing coy as she waved the leash in front of him saying.

"Dominate me Soarin."

Without another word, Soarin grabbed the leash from Spitfires hands and proceeded to grab her by the mane as she grinned with anticipation.

"Can I talk dirty~?" He asked after pinning her head down.

"You're the master, not me~." Spitfire replied before she felt a firm smack on her rump that made her yelp with pleasure.

It wasn't long before the hallway was filled with her screams of ecstasy as Soarin kept smacking her rump and shouting all sorts of filthy and demeaning names to her which is just the performance they needed to convince the guards outside their room that he was following the laws set by the king for female slaves but little did they know was that Spitfire was the kind of mare who secretly liked to be dominated especially by a healthy stallion such as Soarin.

When their "Performance" was finished, Soarin ordered two of his maids to take Spitfire to the bath house to be cleansed and prepped for another night of pleasure but not before he slipped them a message to be delivered to Princess Luna that gave them details of the cities defenses and the location of the four crystals upholding the barrier and after making sure nobody was spying on them, the stallion kissed his mare and whispered softly.

"I love you."

Spitfire was then taken away in chains while her stallion did his best to try and not look disgusted by the scene knowing that tomorrow he and Spitfire would finally escape this nightmare at tomorrow's battle and that Wind Rider would finally pay for his betrayal against The Wonderbolts and Equestria.

End.
> Dominion part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days had passed since the rebellion had retaken Ponyville and things seemed to be peaceful but in truth, everyone was on edge as the floating fortress of Cloudsdale loomed on the horizon like a shadow yet the city had not moved for some time and there was no sign of enemy activity.

Many of the refugees and civilians had begun to grow concerned as they looked on towards the floating fortress while trying to continue their daily routine but the rebels were anything but relaxed. Scouts from every faction had been circling the city for days and reported no signs of enemy activity and this made the leaders feel uneasy, most especially Shining Armor who was down by the riverside fishing with Wulfric and Crafty Dodger.

"It makes no sense." The prince said as he stared at the floating city with his rod held tight in his hands.

"We're well within range of the forts artillery, why not attack?"

"Maybe they're waiting for us to make the first move." Wulfric replied while twitching his rod a few times in hopes of getting a bite when Dodgers line suddenly went taught and the water began to churn as a fish began to thrash around on the hook.

"War is a game of patience my friends." The orochi said as he slowly pulled the fish towards him.

"It's all a matter of moving your enemy to where you want him to be."

As the changeling hauled the fish onto shore, the two friends simply nodded in agreement and continued to fish for the rest of the morning until it was time for the war council where they received some long awaited news.

"Our scouts spotted a small army of enemy soldiers beyond the dragons camp lead by Wind Riders best officers and thanks to some intel from Princess Luna's spy, we know where they are going to attack."

"Who is this spy?" Shining Armor inquired when Luna gestured for her guards to open the tent and allow Soarin to enter the council. His welcoming was less than pleasant as soldiers from each faction began to draw their weapons on him.

"You got some nerve showing your face traitor!" Said one of Shining Armors guards with his spear just inches away from Soarins neck.

"Stand down! All of you!!" The prince shouted after seeing the outrageous display his soldiers made.

"You heard the man! Weapons down!" Shouted Wulfric as they began to back off when Rainbow Dash stormed through the crowd to deliver a solid right hook straight to Soarins muzzle causing a small amount of blood to drip down.

"How dare you show your face here..." She hissed with a hateful glare in her eyes as Soarin shook of the pain and pulled out a handkerchief for his bleeding nose.

"I guess I deserved that."

"You deserve more than that!"

"Rainbow Dash. enough." Wulfric said sternly before the mare finally stormed out of the tent and allowing the council to continue. Princess Luna began to briefings as she stood from her seat so that all could hear her.

"I understand you all are hesitant to trust him but Soarin has been my best spy within the kingdom since Canterlot fell, he is also the reason why we've been able to strike major blows against the slave traders."

"So he's the spy that's been helping us." Shining Armor stated while she continued.

"Yes and thanks to him we know what our enemy plans to do. If you'll hear him out."

The other council members were not sure what to make of this since none of them trusted someone under the kings employ, especially a high ranking officer such as Soarin.

"I say we hear him out." Wulfric said aloud while keeping his eyes on the pegasus.

"If Luna trusts him then we should trust him. Wouldn't you agree Princess Twilight?"

"I suppose." Twilight said cautiously with her brother holding her hand.

After having his nose treated, Soarin stood before the faction leaders to give them details of Wind Riders battle plans as well as the fortifications surrounding Cloudsdale. When he finished, the council members began to talk among themselves with the elements of harmony.

"So what do you think?" Twilight asked her friends who gave a quick exchange of looks.

"We can't trust him!" Rainbow Dash whispered angrily.

"He was the one who sold me as a slave in the first place!"

Rainbow could never forget the day Soarin turned her in to the slavers and sold her off like a piece of livestock on a farm, she could also never forget the humiliation she suffered that day when the auctioneers allowed the bidders to feel and grope her body as they called out bids before finally being sold off.

"For your protection Rainbow Dash." Princess Luna replied with an explanation.

"Wind Rider was gonna have you thrown to his soldiers...they are known to be brutal when breaking in new female slaves."

When Rainbow Dash heard those words she became silent and confused for a moment as she looked at Soarin who sat alone silently and seemed to have a look of shame upon him.

"We vikings can tell when a person is lying by the look in their eyes." Said Wulfric as they all turned back to the stallion for a moment.

"I saw no treachery in his. Only shame and regret."

"If you say so sugarcube but I still have my doubts." Applejack stated before they returned to their seats and continued the meeting.

"Soarin, you will accompany our troops to the battlefield and if what you told us is true then we will gladly welcome you into our ranks." Shining Armor said with serious expression when Wulfric stepped forward with a murderous glare in his eyes.

"But if this does turn out to be a trick then by all the gods of Asgard...I will personally send you to the frozen depths of Helheim."

Soarin saw the bloodlust in the vikings eyes and simply nodded in acknowledgement of his threat before being escorted out of the tent.

"Well now that, that's out of the way. What should we do about the battle?" Marshall asked while inspecting his sword when Ember began to grin and quickly made her way to the map.

"I got a few ideas."





Day of The Battle

As the sun began to rise over the hills, the  encampment laid quiet and peaceful unaware that a battalion of Royal Guards waiting in ambush.

"ATTACK!" A stonehoof officer  shouted as he lead the charge laying waste to the camp. The tents were  torn down and set ablaze as the enemy began to tear the place apart yet  something was wrong.

"....They're not here." a guard said  to himself as he looked around to see nobody running out of the tents or  guards rushing to defend the camp. Everything was empty.

"There's no one here!!"

Then  without warning, Ember and a squad of her dragons swooped down from the  clouds above and began trapping the enemy in a circle of fire as they  tried to reform their ranks.

"AMBUSH!!"

The soldier soon found themselves surrounded by flames before being showered with arrows as they desperately tried to cover themselves and when the flames finally died down they found themselves surrounded by two armies on both sides. On one side stood Wulfric and his vikings all decorated in warpaint and on the other stood Marshall and his knights dressed in newly forged armor.

"All units forward!"

"VALHALLAAAAA!!!!"

Charging in perfect unison, the rebels caught their enemy in a pincer attack that split their army in two as the first of their lines were instantly smashed apart before they finally gained a foothold and began pushing them back. Wave after wave, soldiers clashed into one another as each side tried to push the other back and the fighting seemed to be at a stalemate.

"Shield wall!!" Wulfric shouted to his troops as they began to form a defensive line with Marshall doing the same.

"What's the matter? You Equestrian dogs too afraid to fight?!?" Yelled an enemy officer as he tried to push past the wall.

"Try saying that to my face when I cut your head off! RELEASE!!" Marshall shouted back before ordering his troops to break formation as they began to hack down a few more royal guards.

"Reform!!" The warden shouted as his troops instantly reformed their lines while holding back the enemy.

"Wulfric you traitor! How could you side with these weaklings?!?" Shouted another officer to the chieftain.

"That's rich coming from a coward who abandoned his clan! OPEN!!"

At their chiefs command, the vikings made a small opening in the shield wall that allowed a small number of troops to break through before they were hacked to pieces by the numerous weapons that came crashing down on them before they could escape. The fighting dragged on like this for some time when Marshall spotted a smoke stack in the distance and ordered his troops to go on the offensive with Wulfric following close behind.

The two warriors met each other in the middle of the battlefield as the fighting continued and both fought back to back while cutting down as many soldiers as they could.

"I take it our diversion worked?" Wulfric asked as the space around them began to widen.

"Yes. Princess Twilight and her friends should have made it inside the city by now." Marshall replied before cutting down a soldier that tried to stab him from behind.

"Well let's hope they don't finish their mission too soon. I'm having too much fun!!" Wulfric boasted with a hearty laugh before hoisting another soldier above his head and breaking his spine upon his knee.

With the enemy now distracted, Princess Twilight and her friends snuck their way into the city on a small air balloon with Rainbow Dash leading the way.

"Alright girls, remember the plan. We get in, rescue as many slaves as we can find and get out. Let's do this!"

End.
> Dominion Part 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the battle raging on down below, much of the city was empty and made it easier for Twilight and her friends to sneak their way into Couldsdale undetected with Rainbow Dash leading them through the alleys. Much of the cities infrastructure were mostly warehouses for slaves and shipped goods from all across Equestria and that is exactly what they were looking for.

"This is where they keep all the newly shipped slaves." Dash whispered while keeping her eyes on the two guards out front.

"Alright Rarity, it's our turn." Said Twilight as she and Rarity readied their crossbows while the others took their positions.

"Now!"

With a quick pull of the trigger, the guards were instantly dispatched and dragged into the nearby alley ways as the group snuck their way into the first warehouse where they found cages filled with mares and fillies all dressed in rags and shackled to the floor.

"Why are all these children here?" Asked Applejack after breaking the lock on the first cage.

"A lot of the scumbags here like em young..." Rainbow Dash replied with a look of disgust as she helped the slaves break free of their chains. Things seemed to be going well when one of the group spotted two shadowy figures in the moonlight coming towards them.

"Shh! Listen." Rarity whispered as she leaned an ear towards the door hearing footsteps and drunken laughter before two guards shambled their way into the warehouse smelling of wine.

"Are you sure this is okay?" One of them asked in a slurred voice as the other pulled a filly out from one of the cages saying.

"It's fine, a lot of these little sluts are bought, sold and used."

The child struggled and screamed as they dragged her towards a small room near the entrance knowing what they were going to do next.

"Oh this one's got some fight! I like that~."

The child was thrown through the door sobbing helplessly as she closed her eyes and prepared for the worst.

"I call dibs on her flank."

"Fine by me."

Just as the two guards were about to defile the child, a dagger struck one of them in the back before the other was impaled from behind with only a few painful grunts as they fell to the floor in a pool of their own blood.

"Are you alright little one?" Twilight asked after removing her hood while Rarity used her magic to hide the corpses in a dark corner of the room.

"Princess Twilight!"

Needless to say, the child was grateful for being rescued by two of the most famous ponies in Equestria and was more than eager to help the other slaves escape as the group escorted them to their ship, things seemed to be going smoothly until an alarm was sounded and the entire city was suddenly flooded with soldiers.

"Crap! I thought we'd have more time!"




Meanwhile

The battle had been locked in a stalemate for some time with both sides showing signs of fatigue, the field had been littered with the blood and corpses of both armies as the fighting continued when a scout came charging through the carnage with an urgent report.

"King Wulfric!!" He shouted over the clashing steel and bloody screams.

"King Wulfric!!"

"Here!" Wulfric finally responded as he tried to catch his breath.

"Enemy air ships have been spotted coming in from the east. They'll be upon us soon!"

"Damn it! Something must've gone wrong. Give the order to fall back!!"

"Yes sir!"

The horns were sounded as the rebel army began to retreat from the battlefield while their enemies began to regroup. Marshall assisted in covering their retreat using the catapults to halt the enemies advance while Ember and her dragons held back the pegasus forces who began hurling their spears down to the battlefield.

"Move! Quickly!!" Bronze Pommel shouted while helping a soldier uphill where a small command center had been established.

"Over here soldier!"

"Sergeant Quartz!"

The sergeant helped pommel bring the wounded soldier to the medical tent as the arches began to form a firing line atop the hill. The battle had once again been put into a stalemate with both sides pushed to the breaking point of exhaustion but with Wind Riders ships approaching the field it was only a matter of time before the rebels were wiped out.

"Someone bring me a drink!" Wulfric shouted as Crafty Dodger brought him a flask of water.

"How are things on your end?" He asked while sitting down and taking a few gulps.

"Terrible." Dodger replied as he gave details on his battle.

"We tried to use the forest to our advantage but the pegasus bombarded us with gunpowder and flaming barrels. Not even their own men were spared."

The orochi's point was proven when several changelings with severe burns were carried through the camp screaming in agony by others who had been blackened by the smoke. Amidst this carnage was Fluttershy doing her best to help the wounded soldiers as she ran around carrying bandages and medicine while trying to stomach the noxious smells that assaulted her every breath.

"Fluttershy! Get me more bandages, quickly!" A field doctor called out while putting pressure on a bleeding wound. As she handed him the bandages, Fluttershy could see the agony in the soldiers face and held his hand while the doctor finally stitched his wound shut and gave him a potion to help ease the pain.

"You've done enough Fluttershy, go get some rest."

"Yes sir."

With the battle finally coming to a halt, Fluttershy could see the carnage this war had brought to Equestria. She saw soldiers both dying and crippled walking about the camp helping their injured comrades while officers were busy shouting orders to those who could still fight, others had been mourning their dead with eyes full of tears as they clinged to the lifeless bodies of their fallen. Seeing such sights broke her heart beyond measure and she could not stop the tears that began to flood out of her eyes.

"Oh no...LOOK AHEAD!!" A scout called out while pointing towards a fleet of airships coming in from east of the field.

"He's here..." Said the orochi when he noticed a particular ship that was more decorative than the others and could easily guess that it was the enemies flagship and at it's bow stood General Wind Rider himself with a confident smirk as they neared the battlefield.

"More ships coming from the west!!" A second lookout shouted as a second fleet appeared on the horizon and leading it was Soarin and his elite group of pegasus soldiers.




Wind Riders Flagship

Wind Rider looked down upon the small camp atop the hill with a few of his officers as they neared the field and with a spyglass he could see Wulfric and the other rebel leaders looking up at him with despair on their faces as his ships began to descend towards the battlefield.

"I want a full sweep of the enemy camp. No survivors."

"Yes sir."

"General Wind Rider. It seems that Soarin has already brought out his cannons."

As Wind Rider took a second look through his spyglass, he could see the gunports of Soarins ships beginning to slide open in almost rapid succession as the cannons were rolled out.

"Heh. Gotta give the kid credit for being eager but he's too close to our fleet. Signal him to pull back a few yards."

A flagman did as the general instructed and began signaling the second fleet but the ships still held their positions as Wind Riders fleet drew closer.

"What are the crews on those ships stupid? Signal them again!" The general shouted in an annoyed tone before hearing the first wave of cannon fire blast his ships to splinters.

"THEY'RE FIRING ON US!!" Shouted the soldier in the crows nest before it was hit by a canon ball. In that moment, Wind Rider finally realized what was happening.

"Soarin you bastard! RETURN FIRE!!"

End.
> Dominion Part 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sounds of the ships canons rang across the field like a raging storm as the battle had once more tipped in the rebels favor. Soarin who had been secretly working to aid Princess Luna and her allies was now on the opposing side of Wind Riders fleet after launching a successful surprise attack against him and began sending his troops down to reinforce the army down below.

"Set up a perimeter around the camp and keep pressure on the enemy fleet!"

"Yes sir!"

Soarins fleet began to fan out over the camp site while continuing their bombardment as the first wave of enemy flyers made their way towards the ships in an attempt to board but were intercepted by Princess Ember and her dragon legions and within moments the battle was now being fought on both the land and the sky above turning the area into a field of chaos.

Meanwhile

Soarins sudden betrayal had soon reached the ears of the soldiers occupying Cloudsdale and were soon called to arms to reinforce Wind Riders fleet leaving many of the districts unguarded which made it easier for Twilight and her friends to slip through the city unnoticed as they finally made it back to the air boat.

"We'll have to make several trips." Whispered Applejack as she undid the mooring lines while Rainbow powered up the engines and readied the sails.

"I need some of you to keep an eye out. There are still guards in the city." Twilight said to the soldiers who obeyed without hesitation as they took up hiding spots around the docks.

"Alright. We're all set, let's get the first group loaded."

The slaves were quietly loaded onto the boat one after the other before being brought down to a small clearing beneath the city where a small detachment of samurai were waiting to escort them back to camp lead by Crafty Dodger and Bronze Pommel.

"Princess Twilight. Thank goodness you're alright." Said Pommel with a salute and bow to her princess.

"How's the battle going?" Twilight inquired for fear of her brothers safety.

"It seems we were right to trust Soarin. He's helped turn the tide in our favor." Dodger answered before taking the group with him into the forest.

"I'll take this group. Pommel, you get the next one."

"Right."

The group continued their operation until all the rescued slaves were safely on the ground and by the time the guards realized what had happened, it was already too late.

"Looks like they found the warehouse." Said Rainbow Dash as the alarms were sounded.

"We must move, quickly." Dodger implied as he continued to lead the way before running into a small group of caribou scouts. No doubt a patrol sent into the forest to capture the escapees.

"Looky here boys." Said one of the patrolmen as they fanned out.

"A few lost birds. A few lost birds that never learned to fly!"

The men laughed as they began to encircle the group when two flashes of silver suddenly blinded them and three of the soldiers were cut down in the blink of an eye.

"You think you are the predators in this forest? You are wrong." The orochi said while removing the straw hat covering his face and drawing a second sword.

"You are the prey."

Dodgers eyes had turned cold and piercing, his gaze was so tense that even as the enemy closed in around him he could sense their fear and hesitation.

"Well? Are you going to stand there all day or are we going to do this?"

"why you little-TAKE HIM!!"

The guards swarmed Dodger from all sides, thinking their superior numbers would give them the advantage but the orochi's training had proven them wrong as they were cut down one by one until only their leader was left standing.

"You." Dodger pointed his bloodied blade to the lone survivor and spoke in a chilling voice.

"Send a word to your king. Tell him that his time is at an end."

When Dodger spoke those words, his eyes were locked firmly on his enemy with an intent to kill as Pommel rushed onto the scene with the second group.

"Oh sweet Celestia! What happened here?!?" The mare shouted in complete shock after seeing the entire area covered in blood.

"A slight delay in our plans. Come, we must meet with the others." Dodger replied after putting his hat back on and walking over one of the slain soldiers.

"I knew you were good with a sword but...this is overkill." Pommel stated after getting a better look at the bodies of the enemy. Some with huge gashes and cuts on their torsos while others had missing limbs or severed heads.

"By the way, was it wise to let that one guy go?"

"He is just a messenger and if I'm right the king will probably dispose of him once he hears the bad news."

At that moment, the group could hear the sound of cannon fire and clanging steel echoing in the forest as they neared the edge where several wagons awaited them.

"Oh good you made it. We were starting to get worried." Said one of the coachmen as the first group of escapees were loaded onto the wagon.

"We had a slight problem with the pickup. How's the battle going?" Pommel replied while trying to get a good view of the battlefield from atop the wagon and even from a distance she could tell that things were going well for their allies.

"Let's get moving. Princess Twilight should be arriving with the last group."





The Battlefield

The allied forces had finally gained the advantage they needed in the battle thanks to Soarins airships that were now hovering over the field after bringing down Wind Riders fleet.

"FORWAAARD!!" Shining Armor cried out as he lead the final charge with Wulfric and Quartz following. His halberd crashing down was the last thing his enemies saw as he smashed his way through their ranks until they were in full retreat.

"Encircle them!" Quartz shouted as his knights began to cut off their enemies escape leaving only and handful trapped within a circle of spears. Wind Rider was among those unfortunate few.

"It's over general, surrender!" Soarin called out to the defeated Wind Rider as he came into view.

"Never! I'm a Wonderbolt, quitting is not what I do!"

"You have no right to call yourself that!"

The men who were with Soarin cheered after hearing their leader make such a bold claim while Wind Rider stood there gritting his teeth trying to think of a way to escape.

"What do you think Wulfric, take them alive?" Shining Armor inquired to his friend who glared at the traitorous pegasus.

"For now." Wulfric answered before their soldiers began wrestling them to the ground and binding their hands.

The prisoners were dragged back to camp with the sounds of the rebels cheering in victory as Wind Rider and his men were pelted with mud and rotten vegetables until they were brought before Princess Luna and Queen Chrysalis.

"SILEENCE!!" Wulfric bellowed with a mighty clang of his sword as the crowd fell silent allowing the two rulers to dispense judgement on Wind Rider. Luna was the first to begin the trial.

"General Wind Rider. You stand before this council accused for crimes of high treason against the crown, for selling out your country and for betraying your fellow ponies. Have you anything to say?"

Wind Rider said nothing and sat there with his head down until a guard shouted at him.

"The princess asked you a question!"

"Princess? What Princess?" He replied while glaring hatefully at Luna.

"All I see is a thousand year old bitch who desperately needs a good cock in her cunt...or ass."

The crowd gasped in shock at the generals remark before Marshall marched up to him to deliver a solid straight jab to his face that gave off a loud crunch as his nose began to bleed profusely.

"One more insult and it's my blade to your throat." Marshall warned before moving back to his seat and receiving a friendly nudge from Wulfric who chuckled at the injured prisoner.

"This trial is getting us nowhere Luna." Said Chrysalis with a sigh of boredom.

"I say we cut his head off and be done with it."

"Uh if I may your majesties?" Wulfric interjected in a surprisingly polite manner as he took the floor.

"I promised someone Wind Riders head long before this trial began."

"Is that so? Who is it then?" Luna asked before the vikings stepped aside to reveal Rainbow Dash armed with her spear and shield.

"I say we do this the old fashioned way; Trial by combat."

"Hmm...very well. Unbind him and give him a weapon."

The guards did as they were ordered and released the prisoner of his bonds while giving him a sword. The crowd moved back a ways while the vikings formed a circle of shield around the two combatants.

"By the way, I asked Applejack for a favor." Rainbow said to Wulfric with a smirk but before he could ask what this favor was, Wind Rider lashed out with his sword and nearly cleaved off Rainbows head. Fortunately, he was only able to cut off a few strands of her mane and the fight was on.

"Hey!"

"Don't turn your back on me ya Rainbow Haired bitch! I still owe you for what you did to my career." Wind Rider hissed at her before lashing out again while she parried and blocked each strike that came at her.

"You did that to yourself! You framed me and all to protect your stupid record!" Rainbow shot back before pushing him with her shield and cutting his cheek with her spear.

"I did what I had to! I'm one of the greatest Wonderbolts who ever lived!!"

Letting his rage get the better of him, Wind Rider raised his sword with both hands to deliver a powerful strike but did not realize he was in range of Rainbows spear as it pierced him straight through the chest and quickly ending the fight.

"You were the greatest and I looked up to you....but then you showed me who you really were."

When Rainbow said those words, her eyes showed no hatred or vengeance; Only pity. As Wind Rider slowly fell off her spear the crowd cheered proudly at their champion while Luna ordered her guards to take the generals body and give it a proper burial atop the hill nearest to the battlefield.

A feast was held that night in honor of the allied forces latest and possibly final victory as music and laughter began to fill the air. The newly freed slaves were also invited as a sign of goodwill by Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy who began serving them food and drinks while the rest of the camp continued to party.

Among this group was Applejack standing near Wulfrics tent as she waited for her lover to finish cleaning off the blood and dirt from today's battle.

"Am I presentable?" He asked while showing off his cleansed body as he flexed his arms. Applejack could not help but laugh at the gesture before walking over to kiss him and drag him into the tent for another night of passion.

"Before we start, I want you to close your eyes." The farm mare said after another kiss.

"Why?"

"You'll see~."

With his interest now piqued, Wulfric closed his eyes and awaited for the surprise his beloved had in store and  with his hightened senses he could hear the sound of Applejack removing her clothes before crawling her way into bed and kissing him softly on the cheek.

"Mmm~."

To say that the chieftain was enjoying his surprise would be an understatement as his mare guided his hands down to her flank which he eagerly groped yet something seemed off. Applejacks flank had suddenly felt more tone and firm than usual and the warm feeling of her soft breasts pressing down on him had somewhat been lessened and as he opened his eyes, he found not Applejack straddling him but Rainbow Dash who had a mishieveous grin on her face.

"Rainbow?!?"

"Gotcha~!" She said in a flirtacious voice when Applejack appeared behind her.

"W-what's going on?" Wulfric asked feeling a little confused as his lover began to massage her friends chests.

"Rainbow convinced me to invite her the next time we "celebrated" Is that a problem?" Applejack replied while continuing to tease Rainbow.

"Well...if you're okay with it,"

And with that, Applejack released her friend and allowed them to continue before stripping down and joining them in the bed and for the entire night, the three stayed there as the feast went on with the music and laughter drowning out their cries of pleasure.

End.
> Plans for The Future
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wulfric woke up in a groggy state as the sun began to shine through the tent, his head thumped a bit from the small hangover he was having and remembered the events that transpired the night before.

"Oh man...what did I do last night?" He groaned to himself before noticing two arms were wrapped around him and looked over to see Applejack on one side and Rainbow Dash on the other.

"Oh yeah."

The chieftain quietly slid off the blanket as he tried to stand up but was suddenly pulled down by the arms of the two mares who smiled as they combined their strengths to keep him pinned to the bed.

"Where do you think you're going stud?" Asked Rainbow Dash as she climbed on top of him with a devilish grin while Applejack snuggled up closer to feel his warmth on her.

"Well I was gonna get a drink of water. You girls wore me out last night."

"Can you wait a bit first? Applejack and I wanted to talk to you."

"About last night?" He inquired before noticing a blush come onto her cheeks as her ears drooped down.

"Y-Yeah. I wanna know...was last night just a fling for you?"

Wulfric did not understand what she meant and continued to look at her, a bit confused by what she meant.

"A...fling?"

"I mean was it just the one time?"

"Why would it be just one time?"

"Cause you already have Applejack."

Wulfric could not help but laugh to himself before explaining that it was sometimes customary for a viking to have more than one female companion in a relationship.

"In all honesty Rainbow, I'm glad I have Applejack and I want to do whatever it takes to make her happy." He said with a smile while looking at his lover still fast asleep.

"And if me being shared between the two of you does just that, then I'm fine."

"Oh really?" She replied with a raised eyebrow and a grin.

"So the fact that I have a really hot bod has nothing to do with it?"

"That's a bonus." He admitted before pulling her down for a kiss. A kiss she openly welcomed as she used her wings for a makeshift blanket to give them a little privacy.

It was during this session of love making that Applejack finally woke up.

"I see you two are having a pleasant morning." She said with a yawn before receiving a kiss from her lover.

"Care to join us?"

"Some other time sugarcube, I got chores to do."

Though disappointed, Wulfric admired a hard working mare like Applejack and did not try to stop her from leaving before returning his attention to Rainbow Dash and asking a few questions.

"So Rainbow have you an Applejack...um..."

"We had a thing a few years ago and It was fun, I'll admit it. Especially in the bed~."

A sly grin crept onto Rainbows face as she began to remember the time she and Applejack were in a relationship. Wulfric seized this opportunity to wrestle her down to the bed in a rather compromising position while being sure not to injure her wings.

"Ohh eager are we?" Rainbow teased as she felt her legs and flank being rubbed. Though she knew she could get out of this position with little effort, Rainbow did not struggle or resist in any way and even raised her hind quarters to give him a better view.

"You want me to be gentle?" Wulfric asked after finally releasing her.

"Hey if Applejack can take it then so can I." Rainbow replied with a smug grin before her head was pinned down in a rather rough manner. Not that she minded, of course.

"Just remember, you asked for it!"





Meanwhile

As Applejack was going about doing her daily chores around the camp, she noticed Big Mac escorting Sugar Belle to a shady tree to shield her from the morning heat and could easily tell that she was exhausted thanks to the little one she was now carrying inside her.

"You shouldn't be working Sugar Belle." The stallion told her while rubbing her belly.

"It's not good for you and the baby."

"I'm fine Big Mac." She replied trying not to show her fatigue.

"He's right Sugar Belle." Applejack interjected while checking if she had a fever.

"You need to take it easy, having a foal is a serious matter."

Applejack ordered Big Mac to fetch her some cold water while she kept her company and for a while, the two sat together under the tree and enjoying a cool breeze blowing in from the south until Sugar Belle decided to break the silence with a conversation.

"So um...how's your relationship with Wulfric going?" She asked sounding a bit shy.

"It's good. We couldn't be happier." Applejack replied with a smile while Sugar Belle looked down and began to rub her belly.

"I'm happy too, with Big Mac. Did you know that he asked me to marry him the day after the big announcement?" When Sugar Belle said this to Applejack she became excited and even showed her the ring. Applejack was more than thrilled to hear the good news.

"Really? Congrats sugarcube!" She squeaked with excitement while gently hugging her future sister in law.

"I know you two will be a great couple and great parents."

"Thanks Applejack. So has Wulfric asked you yet?"

"Asked me what?"

"To marry him."

Applejacks face began to slowly turn red after Sugar Belle answered her question and she even began to stutter her words while trying to give an answer.

"Well...n-no you see we uh-uhhh haven't um..."

"Oh. I just figured since you two "Get along" so well that he might ask you....or Rainbow Dash for that matter."

A sly grin appeared on Sugar Belles face as Applejacks turned an even darker red while after remembering the ruckus she and the others were making last night.

"You heard?"

"Everyone did. They even took bets on who would pass out first."

Needless to say, the mare was embarrassed by the situation even as her future sister in law hugged her and began to giggle. After she had calmed down, Applejack sat there with Sugar Belle until Big Mac finally arrived with some water for the three of them and joined them under the shade as they looked towards the city of canterlot.

"Won't be long now." Big Mac said while taking a few sips.

"Yeah." His sister replied before noticing a nervous look on Sugar Belles face.

"What's wrong sugarcube?"

"I'm just worried is all...Big Mac volunteered to go with the army tomorrow." She said while gently placing a hand on her belly that was joined by Big Macs.

"Only as support darlin'. I won't be fighting." He said with a warm smile and such news made Sugar Belle feel very relieved since she knew Big Mac was a kindhearted stallion despite his immense size and strength. As the two leaned on each other to enjoy the quiet, Applejack decided to head back to the tent where she found Rainbow Dash straddling a rather exhausted Wulfric who laid there completely immobilized.

"Oh hey AJ we were just finishing up." Rainbow said proudly before finally getting off and laying next to him.

"So where were you?"

"Just talking with Sugar Belle and Big Mac. He's going to be joining us in tomorrow's battle but as a supply runner." Applejack replied while taking the open spot next to Wulfric.

"That's good. Wulfric and I were talking to."

"About what?" she asked before feeling her lovers arm pull her closer.

"Applejack I...." He paused for a slight moment.

"I want you to marry me. Both of you."

For what seemed like forever, Applejacks heart began to race when she heard those words yet she felt a sense of relief and even began to shed a few small tears of joy as he pulled her closer.

"Since I am now king, I will need a queen to help me rule the north. Two if necessary."

Applejack could not find the words to say to this proposal and continued to remain silent even as Rainbow told her that she already accepted his proposal.

"I kinda like the idea. "Rainbow Dash, Queen of The North" Has a nice ring to it." She bragged while cuddling behind Wulfrics back.

When Applejack finally found the courage to speak, she looked her lover in the eye to give her answer.

"I will marry you but you have to do me a favor first." She said nervously while holding him tight.

"Anything."

As the farm mare pressed her forehead against his chest she uttered one sentence that seemed to make even Wulfrics heart start racing.

"Give me a foal."

End.
> The Siege of Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the sun rose on the rebel camp, the air was filled with tension. The soldiers had armed themselves to the teeth as they prepared to board the first wave of airships while the rest continued to prepare for the oncoming assault and atop a nearby hill stood Shining Armor and Marshall over the graves of their fallen soldiers.

"Did you know this warrior?" Marshall asked the prince as he looked upon the many nameless graves before them.

"No...But I know his story....all their stories....none of them ever think it'll end like this." Shining Armor replied as he placed his hand on one of the tombstones.

"We've lost so many comrades in this conflict...sons, daughters, husbands, wives...all warriors."

"Death is the fate of all warriors my prince. One that we too may soon share."

Though his words were true, Shining Armor clenched his halberd and stood tall while giving the warden a determined gaze in his eyes.

"That may be Marshall but as long as we live, we decide what our fate is."

Marshall smirked at his prince and nodded in agreement before they returned to camp to oversee the final preparations.

Meanwhile

The smiths of the camp were hard at work forging and repairing the armies weapons but none were more hard working as Big Macintosh. Each strike of his hammer rang out like a bell with perfect precision and while the red stallion preferred to be making farm tools instead of weapons, he knew that each sword, shield and armor made was helping to bring his friends one step closer to winning the final battle and defeating Dainn Stonehoof.

"Big Mac?" called out Sugar Belle who was carrying a refreshment tray.

"I brought you something to eat."

"Thanks hon." The stallion said happily before joining her for lunch but despite the scrumptous meal before her, Sugar Belle had barely taken a bite.

"Everything alright Sugar Belle?" Big Mac asked as she began to rub her stomach.

"I'm worried. I know you said you won't be fighting but I still don't like it." Sugar Belle admitted while leaning against him.

"I don't want to raise our baby alone."

"You won't."

Another voice said to the couple when they turned to see Wulfric carrying his claymore.

"I'll see that he is kept safe. It is the least I can do for one who will be my future brother in law." The chieftain said with a grin that made the red stallion feel a bit uneasy, being a big brother and all.

"So did she say yes?" Sugar Belle inquired.

"In a way, yes." Wulfric replied while looking away slightly after noticing an angry glare coming from Big Mac.

"Right. Now to business." He said after clearing his throat.

"The first wave of airships will be departing soon. Big Mac, you'll be joining the troops on the front so you better get fitted for your armor."

Big Mac nodded in agreement and headed straight for the supply tent while Wulfric kept his fiancé company and by midday, the entire army was gathered as Shining Armor gave a speech to the troops.

"Warriors! Of the Northlands and of Equestria. For too long we have suffered under the rule of Dainn Stonehoof! He has robbed us of our homes, our families...our very way of life and while our people suffer, he sits atop his stolen throne believing himself to be a savior but we know the truth! He is a murderer and a thief and today-WE WILL TAKE BACK WHAT HE HAS STOLEN!!"

The soldiers gave a rousing cheer as Wulfric joined him on the stand.

"Dainn calls himself a king....but a true king fights not just for himself but for his people! He fights for those who cannot fight for themselves and uses his power to make life better for his people! Not oppress and abuse them! Dainn stole his crown from those who rightfully deserved to wear it but I was given mine by you. My people...my clan...my family."

Wulfric paused only for a moment and looked upon his clansmen proudly before continuing.

"Which is why we will not lose this fight. We will march down the streets of Canterlot, we will tear down that bastards fortress! AND BRING BACK HIS HEAD ON A PIKE!!!"

The entire erupted in a thundering cheer, roused by the voice of their leaders as they boarded the ships and set sail for Canterlot. The soldiers waved goodbye to their friends and family down below, some with tears in their eyes for fear of seeing them for the last time while others focused their gaze on the city that was slowly coming into view.

Shining Armor stood at the bow of the leading flagship with his helmet at his side as he took in the view of the once great city he called home.

"It's been too long since I've seen this place..." The prince said to himself when Marshall decided to join him.

"My prince, The first waves are ready and all the cannons have been loaded."

"Good work Marshall. This is going to be one hell of a siege."

In the midst of their conversation, one of the ships was suddenly struck by a fireball and sent crashing to the ground below and the air was soon filled with flaming arrows. The enemies counterattack had begun.

"ALL HANDS TO STATIONS!! PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY LANDING!!" Shining Armor yelled over the terrified screams of the crew as the bombardment continued with more ships coming down.

"Port side! Run out the guns!!" Marshall shouted to the helmsman as the ships began to return fire.

Siege Landing

More than half the first wave was decimated by the bombardment, leaving only a handful of ships to establish a rallying point for the troops. The one in charge of this base was Princess Twilight who was doing her best to keep her soldiers organized while the rest of her friends helped with the siege.

"Get those ladders up fast!" Shouted Applejack who was hiding behind a shield wall from the flaming arrows.

"Get the wounded off the field NOW!!" Yelled Rainbow Dash as her team launched an aerial assault on the wall. Flyers on both sides of the field began falling to the ground like raindrops as the fighting grew more intense with every passing second.

"Wait a second...Where's Wulfric?" The farm mare asked after noticing he wasn't on the battlefield with her.

"He's leading the attack on the main gate!" One of the soldiers replied while hiding under his shield.

For a moment, Applejack began to worry for her future husband but quickly returned her focus to the battle as the first of the siege ladders were finally placed along the wall.

"Get your flanks up those ladders! MOVE IT!!"

Main Gate

Wulfric was one of the first to charge the main gate along with Shining Armor and Marshall as their troops began to batter it with a siege ram while the archers did their best to give them cover.

"Come on! We're almost through!!" Shining Armor shouted while using a magic barrier to shield his troops.

"PUT YOUR BACKS INTO IT BOYS!!" Marshall bellowed as the troops prepared for one last push when by a cruel twist of fate, one of the wheels on the battering ram broke off leaving the troops exposed to the arrows coming down from the gate as they tried to lift it.

"AGH! Dammit it's too heavy!"

"We gotta get out of here!!"

The crew was just about to make a break for it when Big Mac suddenly rushed passed the other soldiers and began to lift the ram himself as he shouted for the others to keep going.

"Come on! PUSH!!" The red stallion shouted as he strained himself under the weight.

"Uh...RIGHT!!"

The crew quickly took their positions alongside the ram and gave one final push that shattered the gate to splinters as the troops finally charged through.

Exhausted from the heavy lifting, Big Mac slumped under the archway of the gate while the rest of the army stormed into the city.

"Well done Big Mac." Marshall said with a hand placed on the exhausted stallions shoulder before joining his men in the attack.

"Push through to the castle! Evacuate ALL civilians!" Shining Armor yelled as the fighting began to fill the streets of Canterlot while amidst this chaos stood Wulfric who glared hatefully at the castle that held his prize.

"Stonehoof...."

Without a moment to spare, the chieftain and a handful of his best warriors charged their way towards the castle to claim Dainn Stonehoofs head.

The final battle was approaching.

End.
> Fall of The Vile King
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moment the gates to Canterlot fell, the rebel army poured through like an endless flood as the royal guards and mercenaries desperately tried to pus them back.

"Don't let them in!" a captain cried out before being impaled by Shining Armors halberd as he and his men made way for Princess Luna who proceeded to rally the citizens to their fight.

"Ponies of Canterlot! Now is the time!! TAKE BACK!! YOUR CITY!!!"

Fueled by the sound of their princesses voice, the citizens rose up against their masters and began to use whatever tools they could find as weapons from shovels and pitchforks to the very stones of the streets. The caribou were caught off guard by this sudden rebellion and were quickly overpowered by their former slaves as they were dragged through the streets and strung up one by one while the rest began marching their way towards the castle crying out for the kings downfall.

"Down with Dainn Stonehoof!!"

"Free Celestia!!"

At the head of this mob were Twilight Sparkle and her friends who wasted no time in leading the charge towards the castle where a small battalion of royal guards attempted to intercept them.

"Get out of our way!!" Shouted Rainbow Dash as she flew straight into their ranks like a cannonball that shattered their lines to pieces.

Applejack, Rarity and Twilight soon followed and began cutting them down with ease when the princess noticed a magic barrier surrounding the Canterlot Gardens and became suspicious.

"Princess. With your permission, I'd like to take my friends to the gardens." She requested of Princess Luna who also noticed the barrier and gave permission for Twilight and the others to leave while the rest of the army occupied the castle.

Twilight and her group made their way to the castle gardens, facing little resistance until they found what they had been looking for. The statue of their friend and the former lord of chaos; Discord.

For fear of his power, Dainn Stonehoof ordered his druids to reimprison the draconequs in stone and had a magic barrier erected around him so that he could not feed of the negative emotions of the city to free himself.

"Discord..." Twilight whispered sadly after seeing the statue covered in moss and vines. It was clear that the king had left Discord to be forgotten.

The princess then noticed several streams of magic coming from three stones surrounding the statue and without a second thought, she shattered the first stone thus weakening the barrier. Rainbow Dash and Applejack followed her lead as they shattered the two remaining stones and within moments, Discord broke free of his stony prison and began stretching as if waking from a nap.

"oh! THANK YOU!! you don't know how long I've been waiting for that!" He said while popping his back and knuckles.

"Discord, where is Celestia?" Twilight asked as he continued to stretch.

"She's being held in the dungeons. I will get her to safety, you focus on bringing that brute of a king down."

Before they could ask any questions, Discord snapped his fingers and disappeared in a flash of light.

"I hate it when he does that." Applejack said in a slightly annoyed tone before looking towards the castle.

Inside the Castle

Wulfric marched through the halls of the castle with a few of his warriors as they searched for Dainn Stonehoof yet all they seemed to fine were ransacked rooms and overturned tables, no doubt caused by the servants as they fled for their lives for fear of being charged with treason.

"Damn. Looks like they beat us to the looting." One of the soldiers joked, earning him a small chuckle from the others.

"Focus boys." Wulfric said sternly as they continued down the hall towards the throne room to see Dainn surrounded by royal guards and mercenaries.

"Hiding behind your minions again I see." The young chieftain teased while glaring at the king as he walked down from his throne and looked towards the stain glass windows depicting his conquest of Equestria.

"One year...In just one year I brought this....pathetic kingdom to its knees. I freed our male brethren from their shackles and subjugated the female populace and brought them to their rightful place. I brought liberty to this land...and now you want to take all that away."

"Save your breath Dainn. Your lies won't save you here."

"Hm hm hm. Typical Warborn trash." Dainn said in an amused tone.

"Your clan is nothing but the refuse of those who were cast out or left behind by others. You preach about fairness, justice, equality and honor but you and I know the truth. No such things exist in this world."

"In your world Dainn. Not mine."

Wulfric would waste no more words with the tyrant king as he drew his claymore from its sheath while Dainn sat back on his throne and signaled for his warriors to attack.

"Kill the others but bring the chieftain to me. I want him to be alive when I rape his bitch in front of him."

Dainn was confident that his superior numbers would overwhelm Wulfric and his warriors but as the fight began, the windows surrounding the throne room were suddenly shattered one by one and several changeling warriors carrying chain scythes began attacking the unprepared guards surrounding his throne.

"What the devil?!?"

"Impressive aren't they?" Called the voice of Crafty Dodger who came waltzing into the room with a smug grin and a bloodied katana.

"Meet our shinobi. Best spies in the whole hive. You can thank them for giving us your trade routes, supply stores and battle plans. You should really work on your security, by the way."

The king watched in disbelief as his guards were cut down one by one before making his escape through the back. Only Wulfric was able to pursue him.

"STONEHOOOF!!" He roared furiously as he gave chase while dispatching any remaining guards that stood in his way.

"FIGHT ME YOU COWARD!!"

The two ran throughout the entire castle before finally coming to Canterlot Tower where the king kept his personal favorites of his conquest of Equestria, among them were the depictions of Twilight Sparkle and her friends being raped by the king one after the other and each made Wulfrics blood boil to the breaking point.

"She put up a fight you know." Dainn said with a smirk as he readied his warhammer.

"Your little farm whore....I'll never forget how she managed to fend me off before I finally plowed her."

"Shut up..." Wulfric warned as he continued.

"And that blue pegasus....her flank was so fine that I pounded that first until she begged me to put it in her cunt like the slut she is!!"

"I SAID SHUT UP!!!"

Unable to hold back his anger any longer, Wulfric lashed out and attacked with the strength of ten men as he began to rain blow after blow with his claymore while Dainn was barely able to stand his ground. It was like he was fighting a demon brought up from the lowest depths of hell.

"RAAAAAAAGH!!!"

The chieftains eyes blazed with such anger that one could swear they were on fire and as he continued his assault, Dainns hammer finally split in two as a gaping wound was cleaved into his chest.

"AGH!!" Dainn cried out as he fell on his back.

"Wait! I...I surrender! I surrender!!" He pleaded as Wulfric hoisted him up.

"I...don't...care. RRAGH!!"

Dainn was then thrown through the stain glass window of Celestia's defeat and was instantly covered in cuts with shards of glass dug into his flesh but Wulfric was far from done.

"Get up..." the chieftain hissed angrily while circling his opponent now bleeding on the ground.

"I said-GET!! UP!!"

Dainn  was hoisted up by the scruff of his neck and waist before his spine was  cracked over Wulfrics knee, his screams of agony were so loud that the fighting had taken a sudden halt and all turned to see him being mercilessly beaten into the ground as his face became swollen and Wulfrics fists became bloody.

After finally calming down, Wulfric saw the kings mutilated face as he coughed and gagged on his own blood but before delivering the final blow he dragged Dainn towards the steps leading to Canterlot castle where a huge crowd had gathered.

All could see the face of the defeated king as he tried to look away in shame while Wulfric forced him to his knees and readied his claymore while saying a few final words.

"Know this Dainn: You will not die a warrior, you will not die a king. You will die as a thief, traitor and coward."

Dainn could not say anything for his throat had been crushed by Wulfrics fists and as he looked up he could see the chieftains sword raised for the final swing and became filled with fear.

"May you wander the frozen wastes of Nifleheim-FOR ETERNITY!!!"

With one mighty swing, Dainns head was cleaved off his shoulders and sent tumbling down the steps toward the feet of Princess Luna. At first their was silence and disbelief but as the rebels looked up they began to praise the one who ended the reign of The Vile King as he proclaimed his authority to the entire city.

"Warriors of the four clans hear me! By the right of combat I have defeated Dainn Stonehoof and claim my title as your lord! Let any who object step forth and challenge me now!!!"

Wulfrics challenge was met with silence as the warriors from each clan began to step forth and bend the knee to their new ruler with some even praising him.

"Hail King Wulfric!!"

"THE KING IN THE NORTH!!"

Once more the rebels began chanting Wulfrics new title and soon all of Canterlot joined in.

The reign of Dainn Stonehoof was brought to an end and the reign of King Wulfric had begun.

End.
> Epilogue: A New Age
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the months following Dainns death, the city was well underway to being repaired and the remnants of the mercenary army were scattered to the west.

The Crystal Empire had been freed within a months time thanks to the bravery and leadership of Sir Marshall who had become Luna's captain of the night guard as well as her betrothed and with this final victory, the remaining loyalists of Dainns empire were driven out but the war was far from over.

On the day Dainn Stonehoof fell, it was discovered that Prince Blueblood had fled the castle on his personal airship along with a great deal of gold from the royal treasurey that would no doubt fund his war campaign to claim the throne of Canterlot for himself.

Wulfrics Coronation

But the day of that war would have to come another time for it was a time of celebration as the clans of the north found themselves under the rule of a new king, one who had earned the respect and loyalty of his people.

Wulfric The Mighty, Wulfric The Brave, The King in The North

Those were some of the titles given to the new king as he marched down the aisle where the rulers of Equestria presented him with the crown that once belonged to Dainn. Celestia began the ceremony with a speech.

"Long ago, this crown served as a symbol of tyranny, of fear and terror but today it shall stand as a symbol of hope, of peace and of honor and I can think of no one better to wear it than the individual standing before us. Wulfric, please kneel.

The young chieftain did as instructed as Celestia held the crown above his head.

"Let all who are gathered here bare witness for on this day, I Princess Celestia of Equestria do hereby crown you King Wulfric! Lord of the four clans and King in The North!"

The moment the crown was placed on his head, the four clans cheered and praised their new leader as he turned to face them to give an announcement of his own.

"From this day forward, the northerners shall be Equestria's newest ally and together we will rebuild our shattered kingdoms and bring about a new age of peace!!"

His declaration of two unified kingdoms had won the hearts of both the clans and the equestrians but not all were in celebration of this new alliance.

A small faction of nobles watched from a distance as Wulfric walked back towards the crowd and shouted for the feast to begin while wrapping his arms around Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were not hesitant in taking turns to kiss their future husband.

"A disgusting display." One of them said while quietly applauding.

"I don't know what the princesses were thinking, allying ourselves with that brute." Said another while sipping a glass of wine.

"Gentlemen I think it's time we looked to a new leader. One who will have our best interests at heart."

"Indeed. I believe it's time we met with Prince Blueblood."

The End.