> The End of Peace
>  by ceasertiberius
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Introduction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

      					The End of Peace: Introduction
By Ceasertiberius
Peace, peace is something that we take for granted but at the same time never fully acquire.  Peace allows innovation and security in which to prosper in.  In these times harmony prevails and love flourishes.  There once was a world that experienced a kind of peace for a thousand years but only when that peace is lost do you fully understand its value.  Peace is what we all strive for but always fall short of.

Before that time of perceived peace there was constant war, it started between the powerful deer species and from their demise lead to many other conflicts.  The royal sisters brought harmony to a dysfunctional land called Equestria but in time the younger sister grew jealous and rebelled, starting a new war. Celestia defeated her sister and when Luna was banished to the moon the word war seemed to vanish with her.  Under Celestia the world knew a kind of peace never experienced before.  Conflicts between monsters and disagreements with nations still existed but harmony between the species prevailed for a millennium.

In this time 6 friends arose who were the true bearers of the elements of harmony.  During this era, evil was turned good, monsters were defeated and peace ruled over the world.  The power of the friends was able to return a lost princess, turn chaos good, free an empire from slavery and even create a new princess.  The six friends traveled the world together, making friends and allies while creating trade agreements and ensuring peace.  The world seemed to be in constant harmony but all good things must come to an end.  Eventually 5 of the friends died off and the elements went to find new bearers but in that time darkness took its hold.  

War, war is something that is inevitable regardless of the illusion of peace and safety.  It has been around since the beginning of time, a terrible reality that no species can escape.  It is something that we fool ourselves into believing that we hate but we desire it.  Nations fall and rise from war, ponies are made great or disgraced, technology flourishes for good or evil.  War brings change and destruction but it feeds on our primal instincts.  War is in the very nature of the world and all that inhabit it.

The war began simply enough.  The ponies became industrialized at an unprecedented rate.  New inventions were created everyday but to power and make many of these inventions the ponies needed magic and energy that was not abundant in their home lands.  They saw the other neighboring species with their abundance of resources and magic.  For energy the ponies signed trade agreements with the zebras for coal and the camels for oil.  These trade agreements were heavily sided towards benefiting the ponies but the other nations needed their innovations to survive against monsters and disasters that abounded.  Eventually the lesser species began to resent the powerful ponies treatment and banded together in an alliance known as the Fair Trade Order or just the Order.  These countries included Camelu, The Ibex Empire and Zebrica all of which banded together to demand fair treatment as a cohesive group.  

In response to the Order four pony nations created the Four Hooves Union, to show their might over the lesser nations.  These countries included Equestria, Germaney, Gildedale and Aura.  Together they threatened the Order with quick retaliation, if they did not abide, the Union would seize the needed resources the Order was withholding.  The Union used the 6 friends as diplomats who preserved peace in the tense times.  

The deer species watched secluded from their forests as the nations argued while they were forgotten.  The deer, elk and moose tribes were at one time the most powerful civilization in the world with their mighty magic, until a great war between them decimated their civilization and drove them into the forest.  The deer stood by and watched these other species rise while they stayed banished in their forest sanctuaries.  The head councils from every tribe, from every forest and antler species met in the Shimerwood forest to discuss their position.  Most of the councilors decided to put aside their differences and work together to reclaim their glory that was lost.  The deer, elk and moose formed the Antler Confederacy and prepared to enter the rising conflict.

The industrialization led to the need for resources which led to the tensions which resulted in the nations making powerful new weapons and machines of war.   They created magic that could heal and magic that could destroy, all in preparation for the possible war.  At this time the friends began dying off and when the last one decided to give up her immortality to be with her friends in the afterlife, a great darkness descended on the world that would push the bellicose nations over the cliff to war.  

In this time of war 9 friends from all different backgrounds will meet through their struggles and strife.  Brought together by their common goal of ending the war, they will band together to find the new bearers of the elements of harmony.  Though they may come from different places they all have seen and felt loss from the conflict and experience much together on their journeys.  This is the beginning of the end of peace.

____________________________________________________________________________________________


It was an early morning in Canterlot, Celestia was just begging to raise the sun and the ponies were starting their day when a strange pony appeared at the gates of the city.  The mysterious pony calmly strolled through the city streets towards the castle.  Several ponies took notice, some ran but most just stood dumbfounded and watched him slowly pass by.  The mysterious pony came to the gates of the castle and sat down, waiting patiently, whistling a strange tune.  Guards flew down wearing gold plated armor with large plumes on their helmets.  They quickly surrounded the stranger.  They positioned around him, guns aimed at him while a large grey Pegasus’ voice boomed over the rest.  

The Pegasus that was presumably the Captain stood a whole head over his guards yet he was about half the height of the stranger. “What is your business in the castle stranger, these are tense times, answer quickly!"  

The stranger calmly turned and smiled to the captain responding in a serene and persuasive voice, “I am here to discuss peace with the regal sisters. I am sure that they would wish to meet me immediately."  

The captain turned to address a guard, “Go alert the princesses at once and you stay with me.” The guard stated, pointing his large rifles at the unphased stranger.  The stranger nodded politely with his smirk and followed the guard up the stairs to the castle. 

The royal sisters calmly sat down on their thrones and waited for the arrival of their mysterious guest.  Celestia was the larger and older of the two rulers who raised the sun.  She had a white coat and magical mane and tail with blue, green, pink and purple that evenly flowed together.  She gave off a presence of royalty from her kind gaze to her calm demeanor.  Luna, the younger and smaller of the sisters raised the moon.  She had a purple coat and a mane that sparkled like the night sky.  She also had a serious yet serene and collected presence.  What set the royal sisters apart from normal ponies is that they were neither a Pegasus, unicorn or earth pony but a mixture with wings and a horn called an alicorn.  

Celestia looked at her sister and laughingly said, “Maybe something interesting will finally happen.” 

Luna sarcastically replied, “Yes sister this age has been quite boring lately.”  Both chuckled lightly until the front door swung open abruptly.

Both sister’s eyes popped wide and their mouths hung agape as a large male pony wearing a cloak calmly strode into the throne room towards them.  The stranger took off his cloak, standing a bit higher than Celestia with a magic flowing mane and tail, similar to the royal sisters except shorter.  His mane and tail flowed with blue, white and green, moving like a river.  His coat was light blue and his eyes glowed with a peaceful gold tint that added to his gentle smirk. But what caught the princesses off guard the most was his large sharp horn and sharp almost metallic wings with white trim.  He was unmistakably an alicorn yet the princesses couldn’t believe their eyes for they thought they knew of every alicorn and goddess that has ever existed.  Regardless, there before them stood a male alicorn that they’d never seen before.

The princesses gathered themselves and Celestia addressed the newcomer.  “Greetings stranger I am princess Celestia and this is my sister Luna, welcome to our palace.  Now may we likewise know your name and your business here good sir?”  

The stranger smiled graciously, “Thank you your highness.  You may call me Serenity and I am here to propose peace.  As you can tell by my errrrrr cutie mark, my talent is in negotiations.”  

Celestia looked at his mark and saw a scroll with a blood red seal on it.  She turned back to look Serenity in his eyes and asked, “So sir Serenity, what is it that you propose we do to further peace in these trying times?”  

“I have already spoken to the buffalo, dogs and llamas who have vowed peace.  The griffins have declared that the republic will not fight but many griffins will fight for pay.  Prance, your fellow ponies, definitely does not want conflict, not that that’s surprising.”  

Celestia nodded understandingly, “So what do you suggest we do?”  

“There are plenty of great forests in pony lands that while they are treacherous, they also hold many valuable resources and plenty of magical sources within.  With your new weapons and technology clearing them would not only prove profitable but will make your lands safer from the monsters that reside inside.  Being less reliant on foreign sources, you should then be able to strike fairer deals with the other species, ensuring peace.  Also an idea that would be mutually beneficial is to ask permission to mine their forests for resources.  An endeavor that will reap even more resources for you and less monsters for them. With this larger range of sources it will be much simpler and much more practical to strike fair trade agreements with the Order that will ensure peace for centuries to come.”

Celestia had a concerned look on her face as she turned to see her sister’s reaction.  Luna had a stoic almost nonchalant look about her.  Celestia turned back to Serenity regarding his words carefully, “I suppose it is worth a try to preserve our precious peace and prosperity.  I would like to know what you will do next and how we may contact you.”  

Serenity smiled gently, “You are a most understanding and wise ruler princess.  I will now go to speak with the Order to hopefully reach a better compromise that will benefit both sides equally.  If you need to reach me just use green dragon fire to send a letter to my frequency which is R 6:3, your majesty.”  

Celestia for the first time since the meeting began smiled slightly, “Thank you Serenity, I wish you well on your endeavors.  We all do but before you go may I ask you how is it that this is the first time we have met and how you are an unknown male alicorn?”  

Serenity’s grin only grew as he answered quickly, “I used to live in the great forests that are abundant in pony lands when I stumbled upon magical ruins deep within.  Some magical force or possibly a blessing from the heavens gave me this great gift of power and immortality to make true peace a reality.”  

Celestia paused then responded lightly, “Well regardless of the reason it has been a pleasure and I think I speak for my sister and myself in wishing you well.  Farewell Serenity, may your negotiations prove fruitful.”  

At that Serenity bowed and calmly strolled out of the throne room.   As he left Luna thought she saw his tail flicker to a red, yellow and orange tail that moved like fire but she quickly dismissed it as the shock of the new alicorn that just calmly waltzed in then out.

Celestia turned to her sister with concern plastered on her face, “You didn’t say anything during the whole encounter sister, was it not interesting enough for you?  Did his feminine name and appearance disturb you?”  Celestia snickered to lighten the mood.  

Luna turned to her sister with the same stoic look, “I don’t trust him sister.  Why have we never heard of him before?  Am I supposed to just believe he became an Alicorn from our ruins and now mysteriously appears with talk of peace immediately before war breaks out?  He reeks of mistrust, I suggest we tread these waters cautiously.”

“Stranger things have happened in these days and his proposals are reasonable enough. I say we give him a chance before we judge sister.”  

Luna appeared disgruntled, “Yes sister, I’m going to the library to see if I can find anything on him or the implications of a new alicorn being made by magic in our old ruins.”  Luna stood up and made her way out of the throne room and towards the library.  

Celestia looked down in a thoughtful stupor as she whispered to herself, “I hope this works for all our sakes.”  Celestia then stood up and headed out to her chambers, ordering troops to traverse the forest for resources and dangers.

____________________________________________________________________________________________


The sun was shining through the great trees of an ancient forest, mist covered the moist ground and a grand engraved table sat next to a crystal clear pool.  Through the mist emerged several antlered creates that exchanged quick greetings in an ancient language long forgotten.  The creatures made their way to the table and sat down, all wearing symbols of their tribes.  

A large female deer stood up and addressed the gathered elders, “Greetings to my fellow elders.” She said in a soft voice while bowing her head.  “This is our first meeting since the Confederacy was founded and I don’t need to tell you that we have important business to attend to at once.”  She took her seat while another larger male deer took the head of the table.  The ancient trees around them groaned and swayed as magic filled the air, a common occurrence in ancient forests but something felt off to the antlered group.  In unison deer, moose and elk alike turned to the tree line across the pool where a cloaked figure stood.  He slowly and serenely crossed the pool never touching the water and landed amongst them.

The cloaked creature removed his cloak revealing a large male alicorn with a light blue coat and magic mane that flowed like a river.  Startled at the arrival of a pony amongst them, the antlered species took out their guns and charged up spells to cast at the newcomer.  Guns floated around the alicorn held up by levitation as the stranger locked eyes with a large deer in the center.  The deer rose up above the rest with complex antlers that spread out to reach great lengths, his coat had a dirty brown tint and his eyes were small brown and black beads.  The deer stood almost like a statue with no emotion, staring at the intruder.  

“Chancellor Cornibus please tell your fellow elders to lower their weapons, lest I lower them myself.” The stranger said calmly.

The deer didn’t even flinch, keeping his eyes locked on the alicorn as he spoke slowly with contempt.  “What are you doing in my forest pony?  I thought your kind forgot about us.”  

The alicorn responded in a low rigid voice, “I see that you have created guns without the pony nations.  Very impressive, now would you kindly stop showing me their barrels and put them away.  My name is Serenity and I am here to negotiate.  No other being knows of mine nor your location so cease with the hostility, I’m a friend.”  

Cornibus kept his steely gaze on Serenity, “You are in our land uninvited and we will keep our weapons fixed on you until we deem fit to lower them.”  

Serenity sighed and looked around once, “Very well.”  At that a blast of magic emitted from his horn, shocking the antlered creatures’ horns and dismantling their guns, leaving them dysfunctional.  “Now that that’s dealt with we can continue negotiations in a civilized manner.”  

Throughout the encounter Cornibus’ gaze never faltered nor did it wander from Serenity.  “Fine, then let us negotiate.  What is it that you intend to accomplish with these negotiations?”  

“Good, now what I plan on accomplishing with this meeting is peace because I know you aim for war to regain glory.  I also know that I am the only none antlered creature that knows the deer species still thrive in forests all over the world.” Serenity stated in a much kinder tone.   

“The world has forgotten about us and left our memory out to die.  We are remembered by the world as an old mare’s tale, not for the great feats of magic our grand civilization accomplished that helped bring the world to this point of prosperity.”  

Serenity nodded understandingly, “Is it not better to find a solution that doesn’t involve bloodshed?  Why not do as the ponies have and industrialize and come out of isolation?  Your magic and culture would easily propel you to superpower status if you work with the other species.  You already have guns, imagine what success the antler species could achieve by working with the other species.  Plus it would benefit the whole world.”  

Cornibus kept his sharp glare on Serenity but for the first time it faltered a bit.  “So what do you suggest?  We just reveal ourselves and do what the ponies do?  We’ve seen how they treat the other species and those species will regard us with great suspicion at best.  No, now that we are unified and powerful we must take back our glory by force.  We made these guns from information our spies supplied us with.  The world may not know we still exist but we still watch and learn from it.”  

For the first time another elder spoke up.  Two seats down from Cornibus was a large Elk that towered over the already large deer with his eyes closed.  He had a similar dirty brown coat but it was showing signs of age with white fur throughout.  But what was most distinguishing about him was his massive antlers that held perfect symmetry and glowed with power, even after Serenity’s magical pulse.  “Have we learned nothing from our ancestor’s mistakes?  War and distrust put us in this position, listen to the pony’s wisdom.”  

Cornibus turned to him and sneered in reply, “Why can’t you be silent like your name implies Silentium?  You should be honored we even allow your tribe to live you old blind senile foal.  We have learned much from the mistakes that our ancestors committed, such as we must unify but the other species are not to be trusted.  We learned the most from your tribe that started the great war between the antler species, bringing our downfall.”  

Silentium kept his almost meditative look as he turned to Cornibus.  “My name implies tranquility, far more than just being quiet and I am hardly older than you chancellor.  You have learned all the wrong things from our ancestors.  You throw away everything they did as faulty but what we must do is build on what has worked and grow from their flaws.  They innovated and worked with other species which helped them prosper but they lacked unity which led to the war that my tribe did start but it seems my tribe has learned and grown the most from our failures.  We must change what has failed and conserve that which has worked, not throw away our rich history.”

Cornibus glared at Silentium then returned his gaze to Serenity.  “I believe I speak for all the elders here when I say that action is prudent.  Well all the elders that matter anyways but regardless we will regain our glory through bloodshed or innovation but we are willing to hear you out.  As long as this doesn’t leave the sanctity of the forest.”  

Serenity smiled lightly at Silentium then turned his attention back to the chancellor.  “I respect your ambition and I swear that nothing will leave this forest.  Celestia believes that I am currently speaking to the Order which is my next destination but I found it necessary to address the Confederacy first.  Now I recommend that the deer species join in the conversation with the other nations and make yourselves and your ambitions known instead of hiding and plotting against the world.”  

Cornibus actually seemed to ponder Serenity’s words before replying in an abrasive manner.  “You want us just to march out of our forests into a world we are not a part of?  Then just start making deals with other species so that we can gain power?”  

Serenity was starting to get visibly annoyed with the chancellor's hot headedness.  “We are all part of this world whether you want to be or not.  Is it not better to give trade and community a chance before rushing off for a fight that only you are prepared for?  The other nations have done nothing to you, your predicament is your own faults.”  

At that Cornibus lit up.  “They are unprepared, that is why we must strike now and grasp our glory from their hooves!”

Serenity angrily face hoofed and in his own hostile tone retorted his remark.  “A lack of harmony within your species is what led to your great war.  Now that you have unity you don’t want to give harmony a chance with other beings.  You do not inhabit this world alone.  So I beg you in the best interest of your species and all the rest of the creatures that inhabit our blessed world, give diplomacy a chance before you rashly run off to war.  Use your wisdom, even if you win the war what glory will be left?  The world will be in tatters, the world still bears scares from your great war millenniums ago.  Do you expect the world in all of its majesty to fair better when all the species are bent on destruction?  Certain lands were unusable for centuries and the magical weapons have left permanent imprints on the world.  The world can only take so much and this war will leave little for the future generations of the victors.  Especially if the fighting only escalates to more and more devastating weapons.”

Murmurs started erupting from the other elders, most agreeing with Serenity or arguing amongst themselves.  Cornibus felt the situation quickly fleeing from his control. He quickly huddled with the elders and came out distraught with a look of defeat etched on his strained face.  Under the mounting pressure the chancellor finally gave in trying to regain some control and dignity for himself.  “On second thought I believe that we have unanimously agreed to give diplomacy a chance.”  

With an exasperated sigh of relief Serenity looked at Cornibus with a slight hint of a relived smile.  “Thank you for seeing reason.  Now I must leave to go address Lucius Caesar of the Zebras.  I might not have been completely honest with Celestia when I said my next move was to speak with the Order but I still plan on talking with them.  So if you need to contact me send a message through the magical frequency of R6:3.  I leave you asking humbly that you make your move for diplomacy sooner than later, time is off the essence.”  After Serenity finished his speech he serenely stood up, bowed to the elders and disappeared into the mist of the ancient forest.


____________________________________________________________________________________________


The day was coming to a close and the sun was slowly creeping down the final leg of its daily journey.  Dusk was falling over the marbled exotic city of Roam, the capital of Zebrica.  A zebra dressed in gold robes sat on a large red throne with intricate golden engravings.  The zebra wore a wreath around his head and had an air of superiority yet a gentle kindness shown for his people.  His black strips were chaotic, zigzagging in strange patterns all over his white coat.  He noticed the stranger standing at the gate to his palace and motioned for him to come over.

Serenity walked through the large, open, marble palace and up to the steps in front of the Caesar.  The Caesar smiled down at the large alicorn.  “I have heard a lot about you Serenity.  Celestia sent a letter telling me the fantastic news that peace is likely.  We can strike fair trade deals that will greatly benefit us both, thanks to you.”  

Serenity smiled at the Caesar, “It was my pleasure helping to maintain this world’s glorious peace.”  

The Caesar continued to genuinely smile at his guest “I have already spoken to Shah Jabal Alqaweeya of the Camels and Emperor Tie Ti of the Ibex Empire.  They are both overjoyed at the news that these new trade agreements will bring peace and prosperity to all lands.  They have asked me to congratulate you on your success and send you gifts of thanks to your home.”

Serenity chuckled slightly in response, “Seeing the joy on everyone’s face and the assurance of peace is thanks enough.  Besides I just make the suggestions but you leaders are the ones that carry out peace.  I’m more of a messenger and besides I don’t exactly have a permanent address but thank the leaders for their thoughtful generosity.”

Caesar nodded understandingly, “Humble too, how lucky are the ponies to have such a wonderful asset and companion.”  

Caesar laughed and winked at Serenity.  “I do not speak for the ponies but for the whole world.  I am but an ambassador for peace to all who desire it.”  

Caesar laughed even harder, “Well then the world is lucky to have you.  Accept some praise why don’t you, you deserve it.”  Serenity bowed his head in humility.

A much smaller female zebra came out from behind the throne wearing baskets full of food.  She had a low cut Mohawk and a small tied off tail with perfectly symmetrical stripes coming down from a stripe that rode along her spine to her nose.  She had bright violet eyes just like the Caesar and her glyph looked like a strange half rising sun with two long lines in-between two smaller lines on the top and a small line next to a large one on each side where the half circle in the middle was cut off.  She had a small gentle smile while she kept avoiding eye contact with Serenity. 

Caesar smiled down at the young zebra, “Serenity meet my daughter Zenith.  Zenith this is the pony that has fought so hard for peace in our time.”  

The young Zebras eyes lit up in joy as she ran over to greet the large alicorn.  “Oh it is such an honor to meet you mister Serenity.  Your care for all beings is inspiring.”  

The Caesar laughed slightly at the scene.  “My daughter loves to help out the less fortunate.  Matter of fact she’s going down to the slums to hand out food to the poor right now.”  

Zenith beamed at Serenity, “Would you care to go with me sir Serenity?  Seeing as how you love and grant safety to all, including those less fortunate than ourselves?”  

Serenity smiled down on the little Zebra, “Maybe another time lady Zenith.  At this present time I still have important matters to attend to but maybe the next time we meet.  Your kindness and generosity to the poor is most humbling lady Zenith.  It makes me wish that I could do more.”  

Zenith looked down and blushed with an embarrassed smile on her face.  “Oh no you have done more than anybody could ask for.  Well farewell sir Serenity the poor need my help.”  At that she happily trotted out of the palace with her baskets of food in tow.  

“My daughter has one of the kindest and most generous hearts that I’ve ever known.  She puts everyone above herself, especially the poor.  She must of gotten it from her mother bless her soul.  She will make a great leader if only she’d pay more attention to her studies.” The Caesar remarked in a deep meditative thought.

Serenity nodded in agreement, “Well she has a great father as a role model for how to lead.”  

The Caesar laughed wiping tears from his eyes, “Oh you flatter me Serenity and that reminds me…..”  

The Caesar was abruptly cut off by a letter appearing in front of Serenity.  The alicorn picked up the letter and read it, his eyes growing larger with every word.  As he looked up his horn started to glow on its own and his eyes grew even larger.  “Excuse me my lord, I have an important emergency to attend to at once.”  

The Caesar raised his eyes at that, “Before you leave to attend to this emergency I must inform you that thanks to your efforts I have dispatched scouts with the pony miners into some nearby forests for the resources, as you have recommended.”  

If it was even possible Serenity’s eyes grew even larger.  He quickly muttered, “Sweet Celestia,” in a fearful voice and then disappeared in a flash.  


____________________________________________________________________________________________


The night was cool and the moon was full as the group of ponies scoured the edge of the Shimerwood forest at the border of Gildedale.  The ponies were equipped with magical equipment to scan the forest for magical resources and energy substances.  Given the dangers of many ancient and large forests the miners were also well trained and given a wide range of weapons with which they could defend themselves against monsters.  

The group consisted of 12 ponies, 4 of each type.  The Pegasi were used to scout ahead and look for trouble while scanning the forest with their magical radar for resources.   They were armed with snipers tied to their hooves for accuracy with large triggers that their hooves could pull to defend the group at a long range.  The unicorns used their magic for protection, communication, scouting and mining and were equipped with assault rifles, magical and mechanical that they levitated ahead of the group.  The earth ponies were equipped to extract the resources and clear a path while they wore battle saddles with large guns and flamers that were used by biting on the bit in front of them that connects back to their saddles.  The inherent magic that all ponies possess allows them to pick objects up with their hooves, teeth or tails with precision and an unmatched grace.  This ability allowed the group to use a large plethora of weapons and tools while on their mission.

At the head of the group was a large earth pony from Gildedale.  Gildedale is a small nation to the northwest of Equestria that was inhabited solely by earth ponies that roamed the golden wheat land in battalions.  The nation was isolated until the 6 friends ventured to it and convinced them to join in the industrialization of ponies.  Now many of their soldiers lead and train resource recovery groups with a variety of ponies all over the world.    

The lead pony of this group was named Iron Side and he knew the area well from traveling with the army all over their golden land.  Iron Side commanded his troops to move up a path they discovered the day before that led deep into the forest.  The large earth pony stood over his fellow ponies with a dull, dark grey coat that resembled the earth and the metal that he was named for.  His mane and tail were cut short and cropped back with a dark grey, almost black color with white streaked throughout.  His eyes appeared to have a dull rust color to them that gave away his experience.  He wore a large battle saddle with large high powered rifles attached on each side.  His cutie mark was an iron spear planted deep in the ground in defiance.  It represented his talent in stand firm, a skill were earth ponies dig into the ground and become immovable.  His hard set face and strong body gave off a feeling of seriousness and authority but the ponies who knew him knew better.  He was a kind gentle heart under all the muscle and discipline.  

Iron Side continued his groups march deeper and deeper into the forest while a mist started creeping up around them.  The farther they penetrated the forest, the denser the forest and the mist grew yet there were no sounds.  Not a single sound to give evidence of any threat or life for that matter.  The eerie forest gave Iron Side a feeling of unease.  He looked up at his pegasi and ordered them to return to him in a steely booming voice.  “Boys rendezvous on me, the forest is getting thick.  We need to stay together and something is off about the silence of this place.”  

Iron Side looked into the tree line and thought he saw a shadow move through the foliage.  Iron Side moved towards the bush were he saw the movement when one of his Pegasus scouts named Sharpsight bolted towards him and tackled him away from the bush as a bullet flew through the underbrush.  Iron Side quickly stood up and ordered his troops to lay a suppressive fire on the tree line and retreat.  His troops ran back down the path only to find that they were trapped in the area by a large magical barrier.  Several more bullets streaked past them as Iron Side pulled his men into a shallow ditch for cover.  

“Keep fire on the tree line and stay in cover,” bellowed Iron Side over the fighting.  A bullet struck his fellow earth pony and he went down in a heap bleeding.  Their medic, a unicorn went over to attend to him.  Another unicorn fired a magnum several times into a bush and was rewarded by a heavy thump and a pool of blood flowing out.  Iron Side lowered his mighty rifles and fired four shots at the barrier.  It fractured then slowly fell as the ponies clamored over to escape the barrage of bullets now pouring out of the forest. 

The ponies nearly made it out of the forest when a fireball hit the lead unicorn to the ground.  His comrade spun and fired a burst of enchanted fire rounds into the trees and killed one of their assailants.  In the retreat they left the dying earth pony and lost another to an explosive trap set up on the path.  Since the trap that took one of their soldiers, the ponies were vigilant of more hazards on the path which allowed them to avoid most of them except a dart that grounded one of the Pegasi.  At this point Iron Side turned towards the forest and pulled out a flamethrower that the unicorns helped prop up and unleashed an inferno on the greenery as they exited the ancient forest.  

After escaping the forest the ponies let up their fire while the unicorns messaged for back up.  While they recuperated Iron Side took the casualty toll.  They lost three ponies, two earth and one unicorn while a Pegasus’ wing was injured.  For a second they relaxed in the eerie calm of the now morning sun.  As they caught their breath a line of antlered creatures on four legs appeared at the edge of the forest.  Iron Side thought that they reminded him of the deer from his childhood stories but believed those as old mare’s tales.  

The ponies regrouped and prepared to fight when pegasi in machines that augmented their magic to fly faster and carry heavy explosive ordinances flew over and released their fiery loads on the edge of the forest.  Over the golden hills of Gildedale large mechanical vehicles carved a path towards the forest.  The machines held earth ponies and unicorns who would direct the large machines and used their massive cannons to fire a wide variety of shells, magical and explosive.  Iron Side heard Sharpsight whoop over the noise of the machines saying something about jets and tanks. Iron Side was never good with the war machines that were recently invented, besides his prized rifles of course.  

The machines unleashed hell on the forest, burning and ravaging the trees and everything within.  The continuous barrage was met in return with large balls of magic that slammed into the tanks destroying them instantly.  The group jumped on a transport vehicle as the battle raged on behind them.  The transport took the battered group back to the capital of Gildedale, Thatchiholm.  

Sharpsight yelled over the noise of the fading battle to Iron Side, “What do we do now boss?”  

Iron Side glanced over to his companion, “Now we bury our dead and seek council with my half-brother Lord Iron Clad.”  
Sharpsight snorted at that response, “Your dad was never very original and I doubt we will recover our dead in that hell zone.  No, what I meant was what happens after that battle?”  

Iron Side considered his words for a second, “I suppose we ready ourselves for war.”  The group stared off towards the rising sun that was caressing Gildedale’s beautiful golden hills as the transport continued its trek to civilization.

____________________________________________________________________________________________


Serenity appeared abrubtly in the middle of a meeting between Celestia and her generals.  Serenity overheard them talking about several hot spots around numerous forests across the world.  They were so deep into their discussion that they failed to notice the presence of a large alicorn standing behind them.  

Serenity cleared his throat to get their attention, “Would anyone here like to explain to me what is going on?”  

Celestia froze and slowly turned around with a piercing glare directed at Serenity, “Did you know about this?”  

Serenity looked taken back from Celestia’s uncharacteristically sharp remark.  “I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more specific your highness.”  

Celestia’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “About the deer in the forests that you wanted us to excavate.  They attacked us at several locations, most notably and the first occurrence of this was at Shimerwood forest near Gildedale.”  

Serenity lowered his head in shame and murmured in a quiet tone.  “Yes I did, they’ve been planning war from isolation for quite some time now.  I believed that forcing a confrontation would get your parties to negotiate and hopefully they would see reason.  I used the forest to unify the Union and the Order and then my hope was that the deer would be outmatched and instead look for a peaceful path to prosperity.  I spoke with them and asked that they come out and make themselves known at once.  They seemed to agree yet they attacked your non-hostile scouts on site.  If I would’ve know this was their intentions I would never have recommended sending ponies into the forests and for that I am truly sorry.”

Celestia stood as still as stone and then without changing expressions slowly nodded in understanding.  “The whole time you were trying to prevent a broader war.  You tried your best and that is commendable but now we have a war to fight and hopefully resolve as quickly as possible.”  

Serenity brought his gaze up to Celestia and smiled lightly with tears in his eyes.  “The best outcome now is that you keep the peace with the Order and together you can win this war quickly and keep your deal with the Order.”  

Celestia nodded, “That is the plan but in the meantime to end this conflict in a timely manner we need the resources from the Order.  I want you to go and speak with them.  Tell them we will have to postpone the agreement until this war is finished and that if they assist us it will result in a speedy end to this war, allowing the deal to take effect as early as possible.  I’m sure they will assist considering the deer have launched attacks in their nations too and they want this deal more than us.”  

Serenity nodded, “A very wise decision Princess.  I will teleport to Roam at once and talk to the Caesar.  We are on good terms so these negotiations will likely go smoothly.”  

Celestia turned back to her generals, “Very well, send me a report on the discussions when they are finished.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Serenity appeared in the midst of a chaotic palace in Roam.  Guards and messengers were running around with papers and weapons in and out of the throne room.  Sitting in his throne the Caesar appeared disheveled and worried.  Next to him sat his daughter with tears in her eyes as she listened to the talk of attacks in the nearby forests.  The Caesar noticed Serenity and called him over.  “Well sir Serenity now I know what your important emergency was that cut our time short.”  He chuckled mirthlessly.  

Serenity had a somber expression as he slowly nodded in response.  “Yes I have just returned from Celestia and she wants me to speak on her behalf to the Order.”  

Lucius Caesar stared hard at Serenity, "Well out with it, if you haven’t noticed we’re in the middle of a crisis.”  

Serenity hurriedly spit out Celestia’s request, “Celestia says the Union needs your resources and help to end this war with quick ease.  The sooner that it comes to an end the sooner the trade deal will go into effect.”  

The Caesar glared daggers into Serenity who averted his gaze and simply replied, “No.”  

Serenity looked up in shock, “But this would bring the war to a speedy end and give you your deal even faster.”  

The Caesar’s expression didn’t waver in the slightest.  “No, we need those resources and I will not have my people suffer in the meantime.  We do not know the strength of our foe or how long this war will last and if the ponies take our needed materials then how long will we be able to defend ourselves for?  They want our assistance but they will concentrate on their own lands long before ours.  Leaving us out to fend for ourselves while they strip our land of our resources.  So my answer is very simply, no.”

Serenity sat down hard and pulled out a letter on which he wrote the Caesar’s reasoning then Serenity sent the letter and awaited a response.  He got it moments later in the form of a large scroll which he opened and read out loud to the Caesar.  
“The Four Hooves Union of Equestria, Gildedale, Germaney and Aura have officially requested the use of the abundant resources in the lands of the Fair Trade Order, to fight the new and immediate threat of the so called “Antler Confederacy” which is in a direct war with both our alliances.  This document has been sent to the leaders of the nations in the FTO, to persuade them that unifying to defeat our common enemy quickly is the best course of action.  This requires many of your materials that are scarce in pony lands to be relinquished to the Union.  Fair trade agreements will be justly signed at the end of the conflict, barring the Order’s compliance to these demands.  If these request are not met in a timely matter or are withheld for any reason the resources will be seized.  By, if necessary, immediate and relentless force.”

After finishing the document Serenity looked up to the Caesar in stunned silence.  Lucius Caesar glared with pure anger in his eyes at Serenity.  “Let them come, we will meet them with equal force.  If they cannot see reason then they will have the war that they have been pushing for since they forced these criminal trade agreements on my people.”  

Zenith leapt up and grabbed her father’s arm.  “No father please, fighting is never the way.  It’s not worth the pain.” She said as tears flowed freely from her eyes. “Sir Serenity please help me convince him.” She pleaded in a sad voice that was cracking as she spoke through her continuous sobs.  

Lucius pushed his sobbing daughter away and addressed her in a stern voice, “Enough of this, you need to learn as a leader your people come first and this is unfortunately our peoples only chance at survival.  We must show them that we are not to be trifled with.” He then turned back to Serenity, “You have served your purpose, as honorable as it may have been it has failed.  So I suggest you leave while my generals and I discuss our next move.”  Serenity bowed his head and exited the palace in a flash.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Serenity reappeared in a clearing surrounded by thick foliage.  In the clearing were floating crystals that followed at the edge of a crooked path, leading to a large tree.  The tree was hollowed out and had crystal like structures branching out from the trunk and surrounding the immediate vicinity.  

Going back and forth between the structures were a multitude of white tail deer.  Serenity kept his head down as he made his way through the settlement and into the large tree.  The deer often stopped in their tracks to watch him and mutter meaningless words in their ancient language before going on about their business.  

Serenity continued up to a large room in the great tree.  He knocked on a pair of great wooden doors that featured intricately carved depictions of the deer history, including their great war.  The great doors swung open magically to reveal a grand room with a large round table in the middle.  Sitting at the head of the table surrounded by deer was Cornibus.  Cornibus saw Serenity out of the corner of his eye and motioned him forward.  Serenity held his head low and made his way into the great room.

Cornibus met Serenity’s eyes with the same solid unfaltering glare.  “Come back to propose more peace have you?"  

Serenity had an uncharacteristic somber and pleading expression in place of his usually serene and persuasive one.  “You and you alone have the power to stop this Cornibus.  I thought I asked you to communicate with them not attack at first sight!”  

Cornibus rolled his eyes, “They invaded our territory, apparently at you recommendation and I took the necessary precautions.  I am a white tail deer which gives me the ability to decipher truth from falsehoods.  I could never get a good reading on you Serenity but I knew there were lies and deceit in your speech.  So I prepared my people accordingly.  Besides I couldn’t let such a golden opportunity slip through my hooves.”

Serenity got down on the floor, tears escaping from his eyes.  “I’m pleading you to stop Chancellor Cornibus. They were non-hostile scouts armed only for protection.  I convinced them to go into the forest so that peace could ensue between the Order and the Union and together they could come in contact with you.  It’s my fault but my intentions were pure.  I just wanted all people to enjoy peace and prosperity.  If you need revenge for the blood spilt take it out on me but I’m begging you to make peace.”  

Cornibus laughed heartily at Serenity, “Why would I do that?  This is what I wanted, so I thank you Serenity although you almost got the elders to turn on me.”  He finished chuckling to himself.  

“I am on my knees begging you Cornibus.  If you end hostility then the Order and the Union can enact their trade agreement and peace and prosperity can follow for all including the Confederacy.  I will even serve you to help your race prosper if you wish, just please end this.” Serenity begged while tears pooled at Cornibus’ hooves.  

Cornibus looked up in mock contemplation, “Hmmmmm let me think on that, how about no.  There’s nothing you can do to stop this now serenity, even killing me wouldn’t make a difference for all the elders are on board.  Well all but one and he is no longer an issue.  Regardless they will use my death as a battle cry.  I will be a martyr so striking me down will do you no favors alicorn.  Now leave my forest and never return unless it is to deliver the world into my hooves.”  

Serenity stood up slowly and magically wiped the tears from his face.  As he made his way out of the tree he turned around and yelled at Cornibus, “You have doomed us all you fool!”  In response Cornibus busted out laughing while Serenity continued to exit the grand tree.  Right before he teleported away a letter appeared through green flame in front of him.  The letter read as follows

“Dear Serenity,
Our troops have moved into many valuable locations within the Order nations and have secured an abundance of resources.  Heavy fighting ensued but we eventually overcame and acquired the assets for our war efforts.  As expected the Order has declared war on us and we have declared war in turn.  This war now appears to be split three ways and will not be resolved unless our enemies are decimated or plead for our forgiveness in unconditional surrender.  Your intentions and efforts were valued but your service is no longer required.
-Your Majesty,
Princess Luna”

Serenity’s eyes started to accumulate tears again.  He continued to wander out of the tree and through the town with tears streaming out his eyes.  He no longer had anywhere to teleport and instead decided to walk alone through the ancient forest with his great sorrow.  He came to the same small pool were he first spoke with the deer elders.  Serenity was gazing into the crystal clear pool when he noticed a somber figure standing behind him.

He quickly turned around to see a large elk with his eyes closed standing motionless besides him.  “Oh hello Silentium, what are you doing here?”  Serenity asked through his tears.  

Silentium turned in the direction of Serenity as a somber smile etched across his face. “Hello sir Serenity, I suppose I could ask you the same.”  

Serenity wiped away his tears with a wing and sadly answered the elders question, “I tried my best to prevent the conflict and preserve peace.  Instead I brought the tension to ahead and started the war.  Now all the leader’s hearts are turned to stone and bent on fighting.”  

Silentium nodded solemnly, “Yes it appears that there is no avoiding this war but you gave it your all.”  

Serenity had a burst of anger at that.  “That’s all anyone has been saying recently, you tried your best, it was a commendable effort or it was honorable.  None of it makes a difference, I wasn’t good enough and now I have no influence to persuade the leaders”. 

Serenity then had an idea spring into his head.  “But you Silentium, you’re an elder!  You still have pull and you don’t want war!  Please try something, anything to end this war!”  

Silentium bowed his head somberly, “Now I guess I will answer your previous question sir Serenity.  My tribe and I have been excommunicated from the Confederacy and labeled as traitors.  I returned to my tribe who angrily told me to leave and accused me of purposely getting them excommunicated for my own gain. Wherever they got that idea from I will never know.  So I came here because the lake has always been a serene and mystical place for me to meditate at.”

Serenity gave Silentium an apologetic look, “It appears that we are both outcast in a world that is destined to burn.”  At that Serenity began to walk farther into the forest away from the pool.  He gave one last look back to say goodbye to the elk but he had vanished.  Serenity sighed and continued his trek deeper in the forest, leaving a trail of tears behind him.  He looked up to the sky in a small clearing and muttered to himself, “I guess this is the end of peace.” After that he vanished into the unknown wilderness.

> Chapter 1: Scorched Earth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

				The End of Peace: Chapter 1
Scorched Earth
By Ceasertiberius

Immediately after the Union seized the vital coal resources of Zebrica, the Caesar mounted a massive counterstrike that repelled the invaders to the sea.  A month into the war a massive fleet of pony ships were anchored off of the coast of Zebrica holding troops and supplies for the coming invasion.  Ships from all four nations began shelling the zebra coast, eradicating all coastal settlements.  To continue an inland campaign the massive carrier ships launched a wide variety of pegasi jets to bomb zebra encampments and military instillations to pave the way for the coming campaign.

In the meantime the Zebras continued to fortify Roam and amass the largest army of the war with their abundance of willing citizens.  The army was positioned around Roam to hold off bombing raids and attacks from the nearby Silva forest to the north of Roam were a large tribe of elk have been firing magical blasts into the capital city.  The Zebras deployed half of their army to the forest while the other half was positioned into the Vix valley that leads from the sea to Roam in preparation for a pony invasion.

A largely ignored variable and consequence of the Zebra defenses was that the large, dense Viridi forest to the southwest of Roam was left unguarded.  Most Zebra generals agreed that the foliage was too thick for the ponies to transverse and the forest remained quiet with no signs of any deer tribes.  The forest ran up to the edge of a bluff that overlooked the marbled city leaving it as a strategic location for artillery to be fired from.  Rommule, the Germaney general leading the pony invasion, realized the opportunity before him.  His plan was simple enough, deploy all of his troops and specialized armor divisions on the beach and prepare to burn the Viridi forest and march through it towards Roam.  Rommule strategized that even if the Zebras noticed and fortified the bluff he could easily reroute his army while the Zebras would be split three ways and much more vulnerable.  

Two months into the war Rommule was prepared to start operation Scorched Earth, the burning of the forest.  To start he was sending his special elemental team deep into the forest to start a blaze on the other end of the forest to quicken its pace.  After they lit the inferno they were to infiltrate the city to gain intelligence then report back before the assault began.  


_________________________________________________________________________________________________



It was early morning, the sun was just beginning to spread light on the humid beaches southwest of the city of Roam.  Tents lay strewn out across the white sand as far as the eye could see.  In the tent nearest to the forest laid 4 unicorns and a pegasus asleep in their bunks. 

“Vake up Scorch ve need to report to ze command tent in 10 minutes” a young female unicorn with a light brown coat and green hair that resembled grass yelled in a heavy Germane accent.  The young unicorn used her magic to levitate combat armor from the cabinet and a large sleek assault rifle with a scope.  The unicorn walked over to a mirror and started to strap the light weight armor and helmet on meant to counter simple spells and bullets.  “Scorch you’re in command of zis mission now get up!”

A medium sized male unicorn threw his covers off, grumbling at the young unicorn.  “Terra ve have 40 minutes, ze sun is hardly even peaking over ze horizon.”

Terra turned back to glare at the much larger unicorn, “10 minutes until ve’re not 30 minutes early.  Did you learn nozing at ze academy major?”  Terra strapped her boots into place and then started yelling for her fellow comrades to get up, “Ze sun is rising boys, up und Adams.”  In unison all of her fellow soldiers groaned and slowly got up.  “Don’t give me zat und you call yourselves officers much less soldiers.”

“Ja und even soldiers need zeir sleep Terra.  Ve can get ready und to ze tent in no time at all” angrily replied a fair sized sleek pegasus with a shiny silver coat. 

Terra rolled her eyes, “Maybe for somepony who can fly but most of us have horns Cyclone.”

The other two soldiers slowly started using their magic to dawn their armor and weapons while Terra ranted on about being late.  The other two male unicorns were Scorch’s brothers and they were twins but had little resemblance aside from their medium height and build.  Torrent was the older of the two if only by a few minutes but he would never let his twin Brumal live that down.  Torrent had a light blue coat and dark blue mane that shimmered in the light.  Brumal on the other hand had a pale white coat with an almost pearl mane making him look like death itself.  Both brothers had their manes cut short and spiked back similar to Scorch.

When Scorch and the other stallions were finally outfitted (to the relief of Terra) the group made their way to the command tent in the middle of the camp.  Scorch took the lead because he was given command of this mission.  Scorch stood a whole head higher than his fellow soldiers and had a large sharp horn to emphasis the point.  His coat resembled a dark blood color while his mane and tail were spiked back with orange, yellow and red with a black outline making it appear as if it was on fire and burning on the edges.  His eyes glowed with a fiery cobalt blue that held a firm discipline and loyalty for his family, friends and nation in that very specific order.

At a young age Scorch’s parents died in an accident so Scorch was forced to take labor intensive jobs to provide for his younger brothers.  One such job made him use his fire magic to heat metal in a factory which led to many injuries and plenty of suffering.  This resulted in his cutie mark that symbolized his fire magic talent and sacrifice made to protect his family.  

As soon as he could he took up a job in the rising Germaney military and later his brothers followed in his footsteps.  Scorch was an outstanding soldier, so much so that he was offered an officer position in only two years.  The cache was that he would have to leave his brothers’ squad.  Scorch turned down the offer until his brothers were qualified to become officers at which point they were given a spec ops elemental squad.  In it were two other ponies, Cyclone and Terra who Scorch relied on heavily.  Even though she could be a nag she was a feminine model that Scorch’s life was missing not to mention an excellent soldier and organizer.  Scorch had no romantic feelings for her but he cared for her just as much as he cared for his own blood.

His background only gave credence to the purpose of his fiery cutie mark.  The symbol on his flank was of an inferno line that lead to a large plume of fire.  The mark accurately reflected his mastery of fire magic and his protective tendencies for his specific loyalties.  The line showed leadership and the plume was like a protective wall used to safeguard his family, friends and nation, a mark that he lived up to.

Just like Scorch each soldier had a cutie mark that represented their element.  Terra could magically control the earth, using it as a weapon and a defense.  Cyclone’s ability was to control winds in any form allowing him to fly faster and make devastating twisters.  Torrent was able to bend water to his will, turning a river into a tidal wave or a direct blast of water.  Brumal was the youngest but one of the most deadly because he could unleash blasts of cold ice that could spear or freeze his enemies instantly.  All of the soldiers in the special ops group had a special elemental talent.  Yet Scorch, having the most seniority and the missions need for someone who was proficient with fire, made him the obvious choice to lead the operation.

As the group neared the tent they could hear a loud ruckus then a bang followed by a small messenger boy frightfully fleeing the large silver tent.  Scorch sighed then pushed the entrance flap aside and entered into the tents large interior.  In the middle there was a large desk that was covered with papers and maps.  Standing at the desk was a fairly small unicorn, a little smaller than Brumal and Torrent.  He sat down at the desk slowly grumbling about incompetent messengers and what has the world come to.  The unicorn had a gun metal grey coat and a messy short mane and tail that was predominantly black with red scattered on the end.  The unicorn wore aviator shades to hide his eyes and he wore a Germane general’s cap on his head that resembled his grey coat.

The unicorn looked up and gave a slight smirk at the group then returned to his studies while addressing them.  “So glad you could make it, are you ready for your assignment?”

A medium sized zebra a little larger than Rommule brought in a folder and gave it to the general.  The zebra had a swept back mane with very few stripes and dark brown eyes.  Rommule took the folder and thanked the zebra, “Zank you Proditorem you may take your leave.”  At that the zebra made his way out of the tent but not before making eye contact with Scorch.  The zebra gave a small smirk and a nod before he continued his departure.

Rommule opened up the folder and nodded at its contents while Scorch looked at him questionly.  “Vat’s vith ze Zebra General?”

Rommule grinned but his eyes never left the folder.  “He vas born in Germaney to immigrants, he is my errrrr very special assistant.  Plus it’s good to have insight into your enemy’s culture und tendencies.” The general chuckled lightly, “In any case zese are ze mission plans und you already know your part so I vill ask again are you ready for your assignment?”

The group looked to Scorch to take the lead.  “Ja, ve are ready General Rommule.”

The young General smirked at the larger slightly older Scorch, “Vunderbar, your team vas picked because of your prowess vith elements und you Scorch for your ability vith fire.  You vill make your vay into ze center of ze forest vere you vill plant fire bombs.  String ze fire bombs to ze edge of ze forest zen ven you have gained entrance into ze city set zem off as a distraction.  Vile you get ze Intel from ze com. center my tanks vill be burning ze forest und making zeir vay to ze city.  Get out quickly because ve vill rain hell on ze city immediately und if zey redeploy zeir army to ze bluff zen ve vill redirect und zeir army vill be split.  Oh how vunderbar ja!”  Rommule cackled giddily then regained his composure and gestured for the group to leave, “Now go complete your mission soldiers, make Germaney proud.  Zis vill be a glorious day ja!”

The group saluted then exited the tent making their way towards the ominous forest.  They started readying their weapons in unison.  The group all had a standard issue assault rifle except for Cyclone who had a battle saddle outfitted with a sniper and shotgun.  Scorch levitated his rifle in front of him with a thermal scope, laser and grenade launcher attachment all of which were loaded with fire enchanted ammo.  

Torrent whistled, “Vhy do you alvays get ze good stuff brother?” he said while snickering.  

Scorch laughed and looked back at his brother sarcastically replying, “Because I’m ze oldest und smartest little bro.”  The group laughed lightly together as they entered the edge of the forest.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


The further and further the group journeyed into the Viridi forest the more they understood why the zebras would leave it unguarded.  The forest was dense and as far as they could tell void of life.  The forest would get so thick at points that the ponies would have to resort to prematurely lighting parts of the forest on fire just to advance deeper and deeper.  
The sun was now directly above them, not that they could tell under the dark canopy of the forest, and the ponies had yet to reach the center of the thick forest.  

“Good zing ve packed plenty of provisions, ve vill be lucky if ve reach ze edge before midnight at zis rate.”  Terra lectured to the group as if they were paying attention.

Brumal was using his magic constantly to form a freeze barrier above them to stop the smoke from giving away their position.  This process was similar to what the army would do when they started the burn but even though this fire was smaller he was still only one unicorn compared to hundreds.  Lighting the fires was easy for Scorch but keeping the smoke down was starting to ware on Brumal.  Scorch knew his brother needed a break so he guided his team into a small clearing marked on the map close to their goal.

When they came out into the opening they noticed a small pond with a cottage next to it.  For the first time since entering the forest the group also noticed the sound of birds and saw several small animals scurrying about.  Brumal sat down on a log next to the pond and started drinking water while the others investigated.  Cyclone flew above the trees to get their bearings and Terra went with Torrent to investigate the small cottage.  Scorch kept watch as the two unicorns entered the house.  Inside the house was a small kitchen next to a living room with holes and nests for an abundance of small creatures.  To the side there was a small staircase that led up to a loft with a bed at the top.  Terra walked over to the kitchen and noticed that the appliances weren’t powered by gas but by crystals and were very low tech compared to the ones at home.  Terra then looked to the table where there was a cup of coffee nearly empty but still warm.  

Terra connected the dots and told Torrent her theory, “A deer currently lives here und has just departed judging by ze varmth of ze coffee.  My guess is zat it’s a girl based on ze decorations und zat she is ze caretaker of ze animals zat reside in zis forest.  

Torrent nodded while he examined a bird’s nest decorated with flowers.  “I doubt she vill be far.  Ve don’t vant to fight und put ze mission in jeopardy zis early on so ve better be moving out.”

Terra nodded in agreement and made her way out with Torrent by her side.  As they exited the cottage they saw Brumal sitting comfortably in the now frozen pond.  “Come on in, ze vater is fine” Brumal called out while chuckling.

Torrent rolled his eyes, “Shouldn’t you be preserving your energy for ze mission, not for taking an afternoon swim?”

Scorch walked over next to the other unicorns and called Cyclone down.  Cyclone gave his report from above, “Ve are near ze center of ze forest.  Our first objective is less zan a klick north east of here und ze edge of ze forest is another 8 klicks in ze same direction.”

Scorch nodded then turned to Terra and Torrent, “Vat do you two have to report?”

Terra looked hesitantly at Brumal still lounging in the pond then back to Scorch.  “Ve need to leave immediately.  Zat cottage is occupied by a deer who is likely in ze immediate vicinity.  Ve can’t afford a fight or alerting ze deer to our position und intentions before ve have even reached our first objective.”

Scorch looked back at Brumal, “Feeling better?  Ve need to get going little bro.”

Brumal melted the pond then climbed out, shaking of the water on his coat.  “Good as new, vere next?”

Before Scorch could answer a loud roar tore through the clearing.  The group turned around just in time to see a large bear barreling through the forest towards them.  Before the ponies could even level their weapons the bear was on them.  Its massive paw swatted Terra to the side as it turned to bite at Torrent.  Torrent dodge rolled away and used the small pond to blast the bear back.  The massive creature recovered quickly and charged Scorch who sent streams of flames into his face.  The bear stumbled backwards as the ground beneath him let loose and crumbled.  

Terra stood up slowly grinning.  She yelled at the creature with a sadistic wavering voice, “Hit meeee now villl you, I’llll show you vat earthhh can do!”  As if on cue several large mounds of earth hurled at the bear while blood dripped down from Terra’s face.  The bear hit the ground hard and before it could react Cyclone hit it with a twister.  The bear flew into a tree where Brumal froze him in place.  The bear growled viciously at the group as they lowered their rifles in unison.

Scorch aimed down his sights, into the creatures eyes which reflected a primal fear.  “FIRE!” Scorch bellowed at his soldiers who in turn unleashed a flurry of bullets into the bear, resulting in a blood curdling roar mixed with the shattering of ice and sounds of flesh being torn apart.  The fire ended in harmony and the bear fell over in a bloody mangled pulp.

Terra cackled maniacally as she knelt on the ground, blood streaming off her face collected in a pool below her.  Scorch rushed to her in an attempt to prop her up as the blood continued to flow freely.  Torrent used some of the pond’s water to wash off her face but it did little to stem the river of blood pouring from her wounds.  Brumal even attempted to freeze the wounds shut but her body heat quickly melted the ice, resulting in an increase in blood loss.  Terra started to get dizzy and was losing her vision when she fell and rolled over on her back.

In a last ditch attempt Scorch used his magic to cauterize the gaping wounds on her face.  With the intense heat from the magic the wounds quickly sealed up and ceased to bleed.  After they washed off the dried blood the group examined her wounds.  It was hard to judge the depth of the tears but thankfully they were narrow enough to cauterize properly.  

Scorch then checked her vitals with a small magical machine contained in a medic kit.  She had lost an excess of blood but her organs were functioning adequately.  Most of the damage was done to her face where several bones including her jaw were broken and the gouges stretched from her mane to her mouth leaving a mangled scab from the cauterization.  After reading the results, Scorch administered simple healing spells and gave her restoration potions from the kit.

Scorch finished attending to Terra and addressed the group, “Vell Terra is stable enough und ve can’t get an evac so somepony vill need to carry her.”

Brumal raised his hoof while he hung his head, “I vill do it. It vas my fault ve vere here to begin vith.”
Scorch immediately shot down his brothers self-loathing words, “No zis is not your fault.  You’ve been draining a lot of energy vith your spell und needed a break, a spell zat ve still need.  Cyclone vill you carry Terra?  You vill be grounded anyvay.”

Cyclone saluted in response, “Yes sir, it vould be my honor.”  He then muttered in a low sarcastic voice, “As long as she doesn’t nag.”

Scorch chuckled lightly, “Vith all her blood loss it vould be a miracle if she said anyzing much less nagged.”

Cyclone nodded slowly, “Yes but ze first zing she vould do if she could talk vould be to nag me.”

After a brief light moment the group shared together several quieter roars echoed from deep within the forest, prompting them to pack up and continue their trek deeper into the dense forest.  The group slowly burned their way to the forest’s center at an excoriatingly slow pace, often being forced to stop so that Cyclone could put down Terra and both he and Brumal could rest.  By the time they reached their objective the sun was setting, casting an eerie glow through the trees.  The group fanned out over a large perimeter from the center and began too strategically place magical fire bombs at intervals on the tree line.  The process took longer than expected with Terra out cold.  

The group finally finished and regrouped back in the middle.  Scorch began to give orders for the rest of the mission.  “Alright now zat ze initial bombs have been planted ve need to make our vay to ze forest’s edge.  On our vay ve vill string bombs periodically through a vide area of ze forest till ve reach near ze edge of ze forest.  Once all ze bombs have been placed ve vill signal command to begin ze burn und ve vill set of our bombs.  Ve Vill zen proceed to enter ze city und extract ze needed information zen return to HQ.  Any Questions?”

Cyclone raised his wing, “Vat vill ve do if Terra doesn’t vake up?”

Scorch looked uneasy at the prospect of his friend remaining unconscious but answered with resolution in his voice, “Ve vill find a safe location to keep her till ve get our Intel zen get her on our return trip.  Ze mission is our priority but ve take care of our own.”

Cyclone nodded then Torrent raised his hoof.  “Vat exactly are ve looking for und how vill ve retrieve it?”

Scorch looked at his brother in a serious and authoritative manner.  “Ve are to acquire communications between ze Order und any military plans und strategies ve find.  Ze location is marked on our maps vich I believe is zeir logistics und com. Center.  Cyclone, once ve near ze location you need to make a distraction using our remaining fire bombs zen quickly escape back to our rendezvous point or vere ve hid Terra.”

The group looked at Scorch in silence with stoic expressions.  “Let’s move out zen.  It’s almost midnight und ve have a vays to go.  Ve need to enter ze city und start ze burn before ze sun rises.” 

Throughout the night the group laid down wide spread bombs on their way to the city.  They were often forced to stop to eat, recuperate and even sleep periodically.  During their brief breaks Terra would gain some resemblance of consciousness, mumbling and moving until going back into her deep slumber.  When she started to show signs of life the group would administer more medicine and gather around to see if she would fully gain consciousness, only for her to drift off once again. On the positive side her wounds were healing and she was faring better overall.

After repeated cycles of bomb placing, breaks and the occasional Terra activity, the group finally neared the bluff overlooking the city. The team spread out about 100 yards behind the end of the tree line setting down the powerful fire bombs for a klick in each direction before regrouping in the bushes next to the bluff.  At this point the sun would be rising in nearly an hour, giving the team minimal time to enter the city. 

Scorch gathered his group and addressed them as their commander “It vas a hard journey but ve made it even vith our setback.  Yet zis is just ze beginning, now ve must enter ze enemies’ capital und steal zeir communications und plans vile ze army moves into destroy ze city.  Our families, our friends und our nation are counting on us und ve vill not fail!”  

Scorch walked over to the edge of the cliff with his friends behind him, with Terra stirring on Cyclone’s back.  Scorch magically messaged Rommule to begin the operation and a moment later a light magical field hovered over the forest.  Upon seeing the spell to stop the smoke in place, Scorch levitated the detonator above him and in a booming voice yelled to his comrades, “For Victory, for ze Union, for Germaney, for Terra!”

Immediately before Scorch pulled the trigger Terra sat up with her eyes half open.  A smile grew across her face and the whole group paused then rushed to her.  Terra nearly passed out again from the barrage of hugs.  When the onslaught subsided Scorch smiled at his friend and levitated the detonator into her weak magical grip.  

Terra smiled lightly at Scorch, “It vould be my honor commander but you have earned zis privilege.”

Scorch returned his soft caring smile, “Ve vill do it together.”  After his brief statement a fiery red magic glow enveloped the detonator, accompanied by a much weaker light green one coming from Terra’s horn.  Together they turned to the forest with the city behind them and the sun slowly rising in the distance as they pulled the trigger.

They could hear the explosions echo throughout the forest as the underbrush exploded in a fiery haze.  Looking into the forest the group could make out the spreading flames that ate at the underbrush and climbed the ancient trees.  

They turned back towards the city and readied ropes to propel down the cliffs edge.  From on top of the bluff the group could make out the whole city and the surrounding geography.  The capital sat in a basin with large mountains to the east that ran down to the south where the Vix valley lay and the Silva forest to the north east.  The group came out southwest of the city on top of high cliffs at the edge of the Viridi forest, which was separated from the Silva forest by a small mountain range to the west between the city and the distant ocean.  The Vix valley lead from the south around to the west were the ponies were beached.  Great deserts and grasslands stretched in every other direction.  

The city glistened in the now cresting sun with its ancient stone and marble.  Great palaces with exotic architecture towered above stone and brick town houses.  The palace of the Caesar was placed prominently on a hill, overlooking the city near the mountains of the east.  At the bottom of the hill stretched a great marketplace and large stadiums made from marble.  Scorch could make out a large courtyard near the palace with a training yard.  The map marked that location as the com. Center and Scorch figured it likely housed the rest of their high command.  

The exotic city was like nothing else in the world, not even in Zebrica where each tribe had their own customs and architecture.  Most zebras were either nomadic or lived in much more rustic towns and cities yet this city stood in stark contrast to its surroundings.  The city was home to the most powerful tribes and held a blend from all the tribes.  Scorch looked down solemnly at the large houses below them.  In peace this would’ve been a great place to visit with his friends and family yet he knew it would be destroyed by nightfall.

Scorch sighed and then looked back at his team who was equally mesmerized by the view.  Scorch got their attention and then commanded them forward, “Ve have enjoyed zis view long enough, let us continue on our objective.”  The group nodded somberly knowing that they would never see this city in its glory again.  The team cast an illusion spell in front of much of the forest to deceive the locals of the invasion until it was too late.  They then mounted on their ropes with their gear slung over their backs and repelled into the backyard of a large villa, prepared to finish their mission.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


It was noon in the Viridi forest when a young doe was traversing its dense foliage that she was all too familiar with.  The doe’s name was Amare and she was the caretaker of the Viridi forest, a forest in which she was isolated from all forms of civilization.  

Amare stood a whole head higher than the average pony but being a red deer she was considerably small.  Her coat was a reddish brown and her face was elongated unlike the pony species but identical to her own kind.  Her eyes were small and green with a blue tint that stood in contrast to her coat and small silver horns.  Her horns could only do simple magic that was typically used to benefit her critter friends.  Her face had a constant light, caring smile that she always cast at every living creature yet it had been years since she had seen another civilized creature.  She was young for a deer at the age of 66 being that deer could live for half a millennium, more than three times the average pony.  It had been nearly 44 years since she was last in her home forest, for she was not a native of the Viridi forest but its caretaker.  

When she was but a child in her birth forest she found a love for animals but not for her own species.  Many deer treated her harshly and were vile creatures but the wildlife was innocent and it understood her.  Many bucks made fun of her for her size and how she acted like a loner which was only helped by their constant teasing. One day several bucks played a cruel prank on her that nearly ended her life.

The bucks were the same age as her yet they were close to twice her size.  They thought that it would be funny to throw Amare into the nearby river and watch her struggle to swim.  When she didn’t come back up the bucks panicked and fled the scene.  Amare would’ve drowned if it wasn’t for a group of beavers that pulled her out and then proceeded to get the rest of the wildlife to help her.  When Amare came to she was far away from her home in an unknown part of the forest.  Instead of trying to return she ran as far away as she could from that wretched place.  She ran for weeks in great deserts and grasslands, hardly eating or drinking anything until she finally reached a dense forest that she had never seen before.  After making her way deep into the forest she discovered a clearing with a pool where she drank its water greedily.  

Amare rested in the clearing before she noticed the strange absence of noise.  There were no other deer, no ragging river, not even the sound of wildlife.  Having a love for all wild creatures, Amare found this fact disconcerting.  Amare decided to explore the forest to see if she could find signs of life. 

After hours of fruitless exploration, Amare came to the edge of the forest where she saw a great city that shimmered in the light.  In it were thousands if not many more white and black stripped creatures.  Most of which were even smaller than her but she had no want to communicate with them.  Instead she gazed north of the city where she noticed another forest.  Being a red deer Amare had the gift to see possible outcomes of the future.  Although the gift could be misleading, it was also highly useful and at this time Amare saw wildlife losing their homes and being mistreated in that far off forest.

Based solely off of her cryptic vision, Amare traveled for days through jagged mountains narrowly avoiding many hazards on her way.  Several times she barely avoided a landslide or the occasional stumbling off a steep cliff all the while attempting to avoid the stripped creatures that wandered through the valleys cutting through the mountains.  Eventually Amare reached the forest that appeared much larger and more spread out than her new home.  The trees were smaller and spaced out making travel easy in comparison to the Viridi yet the biggest difference was the sound.  Throughout the forest she heard noises, noises that could only be produced by living creatures.

Pushed by excitement, Amare ran through the forest seeing an abundance of wildlife, most of which she had never seen before.  She played, helped and talked to the many creatures that were just as docile as the ones back in her birth forest.  She followed the animals deeper and deeper into the young forest until she came to a large clearing.  All around the clearing trees were being quickly removed with magic while buildings were replacing them equally as fast.  Gigantic creatures with massive antlers were carving up the interior of the forest like it was paper.  They looked similar to Amare and her Red Deer species yet they towered above even the largest of her species and were a darker brown.  Amare slightly recognized the creatures from deer history as being called elk.  They were some of the most powerful and large deer species right behind moose yet they were much more plentiful and wiser than the derpy moose.

Many of the trees and areas the elk were clearing were homes of the wildlife who fled in terror from the elk’s shear power and size.  The elk noticed yet they didn’t care, instead they often harmed and played cruel jokes on the defenseless animals for amusement.  This reminded Amare of how she was treated by her own kind.  This enraged her but she was smart, too smart and too peaceful to run in and attack the much larger Elk, so instead she rounded up the frightened critters, small and large from mice to bears and comforted them.  She was able to convince many of them to come back with her to the Viridi forest to make a new life.  

After several agonizing days of travel back over the mountains to the Viridi, Amare finally reached the clearing that she previously found.  Not only was the trek over the rugged mountains more strenuous as a result of her new found followers but traversing the forest itself was nearly impossible for some of the larger animals at certain points.  When Amare and her conglomerate of creatures reached the clearing they all fanned out to drink from the pool and collapse from exhaustion.  While her animal friends recuperated from the journey, Amare glanced over her surroundings, taking in the pure beauty of her new home that was now occupied by her beloved wildlife.  In that moment Amare made a promise to take care of the forest and all that inhabited it for the rest of her life.

Over the next 44 years Amare worked hard with her animal companions to clear small areas and paths for the forest’s new residents.  They grew food and irrigated water all for the betterment of the newly founded life that prospered in the once lonely forest.  The animals even helped Amare build a cottage by the original pool as a meeting place for the forest’s citizens.  There Amare would live and help anything that desired her special talent of caring for animals whether it be with food, shelter or something medical, Amare would do her best to help and provide.  

She continually worked to make the forest more and more livable without harming it.  She watched families grow and animals live in the sanctuary of the forest.  The forest had become as much of a part of her as she had become a part of the lives of the animals that resided within it.  This care and compassion was shown every day and even her mid-day wandering that day was to help a squirrel family gather nuts in preparation for winter.  As she followed the narrow path to their tree, Amare had a sudden splitting headache that forced her to kneel on the moist ground.  She saw bright red flames tearing through a green oasis, the smoke blocking out the sun.  The vision then switched to a bluff overlooking a city burning to the ground as the sun sets red.  Her vision finally ended with animals fleeing from the inferno with massive machines rolling behind them.

Amare didn’t move for a long time after the vision ended.  She was glued to the ground out of fear and shock from what she saw yet she knew that her visions were often exaggerated or amounted to nothing at all.  She was still for so long that the squirrels that she was on her way to help ran from their tree to try and snap her out of her stupor to no avail.  As the squirrels ran around her throwing nuts to bring her back to reality an ear splitting roar echoed through the forest.  Amare immediately came back and turned her head in the direction of the sound, it was coming from the direction of her cottage.  Amare quickly stood up and galloped back down the beaten path towards her cottage.

Amare was running for several minutes all the while she heard loud bangs and more frequent roars.  As she rounded a corner she heard a symphony of rapid bangs followed by a bone chilling roar then silence.  Amare quickened her pace even more and after she had galloped for several more minutes she slowed down to catch her breath.  While she was regaining her stamina two softer, younger roars emanated from the clearing, forcing Amare to Gallop faster.  She knew only one bear that had cubs in the forest and it sounded like they were calling out in distress and grief which worried the kind doe to no end.

Amare finally reached the clearing nearly an hour after she had heard the first roar because she had to travel far into the forest to help many of the residents but she was not prepared for what she saw in the clearing.  Backed up against a tree was a large mangled corpse with blood everywhere.  Next to the corpse laid two small cubs weeping for the mother bear.  That bear was one of the original animals that Amare had saved and brought to the forest as a cub.  Amare had watched her grow and was there when the cubs were born and growing.  What she was witnessing broke her soft heart.  In all her years in the forest nothing so grave and gruesome had ever occurred.  Amare rushed to the cubs and hugged them, sobbing with them for theirs and the forest’s lost.

Amare eventually calmed the cubs down and levitated the corpse into a corner where she started working on a coffin.  Amare then took the cubs back to her cottage and made them comfortable while she investigated the scene.  She noticed that her door was left open but everything was still intact.  When she went outside, Amare noticed several blood splatters that led across the clearing, not all were the bear’s.  She also noticed ice on the tree and ground and burn marks on the foliage.  As she continued to investigate she noticed a large amount of earth was over turned and the ground was wet in many places.  She then ventured back to the tree where the bear was found and noticed that holes covered the trunk and many of the leaves were blown off.  Putting all this together and after a brief talk with the cubs, she figured that the bear was protecting her cubs when armed intruders came in.  They used powerful magic and strange weapons then fled into the forest with one wounded.  Yet none of this mattered because they were gone and the cubs had lost a mother, so Amare continued to make funeral preparations while sending out magical messages to the rest of the forest as a warning and summoning for the ceremony. 

That afternoon the whole forest assembled in the small clearing to bury their friend.  The proceedings were short and considerate with Amare addressing the assembled creatures.  After they buried the mother bear, the animals dispersed back to their homes and Amare led the bear cubs to her cottage to sleep.  That night Amare tried to sleep but her mind was plagued with the tragic events of that day and her worrisome visions.  She continually contemplated how they could be connected until she finally fell asleep after midnight.  Unfortunately her dreams were nightmares filled with blood, fire and death leaving for a restless night.  

Following hours of tossing and turning a loud bang woke Amare up.  The startled doe clamored out of her bed to her window.  The sun was barley rising yet it was hardly visible.  Amare hurried outside to look at the sky that had a white film hovering before it and black plumes that rose to the sky only to end at the film that was hardly higher than the treetops.  Amare quickly grabbed the cubs and messaged for the rest of the forest to regroup in the clearing.

By the time most of the animals had arrived the smoke was coming from every direction and the nearby foliage was starting to burn.  Amare noticed that she was missing many of her animals but she had to move quickly if she wanted to save the ones present.  She quickly told the creatures to follow her south to the Vix valley as she magically scooped up water to extinguish the fire in her way.  Amare looked back just in time to see her small cottage get swallowed by the flames.  She then turned and ran slowly so that some of the smaller and slower animals could keep up with her but the fire was spreading rapidly.  Trees were falling all around them and the group wasn’t making much head way.

They didn’t get far from the clearing when several large machines tore through the trees with fire spewing from several openings in the front.  The machine rolled on a set of large tracks that propelled the metal beast forward.  On top of the machine was a large turret that swiveled on its main hull.  Extruding from the turret was a massive cannon that pointed the monster through the forest.  Sitting on top of the turret was a creature about the same size as the stripped ones except it had a glowing horn and it adorned bright colors.  All around them the machines broke through the forest at a brisk pace.  Many of the machines had different attachments but regardless almost all of them had one of those creatures on top yelling and had openings spewing out fire.

The machines rolled by the large group of animals paying no heed to them, almost like a possessed being on a mission they continued forward, never turning away from their march.  Amare used their obliviousness or lack of concern to direct the animals to a nearby stream.  Once they got to the stream they followed it south as the forest started to burn at a slower pace and the machines passed them.  Amare was haunted by the accuracy of her visions and the enormity of what had just happened to her home.  Amare looked back into the flame engulfed forest, watching her whole life go up in an inferno as she continued to the lead the group away from their destroyed home.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains to the east when a young zebra happily trotted out of the palace’s front gates, toting several sacks full of food and clothes.  The Zebra’s name was Zenith and she was the daughter and only child of the Caesar, making her the heir to the throne.  She was a 24 year old, medium sized Zebra with unusually symmetrical stripes that evenly spread out from a strip that followed her spine from her head to her tail.  She had a short Mohawk on her head and a short cut tail.  Her eyes shown with a brilliant violet that resembled her mother's.  

When Zenith was but a foal her grandfather died and her father became Caesar.  As a result Zenith started to see her father less and less, becoming more and more attached to her mother.  Her mother had a very chaotic strip pattern but other than that Zenith was her spitting image from eyes to mane cut.  Zenith began following her mom everywhere, including to the slums where her mother fed the poor.  Everyday her mother went to the slums to care for the poor in any way possible and Zenith would always help.

Zenith eventually fell in love with the charity work she and her mother did for the poor.  The trip to the slums became a daily occurrence that brought the young princess joy.  Around the time that Zenith was a teenager her mother fell deathly ill and passed away within a year.  Zenith’s father attempted to reach out to his daughter more after his wife’s untimely death.  Zenith grew closer to her father but what got her through her heartbreak was going back to the slums to help those less fortunate than herself.  

Zenith even went to the slums the day after her mother died to help the poor which is how she earned her glyph.  Her glyph was a strange half rising sun with two long lines in-between two smaller lines on the top and a small line next to a large one on each side where the half circle in the middle was cut off.  Her glyph represented the hope of a new day that she gave to the poor she helped. It showed them that there was a brighter future ahead for them and that Zenith was there to lift them out of their misfortune.

Years later Zenith was trotting down the cobblestone streets of Roam early in the morning, heading off towards the slums once again.  The slums were located near the villas by the bluff at the west end of the city, making it quite a distance from the palace.  For this reason Zenith would leave early in the mornings, preferring to walk instead of taking royal transport.  She believed that the chariot would be like mocking the poor and she wanted to immerse herself with them by eating the same food and even making her own bags and clothes for them.

When Zenith arrived in the ghetto it was mid to late morning.  The community was bustling with activity from small vendors to families doing chores.  Zenith trotted into the chaos with a grin on her face as she saw many familiar faces.  As she walked towards a small apartment complex several zebras called out greetings to her which she happily returned.  Today she was visiting a family of six children that often went without food due to their mothers struggle to find consistent work.  

Zenith knocked on the creaky door that slowly swung open to reveal a tiny clustered room containing 6 young zebras.  Four of the zebras were still fillies while the other two were a bit older but they all looked hungry and dirty regardless.  The small, messy filly that opened the door smiled up at Zenith who returned the smile and entered the room.  The children surrounded Zenith as she pulled out and distributed several loafs of bread.

“Where’s your mother at little ones?” Zenith asked softly while smiling.  

The fillies were stuffing their faces so they didn’t answer but the oldest child, a fair sized colt, answered coldly, “She’s over the wall cleaning for some of the rich bastards in the villas.”

Zenith smiled lightly back, “Watch your manners, be polite.”  

“Sorry, thanks for the food Zenith,” he grumbled in response.

“You’re quite welcome. I left some more food in the bag, take care of your siblings. I have to go help some vendors in the plaza, so tell your mom I said hi and I’ll return next week.”  Zenith stood up and smiled while waving to the kids who happily waved back with their now full stomachs.  The colt nodded his head solemnly in response as Zenith exited the small living quarters.  Before she closed the door on her way out the tiny filly that opened the door ran up and hugged Zenith’s leg.

“Thank you princess Zenith.”

Zenith smiled and kissed the filly on the head.  “It was my pleasure cutey, I’ll see you again soon.”  At that she left and started walking down a back alleyway short cut to the plaza.  As she walked down the deserted alley she saw the back of something with a brown coat and green tail quickly limping around a corner.  Pushed by curiosity and the desire to help the injured creature, Zenith followed around the corner into a dead end with a dumpster pushed out in front, leaving plenty of room behind it.  Zenith heard several voices with strange accents coming from behind the dumpster.  As she began to peer over the dumpster a silver hoof reached over her mouth and silenced her, pulling her back.  Zenith’s eyes grew wide as she was pinned against the wall face to face with a Pegasus. Zenith instinctively tried to scream but was silenced by the Pegasus who lifted his hoof and shushed her.

The Pegasus was a little larger than her and he had a silver coat with a short, dark grey mane and tail.  He was wearing some sort of combat armor and had two very different guns strapped to his sides that made Zenith fear for her life but mostly for the wellbeing of the residents of the slums.  He stared into her violet eyes with his stormy grey ones as he slowly removed his hoof from her mouth.  Zenith was too scared and shocked to scream right away as she tried to formulate her thoughts on what to do but the Pegasus spoke before she could say anything.

“Ve don’t vant to hurt you so only talk in a low voice.  Who are you und vhy are you back here?”

It took Zenith awhile to answer but eventually she took a deep breath and responded, “My name is Zenith, I’m the heir to the Zebrica throne and I’m here to serve the poor of my city.  Now can I ask who are you and why are you sneaking around my city?”

The Pegasus’ eyes grew big and he turned toward the dumpster “Scorch you might vant to come out und see zis.  Bring ze rest of ze group, ve have ze Zebra Princess.”

Zenith watched as the dumpster was moved out and four unicorns emerged from the space behind it.  The one in the front was the largest with a red coat and fiery mane, behind him were two similar looking but smaller unicorns with a light blue and pale white coat.  She then turned her attention to the one female of the group who had a light brown coat with light green hair.  She was the one she saw limping around the corner but it wasn’t because of a leg injury but because she had her front hoof lifted to her face, holding gauze to her face which was covered in bandages.  

The large red unicorn in the front started speaking, “Vell gutenmorgen to you princess, zis is quite ze pleasant surprise.”  He smiled sincerely at Zenith with no signs of ill intent on his face.  “Let me introduce ourselves to you.  I am Scorch, ze one vith ze light blue coat is my brother torrent und ze pale coated unicorn is his twin Brumal.  Ze girl is Terra und you already met our resident Pegasus Cyclone.”

Zenith looked at each of them then pointed a hoof at Terra. “What happened to her?”  

Brumal looked at the ground as he answered her, “she vas attacked by a bear.”

Zenith’s eyes grew big, “How, where, can I help?”

Terra chuckled lightly, “It’s been taken care of und I zink I’ll live.”

Scorch looked the Zebra in the eyes, “So you say you are here to help ze poor, zat is very generous of a princess, do you do it often?”

Zenith nodded, “Every day.”

Scorch smiled at her, “I can see ze care for your people in your eyes.  It’s quite commendable, so out of respect I vill tell you vhy ve are here und give you help on one condition.”

Zenith nodded slowly as Scorch continued, “Ve are a special operations group sent to gather Intel before ze city is destroyed.  Now ve have talked it over und ve understand ze strategic importance of destroying ze city but ve don’t zink ze loss of innocent life is necessary.  So in a few hours you vill hear chaos erupt from ze comm. center, ven zat happens you vill need to evacuate as much of ze city to ze northeast through ze Silva forest as possible.  If you bring your whole army ze elk von’t be a problem und ve vill come back through ze area on our vay out before ze city is destroyed.  Now it is important zat you tell no one till you hear ze signal or else zey vill destroy ze city earlier.  Your military can do nozing to stop ze coming destruction.  Do you understand? Ve are trying to help und save lives.” 

Zenith sat in shocked silence, barely blinking as Scorch talked.  When he finished she plopped on the cobblestone alley and stared at the ground.  Scorch was quickly getting impatient with her unresponsive behavior and acted by grabbing her and forcing her to look into his cobalt eyes.  “Do you understand?! Zis is very important lives are at stake.”

Zenith slowly came back to reality and nodded with hesitation.  Scorch asked again to make sure, “You know vat to do right? You listened right?”

Zenith stammered to respond, “Y-yes, yes.”

Scorch sighed out of aggravation but his message seemed to have gotten through to her. “Good now ve need to go und get ze Intel so remember ven you hear any sort of disruption from zat direction start ze evac.”

Scorch got up and gestured for his team to follow him down a back alleyway.  Before he went down the alley he looked back and called to Zenith, “Everyzing vill be okay, I know you vill do all you can to save as many as possible.”  Scorch then disappeared down the alley.  Zenith sat for a moment longer, letting all her thoughts flow through her mind while she stared at the ground.  As she sat still she started to hear commotion from the slums.  That brought her back to reality, making her realize what was at stake.  She decided to get some of the zebras ready without telling them why and without making too much of a disturbance.  Zenith stood up and trotted into the market determined to save everyone she could. 


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


Scorch crouched down behind a small bush in between two buildings as several zebras walked past.  When they were out of sight Scorch turned and quickly motioned for his team to move across the street.  They were lucky that very few zebras were out due to the heat and due to the fact that they chose the smallest streets to get to their destination.  By this time they could see the military HQ only a few blocks away.

Scorch scanned the next road and quickly bolted across it to the other side.  From there the group took several back alleys until they were just across from the instillation.  They were somehow able to avoid detection or being forced to hurt anybody through their whole trek through the city, a miracle considering the city’s size.  

Scorch sat down and looked at his group, “Zis is it, ve are going to complete our mission und all return back victorious.”  The team nodded in agreement, in harmony.  “Alright Cyclone take off to make ze distraction.  Terra it’s best if you stay here to be our guard.  I know you vant to come but you’re injured und could put us in jeopardy.”  Terra looked at the ground quietly but nodded regardless, understanding her orders.  “Torrent, Brumal you’re vith me, you know vat to do.  Everyone ready?”  The team assumed their positions and Cyclone took off to create the distraction.  Once they heard the explosion and shouts Scorch turned to his brothers.  “Let’s do zis for Family, for friends und for country.”  All the zebras on the road ran over to see what the commotion was, even guards from the comm. center ran to investigate.  Scorch used this moment to quickly cross the street and enter the complex.

The halls were eerily void of life, making Scorch hesitate before he continued.  Scorch looked at his map while following the hallway to a separate building.  They reached a door to an offshoot building labeled Communications Center.  Scorch looked back to his brothers, “Ve vill try to be stealthy, if zat fails use gas und flash bangs with other none lethals.  Only use lethal fire if necessary, regardless of vat happens stick together.”

Scorch turned to the door and took a deep breath before pushing it slowly ajar.  When the door was fully opened he looked in and was meet with nearly a hundred rifle barrels pointed at him.  Scorch tried to back out but a barrel was pressed to the back of his head.  The zebras behind them forced the trio into the central room where a zebra dressed in gold and red stood.  The other zebras saluted him and backed off as the vibrantly clothed zebra approached them.

The zebra removed a large golden helmet with red plumes and examined his prisoners with golden eyes that resembled his outfit.  A grin broke out on his face as he began to speak in a deep, harsh, exotic accent, “Well it appears that our little mole was correct.  He told us the ponies would be trying something and that they would send a group of spies to the comm. center.  Ah, but we were prepared for you and now you will tell us what you know.”

Scorch stared silently at the zebra with no emotion on his face.  That only seemed to make the zebra grin more, “Where are my manners I am Legate Callidus and you are?”

Scorch continued to stare at him unresponsively, barring a stoic face.  The zebra’s mood quickly soured as he frowned at the pony.  “Fine be that way.  It doesn’t matter, our armies are already moving to the north mountains to stop the invasion, so it seems you have already failed.  Besides we have ways of making you talk.”

Scorch’s eyes widened when the zebra talked about their military movement to the north.  Scorch thought that the mole must not be that well informed if he told the zebras that the invasion was coming from the opposite end of the city.  He continued to ponder this new information until the butt of a gun abrubtly struck his face.  Scorch rolled to the side and spit out blood as he glared back at the Legate.  The Legate chuckled lightly and then motioned to some soldiers in the back.  A door swung open and several soldiers carried in a beaten Cyclone.

The soldiers threw Cyclone in front of the Legate who kicked him to the ground.  The Legate put a hoof on Cyclones chest and stared at Scorch.  “Our mole is deep within your network, so we will get the information we need but it would be easier for all of us if you just talked.  We caught your little distraction attempting to escape from the explosion outside, so for starters how many of you are there?”

Scorch still said nothing and the Legate sighed, “Maybe one of your fellow spies will tell us if they’re properly motivated.”  The Legate spun and kicked Brumal sharply in the face.  Brumal fell to the ground hard, bleeding from the impact of the metal covered hoof.  Brumal slowly got up and stared at the Legate, unresponsive just as Scorch did.  The Legate turned to Torrent, “I guess the results will be more of the same with you.  Well we will see if the wellbeing of your fellow soldier will motivate you to talk.” 

The Legate started to apply pressure on Cyclone’s chest with his hoof.  Cyclone started gasping and blood began to trickle from his mouth but the legate didn’t stop until an audible crack was heard.  Cyclone screamed and then started whimpering yet somehow the soldiers remained stoic.  The Legate started to look visibly aggravated.  He grabbed Cyclone and pressed a gun to his head that was attached to his hoof.  “Loyal to your nation but not you fellow soldiers, I see.  Well we will find out how much your comrades mean to you.”

Cyclone met Scorch’s eyes and winked.  Cyclone then flared his wings and knocked the Legate across the room into several zebras.  Scorch, Brumal and Torrent then unleashed a flurry of ice, water and fire magic on their captors.  The three unicorns backed out of the room firing into the comm. center with magic.  The trio levitated their weapons from a shelf in the midst of the chaos and began firing on the zebras.  Cyclone kicked off of some of the soldiers and was running at the door, grinning at the unicorns for his crafty escape.  Right before he made it out of the room a bullet flew through his head, leaving a bloody hole in Cyclone’s forehead.  The Pegasus collapsed and stopped moving as blood streamed out of the hole.  

The Legate lowered his smoking rifle and glared at Scorch with his blood soaked face.  The Legate then quickly exited out the back and the zebras formed up to fire on the trio.  Scorch screamed and tried to run after him and then to Cyclone but his brothers held him back.  Torrent pushed Scorch against a wall as bullets flew past.  “He’s dead Scorch und nozing vill change zat.  Ve need to leave und rendezvous vith Terra to exit ze city. Hopefully she’s still alright.”  Scorch nodded and regained his composure with his eyes still watering as they ran to meet up with Terra, leaving the chaotic building behind them. 

The brothers were able to find the rendezvous point behind a nearby market without being seen.  Once they reached the location they spotted Terra gazing out at the chaos from behind a bush.  Scorch came up behind her to get her attention.  “Terra ve need to get out of ze city ASAP.”

Terra was startled by Scorch’s sudden appearance.  After she relaxed from the shock of him unexpectedly addressing her, Terra looked at the three unicorns and raised her eyebrows. “Vere is Cyclone? Did you get ze Intel?  Is everypony okay?”

All three of the brothers stared at the ground in silence.  Tears started to line Scorch’s eyes as he gazed back at Terra.  Terra suddenly understood what had happened or at least the basics and she started to cry silently for her lost friend.  Cyclone was like an annoying sibling to Terra.  He was constantly a source of annoyance but was just as often a source of joy and laughter that the usually stoic soldier needed.

Scorch quickly took control of his emotions and the situation.  He grabbed Terra by the shoulders and looked into her tear filled eyes, “Ve need to get going, it’s not safe here.  Ze city vill be destroyed soon vith or vithout us out.  Ve can mourn later but ve can’t let his sacrifice go to vaste.”  Terra nodded slowly as she wiped away the tears from her face.

Terra slung her rifle over her back and stood up with new found determination.  “Vell vat are ve vaiting for an invitation?  Let’s get back to ze camp to vatch zis accursed city burn.”

Scorch smiled in admiration of Terra’s resilience, “Good but first ve need to head back to see how ze evacuation is going vith our new princess friend.”  At that the unicorns filed in order behind Scorch and headed back towards the slums.  

The group traveled through a panicked city.  Zebras were running all over the city chaotically carrying items.  Scorch thought that meant that they caused a bigger commotion than they thought or Zenith was successfully evacuating the city.  The four unicorns arrived at the slums in the late afternoon.  Most of the area was deserted with the exception of a few frail old zebras and a large family with many small kids.  Scorch recognized one of the zebras with the large family by her violet eyes.  

Scorch whistled to get her attention.  The zebra squinted at the darkness of a nearby alleyway.  Her eyes grew big and she quickly said farewells to the family that was on the ground thanking her.  She quickly trotted into the narrow alley and greeted the unicorns.

“I wasn’t sure I’d see you again after all the commotion that came from the center.  Rumors started to circulate that we captured and killed some pony spies. I thought something bad might have happened.”  Zenith looked at the four unicorns that all shared a somber expression as a realization dawned on her.  “Where’s the Pegasus I first met?  Cyclone was his name right?”

Scorch looked at her with an unnervingly solemn expression, “He didn’t make it.”

Zenith looked at the ground and whispered quietly, “I’m so sorry.”

Scorch regained his composure and even smiled lightly, “It’s part of ze job.  He saved us, he vould not of vanted to go any other vay.  Now ve need to get down to business.  I see zat you evacuated ze slums successfully.”

Zenith nodded, “Almost everyone is out of this area to my knowledge.”

Scorch nodded, “Vell at least ve saved some innocent lives.  Almost makes zis trip vorth it.  Vat of ze rest of ze city?”

Zenith started to smile a bit more, “The residents of the slum are warning people as they go and I just sent a messenger to my father.  We might be able to evacuate the whole city before the attack.”

Scorch’s grin grew larger, “Zat’s great news but it also means zat ze city vill be destroyed soon.  Rommule vill notice ze evacuation und attack quickly und mercilessly.”  Scorch’s smile faltered a bit but still remained.  “Ze Legate zat killed Cyclone mentioned a mole in our army.  Apparently zat mole told zem ve vere coming und also curiously told zem to deploy zeir army to almost ze opposite side of ze city from ze attack.  Do you know anyzing about zat, maybe you heard somezing from your father?”

Zenith looked shocked, “No nothing.  How could he be so well informed about your actions but not that of the whole army?” 

“Zat’s vats curious.  It makes no sense.”  Scorch paused then put a hoof on Zenith’s shoulder, “You should hurry und leave ze city too.  Go met vith your father und help your people.  Zey vill need it as refugees more zan ever.”

Zenith nodded in agreement but looked sad, “This war has cost too much for everyone and it’s only a month in.  I hope that I will see you again under better circumstances.”

Scorch nodded and smiled, “You did good kid.”  Zenith smiled back and made her way out of the slums.  Scorch turned back to his group, “Ve need to leave quickly.  Torrent take point, ve vill head to ze south, now zat ze Zebra army is to ze north ze Vix Valley should be clear.”

Torrent pulled out his rifle and turned the corner out to the road.  As soon as he did a hail of bullets flew at him.  Torrent got hit several times in the chest.  He stumbled back into the alley way, breathing hard while trying to stem the flow of blood from his chest.  The rounds were powerful and they easily pierced his armor.  Scorch quickly ran and pulled his brother back farther into the alley.

The group took out their rifles and aimed down both directions of the alley, prepared to fire.  Terra covered their rear as Scorch and Brumal watched their front.  A zebra came running around the rear corner but Scorch saw her and pushed Terra’s rifle to the side as a burst of fire enchanted bullets shot out of the barrel and into the wall.  The zebra flinched and started breathing heavily.

Scorch ran up to the tired zebra and grabbed her.  The zebra looked at him with fear in her beautiful violet eyes.  Scorch quickly started talking, “Vhy are you back?  Vats going on?”  

Zenith was shaking but she took a deep breath to calm herself.  After she relaxed she blurted out what she knew in a rapid flurry, “The zebras know you are here and have sent squads to surround the area and kill you.  I can get you out through the sewage hole just around the corner but we have to hurry.  The Legate sent his best troops to hunt you down.”  

Scorch grabbed Torrent and heaved him on his back in a flash, “LET’S GO NOW!”  The group quickly ran down the alley and around the corner in the direction that Zenith came from.  They found the cover and Terra used her magic to remove the lid and jump down.  Brumal went after her then Scorch pushed Zenith in before she could argue.  

Before Scorch took his brother down, Torrent started coughing while attempting to talk, “Leave me Scorch.”  Torrent had a coughing fit before continuing, “I can hold zem off. I’ll just be dead veight slowing you down at zis point.  I’ll likely die anywvays.”

Scorch looked back at his brother sitting on his back, “I’m not losing another.  I vill never leave one of you again, even if you die. No brother of mine is dead veight.”  At that Scorch levitated his brother into the hole.  Several zebra soldiers rounded the corner and started firing at Scorch.  Scorch quickly took cover behind a low wall and returned a burst of accurate shots.  The zebras immediately took cover and fired back.  Scorch aimed down his scope and lit up a zebra scurrying for cover.  As the zebras attempted to grab their wounded comrade, Scorch ran out lighting a fire wall before him while firing to conceal his movement.  As soon as an opening appeared Scorch dived into the hole and levitated the cover on top.  Scorch quickly welded it to the sides with fire to prevent the zebras from following.

The tunnels were old, made of cobblestone and covered in a green algae.  The tunnels snaked and turned in many complicated directions with tunnels shooting off in all directions.  The worst part was the stream of brown sewage that ran knee high to Scorch and smelled just as bad as it looked.  His friends were a little ways down the tunnel	 carrying Torrent with them.  Scorch quickly galloped down to meet them.  Torrent looked at his older brother disapprovingly while Scorch glared back.  “I regret nozing.”  Torrent huffed and rolled his eyes then started coughing as he held his wounds.  

Zenith ignored their little exchange.  “They will try to cut us off at other holes but if we hurry I can get you close to the valley.”

Torrent huffed again, “See ve need to hurry.  Somezing ve can’t do vith you needing to drag me along.”

Scorch sighed, “I’m not going to leave anypony much less my brother behind just because it vill slow us down.  I didn’t for Terra, I von’t for you.”  

Zenith looked back and forth between the brothers nervously.  “That’s great and all but arguing will slow us down even more, so can we get going?”

Torrent rolled his eyes and looked away while Scorch nodded, “Lead ze vay princess.”

Zenith sighed and started to trot briskly down the tunnels, going down many twist and turns without a second thought.  The group followed as quickly as they could with an injured, angry Torrent on Scorch’s back.  After nearly an hour in the complicated tunnels Scorch tried to lighten the mood with conversation.  “So….Zenith, ze princess of ze zebra’s, how exactly do you know your vay around ze sewers so vell.”

Zenith chuckled a bit, “Many of the homeless or banished come down here to seek refuge, so naturally I come down here to assist them.”

Brumal narrowed his eyes, “Banished for vat exactly?”

Zenith’s face grew grim, “It’s not important.  What’s important is that they needed my help and because of that I can now help you.”  

After that Zenith became silent and aloof.  The conversations stopped at that point and the tunnels went quiet until hoof steps started loudly echoing through the tunnels.  After a short amount of time the group began hearing zebra’s shouting down the tunnels.  Eventually they got so close that the group readied their guns.  

Two zebras appeared in a side passage and began to fire down the narrow tunnel.  Torrent used the water in the sewer to push the zebras away as Terra shot them down.  The water began to run red out of the side passage prompting the group to hurry along.  

Zenith started to shake, never looking at the ponies as she spoke, “Must you kill them?  Can’t you just push them away with water or slow them down?”

Scorch sighed and lifted Zenith’s head but she resisted eye contact, tears rimming her violet eyes.  “Zey came after us.  Ve are just trying to escape yet zey try to hunt us, so ve must fight back.  I know it must be hard for you but you must understand it’s necessary for our protection.  I already lost one friend to zem, I vill not give zem ze chance to take another.”

Zenith whimpered slightly but nodded.  “I understand but can’t you at least try to kill as few as possible?”

Scorch let go of Zenith’s head, “Ve vill try our best but our vell being comes first.”

Zenith let it go and continued on with the group.  From then on she would look away and shake during any conflict.  At first the conflicts were sparse but that began to change quickly.

Soon though the zebra squads started to catch up just behind them, forcing the group to stop and take up defensive positions.  The group aimed around corners into the narrow tunnel as one by one zebras started to appear.  The first few were easily taken down but then the zebras began to take their advances slowly and tactically.  The ponies waited for any movement when several canisters rolled next to them.  The group quickly rolled into a side tunnel and covered their eyes as the flash bangs went off.  When the light and smoke faded Scorch looked back to where they had just been.  Torrent was still there, sitting in the middle of the tunnel with zebras advancing towards him.   Torrent looked at his brother and grinned. 

Scorch’s eyes grew large as he ran at his brother, “NO TORRENT YOU DON,” but before he could finish his cry a burst of water flew down the side tunnel and pushed the group farther down the passage.  The last glimpse Scorch got of his brother was Torrent grinning wildly as his horn glowed bright.  A huge wave of water funneled out of every tunnel and shot down the passage where the zebras were coming from.  The water took Torrent with him and that was the last time Scorch saw his brother. 

The water pushed the group into an underground rotunda.  Several tunnels met in the center, pouring water into one main pipe leading to the ocean.  The water from the side passage started to drain and the group pulled themselves out of the water.  They were all coughing up sewage and attempting to clean themselves off from the foul water.  After gathering themselves, Scorch made an attempt to run back down the passage that displaced them from his brother.  Terra and Brumal quickly grabbed him and dragged him back to Zenith. 

Scorch struggled then started to sob quietly.  Brumal went to try and comfort his brother, “Scorch I know it’s hard, he vas my brother too, my twin even.  Yet ve can’t afford to mope around, not now.  Ve Vill mourn later but now ve must escape vith our lives, less ve throw avay Torrent’s sacrifice.”

Scorch looked into his brother’s eyes that were also tearing up.  “I’m sick of zis var Brumal.  First Cyclone now our brother und for vat?  Ve didn’t even get ze Intel und now a city full of innocent civilians vill be eradicated because of us.  I’m beginning to zink zat zis var isn’t in ze best interest of our nation.  I zink zat my loyalty for my family, friends und nation vill better be served trying to end zis war before it causes more unnecessary death.  Zat should be our priority, not being Rommule’s pawns.  For our vorld und each other it’s in everyone’s best interest to end zis var.”

Brumal sighed, “Ve are soldiers Scorch, zis is vat ve do.  Ve knew ze risks ven ve signed up.”

Scorch looked at the ancient water eroded stones he was sitting on before he replied, “Yes but I signed up for you und Torrent.  So zat ve vould have a home und protection.  So zat ve could defend ourselves und serve our nation und in ze Pranco-Germane var ve did just zat.  Ze difference vas zat ve didn’t destroy whole cities vithout zinking und ve fought conventional vars not zis special ops pawn bull shit.”

Brumal remained quiet for a while then sighed.  Zenith walked up and looked at Scorch with Terra lingering behind her.  Zenith knelt down next to Scorch to talk to him, “I’m very sorry for your loss, words cannot express what has happened to you.  Now with that being said we need to get moving now.  The patrols will eventually track us down and attack again if we linger to long.  Don’t make your brothers sacrifice meaningless.  We can mourn when we’re out of the city and safe.”

Brumal stood up and walked next to Terra who was also crying quietly.  He put a leg around her in a hug then addressed his brother again, “Ve vill talk about our next move after ve are out.  Right now you need to lead us to safety Scorch.”

Scorch nodded then shakily stood up.  His breathing was deep but he eventually got control of his emotions like any good soldier should.  He looked at his brother standing next to the now still Terra then to Zenith.  “Vell vat are you vaiting for?  Lead on sewer princess.”

The group all grinned at Scorch in unison.  Zenith nodded and then trotted down the largest tunnel where the water joined into a single flow.  After about 20 minutes the group ended up at the bottom of a ladder. 

Zenith stopped and looked at Scorch, “This is the last exit until the ocean.  We will end up on the outskirts of the city, near the Vix Valley.

Scorch returned Zenith’s gaze, “I’m assuming zat you vill go back to help your people now.  Zanks for all your help princess.”

Zenith hesitated, “Yeah, I guess so…. but I’ll stay with you for a little longer.”  She paused for a second, “To make sure that you get out of the city safely……of course!”  She hurriedly blurted out in a nervous tone before laughing awkwardly.  “Well let’s keep moving then.  Can’t waste time.”

The unicorns all raised their brows at her.  Brumal and Terra looked confused and were at a loss for words.  Scorch awkwardly replied, “Vell okay zen.  Let’s go I guess…..”

The group climbed out of the hole into a small community near the edge of the city.  The sun was getting close to setting in the west.  They quickly galloped away from the community and towards the forest.  Their plan was to hug the edge of the forest to avoid any refugees in the valley yet also to stay close enough to follow its path to the beach.  They made it into the edge of the Viridi forest and continued on.

After traveling a ways in the forest the group noticed that the valley passage was deserted.  Not a single refugee or soldier was on the usually busy passage.  That was until a single zebra frighteningly galloped down the path constantly looking behind him.  Scorch recognized the zebra and leapt out of the forest in pursuit.  

Scorch remembered the zebra from Rommule’s tent.  It was Proditorem, Rommule’s special zebra assistant and insider.  Here he was, running away from the city and from Scorch.  All of this Scorch found extremely suspicious and he wanted answers.  He had a gut feeling that Proditorem had something to do with the mysterious mole who ratted them out.

The chase lasted for all of five seconds.  Proditorem barely made it several yards before he slammed into a wall of earth that Terra formed.  The zebra slid down the wall, crumpling to the ground.  Scorch ran up next to him and magically pinned him against the wall.  Proditorem groaned and then slowly opened his eyes.  He was met by a set of piercing cobalt eyes that drilled into him mercilessly.

Proditorem started to sweat nervously, “Oh funny meeting you here.  It’s Scorch isn’t it?  Yes I think I remember you from the General’s tent.  Well I got a lot of assisting the General jobs to do so I’ll just be on my way.”

Proditorem tried to struggle out of Scorch’s grip but the magic only tightened.  Scorch snarled at the cowardly zebra.  “Vat vere you doing in Roam Proditorem?  Perhaps telling the Legate of our mission you traitor!”

Proditorem squealed in fear, “I was only doing what I was ordered.  Please don’t hurt me, I was just following orders like you.”  

Scorch bellowed in rage at the sniveling zebra, “Vat orders!? From who!?  Speak you coward!”

Proditorem tried to curl up in an attempt to hide from Scorch’s rage.  “From General Rommule.  He ordered me as soon as we arrived in Zebrica to gain the trust of the Legate.  Once he thought I was an invaluable mole, I told him of your mission and”

Before he could finish Scorch yelled, “SO IT VAS YOU!!!  I LOST MY FRIEND UND MY BROTHER YOU VORTHLESS EXCUSE FOR A SOLDIER!!”

Proditorem started shaking while he attempted to explain himself to the raging unicorn. “Rommule ordered the Intel part of your mission so that you would be caught.  You were to be a distraction and it would give me credibility with the Legate when I told him to misdirect his army to the North.  The General said you would be a necessary sacrifice in the game of war.”

Scorch blew up with fire shooting into the air all around him in a twister, “VAT?!”

Proditorem started to sob out of fear, “Please believe me.  It was all the General’s plan. I was just obeying orders.”

Scorch was still in a rage, “VAT ARE YOU A DOUBLE AGENT OR SOMEZING!?”

The zebra was now cowering in utter fear of the unicorn.  “No that would imply that I betrayed my original orders for the other side.  Please don’t kill me.”

Scorch calmed down slightly, “Just leave, enough lives have been lost.”

Proditorem hesitated, lying on the ground in fear.  Scorch turned around as he yelled in a fury at the zebra, “I SAID LEAVE!”  Proditorem ran as fast as he could away from the unicorn as streams of fire followed right behind him.  

The zebra disappeared over a hill as Scorch was fuming.  “Zey betrayed us!  All of us, for some pointless ruse!  I’m done vith zis var, ve vill desert und vork to end zis abomination of a conflict.”

Terra timidly walked up to the enraged Scorch and hugged him.  “Come on Scorch ve need to get to safety zen ve can decide vat to do about Rommule.”

Scorch tensed up but slowly began to relax into Terra’s embrace.  The group looked back at the marbled city.  They were on top of a hill on the pass, from there they could look over the city in the fading light.  The sun was almost done setting in the west and for a moment there was a stillness in the air.  Then the last traces of light vanished behind the curve of the world, casting the city in a dark cloak.  

The group heard a series of loud bangs and then huge explosions erupted throughout the city.  The bangs got louder and more frequent as the city was bathed in explosions and fire.  Whole neighborhoods lay in waste from the barrage but it continued, never ceasing for a moment.  The palace stood on top of a lonely hill in an ocean of fire and destruction.  A formation of jets flew overhead towards the city where they unleashed a payload on the military instillations.  After nearly half an hour of nonstop shelling, the tanks and planes abrubtly stopped.  The city lay in ruin, what was left was awash in flames yet the marble palace still stood above the destruction, like a beacon of hope in the hell scape.   

That’s when Scorch heard the sound of a pair of boosters from the direction of the beach.  The group gazed up into the night sky to witness two white cylinders spewing out fire behind them, heading at impressive speeds towards the city.  Scorch mumbled under his breath, “zey are using missiles.  Hasn’t ze city been destroyed enough?”

Zenith heard him and gazed at Scorch with her tear filled eyes.  She was crying uncontrollably from witnessing the destruction of her home but she was confused by what Scorch had said.  “Missiles?  What are those?”

Scorch looked back at Zenith sympathetically, “I’m afraid you’re about to find out.”

The missiles cruised directly for the palace.  They struck in astonishing harmony.  The sound was deafening and the light nearly blinding.  The balls of fire rose high into the air from the palace and spread over the surrounding area.  Through the fire the palace could be seen collapsing on itself then partially tumbling into the destroyed streets below it.  After what seemed like an eternity the fire and smoke cleared.  What it revealed was nothing short of Armageddon.  Where a once glorious palace stood, now laid a heap of nearly obliterated rubble.  Even the hill had been partially blown apart into the surrounding city.  The hill and the palace formed an elevated crater that gazed mournfully at the blackened city below it.  All that remained of the city was smoking craters and burnt ruins.  Anything living or anything of importance was now decimated, never to be regained.

After the attack had ceased, there was a stillness in the air.  Everything was quiet except for the occasional sob coming from Zenith.  Scorch stood up in defiance of the destruction.  He trotted over to comfort the zebra princess and make a declaration, “Zis var has caused nozing but suffering.  Vhy do ve even fight it, does anyone know ze reasons for zis var?  It’s all because of trade agreements und greed.  Vell I say no more, ve vill not kill und destroy so zat ze rich can get richer off ze poor.  From zis day forth ve vill fight not for Germaney or ze ponies but for peace.  Ve vill accomplish our mission in anvay possible.  Now who’s vith me?”

Zenith slowly stood up sniffling and wiping her eyes.  “I will go with you.  I don’t have a home and it’s not like I’ll be able to meet up with the refugees anyways.  Besides you need credibility with the other alliances, what better credibility is there than the zebra princess?”

Scorch smiled at Zenith then looked at his brother for his answer.  Brumal hesitated before sighing, “Brother I’m not sure about zis.  How are ve supposed to stop a var?”

Scorch stared at his brother in frustration, “Vell vat do u expect us to do?  Crawl back to Rommule?”

Brumal retorted his brother instantly, “You’re zinking on your emotions.  Ve need to discuss zis more und under less duress.  Zis is neither ze time nor ze place.”

Terra spoke up for the first time, “Vell after ve let Proditorem go zere’s no going back to ze military.  I say ve need to go back into ze forest und reach ze south end of ze beach.  I know a captain of a destroyer zat’s stationed on ze south end of our deployment.  He might be able to give us refuge so ve can talk zings over.  As for now ve pretend to be ignorant of Rommule’s plans, ve aren’t traitors or deserters so ze army should leave us alone.  At least until Rommule himself finds out but by zen ve should have made our decision.”

Zenith was silently crying through their back and forth but she finally decided to intervene. “Regardless we need to get somewhere safe until you decide and until then I’m remaining with you.  At this point I have nowhere to go so if you must take me prisoner so that I can stay with you on the ship, so be it.”

Scorch considered their options.  “Alright ve vill head to ze ship.  Ve vill discuss our next move after ve are safe but my mind is made up.  Zenith stick close to us, now zat you vant to follow us you must obey my commands.  Understood?”

Zenith nodded and attempted an awkward salute.  Terra nodded in agreement and began to make her way towards the forest.  Brumal sighed, “I guess your set on your course.  Ve vill talk it over but in ze end I von’t abandon you.  Even if you are being stubborn und illogical.”

Scorch snickered, “Zank you brother.”

Brumal turned and began to follow Terra with Scorch and Zenith behind him.  They entered the edge of the thick forest and began to follow its path near the valley.  Soon after they entered the edge of the forest, it began to get too dense to navigate.  The forest almost seemed to be purposely forcing them deeper into its dark embrace.  After several hours of fighting the foliage the group finally stopped to sleep.  They settled down in a small opening with a nearby stream.  It was nearing midnight and the group was worn out from the events of the last few days.  It didn’t take long for all four of them to pass out.

In the early morning hours Terra awoke due to loud splashes and strange sounds coming from down the stream and a smoky smell in the air.  She rubbed her eyes and yawned before trotting to the streams bank.  She looked down stream but couldn’t see very far because of the thick foliage yet the sounds continued to get louder.  The sounds were rapidly approaching the group.  Terra got out her rifle and gazed down the scope towards a bend in the stream.  Water started to splash around the corner and then a multitude of different wild animals rounded the corner in a frenzy.

Terra was startled by the appearance of the numerous animals.  She scrambled back to her friends yelling to wake them up, “Scorch, Brumal, Zenith vake up now!  Ve have company und a lot of it.” 

Scorch heard the commotion and immediately got on his hooves.  Brumal and Zenith got up much slower and sleepier but were soon wide awake as hundreds of animals of all different species ran through the stream.  In the midst of the stampede was a small doe standing calmly in the middle of the stream.  It seemed like she was directing the animals, as if the chaos of fleeing wild life was orderly.

The doe continued to give directions and the animals seemed to respond.  “Everyone stay together.  Help each other out and be careful.  Stay in the stream, if anyone’s hurt I’ll tend to them.”

The three unicorns and Zenith stood mouths agape at the sight before them.  The doe was young, hardly taller than Scorch yet here she was commanding a herd of wild animals, and they were listening!  After most of the animals passed by the group the doe noticed the wide eyed group.  She squealed in shock and ran to the other side of the stream.  The unicorns raised their eyes in confusion.  

Zenith looked genuinely concerned for the mysterious doe.  “Oh dear are you ok?  We won’t hurt you I promise.  My name is Zenith and these are my friends Scorch, Brumal and Terra.”  She said as she pointed at the unicorns.  

The doe seemed to relax slightly but still appeared to be on edge.  “My name is Amare.  I’m not exactly used to having outsiders in my forest.  I’m a bit afraid of other civilized species, that’s part of the reason I live secluded in the forest with my animal friends.”

Brumal snorted then whispered to Scorch, “She stands in ze middle of a stampede of vild animals und directs zem but she’s terrified of a few ponies.”

Scorch laughed, “Vell ve are pretty terrifying.”

Amare still looked scared as she spoke, “A few days ago someone came to my house when I was out and killed one of my friends.  Next thing I know the forest is on fire and giant machines are rolling through my home.”

Zenith nodded, “Yeah, then they destroyed my city.  These ponies were a recon group that helped me evacuate the city.  They suffered losses and now they want to help end the war.”

All of the unicorns looked at the ground sadly.  Scorch stepped forward, “Vas zat small cottage in ze clearing near ze center of ze forest yours?”  

Amare nodded sadly then Scorch continued, “Und vas your friend a large bear?”

Amare nodded again with tears rolling down her cheeks as Scorch kept talking, “I’m sorry but it attacked us.  Ze vounds on Terra’s face are from zat bear.  Ve vere just defending ourselves und it saw us as a threat to its cubs so it fought.  Ve did vat ve had to und I’m sorry.”

Amare was shaking but she reluctantly nodded, “I understand, you did what you had to.”
Scorch continued, “Ve started ze fire.  Ve vere just following orders but now ve see ze unnecessary destruction zat it has caused und ve vant to help.”

Amare started crying, “My home, it’s all gone.  Why? Who would make you destroy a harmless forest and displace all the innocent animals inside?”

Scorch sighed, “I guess you vouldn’t know being secluded in your forest.  A var broke out between ze deer, ze ponies und ze Fair Trade Order.  Ze city near your forest is ze capital of Zebrica, a nation in ze FTO.  Ve vere ordered to burn your forest to get our army near ze city discreetly und zen destroy ze city.  Unfortunately our General used us as dispensable pawns to serve as a distraction vile he attempted to massacre millions of innocent zebras.  So after ve lost our friend und my brother ve escaped.  Now ve are trying to get to safety und discuss our next move.”

Amare was silent for a long time, still crying while she processed what she had heard.  She then replied with a somber look on her face, “I bet it was my species that started the war.”

Scorch looked at the young doe sympathetically, “Ze ponies und ze FTO almost accomplished peace but to do so ve had to strip forests of zeir resources.  Ven ve did ze deer attacked us both, zen our treaty fell apart starting an all-out var.”

Amare continued to look mournful, wiping away tears from her eyes.  “I’m sorry.  My species is arrogant and cruel.”

Scorch shook his head, “No, all of ze species are responsible und now it is our responsibility to end zis var before zere’s more loss. Besides you had nozing to do vith it, you didn’t even know about it till ve told you.  You’re just another innocent victim of its cruelty.”

Amare brightened up at Scorch’s words.  Her face then seemed to gain some confidence. “Do you need help escaping the forest?”

Scorch nodded, “Ja, ve are kind of lost.”

Amare smiled slightly, “Just follow me and my friends on the stream and I’ll get you to the beach.  Once I get the animals to safety would it be okay if I maybe came with you?  If I can stop any more of these tragedies from happening then I should make an effort.  Plus now you’ll have somebody from every side of the war.  It will help when speaking to each alliance, give you credibility and earn some trust.”

Scorch laughed, “You sure are smart und brave for being so young.  Not to mention zat you live isolated yet you seem to have quite ze education but you don’t have to, it’s not your var.”

Amare chuckled slightly, “Why thank you kind sir.  I used to live with my own kind, I finished most of my education before I left.  Besides this is now my war.  My home was destroyed by it and it involves my species and my world so I must do everything in my power to help end it.”

Scorch nodded, “You are very brave Miss Amare.  Vell shall ve get going?”

The group was begging to gather their things when a tree fell next to them.  The temperature immediately got hotter and smoke started to fill the air.  The fire was now surrounding them on all sides.  The group quickly galloped into the stream and retrieved Amare.

Scorch was looking into the burning forest intensely. “How did ze fire catch up to us so quickly und surround us without us noticing?  I know zat’s why ze animals vere fleeing und ve could smell ze smoke earlier but ve couldn’t see ze fire.  Now all of ze sudden it’s surrounding us und burning quickly at zat.”

That’s when Scorch heard an engine roaring and the shouts of Germaney soldiers.  Scorch quickly ordered the group of now 5 to run.  The group quickly galloped down the stream to avoid the fiery forest.

Scorch looked over to the concerned Amare, “Vill your animal friends be okay?”

Amare looked at Scorch in return while they continued to gallop through the stream. “They should be.  They know to follow the stream out of the forest and they’re probably far ahead of us by now.”

Scorch nodded then continued to gallop in front of the group.  The water was slowing their progress but they couldn’t stop.  The stream started to get stronger and deeper the farther they went.  Many small tributes were feeding the now large stream yet the farther they ran the faster the fire seemed to spread.

Brumal took the lead in case the fire became a problem.  They came to a wide expanse of the stream that could now be considered a small river.  Brumal was running ahead of the group when several large trees fell in the river in front of him.  The large flaming trees nearly hit Brumal and they were now blocking their path.  Brumal quickly stopped and headed to the right bank were the fire wasn’t as intense.  The group quickly followed, no questions asked even though he was taking them deeper into the forest.  The fire was now coming from every direction and the air was filled with smoke.  This forced Brumal to constantly use his magic to put out fires in their way and to clear the smoke so that they could breathe.

Brumal was leading the group through the growing fire at a frustratingly slow pace.  Trees caught on fire were constantly a threat as they often fell without warning.  They had no choice but to keep moving to escape the troops behind them yet the farther they ran the farther into the forest they journeyed.  In the haze of the smoke and commotion they had no sense of direction.

Terra was taking up the rear in case any tanks came, her magic could easily make an obstacle for the large machines.  She was staying a little ways back from the group because she heard a tank closing in and she wanted to give her friends a head start.  A tree creaked next to Terra and in the time it took her to look at it, it was falling on her.  The tree quickly pinned Terra to the ground and put her in a daze.  She couldn’t move as fire from the fallen tree was licking at her body.  She could feel the searing pain across her back and she also noticed blood streaming from her face wounds.  They had opened back up and Terra was in too much pain to use her magic effectively.  

The group noticed her absence and hurried back to help her.  Brumal put out the nearby fires as Scorch used his magic to remove the tree.  Scorch levitated the injured Terra onto his back.  Brumal was clearing some of the fire to make an escape route when a large tank burst through the dying foliage.

The tank was painted black and had two large cannons on the turret with a machine gun on top.  On the body of the tank there were 3 guns.  The 2 end guns were flame throwers that connected to large tanks on its back.  The middle gun was a large machine gun aimed right at Zenith.  Brumal acted quickly, freezing the gun’s barrel. The gun backfired and the barrel exploded.  Almost immediately the cannons aimed down at Brumal and the flamethrowers lit up.  Brumal agilely dodged a blast from one of the cannons before jumping on top of the turret.

Brumal yelled down to his companions, “Run I’ll hold zem off.  Get Terra to safety, I can handle zese foals!”

Scorch yelled back angrily at his brother, “No, I vill not lose another brother!  You don’t need to sacrifice yourself, ve vill help!”

Brumal laughed at his brother’s fury, “I have no plans of sacrificing myself.  I can beat zem, now leave!”

Scorch was in an indecisive rage.  Finally he growled out of anger and took Terra to run.  Zenith and Amare followed closely behind.  Brumal smiled triumphantly on top of the tank.  His mirth was short lived though as the hatch swung open beneath him.  Brumal regained his balance as he stared in the eyes of a fellow Germaney unicorn soldier.  The soldier levitated out a large knife, paying no head to the fact that Brumal too was a Germaney soldier.  The soldier had a look of cruelty in his eyes as he swung at Brumal.  Brumal was fighting to maintain his balance on the turret while dodging the knife.  

The soldier swung wide at Brumal.  Brumal took advantage of his mistake as he leapt over the knife, planting his front hoofs into the soldiers face.  The knife fell to the ground as the soldier quickly recovered.  Brumal leapt off the tank and drew his side arm.  The soldier jumped off of the tank and picked up the knife in his mouth.  With a chilling cackle the soldier sprang towards Brumal making quick slashes.  Several swipes landed on Brumal’s chest drawing blood.  

Brumal continued to dodge back from the swings but he couldn’t keep it up forever.  Brumal noticed a pattern to the soldier’s swings.  When the knife was fully extended, Brumal swung his hoof around its outside hitting the unicorns horn.  The soldier stumbled back in pain but Brumal didn’t let up, he continued to beat the unicorn towards the tank.  Eventually Brumal hit the soldier against the tank, forcing the knife out of his mouth.  Brumal raised his side arm and shot the soldier in the head.  Blood covered the side of the tank as his body went limp.

As soon as the soldier fell over dead the tank roared to life and reversed away from Brumal.  Brumal quickly ran to the side as the cannon shells ripped through the forest behind him.  The tank began to push him after his friends.  Brumal ran dodging in and out of trees as bullets flew around him.  Several dug into his back but Brumal continued to run as the tank plowed through the forest behind him.

Brumal saw his friends closely in front of him.  Brumal stopped and made his stand against the massive tank.  The tank fired up its flamethrowers as Brumal continued to run to the side to find its blind side.  The flamers spewed fire out all around Brumal but he was able to avoid their flames, even in his injured state.  Brumal used his magic to freeze the flamers and then moved to freezing the treads.  The tank’s cannons turned to face Brumal but he froze the connection between the turret and the body.  Brumal ran up the top of the tank and froze the cannons shut.  He stood on top in triumph, looking at his awestruck friends who were a little ways ahead of him.  

Brumal cockily shouted to Scorch, “Und zat my brother is how you take out a tank!  No need to applaud, money und beer vill do just fine!”

Scorch shook his head laughing, “Come und join us our fearless tank slayer!”

Terra was now standing on her own as Amare dressed her wounds.  She was looking better but she had lost a lot more blood.  Zenith just smiled at Brumal but her face betrayed her fear of the tank.

Brumal laughed and leapt down in front of the tank, arogantly trotting towards his friends.  Before he could make it more than ten feet the flamers heated up and melted the ice.  The engine roared and the tank lurched forward breaking the ice on the treads.  It then forcefully turned its turrets at Brumal and fired two cannon shots, shattering the ice.  Brumal jumped to the side but the shockwave threw him against a tree.  Brumal stood up shakily and moved next to the tree preparing his magic for the approaching tank. 

The tank turned slightly not directly aiming at Brumal.  The machine gun on top roared to life, tearing apart the large flaming tree next to Brumal.  The tree fell on top of Brumal before he even realized what was happening.  The tank roared its engine as the trapped Brumal weakly looked up at the tear filled Scorch running towards him.  Scorch was yelling something but Brumal couldn’t hear him.  The tank roared to life as it lit the tree on fire.  After the tree was ablaze in a red flame the tank climbed over the tree, crushing any remaining life out of Brumal.

Scorch yelled in a fury, spraying fire at the tank to no effect.  The tank aimed its cannons at Scorch but the unicorn quickly sprinted to the side.  Before the tank could move Terra magically made a ditch under the front of the tank, forcing it to tip into the ditch.  The cannons were now aimed down and couldn’t get an angle on Scorch.  Scorch ran to the side of the tank, using his rifle to blast away at the pumps connecting the tanks to the flamers.  The pump came off spraying a fuel from the opening.

Scorch galloped away while yelling at the group, “Get back now!”

Terra ran to meet Amare and Zenith as she put up a rock wall between them and the tank.  The strain of her actions were causing her to bleed heavily again but she maintained the protective wall.  

Scorch shot a stream of fire at the pump.  The fuel quickly caught fire and spread to the tanks.  The back tanks exploded in a violent flurry of fire and metal.  The explosion entered the interior of the tank, blowing out the back completely.  The explosions caught the inside on fire and blew off part of the turret.  The fire and smoke climbed into the air quickly and the tank laid face down in a ditch with its back blown off as the entire machine lay engulfed in flames.  The tank almost matched the burning forest around it.  It was almost poetic as the metal machine burned to ash just as it burned the forest that it now laid motionless in.

Scorch was in a rage, shooting fire into the air randomly while yelling incoherently.  Zenith and Amare just stood back and watched, not sure how to react.  Terra weakly walked up to him and wrapped him in a hug.  They didn’t say anything, they just hugged quietly as Scorch’s breathing began to relax.  He calmed down and started to weep quietly into Terra’s coat.

After he was done crying he noticed that Terra’s grip was lose and she was putting all her weight on him.  Scorch pulled his head back and shook Terra.  She was unresponsive and went limp in is grip.  Blood was still streaming off of her face and her burns were bad.  Her breathing was shallow so Scorch levitated her onto his back to carry her over to Amare for medical treatment.  

Scorch asked Amare for her help, “Her vounds have opened up und she’s bleeding out!  Can you help her?  I can’t cauterize her vounds again because she’ll go into deep shock und likely die.”

Amare shook her head sadly, “I don’t have any supplies and my magic isn’t strong enough to heal these wounds.  Our best option is to get to the ship she told you about.  They will likely have medical supplies and medics.”

Scorch started tearing up again, “I can’t lose her too Amare.  I’ve lost my friend und both of my brothers.  Please she’s all I have left, help me save her.”

Amare and Zenith looked at Scorch in a caring, understanding way.  Zenith bowed her head, “I’m so sorry Scorch.  I won’t leave you even if it means being taken prisoner.”

Amare nodded, “Once I get my animal friends to safety ill join you on the ship.  You need all the support you can get.  I will use my magic to hopefully keep her stable until we reach the ship but we need to get going.”

Scorch nodded, “Cyclone, Torrent and Brumal vould of vanted us to continue on und save Terra regardless of zeir deaths.  I plan on honoring zeir memories und saving my friend.”

Scorch got control of his emotions and levitated Terra on his back in a more stable position for running.  He then took a deep breath and readied himself.  When he was prepared to make a run for the ship he turned back to his companions.  “Amare you need to lead ze vay.  Ze dense foliage is almost all burned so zat shouldn’t be a problem.  Zenith do you zink zat you can keep up?  You too Amare ve need to gallop at high speeds, can you handle it?”

Both of them nodded in unison.  Amare took the lead and started to gallop at surprising speeds while remaining extremely agile.  Scorch even with all his training had to work to keep up with Terra on his back.  Zenith was slower but she kept up well enough in the back to where they didn’t lose her.

After nearly two hours of hard running the group slowed down to catch their breathe.  They were nearly out of the forest and the trip was only getting easier.  The fire had died down and left the once thick forest now barren and flat.  After a short break they continued on at a slower pace going downhill.  In about half an hour they found the stream again.  They were near the beach when they noticed the group of animals amazingly still together, sitting still next to the stream.

Amare smiled and trotted towards her friends.  She gathered them together and they all sat in complete attention.  Scorch and Zenith stood in shock.  Scorch whispered lightly to Zenith, “How do you suppose she does zat?”

Zenith shrugged and shook her head, “I have no idea but they sure are responsive to her.”

Scorch nodded his head dumbfounded as Amare congratulated the animals.  “You guys did a wonderful job.  You all stuck together and made sure everyone was safe.  You all got here and waited for me obediently.  You guys make me so proud, you did so good even in my absence.  Now we need to get you to your new home and then I’ll treat you all too some snacks I brought with me for your excellent performance in getting here safely.”

All the animals erupted into what appeared to be their version of applause.  Amare turned around and smiled at the dumbstruck unicorn and zebra.  Amare then told the two what she was going to do next.  “Alright I’m going to take the animals to a nearby swamp where they will be safe.”  She turned back to the animals, “It might be a bit crowded but there is food and you will be safe.”  She then walked in between the animals and her new friends to address them all at once, “After all the animals are safe and settled I will be leaving to join Scorch and Zenith on a pony ship.  We will then attempt to end this tragic war so nothing like this ever happens again.  Any questions?”

She looked back and forth between the two groups.  The animals looked sad at the news of her departure.  Zenith and Scorch just looked at her, still shocked at her command of the situation.  Terra was still unconscious on Scorch’s back but she was breathing better. 

Amare then nodded confidently, “Alright good.  Scorch you and Zenith need to get to the ship and help Terra immediately.  All of my animal friends let’s get going to your new home.”

Scorch and Zenith watched as all the animals got up and followed Amare into the distance.  Scorch looked at Zenith, “Wow zat girl is impressive, especially considering how young she is.”

Zenith nodded, “Yeah, but she’s a deer.  She’s probably a lot older than us plus she’s been on her own for a long time.”

Scorch sighed, “Vell ve better get going.”  The two of them began their short trek to the beach with Terra still on Scorch’s back.  After about a 10 minute walk they came to the beach.  Lining the beach to the north were thousands of tents and off the coast were hundreds of massive ships.  Right across from them was a single fairly large ship that almost seemed isolated from the rest of the fleet.  The large ship was parallel to the beach and on it was written “GNN Kugel Destroyer Class”.  It was painted a dark black and had a large iron cross painted on its side.  The ship had four massive turrets with mounted cannons pointed towards Roam.  A small tent laid in front of the ship on the beach.  A raft was floating in the water next to the tent.

Scorch sighed and stared at Zenith, “Vell here ve go.  I’ll do ze talking, hopefully you von’t need to be taken prisoner.”

Zenith nodded but she looked scared and nervous.  Scorch moved the entrance flap of the tent and walked in.  There was a small bunk with a Germane soldier sitting on it.  When Scorch entered the soldier stood up and scrutinized the newcomer.  After a quick inspection the soldier noticed Zenith and his eyes narrowed.  

He viciously searched her then in a cold tone addressed Scorch, “Who are you und vhy is zis zebra vith you?”

Scorch answered him formerly, “I am Major Scorch of ze Germane special forces.  I have a vounded soldier vith me.  Her name is Lieutenant Terra, she says she knows ze Captain of ze ship.  Ze zebra is a friend who assisted us in our mission.  Her name is Princess Zenith.”

The soldier narrowed his eyes, “A superior special ops officer, a vounded soldier who knows ze Captain und a zebra princess.  Vell even if you are lying I’m sure ze Captain vill vant to see you.”

Scorch saluted, “Zank you.  Zere vill also be a deer arriving later zat is vith us for ze same reason.  Her name is Amare.”

The soldier laughed, “Zis just keeps getting better.  Alright I’ll take you to ze ship on ze raft before returning.  Just a bit of advice, be wary of your zebra friend around ze sailors.”

Scorch nodded and Zenith shivered slightly before gulping.  The group entered the raft then rowed to the large destroyer.  Once they reached its side they climbed up a ladder while the soldier tied down the raft.  The soldier then climbed up and escorted the group to the Captain’s office on the bridge.  Most sailors stopped and stared at them as they went by but very few said anything.  They all seemed genuinely shocked by the sight of a zebra being escorted on their ship.  There were a few glares and racial slurs thrown Zenith’s way but for the most part the sailors didn’t know how to react.

After a short walk with many twist and turns through narrow walkways and up metal staircases they finally reached the bridge.  The soldier opened the door and saluted a large unicorn sitting in a chair.  The unicorn had a shaggy white beard and a mane with a light blue coat.  He wore a uniform and hat that reflected his rank and ship.  The unicorn definitely had age to him and experience that shimmered in his sea green eyes.  The Captain smiled slightly at the soldier.  “Ah vat can I do for you sailor?”

The soldier saluted, “Captain Stern I have a Major Scorch from special ops vith a vounded Lieutenant Terra who claims she knows you.  Curiously enough zey also have a zebra Princess.”

The Captain’s eyes were wide with shock.  He quickly stopped the soldier from saying anything else.  “Zat vill be all sailor you are dismissed.  I vill take it from here.”

The soldier saluted then exited quickly.  The Captain looked at the limp unicorn on Scorch’s back then to the zebra.  Captain Stern turned to one of his sailors and blurted out rapid orders, “Take over ze ship.  I have important business to attend to.”  He turned back to Scorch, “Let’s get to ze infirmary quickly.  On ze vay I expect an explanation.”

Scorch nodded and Zenith followed them out of the bridge.  While they took several stairs and hallways down to the small infirmary Scorch filled the Captain in on their mission and what had happened.  They reached the infirmary and handed Terra off to the medic while they sat down and continued to talk.  Scorch had just finished explaining the part with Proditorem and Rommule’s betrayal.

The Captain took the news gravely and continued to ask questions.  “So Rommule used you to do his dirty work zen he used you as bait?”

Scorch nodded solemnly, “Yes zat vay he could destroy ze city vithout any resistance.  At zat point I decided zat ve needed to stop ze var at all cost for ze good of ze nation und ze vorld.  Zenith said zat she vanted to help und gave good reasons behind it und how she could help.”

The captain motioned for Scorch to continue.  Scorch took a deep breath, he’d been explaining their story for well over an hour and he was getting impatient.  “Zen ve entered ze forest und slept next to a stream.  Ze next morning a stampede of animals vent by directed by a doe.  Ze doe named Amare explained zat she vas ze caretaker of ze forest zat ve burned yet she offered to help us escape.  On our escape a tank started to burn ze forest around us.  Eventually it caught up und ve had to fight it.  My brother vas killed und I destroyed ze tank.  Terra vas injured right before ze fight by a falling tree.  She got burnt und her vounds opened up vider zan before.  After protecting Amare who had decided to stay vith us she started to bleed uncontrollably from ze strain.  She passed out in my arms from blood loss, ve didn’t have anyvay to help her.  So ve did vat she told us und came to you.  By ze vay how does she know you?”

The Captain rubbed his forehead with his hooves while sighing, “Oh zis is a mess.  Terra is my niece und I am her Uncle.  Vell ze news about Rommule is disturbing.  I may not agree vith your choice in regards to ze var but I respect it.  I vill help you und your friends in anyvay I can.”

Scorch smiled lightly, “Zank you sir.”

Captain Stern sighed heavily again, “I shouldn’t tell you zis under ze circumstances but Rommule deserves a swift kick in ze arse.  Rommule vas redeployed to ze Ibex Empire Campaign immediately after ze city vas destroyed.  Ze powers zat be are hoping for a repeat performance.”

Scorch stood up quickly and determined, “Ve must stop him from committing another atrocity.”

Before the Captain could respond Amare appeared in the door way behind the same soldier from before.  The soldier saluted then addressed his commanding officer, “Ze deer is here sir.”

The Captain studied Amare for a while then answered, “Zank you, you’re dismissed.”  

The soldier saluted then left.  Captain Stern addressed Amare, “Vell it’s good to finally meet you Amare.  I’ve heard about your exploits from Major Scorch.”

Amare blushed and bowed her head, “It’s an honor to meet you too sir.”

The Captain Laughed, “Oh I like zis one.  Vere do you find zese creatures at Scorch?  First my beloved Terra zen a zebra princess und a polite doe.”

Scorch was quiet and Amare and Zenith blushed in silence.  Before Captain Stern could continue the medic came into the room. “She is avake but it’s not good.”

The group followed the medic back into the infirmary where Terra laid on a table barely conscious.  Scorch and Stern ran to her side immediately.  Terra smiled at both of them, “It’s good to see you Uncle.  I just vish ve had met under better circumstances und Scorch you did a good job getting us to safety.  It vas an honor serving under you.”  

Scorch cut her off as he started crying, “Don’t say zat.  Don’t act like zis is it, you’ll make it, you alvays do.”

Terra laughed but went into a coughing fit.  Captain Stern started to cry too and Zenith and Amare were tearing up behind them.  Terra stopped coughing long enough to talk to her Uncle, “Uncle Stern you vere alvays my favorite but now I must ask a favor of you.”

Stern chocked back sobs, “Anyzing for my favorite niece.” 

Terra smiled at him, “Help my friends out.  Take care of zem, you might not agree but I know vat zey are doing is right."

Stern nodded while continuing to cry.  "Of course Terra."  She then turned back to Scorch looking mournful, "I'm sorry Scorch."

Scorch shook his head, tears flowing from his eyes, "You did nozing wrong it vas all my fault."

Terra started to cry and shake, "I'm sorry about Cyclone.  I vas stupid und got carelessly hurt.  I couldn't help you at ze comm. center.  Zen I vas powerless to help save Torrent and Brumal.  I vatched zem die.  Zey vere my family too."

Scorch cried heavily into Terra, "It vas ze bear zat hurt you.  It vasn't your fault, I should've been a more vigilant leader.  My leadership got all of you killed.  I am so sorry I couldn't save you Terra."

Terra shook her head, "No I am sorry zat I vasn't stronger for you.  Don't put zis on yourself, it vas Rommule's plan from ze beginning.  You need to keep leading Scorch."  Terra smiled at Zenith and Amare, "Scorch you must lead zem now.  Protect zem.  Promise me Scorch zat you vill and zat you vill do all zat you can to end zis var und kick Rommule's ass."

Scorch nodded his head and mumbled into Terra's shoulder, "I vill, I promise."


Terra looked at the gathered group, “It’s been a joy knowing all of you.  I vouldn’t change a zing.”

Terra looked at them with a peaceful smile.  The monitors started beeping then flat lined and Terra went limp with the peaceful smile still on her face.  Everyone was crying but Scorch couldn’t control himself.  “I lost my whole team.  My General betrayed me, my brothers are dead und now I couldn’t save the one pony I had left.”

Scorch was crying and hitting things in a hurricane of emotions.  He continued to sob out, “Not Terra too, don’t take her avay” over and over again.  Amare and Zenith both ran up and hugged him with tears rolling down their faces.  After half an hour everybody calmed down slightly.  

Captain Stern looked at the three different species before him with his bloodshot, tear filled eyes.  “I vill give you food und a place to sleep tonight.  If in ze morning you still vant to go through vith it I vill give you our best und largest speed boat vith plenty of supplies.  I’m not doing zis because I agree vith your choice but because it vas my niece’s last request.”

Scorch nodded and wiped some tears off of his face, “Zank you sir.”

The Captain nodded in response, “You better get some food und some sleep.”

The group nodded and followed the Captain out.  Scorch, Amare and Zenith all ate in silence in a small cabin, some more tears were shed for their losses.  They all eventually went to sleep after the tiring day.  The next morning they went out on the deck and found the Captain standing next to a large tied down speed boat.  The Captain greeted them, “Good morning.  Did you sleep vell?”  Nobody really gave much of an answer.  The Captain grunted, “Vell I guess zat’s expected.  Didn’t get much sleep myself.  So Scorch are you sure you vant to go through vith zis?”

Scorch stood proud and resolute, “Yes, for my country und for my lost friends und family.  Zis is ze right path und I’m prepared to take it.”

The Captain sighed and looked at both Amare and Zenith, “Und you two, are both of you sure?”

They both nodded just as determined.  The Captain sighed heavily again, “Very vell zen.  Zis boat has supplies such as food, vater, weapons und extra fuel.  It vill get you far.  Scorch do you know how to captain a boat?”

Scorch nodded, “I learned in special ops training.  Small vessels zat is.”

The Captain nodded, “Vell zen you best be getting on your vay.”

Scorch, Amare and Zenith climbed aboard the ship.  It was fairly spacious with several bunks in the hull and an abundance of supplies.  The engine on it was massive for the ships size.  The ship was painted with Germaney navy insignias and flew the Germaney flag.  The sailors lowered the ship into the water without question.  The boat was set free and Scorch and Zenith went to wave good bye while Amare went to check their inventory.  

Captain Stern waved them off, “Good luck Major, you’re going to need it.”

Scorch waved back, “Zank you for everyzing Captain.”  Captain Stern tipped his hat then went out of sight.  

Scorch and Zenith went to the captain’s chair of the speed boat.  Scorch fired up the engine and set his course.  The boat began to speed forward at an impressive speed.

Amare came up from below deck and joined Scorch and Zenith.  They all looked out into the never ending blue expanse.  Zenith looked at Scorch, “So where are we heading first?”

Scorch stared out into the empty sea.  “To ze border mountains between Equestria und ze Ibex Empire.  Zat’s vere Rommule is und ve are going to give him a friendly visit.  Ve vill stop him at all cost und put an end to zis var in anyvay zat ve can.”

Amare and Zenith glanced at each other then back at Scorch.  Scorch didn’t notice, his eyes were set forward.  He was determined and his eyes showed it in a steely shimmer that he held.  His Cobalt blue eyes reflected the ocean as he stared forward, towards his goal, towards Rommule and all the pain that he had brought him.  Scorch was a pony on a mission and he would not be sidetracked from the mission at hand.  The group sped forward towards the mountains, heading straight into the heart of the war.

> Chapter 2: Live and Let Fly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

				The End of Peace: Chapter. 2
Live and Let Fly
By: Ceasertiberius
As the weeks went on the war progressed in several directions.  The deer were becoming more aggressive and organized.  In the early days the deer were known as a locational threat.  Only attacking in small bands near their forests.  The deer caused minor annoyances to both sides, hurting supply lines and attacking small squads.  At most the deer would launch magic at nearby cities, causing reasonable damage but nothing devastating.

Several weeks after the destruction of Roam the deer became organized.  Their leaders became united and different deer species were spotted working in unison.  They began to launch massive attacks at cities with powerful magic.  This new more pressing threat divided the efforts of the FTO and the Union.  As a result the fighting between the two slowed down so that they could respond to the deer’s assaults.  

While many of the Union’s efforts were being redirected to deal with the deer, Rommule was still assigned to the Ibex offensive.  Rommule had a massive army deployed on the pony side of the bordering mountains.  He was waiting and studying his enemies’ tactics, preparing his own offensive.  Yet the Ibex had learned from the mistakes of the zebra’s.  Instead of just preparing defenses and underestimating their enemy, the Ibex were taking a more aggressive route.

The route the Ibex took was known as espionage.  The Ibex used their prong citizens as effective spies at gathering intelligence.  The prongs had the ability to ride lighting, allowing them to travel at unimaginable speeds.  The prongs used this ability to quickly get in and out of tactical locations, gathering knowledge as they went.  The prongs would not only use their speed to gain valuable intelligence but also to capture targets.  Prongs would take high value targets as hostages or even act as assassins, becoming a major problem for the Union.

The espionage of the Union could in no way match the Ibex and their prong agents.  Celsetia and the higher ups in the Union decided that Rommule needed to invade the empire immediately.  With an invasion in progress the Ibex would be forced to concentrate on defense instead of espionage.  Yet Rommule was not ready for a full on assault through the mountains, he estimated heavy casualties and an unlikely chance that they would reach and destroy major Ibex cities.  Regardless the higher ups ordered Rommule to prepare for the coming invasion.

A few weeks after the events of Operation Scorched Earth, Scorch and his new friends landed on the southern coast bordering the mountains.  As they made their way up the mountains towards Rommule, the General was readying his attack.  At the same time the prongs had been getting more aggressive and risky with their exploits.  They were begging to reach into pony territory, even as far in as Equestira.  While the Union fought with the Ibex in the shadows and on the battlefields, the deer prepared for their own assault.  All over the world near both Union and Order cities, deer of all species were gathering in secret.  Ready to attack the homes of their enemies while they were occupied with each other.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


It was midafternoon in the great sky city of Cloudsdale and the multitude of Pegasi were going about their daily business.  Soldiers flew in their jets and trained, weather teams went about Equestria, factory workers made the weather and the youth were occupied with school.  

Summer was nearing and soon new Pegasi would be graduating and thrown into the workforce.  In Equestria ponies graduated at the age of 20 and were expected to live till nearly 150, working for the majority of their lives.  In Cloudsdale the graduating class would often go off to train for weather duty but not everypony was destined to remain in a factory.

Winter Bliss was one of those special pegasi.  She was somewhat of a prodigy.  Not only was she academically superior to most her age but she could fly faster than most pegasi.  Because of her skill in school and in flight she was advanced three grades at a young age.  Her father, General Overcast of the Equestrian air force, was a driving force behind her daughter’s success.  He used his position to advance Bliss to higher classes, where she flourished regardless off the fact that she was much smaller and younger than her peers.

Winter Bliss was now 17 and her fellow students were all around 20.  On top of that she was nearly half their size.  This wasn’t solely on the account of her age, she was just a rather small Pegasus who was considered a late bloomer.  Bliss didn’t let that stop her though, she used her disadvantages to help motivate her to be an academic genius and to be the best young flier since Rainbow Dash.  

She was a bit cocky and arrogant as a result of her achievements yet she could also be extremely shy and socially awkward.  Being around older ponies made her accomplishments seem even grander yet at the same time made it hard for her to fit in.  Her greatest downfall was with stallions, she always had several crushes at once but she couldn’t bring herself to talk to any boys.  She would get extremely nervous and shy before running off unannounced from any stallion that talked to her.  This seemed to be a direct contradiction to her prideful attitude yet because of her circumstances it was understandable.  Her pride and shyness worked together to make her something of a social pariah, resulting in her sitting alone at lunch.

Bliss dreaded most of school because of her shyness but when she got to the flying course all of her confidence and pride came back to her.  Here she could show up pegasi much larger and older than her, making her forget her awkwardness.  It was her favorite part of school and she was lined up next to her classmates ready to take off.  

Even her cutie mark reflected her grandeur in flight.  Her mark was of several detailed snowflakes of different sizes in front of wisps of flowing wind.  Blowing and flowing in an elegant yet steadfast way.   She earned her mark when she was just beginning to learn how to fly.  A blizzard was rolling unannounced and unplanned through Cloudsdale, forcing many pegasi out of the sky.  That didn’t stop the young Winter Bliss who dove in and out of the whipping snow with grace.  She was even able to manipulate the harsh winter weather easily to her advantage.  As a result many thought she would be an outstanding winter weather Pegasus but her and her dad had much greater plans for her.  She saw the experience and her cutie mark as a sign of her flying skills and ability to succeed in the face of unimaginable odds.  She always kept that belief in mind, even now as she was preparing to fly against her much older and larger classmates.

Winter Bliss stood in her take off stance next to students who were over a head higher than her.  She readied her small, sleek body instinctively for flight.  The sun shined off of her light, powdery, blue coat.  Her darker more ocean blue mane and tail where cut at medium length to be more aerodynamic.  Her mane was held back by a hair band that matched the color of her coat, to keep her mane out of her face.  Winter Bliss got low to the ground and spread her strong feathered wings out behind her.  She narrowed her electric blue eyes in determination as the starting gun was shot.  

Winter Bliss shot forward at blinding speeds, leaving her peers behind her in a daze.  She was flying at top speed through the flight academies training course.  She agilely dove in and out of obstacles with grace and unmatched speed.  She quickly passed pegasi twice her size without missing a beat.  Winter Bliss crossed the finish line with a snowy white trail following behind her. 

She landed softly on a large cloud next to her instructor.  Her instructor whistled, “Another new record!  This level of flying hasn’t been seen since Rainbow Dash!”

Winter Bliss pumped her hoof in the air triumphantly, “Woo hoo, another record smashed!”

A moment later the rest of the class started to land after finishing their laps.  A large stallion with a dark blue coat trotted over to Winter Bliss grinning.  “Nice going Bliss!  I’ve never seen flying like that, especially not from someone so young!”

Winter Bliss turned a bright red and started stuttering quietly, “Haha, th-thanks.  It’s ummm not a big deal, you did good yourself, hehe.”  Bliss rubbed the back off her neck with her hoof while grinning awkwardly, never making eye contact.  “Well I gotta go soooooo, catch you later.”  Bliss shot off before the stallion could even react.  The stallion just stood on the cloud, confused and shocked as Bliss disappeared into the distance.

Winter Bliss was blushing furiously as she flew away from the stallion at top speed.  She was never good with boys, especially when she had a crush on them.  All she could think of was how embarrassing and stupid she acted.  Now her only choice was to fly away as fast as possible while she mentally kicked herself.  For all of her strengths and accomplishments she couldn’t help but feel jealous of the mares that got all the stallions.  While they flirted masterfully she just sat there and stuttered awkwardly before fleeing in a snowy haze.  

Bliss landed on a cloud on the outskirts of the city.  She started hitting the cloud rapidly out of frustration before slowly calming down.  Winter Bliss laid on the cloud for an hour, thinking over and over about how stupid she was.  Then she’d regain some confidence in her great feats before she was brought down again by her embarrassment.  This cycle lasted for nearly an hour before she decided it would be best to head home, to finish her homework so she’d have the weekend free.  

With new found excitement for the coming weekend Bliss took off, headed towards her home.  Bliss typically finished her work early but she was especially eager because her dad was coming home for the weekend and she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.  The war had taken her father all across the world for long periods of time.  Winter Bliss often missed her dad and revealed in the time they had together.  This weekend was no exception, Bliss already had a full schedule prepared for their time together.  Most of all Bliss wanted to show her father her new flying tricks because it would make him proud and nothing in the world brought her as much joy as her father being proud of her.

Bliss flew to her home which lay on a cloud on the edge of the military base.  The base in Cloudsdale was the center for all Union air operations.  As a result many personnel were made to live there and the base was often over crowded.  Being one of the top air force general’s for Equestria, Bliss’ dad was given a manor on the edge of the base, away from all the traffic.

Bliss flew high above the chaos of the base until she was directly over her house.  She then dived and landed in front of the cloud manor.  Great pillars of clouds held up the large multi storied house.  At one time Bliss was awestruck by the size and architecture of the house but now it was just another part of her life.

Bliss opened the door and walked through the hallway, into the kitchen were her mother Crescent Shine was cooking.  Her mother was an average sized Pegasus with a navy blue coat and a lighter, dusky blue mane with pearl white streaks.  Her mother smiled at her gently, “Hello Winter Bliss how was your day?”

Winter Bliss sat at the table and put her head down.  “Well….I smashed another flight record and got really good grades. Yep that’s about it.”  

Bliss buried her head in her hooves to hide her slight blush.  Her mother knew there was more to it but decided not to push.  Instead she kept cooking with both pegasi remaining quiet for a time.  Eventually Winter Bliss smelled the food her mother was cooking and raised her head to comment, “Mmmmmmmmmm, that smells good mom.  What are you cooking?”

Crescent smiled lightly while continuing to work, “Stir fry alphalpha noodles.”

Winter Bliss jumped out of her seat ecstatic, “Mine and dad’s favorite! Are you making it because he’s coming back tonight?”

Crescent laughed lightly, “Well of course.”

Bliss had a large grin on her face as she spoke excitedly, “When’s dad going to get home?  Will I be able to show him my new tricks tonight?”

Crescent still had her light smile but she sighed, “It’s hard to know when exactly.  The war has him busy and he has to be ready at a moment’s notice.  He will likely be home late and he’ll be tired, so you might have to wait until tomorrow.”

Bliss groaned heavily and rolled over on the table hiding her face again. She mumbled in a sad tone, “I hate this war.  Always taking my father away.”

Crescent looked at her daughter, her smile replaced with a small frown.  She walked over and hugged her daughter tightly.  “I know hunny, I hate it too.  Your father hates it more than any of us.  Trust me, he hates being away from us even just for a second and he has to watch his friends and soldiers die and cause destruction.”

Bliss started crying quietly, “Then why doesn’t he just quit?  He could just stop and always be with us.”

Crescent hugged her daughter harder, “Oh hunny you know he can’t do that, it’s his duty.  He does it to serve his nation and to protect us.  Because of his service we can send you to fancy schools and live in this house in safety.  I know it’s hard but hopefully this war will be over soon and we’ll all be together again.”

Bliss sniffled and looked up at her mom.  She wiped the tears from her eyes, “I know it’s his job and he has to do it.  It’s just hard.  It was easier before this stupid war took him from us constantly.”

Crescent let go of her daughter and smiled at her, “I know what will cheer you up!  How about you help me make your favorite food for your father?”

Bliss laughed while rolling her eyes as she responded sarcastically, “Yeah, sounds like loads of fun.  I just like the eating part not the making part.”  Regardless of her snide remark Bliss got up and happily helped her mom prepare dinner.

It was around 8 at night and dinner was finished about an hour prior when the front door swung open.  In walked a large, stormy grey Pegasus wearing a decorated military uniform.  He set down his bags by the door and took a deep breath.  His mane was black and white, cut short in military fashion.  His electric blue eyes beamed into the house with a sense of joy and elation.

The Pegasus smelled his favorite food in the air and began to make his way towards the kitchen.  The instant he started to walk a light blue blur flew out of the kitchen.  The small, light blue Pegasus had a massive grin on her face.  The grin almost seemed impossible for her size yet it was gleaming with joy that was reflected in her electric blue eyes.  General Overcast’s electric blue eyes met those of the much smaller Pegasus.  

The General began to grin before a light blue mass hurled at him, at blinding speeds yelling, “Daddy!”

The young Pegasus knocked her father across the hall to the door.  General Overcast shook his head to regain his composure.  When he looked up he saw a young, light blue Pegasus with his electric blue eyes, grinning down on him gleefully from atop his chest.  

Overcast grinned up at his daughter lovingly, “My Bliss!  How’s my girl?”

Winter Bliss wrapped her dad in a big hug while mumbling into his coat, “I set a new record and my grades are as good as always.”

Overcast laughed, “That’s my girl, you’ll beat Rainbow Dash yet!  Well we better get up, smells like your mom cooked our favorite dinner.”

Winter Bliss bounded off of her father.  She grabbed his hoof and hurriedly dragged him towards the kitchen.  “I helped you know.”

Overcast chuckled, “Oh did you now.  What prompted that?”

Before Bliss could answer they entered the kitchen.  Crescent Shine smiled warmly at her husband and immediately galloped over to wrap him in an embrace.  Overcast gladly returned the hug and kissed his wife.  Winter Bliss just rolled her eyes as she sat down at the table.  The married couple separated as Overcast sat next to his daughter and Crescent served the food.  

The rest of the night the family joyously ate and talked together.  For them it was a happy reunion, as short lived as it might be.  At around midnight, the couple put their child to bed and went to bed with each other, shutting the door behind them.

After her parents had gone to bed Winter Bliss got out of bed.  With all the excitement of the day and with the promise of even more excitement the next day, there was no way that Winter Bliss could sleep.  She was up for a little over an hour, thinking to herself before she decided that she was still hungry.  Bliss remembered that there were still left overs from dinner in the fridge.  She got up and made her way downstairs quietly.  She entered the kitchen and yawned a little too loudly.  She slowly made her way towards the fridge when a bright light out of the window caught her attention.

Winter Bliss bolted to the window, looking every direction to see what the disturbance was.  There was no one and nothing in the immediate vicinity and the sky was clear of any clouds.  Bliss rubbed the back of her head before returning to the fridge.  Bliss quickly dismissed the light as a result of either her tiredness or some military activity.  Either way she had more important matters to attend to, such as her grumbling stomach.  

Bliss opened up the refrigerator’s door and the light shined brightly down onto her and into the hall.  She rummaged through the fridge’s contents in an attempt to find the leftovers when something moved behind her, casting a shadow in the light from the fridge.  Bliss took the stir fry, slammed the fridge shut and spun to face the hallway, all in one quick motion.  There was nothing within eyesight and there were no sounds.  Bliss peered out of the arch from the kitchen, into the hall then up the stairs.  She was about to continue her search when her stomach growled in defiance.  

Winter Bliss sighed and went back to the kitchen to finally eat her meal.  Winter bliss ate her leftovers for several minutes in peace.  There were no sounds, no shadows or lights, just a calming silence.

Winter Bliss finished her food and was going to clean up her mess in the sink.  As she made her way to the sink she heard a ruckus and soft pfft followed by a bang on the floor above her.  Winter Bliss dropped her dishes in the sink and ran for the stairs.  As soon as she exited the kitchen she rounded the corner and went to the foot of the stairs.  

Bliss was about to climb the stairs when she was stopped dead in her tracks.  Standing on the stairs directly in front of her was a strange creature.  He had two medium sized, curved horns that protruded from each side of his head symmetrically.  He was wearing a black tuxedo with a red bow tie that covered his brown and white coat.  The creature smiled down at the young Pegasus in a very formal manner.  His small, blue eyes pierced into her, as if they were searching for something.  He was standing on crackling blue balls like it was a common occurrence.

Winter Bliss stood at the bottom of the stairs, confused and shocked by the creature that stood before her.  The creature dusted off his tuxedo then cleared his throat to address the Pegasus, “Ah you must be the General’s daughter.  It is a pleasure to meet you madam, but I’m afraid that we have not been formally acquainted with one another.”

Bliss stood still not sure what to do, she had never seen a creature like this before.  His accent was strange but very formal and polite.  The creature looked at her expectantly, waiting for her response.  Winter Bliss gathered her thoughts and started to stutter out a response, “Oh….uh ummmmm……my name is ummm Winter Bliss, and you are?”

The creature took her hoof and kissed it lightly.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Madam Bliss.  Now let me introduce myself, my name is Prong, James Prong.  I am a, how do you say a colleague of your fathers?  Well in any case we are in similar businesses.”

Winter Bliss was still stunned but she was slowly putting the pieces together. “So…….Mr. Prong, Why exactly are you in my home at this time at night and how are you standing on the clouds?”

James smiled at the young Pegasus deviously, “Well my dear I am here to see your father and pick up a very valuable package.  After the package is secure I must make a trip to Aura, to pick up a second package.  Once both packages are secure I will deliver them to my superiors back at HQ.  As to my ability to stand on clouds, I am a Prong and we have the ability to ride lighting.  That ability allows us to move at blinding speeds and to move on the clouds.”

Winter Bliss appeared uneasy under the constant gaze that the prong gave her.  “Lightning Hu?  Okay…….So…….what exactly are these packages that you need to secure?”

The prong laughed haughtily, “Oh a curious one are we?  I’m sorry but that is classified information, I do hope that you understand.  Now we must proceed with business, time is of the essence.  Miss Bliss do be a good girl and go get some cleaning supplies.”

She looked up at the prong in a confused stupor, “Why……..why would I need cleaning supplies?”

James was making his way upstairs as he turned around to answer Bliss with a sinister grin on his face.  “Because my dear you are going to have guests soon and you need to be a courteous host.  Now there is a mess upstairs that needs to be cleaned and we don’t want your esteemed guests to have to see such a grotesque display, now do we?”

“Ummmmmm…..I guess not.”  Winter Bliss was at a loss.  She had no idea what to do or what was going on.

James’ grin grew even wider as he continued up the stairs.  “Good, now hurry up and meet me upstairs.  This mess needs to be sorted out before they get here.  Oh and by the way bring a garbage bag.”

Winter Bliss nodded not knowing what to do as she made her way into the kitchen.  She gathered up some simple cleaning supplies and a garbage bag.  She made her way upstairs and saw James standing in front of her parents’ room.  He was wiping his brow with a handkerchief and staring intently into her parents’ room.

Winter Bliss was now even more confused than before.  She brought him the supplies as she asked questions, “Who exactly is coming?  Why do you need a garbage bag?  Why are you at my parent’s room?”

James Prong smiled at the confused Pegasus, “Why the authorities of course, who else would be coming my dear?  And like I said before we need to clean up this mess, part of that entails taking out the garbage.”

Winter Bliss was stunned, “Why would the authorities come and why is the mess in my parent’s room?”

James gestured with his hoof into her parents’ room.  Winter Bliss looked in the room for the first time that night. Most of the room was in complete chaos, sheets and furniture were thrown everywhere.  The blinds were torn and the bed looked like a twister hit it.  Her father was tied up and bloodied in a corner, seemingly unconscious.  His hooves were bound and his wings were tied behind him.  His mouth was tapped shut and his face had several large cuts and bruises on it.  But what caught her attention immediately wasn’t her bound father.  What drew her attention was a pool of dark red blood flowing from a female Pegasus who was spread out next to the bed.  Her white night gown was stained red.  There was a bloody hole through her chest and she was completely motionless.  Her eyes stared towards the door with a dull expression of horror.  

Bliss screamed and bolted to her mother’s side instantly, dropping all the supplies without a second thought.  Winter Bliss held her mother’s dead body, sobbing into it heavily.  She was being covered in blood but she could care less.  At the moment the only thing that mattered to her was her loving mother, dead in her arms.

James sighed, “I really hoped that you would be more professional about this.  Now look at you, you’re covered in blood.  It’s completely unacceptable and unpresentable.  Clean yourself up, this is unbecoming of a young lady.  Need I remind you that you have guests coming?”  James threw a dirty rag at Winter Bliss, “Hurry up, you don’t expect me to clean this all on my own now do you?”

Winter Bliss continued to cry heavily while holding her mother.  She looked at the prong with her tear filled eyes.  “What happened to her?  Did you do this?”

James rolled his eyes, “I told you I had to pick up a package.” He gestured towards General Overcast then looked at Bliss’ mother.  “This one tried to stop me from completing my mission.  I tried to take the General peacefully but he is quite the soldier.  Typically I’m silent but he sensed me and woke up.  We had a quick skirmish in which I rendered him unconscious, a little worse for wear but what can you do?  Your mother objected to my work and rushed me.  Now I’m not supposed to leave witnesses and she was being uncooperative.”  

James levitated out a sleek silver pistol with a long black barrel from his tuxedo.  “So I put her down.”  He said completely nonchalantly as he aimed the gun at a vase and pulled the trigger.  The vase shattered but the gun made only a light pfft sound.

James looked back to Bliss who was still clutching to her still mother. “But I’m a league above the rules so I let minors, such as yourself, live.  It would be very ungentlemanly of me to hurt a child, don’t you agree.  I will let you live to fly another day.  So for my generosity I expect some hospitality in return.  So why don’t you make yourself useful and make us some tea hmmm?”

Winter Bliss got up shaking in a fury.  She began to yell furiously at James, “YOU KILLED MY MOTHER!  I Will NOT LET YOU TAKE MY FATHER YOU MONSTER!”

James rolled his eyes and sighed.  He put a hoof to his face in exasperation.  He looked at Winter Bliss unamused, “Oh don’t be so melodramatic.  I’m just doing my job and I really must be heading off to Aura to get my other package, so can we skip the whole fighting part?  Just let me take your father, I really don’t want to have to hurt you.”  

Winter Bliss was in a rage, dark clouds were starting to form over the house and her electric blue eyes were burning with fury.  “YOU WILL NEVER GET AWAY WITH THIS!  YOU’VE MADE A HUGE MISTAKE, YOU TOLD ME YOUR NAME AND YOUR PLANS!  IF I DON’T STOP YOU THE AUTHORITIES WILL!”

James busted out laughing.  He took out his blood red handkerchief and wiped away a tear.  “Oh that’s rich.  I don’t care what the authorities know.  By the time they make a decision to act I’ll be back at HQ in Hong Prong.  Another mission completed flawlessly.”

Winter Bliss bellowed in rage, “YOU CALL THIS FLAWLESS?!  YOU KILLED AN INNOCENT CIVILLIAN AND NOW IM GOING TO MAKE THIS ALOT MESSIER FOR YOU!”

Winter Bliss bolted at James, going at unthinkable speeds.  She put all her energy and built up anger into that one charge.  The windows in the house shattered as wind from the built up storm pushed her forwards.  Even though it was nearing summer, snow wiped around her as she barreled at the sinister prong.  All of the energy and power was concentrated directly at James Prong who stood still, looking bored.  

Bliss flew so fast that all she caught was his bored look then a flash of blinding light.  Before she realized what had happened she broke through several walls of her house and out the other side. She slammed on the breaks and looked back through her damaged house.  James was standing on the other side of her parents’ room, holding her bound father.  His eyes gleamed with amusement as he grinned deviously at the young Pegasus.  

Bliss sped up again to attack James but this time she sacrificed speed and power for accuracy. She shot through at still very impressive speeds.  When she got near James she pretended to misdirect.  She then turned and went right for him.  As soon as she got near there was another flash and Bliss stopped while kicking and bolting randomly in the area.

She stood heaving heavily, looking at the spot where James had been only a split second before.  She heard a chuckle behind her that prompted her to spin around.  Standing in the doorway of her parent’s room was James.  He was holding her father and chuckling haughtily at the flustered Pegasus.

He narrowed his eyes at Bliss slyly, “You are impressively fast Miss Winter Bliss but we prongs can ride lighting, as I have told you previously.  Now I must be going to Aura my business awaits me.  It’s been a pleasure madam Bliss.”  James bowed low then grinned at Winter Bliss.   As he bowed sirens started to sound in the distance.  “Oh and do be a dear and give the authorities my warmest regards.  Also visiting hours with your father will be between now and never.”  James snickered at Bliss’ angry yet confused and depressed mood.  “Well this is goodbye pip pip cheerio governor or whatever it is that you Equestrians think that we prongs say.”  James rolled his eyes in amusement while chuckling.

Before Winter Bliss could react he was gone in a flash of light, taking her father with him.  She sat down and started to cry silently.  She failed, she had never failed at anything before, well besides flirting.  Now her mother was dead and her dad was taken prisoner by an arrogant, overpowered prong that could move as fast as lightning.  

As Bliss sat alone in her depressed state, the sirens grew closer.  During this time a thought occurred to her.  James was right, the authorities would be too slow and indecisive to save her father but she could act now.  All she had to do was steal the air forces new top secret, high speed spy plane.  It could go 5x RD (Rainbow Dash’s top speed) and could carry up to 15 ponies.  It was also easy to maneuver and land, plus it was stealthy.  It was just too perfect and she knew exactly where to go, Aura.

Without a seconds hesitation Bliss flew out of her house and into the base.  She landed behind the heavily guarded hangar quietly.  It was night and the commotion at her house had resulted in a smaller security force.  Although as a result of her dad being captured security was also on high alert.  It was a blessing and a curse, forcing Winter Bliss to be stealthy.  

She was able to get past the fence guards and into the hangar by employing speed and timing.  Once inside she saw a scene of pure chaos.  For some reason the hangar doors were open and ponies were clamoring everywhere.  Bliss stayed hidden for a long period of time, planning and looking for an adequate way to enter the plane.  She eventually noticed sprinklers on the roof and a box of flares for the runway.

Winter Bliss quickly grabbed some flares and shot up to the sprinklers while lighting a single flare.  She held the flare to the sprinkler until it went off, causing a chain reaction.  As soon as all the sprinklers were active she dove outside and scattered several flares as distractions.  She then flew wide and reentered the hangar from the same spot, only this time it was empty.

The military pegasi were all outside searching for the intruder and any problems it might have caused.  Bliss knew they would soon return to investigate the sprinklers, so she hurriedly opened the side door to the plane and climbed in.  She sat in the pilot’s chair and looked over the instruments.  Her face was blank with confusion.  She had flown several military planes before to test her speed but this was on a whole other level.  

Bliss thought back on her previous plan.  She wanted to take the plane for its speed, room, stealth and easy maneuverability.  What she failed to realize is that all those things were possible because of the plane’s overly complicated mechanics.  She quickly used what electronics she knew and fired up the engines.  

Immediately military ponies started to stream back into the hangar, to investigate the sudden noise.  Winter Bliss quickly got all the instruments she knew in order and began to move the plane.  Soldiers everywhere flew around the plane, aiming guns and barking orders at Bliss.  She ignored them all and concentrated on moving the plane through the now closing hangar door.  Winter Bliss pushed the throttle forward, probably a little too forcefully.  The plane lurched forward and then burst out of the hangar easily, going at incomprehensible speeds.

She quickly pulled up to avoid the city of Cloudsdale that she approached much too quickly.  She readjusted course to Aura and attempted to find the autopilot.  The plane started to sway and fall uncontrollably.  Bliss quickly flipped some switches on a hunch and the plane righted itself.  It began to gain speed passing 3…..4……5xRD as it sped towards the sky nation of Aura.  The plane really was an engineering masterpiece of science and magic and it was full filing its purpose beautifully.

Winter Bliss thought to herself that she needed to sleep but the events of the day had no plans on rewarding her with rest.  Instead her mind was a frenzy of thoughts.  Depressing, self-demoralizing, hateful, vengeful but determined thoughts stormed in her mind.  She didn’t even attempt to sleep, she just sat in the pilot’s seat, staring forward while lost in contemplation.  She had her eyes dead set on Aura, on James and most of all on her father.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


Vespertilio was wandering the halls of her home in the dreary afternoon.  Her home was not what most ponies would consider a home yet it was still home regardless.  At a young age she was abandoned at the steps of the Celestial Orphanage in Aura.  Even though Aura was a melting pot for all flying creatures, especially ponies, no one wanted to adopt a bat pony.  All of the potential parents would see her neon green reptilian eyes and her large leathery bat wings and immediately go to look for other children to adopt.  

It’s not that she was the only bat pony in Aura, in fact there were many but bat ponies are very tightly knit within their own families.  Not leaving much room for an adopted child and all the other ponies were afraid of her.  Aura actually had the highest concentration of bat ponies.  At one point over a thousand years ago, bat ponies were just as common as pegasi.  They were natives of a land near Equestria and many of them served Luna.  When Luna became Nightmare Moon, many of them rebelled. In the war that followed they were driven from their homes and nearly pushed to extinction.  Celestia even went as far as to affect their fertility, by cutting it in half because most ponies held resentment against them.  Resentment that still lingers today.  The remaining bat ponies either moved to the south glaciers, where they founded Aura with other outcasts or they joined Celestia’s night guard reluctantly.  When Luna returned many hoped that they would get their land back but no such thing occurred.  Still many bat ponies left to serve under Luna, in the safety of Equestria.  So there wasn’t exactly a large market for orphan bat ponies, regardless of their population.     

She was instead raised by Sister Divinity from a baby until adulthood rather than a bat family.  She was the only pony that Ves had ever loved.  She couldn’t remember her family and all the other kids left too quickly for her to make friends.  So all she had was the head of the orphanage, Sister Divinity.  As a result she became a loner.  She worked hard in school and did plenty of chores for the orphanage, feeling that it was her responsibility to her adoptive home.

So as fate determined, Ves remained in the orphanage.  When she became an adult she decided that she wanted to stay and work at the orphanage.  It was the only home she had ever known and she felt like she owed it a debt.  Vespertilio quickly became the orphanage’s hardest and most beloved worker.  She would often run errands, such as grocery shopping for Sister Divinity.  She would then return and cook the meals for the children.  The children absolutely adored Ves.  She could relate to them and she would often play and read to the fillies in her free time.

Today there was a cold drizzle descending on the cloud nation.  A common occurrence in Aura, so much so that Ves paid no attention to the gloomy weather.  She continued down the dark hallway to go meet Sister Divinity.  Her dark royal purple coat looked even darker in the shadow filled hall.  Her mane was long, spiked and swept to the side with black and light violet streaks.  Her tail had the same coloration but was medium length and messy.  She styled her mane after her favorite musician, Vinyl Scratch who was long dead by that point.  

She idolized Vinyl and many other DJs.  She even made music for the children which is partially how she earned her cutie mark.  Her mark was of five silver sound waves, starting off small and getting larger.  It was similar to the symbol on electronics when the volume is turned up but without the speaker.  What was even more unique was the way she got her mark and how it actually came in two separate instances.  

The first instance was when she was still a filly.  She listened to her first Vinyl Scratch album and she was instantly hooked.  She noticed how depressed all of the other fillies were and she wanted to cheer them up.  With this idea in mind, she used her excellent bat hearing to try to mimic the notes on several different instruments.  In that one day she played the guitar, drums and piano parts of several songs, just from hearing.  All of the orphanage children would gather around her and watch in awe as she played so many instruments flawlessly.  She even attempted to teach the other children how to play but none could match her skill or hearing abilities.  Regardless it brought joy to the children and herself, resulting in 3 silver sound waves appearing on her flank. 

The second instance was a bit less joyous.  It was right after she started working for the orphanage.  Ves talked Sister Divinity into letting her take the kids to a late night free concert farther in town.  They were coming back late at night, taking alleyways as short cuts when a griffon cornered them in an alley.  He pulled a large blade on the kids and demanded all their money.  Ves continually told him that they were orphans and had no money but he wouldn’t listen.  Eventually he got impatient and grabbed one of the children, holding the blade to her neck.   This prompted Vespertilio to act.  Her eyes glowed a bright green and the shadows moved, restraining the griffon.  The griffon quickly broke free and lunged at Ves.  Ves yelled for the children to cover their ears as she let out a glass shattering sonic screech.  All the windows in the area shattered and the griffon laid on the ground, clutching his head.  Ves quickly restrained him with shadows and escaped with the children.  Once she and the kids got back to the orphanage she noticed (to her surprise) two more silver sound waves, larger and in front of the others, had appeared.  The marks not only represented her musical and screeching talent but the lengths that she would go for others, to bring them joy or to protect them.  

She continued to walk down the empty hall.  Only her bright, neon green, reptilian eyes shown in the darkness.   She finally reached the large dual wooden doors.  She opened them slowly and light began to flood the hallway from within the room.  She slowly crept into the room and waited at the back.  Sister divinity was addressing the children.  The old frail mare had a light tan coat and greying hair that was covered by her nun gown.  Her frail wings hung limply next to her as she continued her lesson.  She always wore that same caring smile, even in the worst of times.  Her smile was especially loving now that she was teaching the children her favorite passage, which she was reading through her old glasses.

Sister Divinity was teaching the children from the Celestial book.  The book teaches of the origins of time and the morals and purpose of the Goddesses, Celestia and Luna.  The book also speaks of a prophesized third Goddess which held the children captivated. “Therefore in our darkest days, the heavens will part and she will descend to be among us, to be our salvation from the evil, and she will be called Caelus, the heavenly Goddess.” 

Sister Divinity finished the passages and put the book down. The fillies started to exit the room, happily conversing with one another and often times greeting Vespertilio with huge smiles and hugs.  

After all the children were gone Sister Divinity walked over to Ves smiling.  “How are you Vespertilio?”

Ves smiled lovingly back.  It was different from her usually distant smile.  Even with the fillies that she cared for deeply she only smiled in a reserved manner.  Her reasons were simple, fillies came and went, it’s best to not get attached yet it’s still important to be loving and generous.  Sister divinity was Ves’ only constant, thus she gave her the loving smile.  “I just finished cleaning the halls and I was just wondering if you had anything else for me to do.”

Sister Divinity smiled at Ves warmly.  “You have always been a hard worker my dear.  Now that I think of it we do need some more groceries.”

Ves immediately asked to do the errand, “I’ll get whatever you need.  There and back, 10 seconds flat.”
Sister Divinity chuckled slightly but was interrupted by wheezing. Ves ran over to help the old nun.  Ves had concern plastered on her face, “Are you okay?  You should rest and I’ll take care of the orphanage.  Do you need your meds?”

Sister Divinity looked at her meaningfully, “I’m quite alright dear, I’m just getting old.  You can’t do everything on your own you know.  You give more than enough to me, the fillies and this orphanage and you’re no Rainbow Dash.  You can’t do everything in 10 seconds.  You need rest and I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.  Just go get the groceries, I have the list and once you get back take a break.”

Ves took the list reluctantly but didn’t leave the Sister.  “Are you sure?  I can handle it, I promise.”

Sister Divinity shook her head and backed away from Ves.  “No, I can handle the orphanage, I’ve been doing it for a century and I will continue till I die.  If you want to help go get the groceries, I can’t be out in the rain anyways.  Then you can help by getting some sleep, so that I can stop worrying about you all the time.  It will give my worried mind a rest for once.”

Ves hesitated to leave which brought out Sister Divinity’s surprisingly stern side.  “I said go.  Goddess girl you can be stubborn, even if it is kind of sweet.”

Ves flinched and then made her way out the door.  She turned around one last time, “I always loved that passage.”

Sister Divinity smiled at Ves, “I’ve always loved it to dearie.”  Sister Divinity winked at Ves before she left from sight.  The sister sighed and rubbed her forehead with her hoof.  She started to talk out loud to herself, “That girl is our only hope, she just needs some friends to help her along the way.”  The sister laughed heartily, “We’re doomed.”	

Ves exited the orphanage and made her way down the street, through the constant drizzle.  She was soaked almost instantly but it didn’t bother her.  She spread her large leathery bat wings and flew to the nearest grocery store.  She got there quickly and began to get the long list of groceries for the orphanage.  After about an hour she finished. 

As she was checking out she heard loud bangs outside.  The bangs grew louder and were eventually accompanied by screams.  Ves quickly got her bags and bolted out the door.  She saw several fires closer to downtown.  Even a few clouds were disintegrating and falling from the sky.  

Ves was about to fly back to the orphanage when a massive, fiery purple ball tore through the buildings in front of her.  When it passed the buildings were either in shambles or they were completely obliterated.  She looked up and saw several more of these magical balls falling from the sky.

Ves quickly flew up into the air to see where they were coming from.  She gazed off towards the coastal mountains to the north of the city.  There she saw bright flashes of light, all along the forest lines of the mountains.  The lights were followed by massive balls of magical energy being hurled at the city.  The number of the magical objects only seemed to increase as time went on. They started landing all over the city, decimating anything in their path.  Ves started to panic as the city fell apart around her.  She didn’t know what to do as she witnessed her fellow citizens fleeing in full blown panic.  

Ves finally got herself together and bolted towards the orphanage to get the children to safety.  Once she got near her home several jets flew overhead.  Sirens were going off and the intercoms were ordering all civilians to stay on the clouds unless there’s an emergency.  Ves obeyed and landed as more planes flew overhead at low altitude.  

Ves was approximately a block away from the orphanage.  She could see the faces of several fillies who were looking out of the windows, some in awe, some in fear.  Ves was determined to get the innocent children to safety.  She began to gallop towards her only home when one of the massive balls started to fall from the sky.  Ves looked at it in horror and then back down at the orphanage.  

Ves readied herself to speed towards the door when the ball struck the side of the building.  It destroyed half of the orphanage then proceeded to disintegrate part of the cloud below it.  The structure started to collapse into itself, preventing any remaining survivors from escaping.  The building Started to fall out of the sky and into the ice water far below.  Ves started to fly at top speed as the building fell out of the sky.  Large pieces, whole sections plummeted from the clouds and into the depths below.  She finally reached the site of the orphanage as the last bit fell through the clouds, tumbling into the unforgiving ocean below.

Ves landed on a cloud next to the massive hole in the city.  She peered over the edge and watched as the current swept up the debris.  Her home, the only home she ever knew was gone and with it the lives of dozens of innocent kids.  The only pony that she had ever loved was now somewhere at the bottom of the ocean.  When the orphanage fell from the sky it took Ves’ entire life with it to a watery grave.  Vespertilio laid down on the cloud and wept furiously as the destructive balls of magic fell all around her.  Her life was gone, the mayhem around her was meaningless and she continued to sob.

Eventually she got up.  She still had tears flowing from her eyes but now she had a new purpose.  If she couldn’t save those that she lost then at the very least she could give them a proper burial.  Ves stood at the edge of the gaping hole and she plunged down towards the ocean with new found purpose.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


The room was dark yet there was a multitude of ponies running around frantically.  The only light was the glow from the computers and the flashing red light of the alarm.  A large maroon Pegasus with a gray mane stood in the middle of the chaos yelling out orders.  The Pegasus was in full blown work mode and none of his soldiers even considered second guessing him.  

In the back stood a large male griffon.  He had an eagle’s head with silver feathers and large, sharp golden talons.  His back half was that of a black panther.  The griffon had a large sword on his back and two SMGs strapped to his side.  The only thing he wore was a black chest plate with a white insignia on it.  He stood on his back two paws, sharpening his talons out of boredom.  Ponies ran all around him in a panicked state but they likewise paid him no heed.

The griffon looked up as the Pegasus yelled extremely loud out of frustration.  “Hurry up!  On the double soldiers!  The city is falling out of the sky as we speak!  Where the hell are my bombers!?  Get them to decimate the mountain sides at once!”

The Pegasus started to pace impatiently, “How did the moose mount such a powerful attack without us knowing?  Since when have the deer been so organized?  And how the hell didn’t we have intelligence on this!?”

A large, overly buff, brown Pegasus came up and saluted the General.  “General Fire Storm, we believe that the moose were using their powerful magic to hide their movements.”

General Fire storm flew into the brown Pegasus’ face, “I don’t give a damn about what you believe, I want you to fucking know!  And why the hell are you just standing around?!  Go bomb the fuck out of those mountains!”
The massive Pegasus stuttered in fear as he saluted, “Y-yyessss sssir!”  He quickly flew off and none of the other soldiers even flinched.  

The griffon grinned in the back while continuing to sharpen his talons. Fire Storm continued to rant, “I want these fucking moose dead!  They are destroying my country!  I want their homes burned and the survivors hung up on display!  They will pay for this accursed fireball attack!”

A soldier sitting at a computer turned around and saluted the General.  “General Fire Storm, the bombers have made contact.  Several have been shot down but the attacks have waned significantly.”

Fire Storm flew above the rest of the soldiers, “Well it’s about damn time but I don’t want the attacks to wane, I want them to cease!  I also want those damn moose killed then tortured!”

The soldier at the computer raised his eyebrow questionably, “Ummmm sir we can’t effectively torture something that’s dead.  Do you mean torture then kill?”

Fire Storm started bellowing down at the soldier, “Oh shut the hell up and do your job!  Nobody asked for your fucking opinion and nobody needs it!”

The soldier saluted, “Yes sir, sorry sir!”

Fire Storm landed next to the large muscular griffon.  “I need to make some important phone calls in my office.  Follow me Cutlass.”  The griffon got on all fours and followed the General into the elevators.  The doors opened up into a much brighter hallway yet there were still ponies running around chaotically throwing papers.

The General walked through the chaos like nothing was wrong, even though a large bang would shake the building periodically.  The General turned to talk to Cutlass, “You know you’re the only one I can trust.  All of my soldiers are untrustworthy, incompetent pieces of shit!  But you, I know you will remain loyal.  Do you know how?

Cutlass stared at Fire storm with his cold golden eyes.  He responded coolly in his distant way, “How?”

The General beamed back at him with his orange eyes.  He looked crazed and devious at the same time, like some evil genius.  “Money Cutlass, money.  I am your source of income, all of my soldiers are just placed under me, most of them unwillingly.  But you are loyal because I pay you directly and at a high price I might add.  You see Cutlass money is the greatest motive in the world.  You can buy anything if you have enough of it, power, land, loyalty.  It’s all attainable through the common denominator of money.  You and I, we understand this, those stupid soldiers don’t.  That’s why I can trust you, I am your income.”

Cutlass snorted, “What if someone pays me more to betray you?”

Fire Storm grinned greedily at Cutlass, “Well then I have lost and I deserve to lose but those soldiers only obey me out of fear.  Fear is effective but it doesn’t gain trust.”

Cutlass narrowed his eyes at the General, “It seems unreliable.  Money buys loyalty until someone with a bigger check comes along.”

Fire Storm still looked smug as he spoke, “That’s why I choose griffon mercs.  You griffons are bound by the contracts you sign, it’s in your culture and your blood.  Therefore your impeccable loyalty to the contract ensures your loyalty to me, once you sign it of course. That is until the contract expires.”

Cutlass sighed “I suppose that’s true.”

The General continued to walk forward with a prideful grin on his face.  Cutlass only worked for the paranoid, arrogant General because the pay was good and the work was easy.  When Cutlass and his sister were fairly young their father took a contract and never returned.  By the time he was a young adult his mother had taken a contract to help the diamond dogs fight the buffalo.  She died in combat, leaving Cutlass and his sister alone but now he could take care of himself.  He was a quiet, cool, distant and ruthless griffon, making him a perfect mercenary.  Fire Storm knew this and that’s why he hired him.  

Cutlass followed the General obediently into his office.  Fire Storm opened the door and walked in.  There standing in his office, making coffee, was a prong wearing a tuxedo.  The brown and white prong poured a cup of coffee then turned to look at the General.  “Ah General Fire Storm, how nice of you to join me.  You know it is quite rude to keep your guests waiting.”  The prong took a sip of his coffee and grinned sadistically at the General.  His accent seemed to give off almost too much formality.  “I even took the liberty to make you coffee.  Now wasn’t that generous of me?”

Cutlass immediately pulled out his two SMGs, holding them in his talons as he stood on his paws.  Fire Storm pulled out a golden pistol and held it with his wing.  All three guns were aimed at the prong who didn’t even flinch.  Fire Storm started to demand answers, “What the fuck is a prong doing in my office!?  How the hell did you get in here!?  Speak now or else my office is going to have a new paint job!”

The prong took another sip from his coffee looking overly amused.  “Is that anyway to treat your guests?”

Fire Storm yelled again, “Who the hell are you?!”

The prong set down his coffee and looked at the General with his small blue eyes.  “Oh how rude of me!  I have yet to introduce myself.  I am Prong, James Prong of his Excellency’s special service.  Now I am here to pick up a very valuable package.”

Fire Storm snarled at the prong, “I have no package for a dirty prong such as yourself!  Now get out of my office before I blow your fucking brains out!”

James sighed, “Tsk tsk, such language from such an esteemed leader.  It’s unfortunate that society has fallen this far.  Wouldn’t you agree?”

Fire Storm cocked his gun and growled, “I’m sick of playing games!”

James looked pleasantly surprised, “Oh, so you will come with me willingly?  Good, fighting is so barbaric.  Your friend is already back at HQ waiting for some company.”

Fire Storm hesitated, “My friend?”

James raised his eyebrow “Well yes, General Overcast of course.  Who else?  Haven’t you heard?”

Fire Storm looked stunned, “Heard what about the General.  I haven’t heard anything, I’ve been dealing with this attack from the moose.”

James nodded understandingly “Ah yes, the uncivilized deer are attacking.  Disgusting creatures aren’t they?  No respect for proper war or living.  Such a shame, they were once a revered and sophisticated species.  Now back to business.”  James pointed at Cutlass with a hoof, “You, make yourself useful and get me a martini, shaken not stirred.  The General and I have business to attend to in private.  You see General Overcast is going to be spending some time with me and you’re going to be joining us General Fire Storm.”

Cutlass growled ferociously at James.  Fire Storm grinned arrogantly at James, “I won’t be going anywhere with you.  I bet you didn’t know that when I draw my gun the military is alerted from a tracker inside my holster.  They will be here any second.”  Fire Storm laughed haughtily as if he had just won.

James chuckled slightly “Oh but I do know, General.”

Just then the door opened and five soldiers flew in with assault rifles aimed at James.  The soldiers yelled at James to freeze.  James only looked slightly amused, “I actually prefer shock gentlemen.”  Several bolts of lightning struck each soldier in the chest.  The soldiers fell to the ground with large burn marks on their chests.  The burns were smoking and the soldiers appeared to be dead.

James chuckled manically, “Well wasn’t that entertaining?  I do love electricity, so much cleaner than guns.”

Fire Storm looked scared and panicked as he yelled for Cutlass, “Fire Cutlass, fire!”

Cutlass unleashed a flurry of bullets at James.  As soon as Fire Storm yelled, James launched himself into the air with lightning.  He leapt over the desk, dodging the onslaught of bullets and in the blink of an eye he was on Cutlass.  He struck the griffon in his chest plate with his hoof that was flowing with an electrical current.  Cutlass was thrown back against the wall with a burn on his chest.  

Cutlass wasn’t dead but he was rendered unconscious.  His thick skin and armor prevented any permanent damage unlike the unclothed soldiers who were instantly killed.  James looked at the griffon curiously, “Looks like I’ll have to turn up the voltage for that one or just use a bullet.  Hmmmm bullets are quite messy, what to do, what to do……?”

James put his hoof to his chin, pondering which course of execution he should take.  Fire Storm took this opportunity to fire several shots at the prong.  James continued to ponder as an electrical wall sprung up between him and the General.  The bullets fell to ash in front of James who turned to the General, smiling insanely.  “Oh that was a truly feeble attempt General.  How disappointing, I expected better from the world renowned General Fire Storm.”

James disappeared in a flash of light.  The General stood shocked until he turned around.  James’ face was nearly touching the General’s face.  “Surprised General?”  Fire Strom brought his gun up but James instantly shocked it out of his wing as he leaned in closer.  “I’m not going to kill you General.  Just come with me peacefully so that we may conduct our business.”  James grabbed the General and pinned him up against the wall with a sly grin.  He then looked at the unconscious Cutlass with a frown, “I never did get that martini.  How unfortunate.  Never the less we have to get back to Hong Prong.  Overcast is awaiting your arrival General.”

Fire Storm looked out of the window to his right and his eyes grew wide.  James raised his eyebrows, “Don’t tell me you’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel General.  I’ve hardly touched you and if you have a heart attack I’ll just shock you to life again.  I won’t allow you to die, we still have business to attend to back at HQ.”

The General was still staring out of the window in shock.  James turned his head to see what the General was looking at.  As soon as he did a blue blur rammed into him.  James flew against the opposite wall where he was pinned by a small light blue Pegasus.  James was startled at first but he quickly regained his composure and grinned at the Pegasus, “Miss Winter Bliss, how kind of you to join us.  I was just getting my second package, a friend for your father.  Now I must ask how did you find me so quickly?  I am quite impressed that you were able to get here, find me and then pin me to a wall.”

Winter Bliss Grinned cockily up at the equally arrogant prong.  “I took a very special plane.  In that plane there is a device that detects high concentrations of magic.  When I noticed a large amount of energy coming from General Fire Storm’s office I knew it was you.  Then it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment.  Simple really.”

James grinned in his same devious fashion.  There was a bright light and James was no longer pinned by Bliss.  Bliss growled in frustration and turned to see James holding the General by his neck.  “Very Impressive my dear.  Please allow me to congratulate you with a round of applause.”  James stomped his hoof and the whole room echoed with a clap of thunder.  “Yes bravo.  Well done indeed.”

Winter Bliss hissed at James, “Give me back my father and I might just kill you quickly.”

James busted out laughing haughtily, “You’re in no position to make demands my dear but it was quite adorable.”

Winter Bliss growled and then she noticed movement to her right.  A large silver and black griffon was getting up while he starred at James, glaring piercing daggers at him from his eyes.

James rolled his eyes, “Great now this one is awake.  Don’t worry I’ll make sure you stay down after this shock.”  James then glared at Bliss, “And you miss Bliss, you really do want me to kill you just like I killed your mother.”

Winter Bliss snarled at James.  Cutlass got up and aimed his guns at James.  For a moment everyone was still.  The tension in the air could be cut with a knife.  Winter Bliss spread her wings and got into a takeoff stance.  Cutlass spread his wings and tightened his grip on his guns.  James just looked forward with electricity flowing around him.  His usually devious grin was replaced with a mask of stoicism.  

Winter Bliss shot at James going full speed but at the last second she veered out of the window and into the clouds above.  This distracted James who teleported out of the way while keeping his eyes on Bliss.  Cutlass took this opportunity and got close to James.  He drew his steel sword and swung it a James, cutting his leg.  James jumped back and released the General.  He snarled then shot several bolts of lightning at Cutlass but Cutlass was prepared this time.  He spread his wings and flapped them hard, propelling him to the side.

Cutlass landed on all fours and charged James before he could fire again.  Cutlass swept his talons across James’ chest, drawing blood and tearing his tuxedo.  Cutlass then used his wings to dodge several more bolts.  Cutlass threw one of his SMGs at Fire Storm who used it to suppress James.  James was concentrating solely on his electric wall to block the bullets.  Cutlass flanked him and planted a heavy kick to his face with his back paws, drawing more blood.  

James flew against the far wall in a daze.  Fire Storm reloaded his SMG as Cutlass lunged at the wounded prong.  Right before Cutlass landed on James there was a bright light and he was behind the General, staggering with blood oozing from his chest.  Fire Storm leapt back and shot at James who just disintegrated the bullets.  Cutlass ran from the other side of the room straight for James but James didn’t react until Cutlass was almost next to Fire Storm.  As soon as the griffon and the General were close, James disappeared in a flash of light.  He reappeared in between them as Cutlass passed the General.  James did a light taze to the General then blasted Cutlass with lightning.  

Cutlass landed against the wall, his armor burned through and his breathing burdened.  James stepped past the unconscious General and towards Cutlass.  Blood was flowing from James’ face and his chest profusely.  James levitated out a handkerchief and dabbed some of the blood on his face.  He looked at the already red cloth disdainfully.  He then levitated out a pistol with a large silencer on it and aimed it at Cutlass.  “You really have become a nuisance.  You ruined my handkerchief with my own blood.  This time I won’t make the mistake of letting you live.”  James actually appeared furious, his brows were set and his eyes were narrowed.  He sneered at the injured griffon as he put his gun to Cutlass’ head.

James was about to fire when a torrent of wind and twisting snow plummeted through the roof.  The wind was spiraling down at a point like a twister wrapped in snow yet it had a direction to it.  The barrage of weather curved and struck James hard, propelling him out of the window.  The winds died down and in its place stood an angry Winter Bliss.  “That was for my mother you bastard!”

Winter Bliss ran over and helped up the injured Cutlass.  Cutlass grimaced as he stood on all fours, his breathing was labored to say the least.  “Do you think that got him?”  Cutlass asked in a deep growling voice.

Winter Bliss stared out of the window intently, “I doubt it but it bought us time.”

The time was very short lived.  The whole side of the building was blown off by a surge of electricity.  Bliss looked where the wall had once been and in its place was open sky.  Just outside the room James stood on arching bolts of lightning that flashed in and out.  Lightning flowed all around him, obstructing their view and blinding them.  James had a face of pure hatred on him as he stood on striking lightning.  The electricity danced around him chaotically but he seemed to have control over it.  His blue eyes were now flowing with electricity and currents traveled all across his body.  His tuxedo was burnt to a crisp as the waves of electricity passed over him.

James held his head high and yelled at the group, “ENOUGH!  I WILL NOT BE MADE A FOOL OF BY A CHILD AND A MERCENARY.  NOW YOU DIE!!!!”

Before James did anything multiple helicopters rose from the clouds behind him.  Soldiers flooded the skies and clouds around him, all aiming their guns at him.  A loud megaphone boomed from one of the many attack helicopters that loaded missiles, ready to fire.  “Halt, this is the Aura Air Force and we have you surrounded!  Land on the clouds and cease your magic or else we will be forced to fire on you!”

James screamed in anger, his calm, posh persona was absolutely gone by this point.  James was in an absolute furry.  Electricity surged around him pushing the copters away as he screamed at Bliss.  “I AM TAKING THE GERNEAL BACK TO MY COMMANDER GENERAL MOUNTGOMERY AND YOU WILL NO LONGER INTERVINE!!!!”

A huge ball of electricity formed around James.  The electricity wrapped around him and pulsed for a time.  It then released in a blinding flurry.  The shockwave from the electricity put the attack copters into tail spins and knocked down all the soldiers.  When the light dimmed James had the General on his back.  He sneered at Winter Bliss and then was gone in a flash.

Winter Bliss slowly got to her hooves as the soldiers around her groaned in agony.  Winter Bliss rubbed her head, the shock had given her a splitting headache.  She mumbled to herself in exasperation and annoyance, “Great now I have to fly to Hong Prong.  Through enemy air space and into their espionage headquarters.”

The griffon named Cutlass slowly stood up behind her.  He was breathing heavily as he addressed Bliss in a raspy voice, “Take me with you.”

Winter Bliss spun around in shock.  “You!  Why would you want to go to Hong Prong?”

Cutlass sighed, “He kidnapped the General and I need money from him.”

Winter Bliss looked at him suspiciously, “I’m going to save my father.  I am also trying to end the war and this is a good step to accomplish both for me.  So the question is, why should I trust someone who’s only in it for money?”

Cutlass sighed through his pained breathing, “I hate the war too.  The war has harmed me much in the same way as you.”

Cutlass looked at the ground stoically.  He attempted to keep his demeanor and his distance from the suspicious Pegasus.  Winter Bliss narrowed her eyes, “Oh really.  How so?”

Cutlass looked at Bliss hesitantly, not knowing if he wanted to tell her.  “The deer captured my sister to do flight experiments on her.  They demanded a ransom for her return, hence my need to retrieve the General from the prongs to get that money.”

Winter Bliss wasn’t even attempting to hide her suspicion now, “What?  That makes no sense.  Why would the deer capture her for experiments and then demand a ransom?  Also what would the deer want with pony currency?”

Cutlass huffed in irritation.  “What they want is easiest to obtain by using money.  Once I have the money I can get it to them.  Please she’s my only family.  My parents died awhile back and we’re all that we have.  I’m nervous because this makes me look weak and I hate being weak.  I don't like talking about it.  Family isn't a pleasant subject for me.  So please help me get my sister back by getting me to Hong Prong.  Besides I will help you retrieve your father.”

Winter Bliss looked Cutlass over then sighed.  “Fine, just stick with me and do what I say.”

Cutlass mumbled something under his breath but Winter Bliss couldn’t hear it.  Bliss flew out of the window and off to the north.  Cutlass followed close behind her.  Winter Bliss was going to board the plane that was floating, hidden above the city.  Before she got in she looked down and noticed a crowd of Pegasi surrounding a gaping hole in the city.  The attacks had since ceased and the civilians were flooding the streets.  What caught Bliss’ attention besides the giant hole, was a strange Pegasus.  The Pegasus had a dark coat and she was continuously diving into the hole then coming back with bodies, small bodies.

Winter Bliss slowly started to drift towards the hole.  She was in a type of distracted stupor, being drawn to the scene.  Cutlass raised his brow at her and quickly flew to catch up.  Bliss landed on the edge of the hole and gazed down.  It was a shear drop down into icy water.  Debris was being pushed around by the current and the strange dark purple Pegasus was flying out of the water.  “What’s going on here?”  Winter Bliss asked out loud to no one in particular.

A strange, light orange Pegasus with spiked wings answered her somberly.  “This used to be an orphanage.  It was hit during the moose attack, the whole place fell into the ocean.  So far there are no survivors.  It’s the largest causality toll so far and they’re mostly children.  Such a tragedy.”

Winter Bliss rubbed the back of her head.  “So who’s the strange Pegasus then?”

The orange Pegasus answered solemnly with tears forming in her eyes.  “Oh that’s Vespertilio and she’s a bat pony.  She worked at the orphanage…….well she was raised there.  It’s the only home she ever knew.  She was out running errands and came back to see the building get destroyed with the fillies trapped inside.”

Bliss frowned and turned around to see Cutlass sitting behind her with no emotion, just staring at her coolly.  Bliss lowered her eyes, “That’s awful but what is she doing?  Does she really expect to find survivors and why isn’t anypony helping?”

The Pegasus sighed and shook her head, “She knows there are no survivors.  She’s just recovering bodies.  I’m sure most of us would help if we could but we’d freeze in that water.”

Winter Bliss looked confused, “Well then how can she dive in and out of the water?”

The Pegasus raised her brow at Bliss, “You’re not from around here are you?  As I’m sure you know pegasi are very resilient against weather, especially temperature but freezing water will get to us quickly.  Bat ponies’ coats and leathery skin is more water resilient so they can handle it better, plus she’s too determined to care about the cold.”

Bliss started to get frustrated, “Well then where are all the other bat ponies?  Why aren’t they helping?”

The Pegasus grimaced, “Bat ponies are tightly knit and keep to their families.  Ves doesn’t have a family so they’re not really willing to help.”

Winter Bliss started huffing in anger, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!  That’s it I’m helping!”  Ves flew up and dropped off another young corpse next to the others.  Before she dove into the water again Winter Bliss called out to her.  “Hey you!  Yeah Vespertilio, I’m going to help you!”

Ves turned around in shock and stared at the little blue Pegasus.  Bliss was startled by her bright neon green eyes that had slits instead of pupils.  The bat pony was soaked but the water was slipping off of her.  She was shivering but only slightly which was impressive in itself.  Winter Bliss noticed her leathery wings and her eyes all at the same time.  Bliss finally got over the shock, she was kicking herself for being surprised.  Ves was a bat pony, what did she think she was going to look like?  All of the ponies including Ves looked at her like she was an idiot. Winter Bliss got her cocky attitude back and yelled out in confidence to the onlookers.  “They don’t call me Winter Bliss for nothing!”

Before anyone could tell her she was being stupid, Bliss dove into the water at blinding speeds.  The ice cold water hit her like a brick.  Bliss almost released her breath but she held it out of determination.  She could feel her body tensing up and fatiguing quickly.  She was having an extremely hard time concentrating and her vision was blurry.  Everything ached but she pushed to a large part of the building at the bottom of the ocean.  

She dove down quickly and broke through a thick wall.  Her whole body felt like it was being compressed and her lungs were on fire.  She didn’t have the momentum under water that she thought and her body was paying for it. She quickly looked around and noticed an older mare floating near a book.  There were no other bodies in the vicinity so Bliss grabbed her and quickly shot up to the surface.

When she broke the surface she quickly gasped for breath.  Each breath was pained but they were each a glorious blessing.  Bliss slowly started flapping her wings while pulling up on the body.  Her breathing and motions were all labored.  Everything hurt and she was shivering uncontrollably.  

All of the ponies up top just looked down in complete shock.  None of them expected her to surface again.  Cutlass dove down and grabbed Bliss and the corpse lightly in his talons.  He dropped the body off next to the others and laid Bliss down nearby.  Immediately several ponies came over to dry her off and give her medical attention.  Bliss heard the crowd saying things like hero and so brave but it was Cutlass’ remark that caught her attention.  He was standing over her, glaring down at her with his golden eyes, “Idiot.”  He then walked away and Bliss chuckled lightly to herself.  Cutlass went a ways behind her and several pegasi went to treat his burns.  

One thing that she eventually noticed was that Ves was nowhere to be seen.  As soon as that thought crossed her mind Ves flew out of the hole with a filly in her arms.  Ves laid the body down and then noticed the commotion to her side.  Her neon green eyes locked onto to Bliss.  Her gaze then traveled to the body of the old, frail, tan mare near Bliss.  The old mare was wearing a black cowl and Ves was hesitantly walking towards her body with wide eyes.  She stopped and stood over the body.  A single tear fell from her face and she smiled lightly.  “It’s……..It’s really her.”  Ves looked back at Winter Bliss with a grateful smile, her eyes tearing up.  “You got her?  She was so far down and the building was in tatters.  I didn’t think I could ever get her.  Yet a Pegasus who’s not even from here, risked her life for a stranger.  You could’ve died but you still went down and got her for someone you’ve never even met.”

Bliss just grinned in a prideful way at Ves.  “I’d do it for anyone, really it’s not a big deal.  You needed help and no one was giving it to you, so I did.”

Vespertilio’s grin grew larger and she ran over to Bliss, crushing her in an embrace.  “Oh thank you, thank you so much!”  

Bliss was gasping for air as Ves tightened her grip.  She eventually eased up and held Bliss in her hooves.  Ves looked into Bliss’s electric blue eyes with her neon green ones.  She leaned in and kissed Bliss on the lips passionately.  She then released Bliss and dove back down the hole in the clouds.  

Bliss sat completely stunned.  Almost like she was in a coma or in her own world.  Her whole face was a burning bright red.  Everyone just sort of looked away except for Cutlass.  He was a little ways behind Bliss, smirking immaturely with his golden beak at the scene.  Bliss didn’t even move, still blushing furiously until Ves reappeared.  She had the book in her hooves that Bliss saw underwater.  Ves laid the book on the mare and stood over her in silence.  She was staring down at the body with a mixture of sadness and joy.

The sight snapped Bliss out of her embarrassing stupor as she trotted over to Ves.  She sat down next to the bat pony and looked at the body in confusion.  Winter Bliss looked at Ves somberly, “Was she important to you?”

Ves sighed and a few tears escaped her eyes, “She was the only pony who was always there for me.  She never left and I loved her for her care.  I did everything I could to give back to her and my only home……now it’s all gone.”  Ves looked a Bliss with a small sad smile, “I’m sure you find it weird that I’m happy yet sad.  I’m sad for obvious reasons.  I saw my home destroyed and all the fillies and the pony I loved as a mother die.  Yet you gave me hope.  I didn’t think I could recover her but now, thanks to you here she is.  I even went through the entrance you made and got her book.”  Ves smiled back at the body that looked almost serene.  “She looks so peaceful.  I know she’s in a better place, a place where she can be embraced by Caelus.”

Bliss had no idea what she was talking about but it seemed important to her.  Bliss stared in silence at the bat pony for a long time before she asked a question.  “Ummmmm Ves.  You said that you don’t have a home anymore, soooooo…..I was ummmmm wondering if maybe?”

Vespertilio looked at Winter Bliss with her glowing eyes expectantly.  Bliss continued to stutter as she started to blush under Ves’ gaze.  “Well……would you maybe like to come with us?  Cutlass and me I mean.  We have a plane and we’re going to the Ibex Empire to get my father and General Fire Storm.  We also want to try and end this war in any way that we can and I just figured that you’d want to come along.  You must hate the war too and we could be like your home and family.”

Ves smiled with joy in her eyes.  She then looked back at the bodies.  “I’d love to but I need to burry these bodies first.  I most certainly do hate this war.  It’s the reason I have to burry all of these fillies and Sister Divinity while my home is at the bottom of the ocean.”

Winter Bliss perked up, “Well my plane is quite large so we could put the bodies in the storage compartment.  Besides where are you going to bury them in the clouds.  We’ll take them over the mountains and lay them to rest together.”

Ves didn’t know what to say.  She was so touched by this stranger’s kindness and generosity.  So instead of saying something meaningful, Ves just used some lame reasoning, “But that’s deer land and beyond it is Zebrica.”

Winter Bliss rolled her eyes and grinned smugly, “Don’t worry about them, you have me with you.  Nobody would dare attack you if I’m present.  I’ll whoop all their asses so fast that they won’t even know what hit them.”

Ves smiled stupidly at Bliss, showing her fang like teeth for the first time.  She embraced Bliss again, “Oh I’m sure we’ll be safe if you’re on our side.  No deer would dare touch us.”

Both of the ponies stood up and walked over to Cutlass who was sitting on a nearby cloud, smirking viciously at the two ponies.  He landed next to them and that’s when it struck Bliss.  She was by far the smallest of the three.  She didn’t even come up to Cutlass’ shoulders and Ves was at least half a head taller than her.  

Both Ves and Cutlass noticed Bliss’ irritated look.  Ves looked confused by her contorted face, “What is it Bliss?”

Bliss huffed in annoyance as she asked Ves a question, “How old are you?”

Ves raised an eyebrow, “Ummmm, 27.”

Winter Bliss flipped out, “27!  YOU’RE STILL TALLER THAN ME AND YOUR ONLY 27!  I’M 17, THIS IS SO UNFAIR!  I’M ALWAYS THE SMALLEST!”

Ves started to chuckle, “That’s what’s wrong?  I’m ten years older than you, I’m sure you will grow.  Besides you’re just a filly and a little cutey at that.”

Cutlass smirked evilly at Bliss who was mad and blushing.  Cutlass put his talon on Bliss’ head and patted it softly, “Awwww the pipsqueak is angry, how cute.”  Cutlass remarked in an extremely mocking tone.

Bliss was shaking with anger.  She had the most indigent look on her face that either of them had ever seen.  “PIPSQUEAK!!!  I’LL KICK YOUR FEATHERY ASS TO THE MOON AND THEN OUT FLY YOU WHILE IM AT IT!  I SEEM TO REMEMBER ME SAVING YOU FROM JAMES OR HAVE YOU ALREADY FORGOTTEN?!”  

Cutlass and Ves busted out laughing at Bliss’ tantrum.  They flew the whole way up to the plane while laughing.  Bliss angrily strapped herself in the pilot’s seat and started up the plane.  Cutlass loaded up the bodies and then curled into a ball in the back.  Ves sat next to Bliss still chuckling lightly. 

Bliss set coordinates to a valley in between the forests and Zebrica.  The plane flew forward reaching top speed.  The sun was setting in the distance and Bliss was getting tired.  She had been up for two whole days and the silence wasn’t helping.  So to keep herself awake she asked Ves an embarrassing question.  “Soooooo…..Ves.  About that kiss…..”

Winter Bliss was blushing furiously and Vespertilio looked at her blushing just as much.  “Oh yeah……that.  Ummmm, I didn’t mean anything by it.  Please don’t get the wrong idea, I like stallions I was just overly emotional.  You know my home destroyed and then you just come along and selflessly help me.  I just kind of overreacted out of happiness.  Sorry.”

Winter Bliss shook her head furiously while talking quickly, “No!  It’s okay, I like stallions too!  I’m just not good at talking to them!  The kiss was just unexpected that’s all!  Haha!”

Ves released a sigh of relief, “Good.  Now we can move on as friends.”

Bliss nodded her head rapidly, “Yep, friends.”

The plane slowed down and the navigation beeped at Bliss.  She looked at it and to her relief they had arrived at the burial site.  Eager for a change in subject, Bliss commented on it.  “Oh look we’re already here.  This plane never ceases to amaze me.”

Ves looked at Bliss sadly.  “I hope I’m not over stepping my boundaries but what happened to your father?  Why exactly do you need to go to the Ibex Empire?  Also how did you and Cutlass become friends?  He seems kind of distant.”

Winter Bliss sighed but not out of exasperation, out of relief.  She was glad that Ves was so willing to change subjects.  Bliss told Ves everything from James killing her mother and capturing her father, to meeting Cutlass and how they ended up traveling together.  She explained Cutlass’ story and James’ mission all the way up to Bliss helping Ves. While she explained the story to both Cutlass and Ves, they buried the bodies in a valley.  It took several hours to bury the bodies, lasting late into the night.  During this time tears were shed between Ves and Bliss  The whole time Bliss and Ves talked while Cutlass worked in stoic silence.

Once they finished they set off in the plane towards Hong Prong.  Cutlass stayed in the back sleeping while Ves talked to Bliss all night long to keep her awake.  They talked and joked about everything.  They often times had to console each other over their losses, crying into each other  Throughout the night they became close friends while Cutlass kept his distance.  

They crossed the ocean and after a long period of time they saw land.  By the time they neared the border mountains between the pony lands and the Ibex Empire, the sun was rising.  The sun caressed the massive snowcapped peaks.  It was a beautiful sight and the two girls couldn’t avert their eyes.  Even Cutlass came to the front and gazed at the towering mountains in awe.

Their amazement was cut short when several alarms went off.  Bliss looked frantically at several blinking lights.  Ves looked scared, “Bliss, what do those lights mean?”

Bliss grimaced, “Well we’re low on fuel and magical energy.  We need to land quickly. I’ll try to find a spot to land.”  Bliss looked over the navigation until she found a valley with a massive cave nearby.  “There, we can land in the valley, park the jet in this massive cave then take shelter there.  As a bonus it’s near the mountain passage to the Empire.  This is probably for the best, flying to Hong Prong would’ve been risky.”

Winter Bliss started to lower the plane into the valley.  The touch down was rough but there was no significant damage.  Bliss drove the plane into the cave that was larger than the hangar she stole it from.  The group got out of the plane, taking several supplies with them. The cave went far back with complex turns and passages.  The group decided it would be best to stay near the front of the cave.  

The three fliers went to the front of the cave and looked out at the snow covered range.  Bliss breathed in the fresh mountain air.  “We will get him.  We will get James and rescue my father and Fire Storm.  Then we’ll end this awful war that only causes pain.”

Cutlass gazed off into the distance.  “As inspirational as this is I think I’m going to go hunt for some food.”

Bliss rolled her eyes.  “Yeah thanks.  Now I’m going to go to sleep since you ruined my moment.  I’m beat, night everyone.  Well I mean morning…….you know what I mean.”

Bliss went into the plane to sleep and Cutlass took off into the mountains.  Ves remained at the caves opening alone.  She gazed wondrously at her surroundings.  She thought to herself about everything that had happened.  He mind was flooded with emotions.  She had hope for the future.  Hope that her friends could get her through anything.  She yawned and turned to go back into the plane.  As she walked into the cave, she thought she heard a deep growl from farther within the cave.  She quickly dismissed it as her fatigue and the emotional toll of the day.  She climbed into the plane and looked at the passed out Pegasus.  She smiled and climbed into the cot next to her.  Her eyes were closing and she thought to herself, “I have friends and a home now.  Yeah…..everything’s going to be okay."

> Chapter 3: Stand Firm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

				The End of Peace: Chapter 3
Stand Firm
By: Ceasertiberius

The day that Aura was attacked by the moose there were skirmishes taking place in the forests of Gildedale and the border mountains.  Lord Chieftain Iron Clad of Gildedale was continuously sending squads into the forests to find the deer settlements.  Most squads either never returned or came back empty hooved with heavy casualties.

Lord Iron Clad ignored pleas from his soldiers and the advice of his generals to take a different course of action.  He was set on his course, believing that if they found the settlements they could destroy the deer.  His stubbornness led to heavy loses and dissent in his ranks.  These problems came to a head when he continued to throw his own brother into the battles out of spite.  His commanders questioned his motives and began to plot a coup for the good of the Union and Gildedale.  

His actions became so disregardful of his troops that the other nations refused to send him reinforcements unless it was an emergency.  Celestia and the other pony leaders resented Iron Clad’s leadership.  There were even rumors that Luna was helping his generals plan a coup to appoint Iron Side as leader.  Iron Side had no knowledge of these plots but Lord Iron Clad suspected treachery.  Because of his suspicions against his half-brother, Iron Clad sent Iron Side on increasingly dangerous missions.  Every time his squad would get massacred while he’d return unharmed and self-loathing for his fortune.  Eventually Luna decided to send special troops with Iron Side to protect the potential leader of Gildedale.

In the forests around Gildedale and the Ibex Empire the deer were amassing for an attack.  They laid ambushes for the squads sent by Gildedale to conceal their actions.  Cornibus grew more and more fervent, wanting to escalate the conflict.  He organized a plethora of deer species and readied them to attack Rommule and Mountgomery. 

In the mountain pass between the pony lands and the Empire two armies coalesced.  Rommule had battalions of tanks and troops at the entrance to the pass with planes ready to go on bombing runs.  On the other side Mountgomery was gathering a massive army of Ibex while he gathered prong agents to undercut his enemy.  Yet Mountgomery had a much more devious plan to annihilate Rommule’s forces.  He was going to use most of his prongs as shock and awe troops.  But there was a special prong who invented ways to use weapons of mass destruction on their foes.  Mountgomery was putting his whole campaign into that one prong’s ability.  The actions of the leaders brought the war to a deadly head in a narrow mountain passage between the warring nations.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


It was early morning in the forests to the east of Gildedale.  Although the exact time was impossible to tell underneath the canopy of the forest trees.  Iron Side was trotting in between the trees carefully.  Every now and then he would motion for his four comrades to move up.  Iron side aimed his massive guns that were strapped to his battle saddle down a slope. There were two black tailed deer at the bottom talking.  His guns were much too loud so he called over one of his soldiers.  

All four of his soldiers were Gildedale earth ponies because the other nations weren’t willing to send troops.  As a result their abilities were limited.  A small brown earth pony pulled out a silenced rifle and took out the two deer.

Iron Side breathed a sigh of relief and stood up.  His iron grey coat appeared dull in the low lighting of the forest.  His dark grey and white mane and tail were cut short and cropped back in military fashion.  He stared through the scope of one of his guns with his rust colored eyes to see if there were any more deer.  When he gave the all clear he rendezvoused with his squad.  He was at least half a head higher than all of them.  He was also much larger being a lifelong Gildedale soldier.  His body was strongly built and buff due to years of roaming the great plains of Gildedale.  Iron side gave off a sense of authority and discipline but he was a honest and caring leader.  

He began to address his squad in his deep, rough and controlled voice.  “Alright we will scout down the hill for more deer then move to the objective.  There we will find out if my half brother is right for once.  Hopefully we will last till then.”

All of his soldier nodded in unison.  They had admiration for their leader even though this was their first mission under him.  Iron Side pointed at several soldiers and ordered them to certain positions based on their abilities.  

Iron Side hadn’t bothered to learn their names because of his recent tragic missions.  His first mission to scout the Shimerwood forest with 12 ponies ended with several dead and most wounded.  This event set of a chain reaction which started the war.  Then his half-brother Lord Iron Clad ordered Iron Side and his injured squad back into the Shimerwood forest.  His squad was getting slowly picked off the farther and farther they ventured into the forest.  Eventually Iron Side was the only remaining survivor.  He got to their objective which was an empty clearing.  There he was ambushed yet he somehow escaped the forest without injury, killing several deer on his way.

Once again his brother ordered him into a forest with a new squad of 5.  He learned their names and got close to them just to have them killed off.  Iron Side once again escaped unharmed.  This built resentment and self-loathing in the large earth pony.  He believed it was his fault that they had died and felt that it was unfair that he lived.  Yet Iron Clad gave him a new squad and ordered him on a similar mission with the same result.  Except that the killings were getting more grotesque.  

Iron Side had now lost three squads on four missions while he remained unharmed.  He was feeling extremely guilty as a result but other ponies started to resent Iron Clad and said that this was a sign that Iron Side was meant to lead them.  This angered Iron Clad who ordered Iron Side on a fifth mission with a new squad.  He completely ignored Iron Side’s pleas for a different mission or for him to relive Iron Side of his duty.  Iron Clad wouldn’t hear it.  This time he ordered Iron Side and 4 Gildedale ponies to the eastern forests to find black tailed deer settlements.  This time Iron Side didn’t get close to his soldiers, fearing that this mission would end similarly to the others.

Iron Side sighed again and watched as his squad spanned out.  Out of the corner of his rusty eyes, Iron Side saw a small brown deer with a black tail rushing him.  Iron Side quickly planted his feet firmly in the ground as the deer made contact.  The deer hit Iron Side at full force but it was like hitting a tank.  The deer slid off of Iron Side in a daze.  Iron Side didn’t even budge from the impact.  He turned a grabbed a large spear on his back with his mouth.  He swung the spear wide and slit the deer’s throat with the tip.  The deer fell, gushing out blood as Iron Side planted the spear into his side.  He then removed the spear and cleaned the blood off on the ground.  

Iron Side once again showed his prowess with the famous earth pony technique of stand firm.  Even his cutie mark reflected his ability with the stance.  When he was young his father made him go out on a scouting mission with a battalion.  They were near the east encampment when a stampede of bovine sprinted straight for the settlement.  The rest of the battalion moved to avoid the oncoming barrage but Iron Side remained.  He dug his hooves into the ground, creating a connection with him and the earth that made him immovable.  He then took his spear and planted it into the ground next to him.  He braced himself as the alpha bull slammed into him.  The bull was stopped dead in his tracks.  All of the other cows stopped Immedietly and turned around.  Iron Side’s bravery saved the settlement when no one else would. 

Afterwards an intricately carved wooden and steel spear planted into a mound of earth appeared on his grey flank.  The mark represented his talent at the art of stand firm.  It also represented his steadfast, strong, honest and disciplined personality.  Because of this he quickly became famous amongst Gildedale’s army for being so reliable.  He was also honest to a fault, feeling that lies were cowardice and only led to trouble.  Regardless of his popularity his younger half-brother, Iron Clad, was made Chieftain when their father died.  This was because of Iron Side’s mother.  His mother was supposedly a famous earth pony from Equestria but she didn’t stay in Gildedale.  Iron Clad’s mother on the other hand was their father’s wife and she was from Gildedale, giving Iron Clad favor.  Yet Iron Side never complained, he went on as a good soldier although many thought he should lead.

After he killed the small deer he quickly ran to alert his soldiers.  He noticed several of the small black tailed deer sneaking around his soldiers deviously, while snickering.  Black tailed deer were the smallest and most devious of the deer species.  They didn’t have particularly powerful magic but they were sneaky tricksters.  The deer were notoriously mischievous and they were out to prove it.  The little deer with their small horns jumped from their hiding places onto his soldiers.  Iron Side barreled down the slope towards them.

One of the soldiers was wrestling with the deer but he was getting overwhelmed.  Iron Side rammed into them and helped the soldier fight them off.  He shot his massive guns into their ranks killing three.  The other soldier used his shotgun to deface two other deer.  The remaining ones fled.  

Iron side turned to help the other soldiers.  One orange earth pony was running from the deer towards some shrubbery.  The deer snickered as they levitated out crude pistols and shot her in the kneecaps.  The soldier yelled in agony as she fell to the ground next to the shrubbery.  Several hooves reached out from the bushes and grabbed her, pulling her into their embrace.  Iron side ran to the bush and searched for the soldier but there was no sign of her.  He then heard high pitched screams off in the distance.  The screams were in utter agony.  They got increasingly loud until there was a blood curdling screech and then a gurgling sound.  Then the screams stopped and childish laughter echoed around them.  

Iron Side turned to help his remaining soldiers, shaken from what he had just witnessed.  A few deer lit fires in front of one of his soldiers who then proceeded to run.  They continued to light fires behind him until he ran over a pile of leaves.  The leaves gave way and the soldier fell.  All he heard was a bloody and squishy sound as the deer laughed hysterically.  

Iron Side growled and looked for his other two soldiers.  The one he saved was right behind him.  The brown earth pony with the silenced guns emerged from a bush carrying two dead deer.  The deer had small holes directly between their eyes.  The brown earth pony smiled at Iron Side.  “I think that got rid of them.”  He then looked at the other soldier then back to Iron Side.  “Where are the other two?”  He then noticed their haunted faces, “Oh, crap.  Well the objective is just on the other side of this hill so we better hurry unless we want to meet the same fate.”

As soon as he finished several black tailed deer leapt at them from the trees.  One landed on the other soldier’s back and dug a knife into his shoulder while chuckling.  Iron Side kicked him off and fired into his gut.  The powerful bullets ripped through his chest leaving a bloody mess.  Iron Side and the other ponies started firing into the bushes.  They were rewarded with several thuds.  The ponies then sprinted for the objective.  

They were nearing the location when the forest became decidedly thicker.  The deer started to shoot fire spells from within the trees at the soldier in the back.  He was getting set on fire and screaming in pain.  Iron Side stopped and ordered the brown pony to use suppressive fire on the tree line.  Iron Side attempted to put the fires out in several ways but nothing gave meaningful results.  As soon as he put out a fire it Immediately relit.  At this point the soldier was covered in flames, writhing in agony.  His skin was melting off and charring all over him.  It was slowly turning black and peeling off while cooking.  Even his bones were showing in spots.  The soldier rolled on the ground, screaming from the pain as he tried to put out the fires that were eating away at his flesh.  

Iron Side closed his eyes and grimaced in horror as he shot the soldier in the head.  It was a merciful shot that Iron Side should’ve taken earlier.  The screams stopped and giddy chuckling echoed around them.  The brown soldier grabbed Iron side and pulled him along.  After a short gallop through insane chuckling, they reached the objective.  The area was utterly empty.  There were some trees and no movement.  Iron Side bucked a tree out of frustration.  He then huffed, “My idiot half brother is going to get our whole army killed.  Another empty, useless objective.  There never was a settlement here.  What we need to do is fight the FTO and defend against the deer.  We can never beat the deer in their own forests.”

The brown soldier nodded, “Yeah your brother, our leader, is an idiot.  We’d be better off if you were in charge.”
Iron Side sighed and looked at the ground, “So I’ve heard.”

Iron Side looked up at the brown earth pony who had a frown on his face.  Iron Side regained some confidence and resolutely gave orders, “All right let’s get out of this forest and back to the outpost before we have any more casualties.”

The brown earth pony nodded and readied his guns.  As soon as he did, several spears pierced his sides and dug into the ground, coming from the trees above them.  The soldier looked at Iron Side with horror gleaming in his eyes.  He spoke in a garbled way as blood flowed from his mouth, “Run.” 

Another black tailed deer jumped from the tree and landed on the soldiers back.  He took a rusty blade and grabbed the soldier’s mane in his mouth.  The deer then took the blade and cut the soldier’s throat while yanking his head back with his mouth.  The soldier’s head was slowly coming off backwards.  The deer pulled hard with his mouth and the remaining skin holding the head ripped off.  The deer pulled the decapitated head away from the body while chuckling.   He then held the bloody head in his mouth and jumped off of the soldier’s body that was held upright by the spears. He began to slowly walk towards Iron Side with the bloody head still in his mouth.  

Iron Side threw up and back peddled in horror away from the crazed deer.  The deer’s eyes shown a crazed and sadistic shine to them.  He cackled evilly with the head still in his mouth.  Blood flowed from his mouth but it was the soldier’s, not his own.  

Iron Side shook from fear and disgust.  He shakily stood up and fired a barrage of bullets into the deer.  The deer’s whole body was torn apart by the high caliber shots.  The bullets left gapping holes in the front before shredding his back apart.  The deer’s guts flew out his back as it collapsed in a pool of blood, the crazed look still on his face.  Iron Side then quickly turned around and ran through the forest.  He was scared, terrified even.  He had always been the brave and courageous one but this was too much.  As he ran through the forest, magic and bullets flew after him.  Nothing ever hit him but they came close.  

Before he exited the forest a body fell from the trees above.  It was hung from ropes and dangled in front of him.  The body was the deformed and tortured remains of the female soldier who was dragged off.  She was gutted and partially skinned with her gouged out eyes peering into his soul.  Iron Side threw up and started to scream in horror as he noticed her face was also carved up, her ears were barely hanging on.  Iron Side’s stomach turned again as he thought that she was alive through most of the torture.  He couldn’t take the sight any more, the grotesque display was too repulsive.  He closed his eyes and ran again while shaking and screaming in terror.

After what seemed like an eternity, Iron Side burst through the forest and onto Gildedale’s golden plains.  He then ran for another mile until he finally reached the outpost.  When he arrived he collapsed and threw up more.  Soldiers quickly surrounded him to help.  Iron Side yelled out in anger, “TAKE ME TO MY BROTHER"  He then passed out from exhaustion.  

When Iron Side woke up he was on a transport nearing Thatchiholm, the capital of Gildedale.  The city was built on top of a large stone foundation.  It was an archaic form of defense that would do little good in the current war.  The city was mainly built out of stone and wood giving it an ancient look compared to Equestria’s cities.  On top of the foundation, in the middle of the city, was the Chiefs lodge.  It was a massive, multistoried wooden building.  The wood was all intricately and masterfully carved and fitted together.  It stood as a symbol of strength and perseverance in the desolate golden hills of Gildedale which stretched for miles.

Iron Side slowly climbed the steps to the grand doors of the lodge.  He opened them then walked down the elaborately decorated hall to a large wooden throne that sat in back.  All around the throne, ponies rambled and argued about a multitude of things.  Sitting on the throne was a fair sized earth pony with a lustrous grey coat and a rusty red mane.  The pony sat looking at the carvings on the ceiling while ponies clamored for his attention.  He stared blankly off into space in a bored manner, paying no head to his subjects.  

Iron Side walked up to the throne and the multitude of ponies parted for him.  In unison they all quieted and stared in admiration at Iron Side.  The pony on the throne didn’t even seem to notice the sudden lull in commotion.  Iron Side narrowed his eyes at his brother and addressed him in a stern and deep voice.  “Brother we need to speak.”

Iron Clad slowly turned and frowned at his brother.  He sighed heavily, “Yes, what is it?  Can’t you see I’m very busy?”  As he gestured to the now silent ponies around him.

Iron Side contained his anger, “There was never a settlement there.  None of your locations have resulted in anything other than death.  Once again my whole squad is dead and we came up empty hooved.  Yet I come back physically unharmed but mentally and emotionally scarred from my experiences.”

Iron Clad rolled his eyes and huffed irritably.  He looked bored but expectantly at his half-brother.  “Well, now we know nothing is there and we can scratch it off our list.  Nothing ventured nothing gained.  So what’s your point?  What do you want Iron Side?  An apology for your dead?  This is war, it happens.”

Iron Side was visibly angry at his brother who could care less.  “We need to stop these settlement missions they’re getting us nowhere.  They only lead to death and dissent.  I want out of this war or at least assigned a different mission.  All of my squads have died.  I feel that it is partially my fault.”

Iron Clad stood up.  He was spiteful towards his brother and he was going to patronize him.  “Are you the Lord of this nation?  No, so stop trying to run it.  I make the decisions here and I’m in charge.  We must find the settlements to defeat the deer.  So if you would like to stop telling me how to run my nation, I would like to get back to leading it.”

Iron Side growled, “And how many settlements have you found and at what cost?”

Iron Clad yelled down at his brother from atop his throne.  “It’s only a matter of time.  Nothing worth gaining comes without sacrifice.  If you were a true leader you would know that.  So I’m going to forgive your imprudent intrusion of my court and pretend that you came here not to patronize me but instead to humbly ask for your next assignment.”

Iron Side started yelling, “You’re sending me back?!  I just witnessed my whole squad get massacred in the most brutal ways for nothing yet you want to send me back!”

Iron Clad growled at him, “You’re so ungrateful.  You need to learn your place brother I rule this nation.  Father put me in charge.”

Iron Side growled in turn.  He spoke through tightly clenched teeth in a sarcastic manner, “Then what’s my mission, my liege?”

Iron Clad narrowed his eyes then replied sarcastically, “Well my faithful subject, you are to return to the same forest and venture bravely to a new location.  This one is promising.  I even have a special squad for you sent from Luna herself.  I guess the old mule is finally coming around to my strategy.”

Iron Side glowered at Lord Iron Clad.  “When do I get to meet the future brutalized corpses that I will be leading on another fruitless mission?”

Iron Clad pointed his hoof at a group of four ponies in a corner of the lodge.  “Luna sent us two ponies from Equestria, the earth and crystal pony and a Pegasus from Aura and a unicorn from Germaney.”  Iron Clad genuinely smiled, proud of himself.  “You see Luna has faith in my tactics, so should you.  Now go meet them and be on your way.”

Iron Side rolled his eyes as he walked over to his new squad.  He greeted each one of them individually while making it clear that names were not to be given.  “I’ve had some recent trouble on these missions so I’d rather keep this impersonal.  I’ll just refer to you by your race since you’re all different.”

They all nodded in disciplined unison.  Iron Side then went through inspecting each soldier while asking questions.  He started with the Pegasus from Aura.  She had a light blue coat with an oddly purple mane.  On one wing she had a machine gun, the other she had a sniper strapped firmly in place.  Iron Side looked over her toned and aerodynamic body.  “So what can you do?”

The Pegasus replied officially, “Sir, I have excellent sight for scouting and sniping.  I can also do effective dive bombs…….without any bombs.”

Iron Side shook her hoof.  “Good to have you on the team.”  He then moved to the male unicorn from Germaney.  He had a pale yellow coat with an orange mane.  The unicorn grinned slyly at Iron Side.  Iron Side noticed that he had a single basic assault rifle.  Nothing flashy like the others.  “So what do you do?  I noticed you have a very standard rifle.”

The unicorn chuckled lightly, “Ahhh yes, I prefer magic.  I can use a vide array of effective magic from sensing to combat.  Much more fun zan guns.”

Iron side shook his hoof then moved on, a little weirded out.  He then looked at the brown plain earth pony with a tan mane from Equestria.  He sighed in relief, finally somepony who’s normal with no strange colors.  “What are your abilities?” The earth pony just stared at him silently then nodded to his strong back legs and then to two massive miniguns strapped to his back.  Iron Side looked confused, “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

The unicorn from Germaney laughed slightly, “Oh he doesn’t speak but he’s one hell of a killer.”

Iron Side smiled awkwardly while shaking his hoof.  “Well ummmmm, nice to meet you.”  Iron Side lowered his head, trying not to make eye contact as he moved onto the last pony.  The last pony was a crystal pony whose coat shinned a light maroon that matched his luminescent light pink mane.  The pony only had two pistols strapped to his sides.   Iron Side raised his brow at the last pony, “Well you have some interesting colors.”

The crystal pony snickered in a surprisingly deep voice, “Most crystal ponies do but I make up for it in skill passed down through generations of my family.”

Iron Side looked extremely curious at this, “Oh?  Such as?”

The crystal pony grinned smugly, “I’m extremely quick, agile and stealthy.  On top of that my crystal skin is virtually like diamond and I am skilled with pistols.  Also last but not least I can use crystals for certain magical effects.”

For the first time Iron Side noticed that everypony wore battle armor but him.  The only thing he wore was a bandolier strap with different colored, small crystals in the holsters, almost like bullets.  Iron Side pondered this for a moment but moved on, deciding he knew nothing of crystal ponies and it was probably for the best.  Less he get close and personal with his soon to be dead squad.  Iron Side stood proudly before them to address them as their commanding officer.  “I am honored to have all of you serving under me.  Our mission will not be an easy one, I just lost a squad to these varmints this morning.  We are to enter a hostile forest and locate the black tailed deer’s settlement.  Once we have found it we are to report back its location.  Any questions?”

All of the soldiers stood completely still, asking no questions and never shying away from the prospect of danger.  The group loaded up on a transport and headed towards the accursed forest.  The ponies were for the most part silent during the trip, except for the occasional small talk.  During the whole trip Iron Side stared out fearfully towards the forest.  

When they arrived it was midafternoon.  Iron Side couldn’t help his sense of dread and deja vu from seeing the forest again.  It was just earlier that day that he witnessed some of the most graphic scenes of war he had ever encountered yet it seemed like a life time ago.  Iron Side noticed that he was shaking violently.  He took a deep breath and put on a brave face for his new soldiers.  

He turned around and addressed them as they unloaded.  “I’ll lead us through the forest, I was just here earlier.  We will stick together and work as a team at all cost.  Regardless of the need to scout or secure an area we will stick together.  I don’t care if you have to piss, we will all accompany you.  Black tailed deer are the most vile and evilly mischievous creatures that I have ever had the displeasure of coming into contact with.  They will pick us off if we separate and do unimaginably cruel things to us for their entertainment.”  Iron Side lowered his head and whispered sadly, “I learned that the hard way.”  Iron Side regained his composure and turned back to his group.  “Never underestimate those devious beings because of their size.  Kill on site and stick with me.  We will get to the objective in and out as quick as possible.  If anyone is being captured or tortured do them a kindness and put a bullet in their head.”

The ponies stood fidgeting after their leaders unnerving brief.  Iron Side looked at his group, they could see his haunted face.  For the first time, the ponies hand picked by Luna looked fearful and nervous.  Iron Side sighed and ordered the group to form up on him.

They entered the forest but Iron Side quickly took them on a detour.  He was thankful that no one questioned this, he was just trying to avoid the path he took this morning.  After awhile in the forest, in blessed silence, Iron Side noticed that the unicorn’s horn was glowing.  He looked around but saw nothing.  “Why is your horn glowing?  Did you see something?”

The Germaney Unicorn ignored him for a time before his horn stopped glowing.  He then turned and smiled at Iron Side.  “Ze coup vas successful!”

All of his squad smiled joyously.  The female Pegasus pumped her hoof in the air, “Now we can get out of this creepy forest!”

Iron side stood still while watching his squad celebrate.  He was completely ignorant to what was going on.  “Ummmmm…..why are you all celebrating?  Did you say coup?”

The Crystal pony walked up and put his hoof over Iron Side’s shoulder.  “Yes the coup to over throw your brother Iron Clad.”

“Wait What?”  Iron Side had no clue what was happening.

The crystal pony laughed loudly.  “Yes of course that’s why were here.  Luna hoof picked us to protect you.  She and the other Union leaders then plotted with Gildedale’s generals to overthrow Iron Clad.  It was successful and now we can get out of this Celestia forsaken forest.  You see most Gildedale elders and leaders want you to be Chieftain.  So we protected you to make sure that happened.  Your half-brother was a foolish and arrogant leader.  Complete disregard for his citizens and soldiers, disgusting.  So for the betterment of the Union and Gildedale we over threw his tyrannical ass.”

Iron Side’s eyes were as large as saucers.  “A coup?  I mean yeah he was being an awful, inconsiderate leader but the military plotted to overthrow him and make me leader?”

The crystal pony nodded ecstatically, “Yes precisely.  He was an abomination of a leader.  This mission itself proves it.  He kept throwing his troops at deadly goose chases.  We just couldn’t allow that.”

Iron Side shook his head to clear his thoughts, “You keep saying was.  Did they kill him?”  He sounded fearful and sad.  

The crystal pony shrugged while the unicorn and Pegasus hoof bumped.  “Hell if I know.  I’m just saying was because he’s no longer in control.  Anyways we should get out of here quickly so we can party and you can be crowned or whatever it is that you do here.”

The crystal pony slapped Iron Side on the back.  He then turned around to exit the forest through the path that they entered from.  When he turned all he saw were bushes.  He then did a three sixty and noticed that they were enclosed by foliage.  

All around them there was rattling and eerie sounds.  Chuckling and creepy laughter quietly echoed all around the group.  Bushes moved slightly and a dark mist started to creep out of the bushes.  The laughter increased and got more maniacal.  Whispers and snickering progressed in a frightful manner as the forest suddenly got much darker.  Everything was slowly moving and whispering but the ponies couldn’t see the culprit.  

The group formed a circle and aimed at the underbrush.  All of the sudden it got deadly quiet.  Then small beady eyes peered out at the group from every directions.  Hundreds of them looking crazed and sinister as they narrowly scanned over their prey.  Laughs and inaudible chatter started to rise again as the air got noticeably cool.  
Iron Side was starting to panic as he screamed at his soldiers, “FIRE!  SHOOT AT ANYTHING THAT MOVES! OBLITERATE THIS FOREST!”  

Bullets and magic of all varieties cut through the forest in a spiteful fury.  Deer started to pounce out of every crevice imaginable as they swarmed the group.  The small deer were about the same size as the ponies but they could overwhelm in mass.  The ponies were mowing down dozens at a time but the psychotic deer just kept coming.  Their eyes reflected an insane desire for cruelty.

The deer were flooding the area in a continuous flow.  The earth pony was doing his best to cut them down but they kept coming.  The unicorn was shooting fire, electricity and ice at the oncoming deer but they deflected much of it.  The crystal pony was making some headway by shooting crystal bullets that exploded or poisoned the deer.  

A group of deer charged the crystal pony to try and capture him but he was too quick.  He dove to the side, firing into them.  Each shot took out a deer.  When he landed he took out a large red crystal and threw it into the deer.  The crystal exploded in a fiery fury, scorching many of the deer.  Another deer ran and stabbed the crystal pony with a rusty blade.  The blade broke on his skin and the crystal pony pivoted, planting a heavy buck on the deer’s face.  The deer flew back and he shot him twice.  He then took out a blue crystal and threw it at more deer. The crystal shocked a multitude of them but they got up and fought viciously through the pain.

The Pegasus flew into the air to snipe the deer.  After a short time she had little success as the small deer were excessively nimble.  She got frustrated and dove into the deer causing a massive explosion.  She then flew out and landed next to Iron Side.  The deer were in a frenzy from the explosion but they soon regrouped and charged. 

Eventually Iron Side ordered them to fire on one section to clear a path.  They concentrated fire on one group, tearing them down. The group finally broke free and made a run for it.  The crystal pony threw a white crystal behind them which made a thick cloud of smoke to conceal their movements.  They then ripped through the underbrush and continued to flee.  

They were all excessively injured, including Iron Side.  He had a massive cut on his back where a deer cut him with a scythe.  The whole time they were fleeing deer continued to pop out of the foliage to attack.  The insane chuckling persevered the whole distance also.  After nearly half an hour of running the group finally stopped in a small clearing.  They attempted to catch their breaths quickly and move on but they weren’t quick enough.  

As soon as they stopped several deer appeared in the bushes.  They all slowly started to make their way towards the group.  They were cackling manically and twitching as they neared.  Several of them were drooling and snarling at the ponies.  They all had very archaic and disturbing weapons in their mouths. Several had rusty, brutally carved knifes and others had spiked clubs.  

The large earth pony started up his miniguns to mow down the deer.  This only made the deer grin wider with frightening glee.  Another deer leapt from behind them and landed on his back.  The deer took a wickedly curved and serrated knife and dug it into his shoulder blade.  The pony started to buck furiously as tears left his eyes.  He opened his mouth in a scream but nothing escaped.  The deer held on and yanked the knife forcefully sideways.  There was a loud crack and blood began to spew from his nearly detached limb.  The foreleg flopped to the side as the skin and muscle peeled off, revealing his bone.  

The earth pony fell on the ground writhing in shock from the pain.  He bit down on his bit, starting up his miniguns.  The bullets flew and cut the deer in half, his guts spilt out in front of the pony.  As soon as that deer went down a multitude cut the group off from the injured pony.  The group started to fire into the deer but they made little progress.  The deer were actually defending themselves this time, agilely dodging and magically blocking the bullets.  Only a few went down and they were quickly replaced all snickering at the fearful ponies.  

Iron Side tried to find the earth pony.  All he saw was the soldier being dragged off into the forest with a bloody severed limb in front of him that wasn’t the one that was cut earlier.  Iron Side also noticed that there were stakes in his eyes were blood was bubbling out.  A line of blood flowed behind him as he was dragged along, his mouth spilling it out profusely.  Yet he wasn’t given the blessing of death.  

Iron Side lowered his gun and aimed at the earth pony.  He took the shot but a deer leapt in front of the bullet.  The bullet tore a hole through his chest.  The deer feel to the ground laughing insanely as blood streamed from his mouth.  When Iron Side looked again the earth pony was gone.

His comrades were still keeping the deer at bay but they were surrounded.  There was no exit and the deer were being much more self-preserving than before.  Eventually the Pegasus got frustrated and flew into the air.  This was a huge mistake. As soon as she took to the air deer leapt on her from the trees above.  They took their sadistic knives and stabbed her wings repeatedly.  She fell to the ground on the other side of the deer.  The deer surrounded her and began to slowly cut her in the most devious of ways.  

They took their rusty blades and cut her ligaments slowly, carving at them and her bones to increase pain.  The whole time they laughed fiercely.  They then bound her wings while she screamed in agony.  They slowly started to bite her and rip off skin.  They held the bloody skin in their mouths as the blood dripped from it.  They then started to slowly rip her wings off with magic.  She started screaming in a terrifyingly primal way. 

The screams sent chills down the remaining ponies spines as they tried to mercifully shoot her.  But every time they tried a deer would either use magic to stop the bullets or intercept the bullets themselves.  The whole time the deer made sure that the other ponies could watch her torture.  

The Black tailed deer continued to rip her wings off.  First came an agonizing crack then the skin started to rip.  Blood poured from the wings and the satanic deer stuck their faces in it lapping it up joyously.  They continued to rip the wings until the muscle was only hanging on by a thread.  They then all grabbed a hold of her wings in their mouths and tore.  The wings came off and were being ripped to pieces by the crazed deer who chuckled as they tormented her.  She cried and wailed while she writhed in pain.  The deer laughed and forced her down.  They then nailed her hooves to the ground with large rusty stakes.  She screamed and begged for mercy with tears flowing from her face the whole time.  

The deer then took their crude blades and started to carve her chest open.  The process was slow and chaotic.  They ripped through her sternum and started to peel her skin back.  She was convulsing from the shock and blood loss, throwing up and spewing blood.  Yet the deer wouldn’t give her the mercy of death.  Iron Side snapped at this sight.  He started going manic, firing shot after shot into the deer.  The other ponies followed suit.  Eventually Iron Side had a shot and he took it.  The top half of the Pegasus’ head blew off, covering the deer in brains and skull.  This made the deer cackle giddily, they were shaking from the excitement of the gore and torture.

Iron Side bellowed in rage.  He had finally gotten the mercy shot but she had been brutally tortured in agonizing pain for far too long.  Iron Side couldn’t take it anymore, these deer were by far the most vile and disgusting creatures ever created.  They revealed in the pain and agony of others.  Gore and violence was their pleasure.  This wasn’t war, this was an unforgivable atrocity.  The most heinous and devious act ever committed.  

Iron Side went insane.  He took out his spear and charged the deer without a thought of his own wellbeing.  He swung wildly but devastatingly as he tore through their numbers.  His comrades started to go berserk in turn.  The unicorn used his magic to rip the deer apart limb by limb.  The crystal pony started using his crystals very effectively. He threw a crystal into one of their chests. It began to glow then exploded, causing crystal shrapnel and ribs of the deer itself to embed itself into numerous dear. He then would throw them into the deer, fire, poison or any number of things would terrorize the deer.

Finally a clear path had opened up but the ponies didn’t stop.  They were on a vengeful mission.  They used bullets, magic and blades to cut the deer in a flurry of motion.  Iron Side spun his spear at insane speeds, cutting the deer’s limbs, chests and throats.  He also randomly fired his powerful rifles into the crowd, tearing deer apart.  The unicorn was using insanely destructive magic, obliterating troves of deer.  The crystal pony was agilely running in between the deer, shooting them accurately.  He would periodically throw a multitude of crystals into the deer clearing out dozens.  After nearly an hour of fighting the deer stopped.

The three ponies were heaving heavily.  Hundreds of mutilated, bloody bodies laid strewn out across the forest floor.  All of their fear and anxiety that the deer brought them was gone.  It was replaced by anger and revenge which propelled the ponies into a deadly frenzy.  They were able to clear a whole area of hundreds of deer.  But it wasn’t without cost.  The ponies were extremely fatigued and injured in numerous ways.  

The ponies slowly walked through the forest, paying no attention to their direction.  They just wanted to rest and leave the blood bath behind.  Their minds were in a tired and furious haze.  It wasn’t until the laughing started again that they were brought out of their stupor.

When they regained their composure they noticed that they were in a large clearing.  In the clearing were hundreds of tribal huts.  Spiked poles were everywhere with a variety of disemboweled and beheaded creatures put on top for display.  A few of the spikes had tortured ponies.  All of the huts looked like they were painted with dried blood.  The stink in the air was distinctive.  It was of decay and death.  

The laughing turned even more sadistic around them, if this was even possible.  All around them black tailed deer emerged from the forest.  They came out of huts and closed in on the ponies.  In their current state there was no way that the ponies could fight this many deer.  The deer made a path up to a temple like structure.  The building looked ancient, made from old carved stone.  It stood above the rest of the buildings, looming over the forest.  Moss and vines grew on the foreboding structure. 

The deer forced the group towards the temple and up the stairs of the temple.  The black tailed deer flanked every side of the ponies.  They had blood covering them in designs like paint.  They all stared intently at the ponies, following their every move with their beady black eyes.  The deer whispered and snickered in disturbing fashions, some stomping their hooves with anticipation.  The ponies quickly ascended the stone stairs and entered the temple.

The interior wasn’t nearly as large as the outside or at least what they could see wasn’t.  There was a long, dark, stone hallway that was slightly lit by torches.  On the walls there were faded paintings of ancient deer using powerful magic.  At the end of the hall there was an altar covered in fresh blood.  Skeletons and body parts laid strewn out across the floor in odd patterns.  There were blood smears on the floor, walls and even the ceiling.  

Siting on the altar was an all-black deer.  As the ponies neared they quickly noticed several things.  First was that the deer wasn’t naturally black, it was very old and dried blood that appeared black in the lighting.  Second was that he had a skull on top of his head.  It was a pony skull with still a fair amount of skin and fur on it.  The deer eyed them wildly as he licked his lips while cackling giddily.  

Iron Side thought that the skull looked familiar but he didn’t want to think about it.  The deer stood up and started to stagger slowly towards them.  He was still licking his lip and barring his teeth.  The ponies aimed at him in unison.  The deer stopped and then hung his head.  He turned around and sat back on the altar still licking his lips hungrily.

The ponies eyed him suspiciously when a calm and persuasive voice came from behind them.  “He won’t actually eat you, you know.  The black tailed deer have fallen a long way from their peaceful and joyous culture thousands of years ago.  They may be sadistic, unintelligent and grotesque now but they aren’t carnivores.  Even insanity can’t completely change biology.”

The group spun around to look at a large, dirty brown deer.  The deer had large antlers that spread out chaotically.  The deer eyed the ponies sternly with his small eyes.  His face was set in a somehow prideful frown, as if he was disapproving.  Iron Side only came up to the deer’s shoulder, he certainly wasn’t a black tail.  Iron Side cautiously aimed his guns at the deer.  “Who are you?  Why have the black tails brought us here?” 

The large deer glared down at the grey earth pony.  “I am chancellor Cornibus of the Confederacy.  I am a white tailed deer here to direct the unruly black tailed deer for an attack.”

The deer grinned deviously at Iron Side, “I already know who you are, Lord Iron Side.”

Iron Side was shocked at the deer’s knowledge.  “How did you know my name and besides I’m not the Chief of Gildedale.”

Cornibus laughed haughtily, “Oh I know many things Iron Side.  I know about the coup and Luna’s involvement.  I also know that you will be made Lord if you escape this place.”

Iron Side stared at the deer, a bit scared of his insight.  “What are you doing with these savage beasts then?  What attack?”

Cornibus smiled lightly, “The black tailed deer may be barbaric and disgusting but they are effective.  I myself prefer magic and civility in war.  I believe more in honor and intelligence but they are great pawns. Now to head off future questions let me tell you a story.”  

Cornibus smiled whimsically as he reminisced on a time long forgotten.  He began to tell his ancient story of legend and lore.  “You see a long time ago, thousands of years ago in fact the black tailed deer were very peaceful.  The place where you are now used to be an ancient, magical and grand city.  Here the black deer lived in complete peace and joy.  They were once a very intelligent and revered species.  They were close to nature, they revered it, worshiped it even. Then the great deer war came.  The poor, small, fragile black tailed deer were terrified.  They wanted nothing to do with the fighting all of those centuries ago.  So they disappeared into their forest.  The forest magically cut off outsiders and sealed the deer inside, shrouding them from the war.  It was this way for over a thousand years.  Most of the other species forgot about them, they all had their own problems with isolation and the consequences of the war.  But one day the forest opened up.  When we ventured inside we found a barbaric and simple species.  Their culture and intelligence was gone.  The once grand city was gone, replaced by huts.  All that remained was this temple that is now covered in blood and bodies of the animals that they once revered.  The temple used to be a place of magical discovery now it is a grotesque display of sadistic violence.  The deer were crazed and vile but they were easy to manipulate.”

Cornibus sighed, “No one knows what drove them to madness, to the point where they mutilate bodies for fun.  They became insane and mischievous, simple minded really but they are still herbivores.”

The whole time Cornibus spoke the black tailed deer rolled in the blood on the altar.  He was twitching and laughing hysterically at times.  He seemed completely content in his vile mess while Cornibus talked.  Cornibus paid him no heed as he continued.  “Many deer theorize that the utter isolation drove them mad or that the magic of the forest corrupted them.  Others say Discord did this to them or a brain disease of some sort.  I personally don’t care, I can use them for my own benefit.  You see if you can control them, they become very obedient and deadly pawns.  Even now I’m readying them to attack the ponies and the Ibex in the mountain pass.”

The black deer started chuckling as he rolled methodically in the blood.  Cornibus turned around and sighed disapprovingly.  “Do stop that.  It’s quite repulsive and unbecoming.”  The black deer looked chastised.  That didn’t last long as he started to chuckle manically before rolling off of the altar in a fit of crazed laughter.  Cornibus rolled his eyes, “I’m not sure why they decorate with bodies or why they wear blood almost habitually.  They do it almost as a ritual but they aren’t worshiping anything.  They seem to do it for a kind of twisted entertainment.  They can’t help but laugh all the time.  It’s quite creepy actually.”

The ponies didn’t know what to do or say.  They stood there in stunned silence, watching the lunatic black deer and the regal white one.  Eventually the unicorn spoke up, “So are you going to let us go, kill us now or just play vith us for your enjoyment?”

Cornibus looked at the unicorn in mock sympathy, “I’m sorry but I can’t let you live.  If I do you’ll go back and tell your leaders before the attack.  That just won’t do.  You know far too much already.”  

The crystal pony raised his brow at this, “Well we wouldn’t of if you didn’t tell us everything.”

“On contra, you know the location of this settlement.”  Cornibus said slyly.

Iron Side shook his head, “It’s not like we could find it again.  We haven’t exactly been keeping track of our movements.”

Cornibus grinned evilly at Iron Side as he levitated the map from Iron Side’s saddle bags.  He unfolded it and pointed to the x.  “It appears that you have it marked on your map.”

Iron Side’s eyes grew big as he struggled for an explanation.  “My brother was actually right?!  Look we wouldn’t have known that if you didn’t point it out and besides your deer kind of forced us here.”

Cornibus laughed hardily, “Really now I don’t care.  You are acting like this is a hearing, like you’re on trial.  I don’t care what you prove or argue I’m going to kill you regardless.  This is war my friends and you Iron Side are the new leader of one of my enemies.  So why would I let an opportunity like this slip through my hooves?”

The unicorn sighed, “So are you just going to kill us?  Easy und clean or are you going to give us a fighting chance.”

Cornibus shrugged nonchalantly.  As soon as he did small yellow eyes appeared in cracks all over the dark temple.  The black deer sat up excitedly and Cornibus grinned deviously.  The ponies readied their guns.  They turned around and saw hundreds of deer all still and staring intently at the ponies.  The deer went from right behind them to out of the temple and far into the village.  

The ponies were about to fire when the unicorn was grabbed and yanked back to the altar by the deer.  They took him and tied him down on the altar.  The unicorn was killing some deer with magic but he knew it was pointless.  The black deer took a shiny knife and stood over the unicorn, drooling happily. The unicorn nodded at the crystal pony then used his magic to push the deer in between them aside.  As soon as he pushed the deer away the crystal pony shot him in the head.  The black deer on top slumped down sadly, he looked so disappointed and cheated.  The whole scene was appalling.  

Cornibus just rolled his eyes and turned to the mass of deer.  “Well what are you waiting for?  Kill them!”
The deer sprinted in a frenzy at the two remaining ponies.  They had nowhere to go as hundreds of deer descended on them in the tight hallway.  The crystal pony looked around frantically until he finally looked up.  He grinned and then grabbed Iron Side with a hoof.  He jumped up and grabbed onto a ledge above them, hoisting the surprised Iron Side with him.  Once they were on top of the ledge they ran down a small tunnel and out of a small opening that the crystal pony made larger with a yellow crystal.  The crystal pony then threw several multicolored crystals down the tunnel.  He was rewarded with yelps of pain and an angry Cornibus growling in frustration.  

The crystal pony ran to the back end of the temple and flipped off.  Iron Side jumped off, landing much harder and much less gracefully.  They then made a rabid sprint towards the forest.  They didn’t make it far before the deer started to catch up. The deer ran parallel to them, laughing as they went.  They would turn to stare insanely at ponies before leaping towards them.  This went on for nearly an hour yet the ponies persevered.  Eventually their path had started to get rapidly steeper.  They were gaining elevation quickly and fatiguing equally as quick.  The forest was beginning to thin out and the deer were getting more and more frequent.

After a long run the deer flanked the ponies and pinned them against a steep slope.  The ponies were struggling to climb it as the deer rapidly neared.  They knew that it was only a matter of time before the deer caught them.  The crystal pony looked up at Iron Side and smiled lightly.  “You need to escape and lead Gildedale.  Your people need you.  I can handle some puny deer.”  

Iron Side was in shock.  He shook his head furiously, “No, I won’t let you sacrifice yourself for me.  I’ve already lost several squads and most of this one.”

The crystal pony laughed, “That was our orders.  Luna told us to protect you at all cost.  This is how I protect you.  I’m only following orders.  Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain, run.”

Iron Side hesitated but he eventually continued to climb as the crystal pony remained behind.  The crystal pony was shooting down at the deer who were climbing up the slope.  He was killing plenty but they just kept coming.  

Eventually the deer had amassed to where he couldn’t simply shoot them off.  The crystal pony took off his bandolier and smiled at the now distant Iron Side.  He threw the bandolier down the slope and into the multitude of deer.  A million different lights and explosions went off.  It seemed to last forever but eventually it subsided.  

The crystal pony then quickly jumped down and started fighting the remaining deer.  The deer pounced on him, cutting him with knives but they did little to his diamond hide.  The crystal pony jumped and spun over the deer, beating them as he went.  He continuously fired bullets into them but he soon ran out of ammo.  At this point he made a stand, fighting them off with his hooves.  The deer quickly started to overwhelm the crystal pony.  Even after the massive explosions and fighting there was still dozens of deer left.  

They finally pinned the crystal pony against a rock.  The deer parted and allowed the black deer from the temple to step forward with a massive and sharp sword.  He grinned and cackled giddily as he drooled eagerly.  His eyes looked over the pony in a peculiar manner.  The deer was shaking in anticipation but before he could strike the crystal pony took a bright yellow crystal and swallowed it.  The deer paid no attention to this.  He took the sword and forced it into the crystal pony’s gut.  The sword actually penetrated and blood started to flow.  The deer howled wildly in triumph.  The black deer looked into the crystal ponies eyes with his small black ones.  The deer grinned manically and the crystal pony grinned right back with blood dripping from his mouth.  The crystal pony’s whole body started to glow a bright red and yellow.  The crystal pony waved at the black deer while smiling arrogantly.  The deer narrowed his eyes and snickered before he rolled on the ground, laughing hysterically.  The crystal pony’s glow brightened then a massive explosion ripped through the mountain side.  

The whole mountain shook as a massive plum of fire grew from where the crystal pony was at.  At this point Iron Side was high up on the mountain.  Even from there he could feel the explosion.  A whole side of the mountain was black and there was a massive crater where the crystal pony was just at a second before.  There were also no deer in sight.  

Iron Side sighed and continued over the mountain and into a valley on the other side.  He continued to run through the valley, never looking back at that evil place.  If he did get back to Gildedale he would try to end this war.  All this cruelty and death wasn’t worth it.  With that in mind he ran into another forest near the far mountains towards the Ibex Empire.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


It was around noon and a large, dark brown elk was wandering through a forest.  The elk had massive symmetrical antlers that constantly glowed with power.  His eyes remained closed at all times for he was blind yet he could use his magic to see.  The elk’s name was Silentium and he was born blind over 370 years ago.  As a result he became a master of magic, using it to see the world around him.  He can see but in a different way from most animals.  Silentium used his magic to sense different rays from what the eyes could see.  Because of this he could still see figures and details but different ones from normal elk.  He saw at a faster frequency of wavelengths from that of eyes.  This allowed him to see slightly into the future at all times which could be a valuable asset and a hindrance.  

He used his future sight to see enemies’ movements before they acted but he also saw himself ahead of where he physically was.  This could be a problem but he had gotten used to it.  He was also used to his sight which picked up objects just as well as eyes but in a different light.  Silentium could see magic at a very detailed level but not small details that eyes could pick up.  His whole situation was a give and take.

Even though he was blind he was highly regarded.  Eventually he married a young doe and had two children.  During this time he continued to study and expand his knowledge.  He used his abilities to help his species prosper.  He was also insanely honest, he saw truth as the ultimate wisdom.  The elk in his tribe came to love Silentium as an honored member of society.        

Overtime his magical prowess grew and so did his wisdom.  The deer in his tribe acknowledged his wisdom and revered it.  Because of their respect for him they made him the head elder.  When the other deer confronted them to join the Confederacy, Silentium’s tribe made him their chancellor.  In the early days of the young Confederacy, he worked to strengthen ties with the other deer.  His tribe started the great deer war as a power struggle for ancient magic long forgotten.  As a result many of the deer had trepidation about Silentium and his tribe.

Silentium didn’t let their concerns stop him.  He showed the deer how advanced and wise his tribe had become.  He even apologized for the war even though it was long before his time.  He expressed his wisdom on the matter, using it to be in stark opposition of starting a new war.  He claimed that his tribe had learned from their mistakes and that they needed unity but not conflict.  Silentium wanted to regain glory through unity and peace with all species.  This was in direct contrast to Chancellor Cornibus’ view.

At first the deer were torn between the two opposing views.  But when the Union and Order invaded their forests unknowingly all of the chancellors quickly sided with Cornibus.  Thus the war began and Cornibus used his new found influence to banish Silentium and excommunicate his tribe.  His tribe blamed him out of anger and in turn banished him.  They felt that his pride and strong antiwar views ruined their chance at unity.  

So Silentium left.  He wandered many forest and mountains between Shimerwood and his home forest of Sapias.  He ventured through the border mountains in between pony lands and the Ibex Empire for several months.  He lived with nature and watched the war from afar using his magic.  Eventually he got restless due to the escalation of the war, especially on the deer’s part.  With a new sense of dread he wandered back to his forest hoping to see his family and set his worried mind at rest.

He was walking in the outskirts of the Sapias forest as the sun was directly overhead.  The forest was silent, too silent.  Silentium could see a disturbing absence of magic in the ancient forest.  He continued to walk slowly through his home forest, ever watchful.  

Laughter, it started off slowly and quietly but the closer he got to his village the more frequent it became.  The laughter wasn’t from joy or jubilation but was sadistic and eerie.  The laughter grew in volume and consistency as Silentium continued to walk.  Even with Silentium’s heightened hearing and his sight of low level magic, he couldn’t pinpoint the source.  

After nearly an hour of walking through the echoing laughter, Silentium finally arrived at his village.  What he saw through his magic was absolute destruction.  The giant trees that housed his people were all burned and scorched.  There was debris scattered all throughout the area.  There was a smoky and deathly smell in the air.  It reeked of decay and destruction.  Yet Silentium saw no signs of life or of bodies.  He continued to walk through the village, checking houses and buildings for any signs of life.  There was nothing just debris and chaos.  It was almost as if a fire was set and the elk just up and left in a panic, not taking anything with them.  

As he thought over the possibilities he came to the large central tree.  It towered over the rest and spread out at great lengths.  The massive roots curved and dove underground.  The tree still sparkled with magic in all its grandeur.  Yet it was the only thing that was giving off magic, which in itself was strange.  The tree looked burnt but it stood resilient.  Inside though the scene was much the same, debris and chaos but no signs of life.  

Silentium went around to the backside of the tree and that’s where he saw it.  A massive blood stain on the forest floor.  It was gigantic, like nothing he had ever seen.  Yet Silentium couldn’t see the blood’s tint so he couldn’t determine its age without magic.  Somehow there was still no magic in the area, almost like something was jamming it.  Silentium noticed several things about the stain.  First of all its size, it was large enough that a whole village could’ve been slaughtered there.  The second fact though made the first one peculiar, there were no bodies.  Nowhere was there any sign of a body or of any parts.  It was just a giant blood stain with no magic or visible source.  The only objects in the vicinity were some devious looking blades that laid next to the stain.  Another thing Silentium noticed was the silence, the laughter had stopped.  

Silentium was dumbfounded by the whole situation.  He decided to move on and check his own house.  He came up to his large tree and was immediately drawn by the presence of magic.  He looked above his door and there, strung up on top of the tree was an elk.  The elk’s antlers were glowing brightly.  There were strange amulets all over him, stretching between his antlers.  They too were glowing strangely.  The deer was still alive, his chest was moving slightly but he was unconscious.  

Silentium noticed all of these things at once but what really caught his attention was the elk itself.  Silentium knew this elk, it was his youngest son Virtus.  His son was a large, dark brown elk with chaotic antlers.  He was middle aged being about 220 years old.  Silentium hurriedly tried to use his magic to cut his son down but it failed.  As soon as his magic neared his son it cut off.  Silentium paid close attention to the amulets on his son.  He noticed the pattern and concluded that they were likely channeling his magic to put out a magical jammer.  This would drain the use of magic over a large radius.  This explained why there was no magical signature in the forest besides the grand tree.  

The only reason he was able to use magic was because of his mastery of it.  He went back and levitated up one of the strange blades next to the stain.  He then returned to his son and used his levitation to propel the blade at the amulets between his son’s antlers.  The blade cut many of the stings and several of the amulets fell off.  Most of the remaining ones where faltering.  Silentium was then able to strip the others away using his magic.  He cut his son free and levitated him to the ground.  

Silentium immediately noticed magical signatures all around him.  Silentium stood over his son as he began to stir.  His son came to and looked up at Silentium.  He coughed and gasped for air before speaking in a soft raspy voice.  “Father?  What are you doing here?”

Silentium’s face reflected his worry, “I was worried that something might have happened to my home as the war escalated.  I came back to see if you were okay.  Obviously something did happen.  Do you know what happened?”

Virtus coughed some more before answering fearfully, “It was the black tailed deer.  Those savage monsters surprise attacked us.  There were so many and they were well directed.  I doubt they acted alone, they had to have someone giving the orders.  They’re not that intelligent so someone must have used them as pawns.  Anyways they burned the houses but only a little.  They then gathered all of our people and tortured many of them.  We killed a lot but they kept coming, they overwhelmed us.  They did awful things to our people behind the grand tree.  They then took some prisoners with them.  Only a few elk escaped from the black tail deer.  They then hung me up to our house and strung me with these magic blocking amulets.  I think they meant to send you a message.  They then cleaned the whole village of any bodies and then disappeared, leaving me strung up.”

Silentium looked terrified, “How many did they kill?  Where did they take the prisoners?”

His son coughed up some blood before continuing, “I don’t know, they separated me early on.  I was unconscious for a lot of it.”

Silentium had an anxious and worried look about him now.  “Where’s your mother and brother?  Are they…..”

Virtus shook his head, “Last I saw they were alive.  They might have escaped but I’m not sure.”  

Silentium sighed with some relief.  “Alright we need to get you out of here.”

His son suddenly looked panicked.  He started blurting out words in fear, “The black tailed.  They did things, terrible things.  The white tail it was him.  Told them to do this, to kill and torture.  They laughed, they enjoyed it.  They will come for you.  LEAVE ME!”

Silentium tried to calm his terrified son to no avail.  All of the sudden the laughter started up again.  This time it was loud and chaotic, surrounding them.  Silentium could now sense the source.  He could see the magic coming from everywhere.  They were deer, black tailed deer everywhere, snickering manically.  Silentium stood up and tried to help his son.  As he did a deer jumped from their tree and onto his son.  The deer raised his head and laughed insanely.  He took a rusty blade and stabbed Virtus in the chest repeatedly.  Blood was spewing from his chest profusely.  The deer had an insane and joyous look in his black eyes.

Silentium back peddled in horror.  His parental instincts finally took over and he bucked the deer off of his son.  Silentium was much larger than the tiny deer.  He was twice their size and the force of his buck proved this point.  The deer hit their tree, his insides crushed.  The deer fell to the ground twitching.

Silentium ran over to his dying son, attempting to stem the flow of blood.  His son was coughing up blood as he attempted to speak.  “Kkkillll meee.  Pleasse kill meee.  Runnnn.”

Silentium tried to comfort his son but he didn’t give him any comforting falsehoods.  He just tried to help his son.  “Shhhhh son try to be calm.  I think my magic can stop the bleeding just stay awake.”

Tears were flooding out of Silentium’s closed eyes.  The laughter grew more intense and wild all around them.  Silentium could sense the deer surrounding them and moving closer.  He ignored them and concentrated on his son.  His son weakly grabbed his hoof and spoke slowly through gags of blood.  “Daaaddd, looookkk at meeee.  Lookkkk at meee with yourrr eyesss.”

Silentium opened his eyes revealing milky pearl orbs.  Virtus looked into his fathers blind eyes with his brown ones and smiled.  “I love you dad.”  He then coughed up more blood and was still.

Silentium began to sob into his son’s body that he was now holding.  He could sense the black deer literally next to him but he could care less.  Silentium’s son had died and he was mourning.  The deer tried to grab him but he used an immense shockwave to push them back.  The deer flew away like rag dolls as Silentium stood up slowly.  His eyes were still opened and he turned to glare at the deer.  His eyes were glowing and they had white magical mist flowing angrily from them.  “You destroyed my home, my people and my son.  Tell me, who ordered you to do this?”

The deer responded by laughing methodically and snickering at the large elk. Silentium’s antlers glowed brightly with a pearl white aura.  A white ring floated above his antlers as it pulsated with energy.  Silentium lowered his head and released the energy.  The ring went out, cutting and destroying the deer.  It went through them like they were butter.  Limbs, heads whole bodies were torn apart like they were nothing.  Blood and body parts flew everywhere in a slow motion fashion.  Silentium closed his eyes and began to serenely walk through the blood bath.  As he went deer tried to run only to be torn to pieces.  Their body parts separated and then slowly floated away in the air.  

The magic was immensely powerful.  Some deer had their limbs ripped from their sockets, bones cracking and flesh tearing.  Others had their insides ripped out, torn from their chest in a bloody display.  Others were simply beheaded with their heads being torn backwards, the skin and muscle tearing as the spine was severed.  In some cases the deer were literally turned to bits and pieces.  Their bodies were almost exploded from within.  Every different situation resulted in blood and parts flying through the air in slow motion 

A deer charged Silentium but as soon as he neared his head flew off, floating slowly backwards.  As soon as the deer were hit by the magic certain body parts came off like they were nothing.  Time would then seem to slow around them as the parts flew off and the bodies fell.  Silentium continued to walk calmly through the slaughter as parts fell and tore off in slow motion all around him.  It was like a bloody and gory show of power.  The moment was almost like the feeling of falling, when everything seems to be moving in slow motion but Silentium was walking normally.  It was the magic doing this to the limbs, making them move in slow motion as Silentium calmly walked by.  

Silentium exited the village serenely and as soon as he did all of the still floating parts immediately fell from the air.  Blood and remains rained down on the village.  All of Silentium’s emotions; sadness, anger, fear, loss, all went into that attack.  He learned at a young age that he could harness his emotions into powerful magic.  The spell would expel all of his emotions in a flurry, well almost all of his emotions.  A few tears escaped his now closed eyes as he wandered back through the forest.

Not long after he exited the forest Silentium sensed multiple deer following him.  He used an immense amount of magical energy in the village and he was fatigued.  The deer started laughing all around him again.  There were far too many to fight. Silentium was amazed by how many there were even after he killed so many. They started to chuckle crazily at the large elk.  Silentium decided to make a run for it.

He was quick but the deer were small and nimble.  They would jump out of bushes and attempt to cut the large elk.  Silentium was able to avoid any major injuries by using magic but he was still often cut.  The deer’s sheer numbers were staggering, even after he killed likely hundreds, hundreds more pursued him.  He continually put up magical barriers and threw the deer to slow their progress but they continued to gain on him.  Eventually Silentium escaped the forest with the deer hot on his tail.  

Silentium attempted to teleport but every time he did a deer would take the chance to attack.  Soon Silentium was in the border mountains nearing the valley in-between.  He figured that after he got away from his forest that the deer would stop following him, he was wrong.  They actually seemed angry and vengeful at Silentium for his massacre in the village.  As if they had any right to be angry, they did worse to his village and his own son.

Silentium had been running for a long period of time when he sensed another mass of deer in front of him.  At this point he was in the valley between the mountain ranges.  The deer had still given no signs that they were going to give up.  

Silentium turned sharply south to avoid the new mass of deer.  He was running full speed when he noticed that the masses joined but fell behind a ways.  Silentium looked over his shoulder to see what they were doing.  In that split second Silentium failed to sense the being in front of him.  They collided and laid sprawled out on the ground.  Silentium huffed and dragged himself to his hooves.  He shook his head and took a deep breath.  He then turned and looked at what he hit.  Lying a few feet away was a grey pony who was slowly standing up.  

The pony shook the dust off of his coat then turned to see what collided with him.  Standing next to him was a massive brown elk with closed eyes.  The elk definitely had some age to him as there were white streaks on his coat.  Iron Side was a large pony but this elk dwarfed him.  He was at least twice Iron Side’s height.  Iron Side angrily aimed his guns at the elk while growling.  “Are you with those damned black tailed deer?”

Silentium looked at the pony curiously, “Most definitely not.  They are chasing me to try and kill me so why would I be with them?  They attacked my village and killed my son.”

Iron Side hesitated.  He was rightfully suspicious of any deer species yet something was different.  His honest instincts made him sense the honesty in the elk.  With no justifiable reason to, other than his gut instincts, Iron Side accepted the elks answer.  He lowered his guns and looked at the elk curiously, “Some white tailed deer named Cornibus is preparing them for an attack.  They have now killed two of my squads and are after me.  They have done some of the most vile and disgusting things that I have ever seen.  We killed plenty but the sadistic monsters just keep coming.  I’ve been running for hours but they are still following me.”

Silentium sighed, “So it was Cornibus who ordered the destruction of my people using those devious pawns.  It’s not surprising, he did have a grudge against me and he was always one for petty revenge and arrogance.”

Iron Side huffed angrily, “He would even use those things to kill deer because of a grudge.  I hate this war, it’s full of atrocities and betrayal and for what?  I’m going to try and end this war especially if I get back to Gildedale to lead my nation.”

Silentium nodded understandingly, “I was against the war from the beginning.  That’s why Cornibus hates me.  I almost prevented his precious war from happening but I failed.  Now he’s attacked my home as punishment for my dissent towards him.  I too wish to end this war.”

Iron Side smiled lightly as he responded in his deep, booming voice.  “Well then maybe we should work together.  But first things first, we need to ditch those maniac deer that are chasing us.”

Silentium bowed his head, “I would be honored to accompany you sir…..”

“Iron Side of Gildedale.”  Iron Side stated a little too formally.

Silentium continued to bow, “Sir Iron Side.  My name is Silentium and I am an elk of the Sapias forest.”

“It is good to meet you sir Silentium.  I think we should probably get going now.  We need to escape those grotesque deer.  Although they seem to be waiting a ways behind us.”

Silentium nodded, “It’s curious isn’t it, like they’re waiting for something or someone…….I know a narrow pass through the mountains that will get us near an Ibex town.  There we should be safe from the deer and as long as we stay hidden the Ibex won’t bother us.”

Iron Side didn’t know why but he already had a tremendous amount of respect for this elk.  Iron Side nodded and gestured for Silentium to proceed.  The two left the valley and made their way up the mountains.  When they were a safe distance, they looked back down the valley at the deer.  There was a massive grouping of them, standing uncharacteristically still.  Suddenly there was a flash of light and a much larger deer stood among them.  “Cornibus,” Iron Side muttered under his breath.

Silentium nodded, “Indeed, they will be making headway soon enough.  We need to hurry before they start moving again.”

Iron Side agreed and they continued their trek up the towering mountains.  Snow whipped around the pair but it didn’t stop them.  They were high up in the bordering mountains near the Empire.  After a long time of treading through the snow, the pair finally reached the passage.  It was a narrow cut between peaks.  It was slow moving through but that would also mean that it would be slow for the deer.  It was just Silentium and Iron Side going through the pass, the deer had hundreds more to get through or go around for a longer route.

After some time the pair finally got out of the snowy peaks.  They eventually made it into the forests below the mountains.  In the distance they could see lights in the darkness of the setting sun.  Silentium gestured for Iron Side to follow him towards the town.  Iron Side followed obediently.  He hoped for many things at this point: for their safety from deer and Ibex, for Gildedale and most of all for the war to end.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


It was midafternoon in a small mountainous town in the Ibex Empire.  All was peaceful in the quaint town as it usually was.  Yet today was different, there was anxiety in the air.  A loud trumpet echoed through the peaks and the town’s citizens quickly fled towards their homes, locking their doors.

A procession started to make its way into the small town.  Thousands of tan Ibex with large twisted horns spread out.  Standing on top of a large tank was a light brown prong.  The prong wore a general’s uniform and had a black beret on top of his head.  The prong’s face looked old, showing his experience.  He also appeared rugged and was sporting a light mustache.  He stood above the Ibex yelling out orders in his formal prong accent.  “Round up all male civilians in fighting condition!  This is war boys and I plan on leading us to glorious victory!”

The Ibex went from door to door knocking and escorting the males to a large tent.  Most of the Ibex civilians went reluctantly but some refused.  Those who refused were either beaten into submission or shot.  The prong turned to the tank captain, “I have a special citizen that I need to speak with.  He lives in a mansion on the outskirts of town.  He is an ingenious weapons scientist.  The brightest of our generation really.  Be sure to have tea made when I get back from my meeting.”

The Ibex captain nodded, “Yes Sir General Mountgomery.”  

Mountgomery got off the tank and made his way calmly and slowly up a dirt path towards the mountains.  He walked regally with a light smile plastered on his face.  The prong was amassing the largest army ever to combat the ponies in the pass.  This prong and his magical weapons of mass destruction were key to his victory.  He was on his way to personally greet this accomplished scientist.

In a mansion just up that dirt road was a 34 year old prong named Harry.  The prong had a light tan coat and bright blue eyes.  His horns were medium sized and silver.  He himself was a medium sized prong.  By just glancing at him he would seem very pedestrian yet he was a genius.  Not only was his IQ staggering but so were his magical skills.  He could ride lightning and harness electricity better than almost any prong.  The government revered him but that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.  They used his genius to produce magical weapons with unimaginable potential.  Harry hated violence and was highly opposed to the war but one couldn’t exactly say no to the government.

Harry was in his kitchen cooking dinner for his family.  His wife came in and kissed him on the cheek.  She was a medium sized prong with a nearly red coat and shining green eyes.  “You know I can cook dear.”

Harry was rapidly cooking at insane speeds.  His two kids, a male and female prong watched in awe.  Harry just smiled at his wife, “Yes I know my dear Elizabeth but I’m experimenting.  Besides I thought you were supposed to be relaxing for your big surgery tomorrow?  Who told you to come down?  I wanted this to be a surprise.”

Before Elizabeth could answer her daughter Emma spoke up.  She was a teenage prong with her mothers red coat.  “I did dad.  I’m afraid of your experiment cooking and mom always cooks great food.”

Harry narrowed his eyes at his daughter.  He then moved over and placed a muffin with an egg on top on her plate.  “Well then I guess you get the Eggs Benedict Arnold.”  Harry’s eye was bulging and he pointed at it with his hoof then pointed at his daughter.  “I’m watching you Granger.”

Harry then went back to cooking happily as Elizabeth chuckled lightly.  Emma looked overly confused, “Dad what even is this.  I’ve never heard of eggs Benawhatever and who is Granger?”

Harry paid little attention to his daughters’ questions as he hummed a song to himself.  “Just eat it, If it's gettin' cold, reheat it, Have a big dinner, have a light snack, If you, don't like it, you can't send it back, Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it, Get yourself an egg and beat it,”

His wife and son giggled, not quite sure what was happening as Emma sat grumpily playing with her food.  Harry was always random and funny.  Even though most of the time they had no idea what he was saying.  Elizabeth learned when she first met Harry his reasons for his randomness.  When he was young both of his parents died in a laboratory accident in Hong Prong.  He was taken in by his Aunt Victoria.  Harry was a sad child for a long time until he saw a kid being bullied in school.  The kid hid afterwards and cried to himself.  

Harry decided to try to cheer up the child because he knew how it was to be depressed and always crying.  He easily made the kid laugh with his random and hilarious humor.  That’s when he found that making others happy made him happy.  From then on he was cheery and always joking to cheer others up.  It covered his pain and helped others cope with theirs.  After that he began trying in school and he was quickly found to be a prodigy.  His IQ was astounding and he was told to skip high school and go to college.  

That was how he met his wife.  She was also extremely intelligent.  She skipped two years of school making her only two years older than Harry.  But Elizabeth was a loner because she got made fun of for being smart and nerdy.  As a result she always appeared sad, school work was her only escape.  Harry noticed her and tried to make her laugh.  When it didn’t work he followed her around until she agreed to go on a date with him.  On that date she broke down crying saying that he was the only one to ever care if she was happy or not.  After that they dated for two years before marrying.

Elizabeth was no longer a social introvert and laughed often with plenty of friends.  Harry was the happiest prong in the world.  They graduated Grad school quickly, Harry as a physicist, Elizabeth as a doctor.  Immediately the government took notice to Harry.  Harry agreed to work for them on their energy problems but Elizabeth wanted to move to a small town to be their doctor.  Harry agreed and moved with her.  There he continued to work on his own projects while they raised a family.  But when the war began the government came for him.  They essentially forced him to make terrible weapons with threats against his family. Harry continued to be joyous especially around his wife and kids, Emma and Timmy.  Yet he carried resentment with him for the war and the government.     

At this time though, Harry was enjoying time with his family.  He served out his strange food to his family and they sat down and ate.  They were enjoying quality family time but it didn’t last for long.

There was an abrupt knock at the door and Harry went to answer it.  He swung the door open and there standing in the doorway was a prong, fairly larger than Harry.  He had a calm and formal smile on his aging face.  The prong bowed slightly then looked Harry over with his stormy grey eyes.  “Ah Mr. Harry, just the prong I was looking for.  Well aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Harry stared coolly at the General for a moment.  He then happily jumped up frantically.  “Oh hello General Mountgomery, what a pleasant surprise!”  Harry called back into the kitchen, “Honey we have important company over!”  He then smiled joyously at the General, “Oh do come in General.  I must apologize for the mess in the house.  I would’ve cleaned up if I knew someone as esteemed as yourself would be coming over.  Here let me spruce up a bit.”

Harry pulled out a feather duster from nowhere and started brushing the General.  He dusted the General’s face furiously making the General cough.  Harry then put the duster away, “Ah all better.”

Mountgomery coughed again and regained his composure.  “Uh quite, much better indeed.  Thank you Harry.  Now would you be so kind as to put some tea on.”

Harry shot into the kitchen then came back just as quickly.  “The tea is boiling.  Now may I take your jacket General?”

Mountgomery raised his brow, “I don’t have a jacket Harry it’s nearly summer.”

Harry then reached over Mountgomery’s shoulder and took a wool jacket from his back.  He then hung it on the coat rack.  Mountgomery looked completely perplexed.  He had no idea where it had come from.  He’s never even worn a wool jacket.  Mountgomery was in a confused stupor as Harry pointed at his beret.  “May I also take your hat sir?”

Mountgomery shook his head, “No that’s quite alright Harry.  I prefer to keep my beret on.”

Harry shrugged, “Okie dokie lokie, whatever you say Mr. General pants.”  There was a whistle from the kettle in the kitchen.  Harry then shot into the kitchen to get it.  Mountgomery was about to follow but he was still staring at the jacket suspiciously.  He had no idea where it had come from.  He then turned around and Harry was standing there, levitating two cups of tea.  The General levitated his tea towards him cautiously.  He started towards the kitchen.

Harry cut him off abruptly, “My family is still eating dinner.  Let’s go into the living room so we don’t disturb each other.  The kids don’t need to hear about the war.”

Mountgomery nodded and followed Harry into the living room.  They sat down on a pair of red couches next to the fireplace.  The room was comfy with a light red paint that matched the furniture.  Mountgomery set his tea down on the coffee table and smiled softly at Harry.  “Sorry that I interrupted you at dinner.”

Harry shook his head, “It’s no problem at all really.”

Mountgomery looked him over slowly, “So what have your kids been doing?”

Harry stared blankly at the General, “They’ve been doing.”

Mountgomery stared at Harry, waiting for him to continue.  When it became apparent that Harry was done he continued on.  “Alright then Harry. Let’s skip the pleasantries and get down to business.”

Harry looked disappointed, “But pleasantries are so pleasantly pleasant and business is so busily busy.  It’s not as funerific unless it involves explosions.”

Mountgomery had no idea how to respond.  “Well……Harry this does involve explosions.  Massive explosions in fact, that you get to create.”

Harry was looking at him expectantly with undivided attention.  Mountgomery hesitated then continued.  “As you know there will soon be a battle in the mountain pass between us and the ponies.  I have amassed the largest army in history so victory is assured but I need something from you.”

Mountgomery waited for Harry to respond but he never did.  Mountgomery looked uneasy as he continued.  “To minimize our casualties we need to use your special magical weapons to defeat the ponies.  It will save countless Ibex and prong lives.  So if you could ready your weapons of mass destruction and show up in the pass tomorrow at noon that would be much appreciated.  I expect that you do know what will happen if you don’t show.”

The General leaned in closely, insinuating something devious.  Harry sighed, “Of course sir but first may I send my family off to Hong Prong?”

Mountgomery sat back grinning arrogantly.  “Of course, send them off.  Take your time.  Just make sure that you show up on time tomorrow.  We wouldn’t want anything to happen in Hong Prong now would we?”  Mountgomery looked at Harry suggestively, “With the ponies of course.”

Harry nodded slowly, “Well it was good seeing you General.  I have a lot to do, ready the weapons and send my family off.  So I bid you farewell.”

Mountgomery stood up and bowed.  “I will see you tomorrow Harry.  Thank you for your hospitality.”  

The General then went into the entrance way.  He looked at the jacket suspiciously before he reluctantly took it.  He then tipped his beret to Harry and exited the mansion.  Outside there was an Ibex guard.  The guard saluted then addressed the General.  “Sir, should we get guards stationed here to ensure that the scientist comes?”

Mountgomery shook his head.  “No, that won’t be necessary.  He will come, no matter what.  I know he will, even if it’s not how we want him to show up.  There’s no controlling that one.”  Mountgomery then wandered off down the path.

Harry quickly ran into the kitchen to talk to his family.  “Honey you and the kids are going to my Aunt Victoria’s house in Hong Prong.”

Elizabeth raised her brow, “Why honey?  You know I have that surgery to perform tomorrow.”

Harry was running around frantically searching for something.  He kept muttering, "The government, it’s all lies and evil.”

Emma rolled her eyes, “Great, mom dad’s lost it!”

Elizabeth chuckled, “Honey your dad’s never had it and you know this.”    

Timmy the little white, male prong spoke up for the first time.  He was coughing and wheezing slightly.  “Mum, what’s wrong with dad?”

Elizabeth shook her head, she appeared concerned.  “I’m not sure.  Harry who was at the door?  What are you freaking out about?”

Harry abruptly turned around, “General Mountgomery.  The military wants me to use my weapons tomorrow.  You have to get to my Aunt Victoria’s home in Hong Prong immediately.”

Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide, “Kids let’s go pack.  Dad’s busy.”  

Harry’s family went up stairs to pack as Harry ran around frantically.  He then bolted down into the basement.  There were large missiles and blueprints in the basement, papers were everywhere.  Harry quickly started dismantling the missiles.  When that was done he levitated every paper and took them to the living room.  He stuffed the papers into the fireplace.  They were over flowing the small fireplace.  Harry shot lightning at the papers, setting them ablaze.  His family came down the stairs dressed for travel with suit cases in tow.     

Harry ran over to bid his family farewell.  He first went to his young son Timmy who had been mildly sick for a few months.  “It’s okay tiny Tim you’ll make it to Christmas.”

Timmy coughed, “Dad what’s Christmas?”

Harry hugged him and kissed his head, “It’s okay son you’ll make it. Bye son keep your mother and sister safe.  You’re the man now.”

“Dad I’m only 7 and I’m sick.”  Timmy said while laughing.

Harry responded in a slight whisper, “Shhhhhh, you’ll do great.”  He then saluted his son, “We’re all counting on you son.  Make us proud.”  

Timmy laughed as Harry moved to his daughter.  “Emma remember to keep your priorities straight.  Don’t die or even worse get expelled and don’t fight a troll alone in a bathroom.”

Emma had no idea what her strange father was talking about.  “Dad if we're going Hong Prong I won’t be in school.  Also I’ve never even seen a troll.  Aren’t they just legends?”

Harry just made a goofy face with his tongue hanging out and his eyes going sideways in response.  Emma sighed, “Mom what’s wrong with dad.”

Elizabeth chuckled, “Oh he just likes to break things.”

Harry kissed his daughter on the head then turned to his wife.  “Like the wall!”

Emma looked even more confused as her parents laughed, “What wall?”

Harry narrowed his eyes in mock seriousness. “The wall.  The wall of secrets, bum bum bum!”  Harry then 
turned and kissed his wife.  “Be safe honey.  Remember to tell Aunt Victoria exactly why I sent you.  She’ll know what to do.  Oh, and tell her to stop wearing black it’s been years since Uncle Albert passed away.”  He leaned in and whispered to his wife conspiratorially, “I think she’s a bit crazy.”  He then made a loopy face while rotating his hooves around his ears.

Elizabeth laughed. “Oh what gave you that idea honey?”  She asked her husband sarcastically in a joking way.

Harry shrugged, “I don’t know.  It’s weird because the rest of my family is so normal.  Especially me.”

Elizabeth kissed her husband while she laughed hysterically.  “Bye honey.  Stay safe.”

His family made their way out of the house waving and saying goodbye to each other.  Elizabeth ran back and kissed her husband again with a worried look.  “Please do stay safe Harry.  I’ll miss you.”

Harry kissed his wife again and hugged her, “I will but this might last for a while.”

They broke their embrace and Harry’s family made their way down the dirt path, waving back.  Harry waved down and yelled in a stupid accent, “Now ya’ll come back again ya hear.”

His family went out of sight and Harry returned to burning papers.  It was now late afternoon and Harry had finally completed burning all the papers.  He also dismantled all of the weapons.  After he was done essentially destroying his work for the government, he then headed out to the forest around his house.  He planned on watching the military’s movements.  He had no intentions of helping them slaughter millions.  Instead he was planning to end this war, for his family and for the world.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


The sun was setting slowly behind the mountains.  The once peaceful town was now erupting with military activity.  In a nearby forest two creatures sat, watching the commotion.  One was a grey earth pony named Iron Side, the other was a brown elk named Silentium.

Iron Side grumbled as yet another transport full of Ibex soldiers drove by.  “I thought you said this was a small peaceful town.  That we wouldn’t have to worry about the Ibex.  Yet here we are, hiding in a forest because the town is overrun by the whole freaking Ibex army!”  

Silentium sighed, “I have no idea why they are here.  There is no strategical importance to the town and the population is low.”

Iron Side grit his teeth, “Whatever the reason is they’re here now.”

The pair walked deeper into the forest, moving away from the town.  They saw a large mansion in the distance and approached it.  The mansion appeared empty but the pair didn’t take any chances.   They stayed back and watched for movement.

As they watched carefully from a distance a voice came from behind them.  It had a strange formal accent yet it was almost silly.  The voice was most definitely a male.  “Hey what are you guys doing?”

Iron Side grumbled in exasperation, never turning around. “Spying on the Ibex.  Well watching their movements from a safe distance.”

The voice got extremely high pitched and exited, “No way!  Spies!  I’m also a spy!  Well sort of.  But I am watching the Ibex army’s movements!  I’m also hiding and being all sneaky like!  I got cool gadgets and stuff!  OH THIS IS SO EXCITING!  WE’RE SPY BUDDIES!”

Silentium shushed the voice without ever looking back or considering it.  “Shhh, we can’t be spy buddies if you’re loud and blow our cover.”

The voice still sounded excited but it was whispering.  “Oh sorry.  I’ll just sing my spy song quietly.”  The voice actually started to sing, his excitement was noticeable.  “There's a man who leads a life of danger. To everyone he meets he stays a stranger.  With every move he makes another chance he takes.  Odds are he won't live to see tomorrow. Secret Agent Man, Secret Agent Man, They've given you a number and taken away your name.”

Both Iron Side and Silentium looked at each other in confusion.  They turned around to look at the voice behind them.  They both asked the same question at the same time.  “What’s a man?”

The voice responded nonchalantly but still excited, “I don’t know.”

Iron Side stood up and stumbled out of shock.  Silentium stood up and back peddled slightly.  Neither of them had even considered the voice behind them.  Now they were looking at a fair sized prong with a tan coat.  He was standing right behind them, he was the whole time.  He was smiling at them happily with excitement written on his face.

Iron Side aimed his guns at the prong.  “Where did you come from?  Why were you behind us?  Are you going to try and kill us?”

The prong was practically bouncing from the excitement.  “I guess now we’re interrogating, how fun!”

Iron Side pointed his guns directly at the prong.  “Who are you?  Answer me prong, I’m serious.”

The prong was giddy with excitement.  He then noticed Iron Side’s guns.  “Yeah serious time!  MINES BIGGER!”  The prong then pulled out a massive cannon from nowhere.  The barrel was gigantic and it was pulsating with lights.

Iron Side appeared slightly scared.  He talked in a nervous voice trying to sound threating.  “Lower the weapon or I will shoot.  What are you even doing here?”

The prong started talking in a jokingly serious tone.  “Now it’s my turn to ask questions.”  He then asked a strange question in a very odd, whinny and high pitched voice while flailing.  “Where were the other drugs going!?”

Silentium raised his brow, “Drugs?  What drugs?”

Iron Side started to get mad, “Put the weapon down or I put you down.”

The prong then changed his accent making it deeper and more rugged.  “You want to do this the hard way hu?  Then go ahead make my day.”  

The prong then aimed down his sights.  He once again changed his accent, making it exotic while speaking some strange language.  “Hasta la vista baby.”  The prong then put on sun glasses that also appeared from no-where.  He then aimed at the pair and fired the cannon.

Out came a flood of white pills.  Iron Side and Silentium stood in utter shock.  The prong then yelled and jumped into the pills, stuffing them into his mouth.  He yelled excitedly, “Yeah, there are the drugs!”  He continued to stuff his face with the white pills while making a “nom” sound repeatedly.

Silentium levitated up a pill and ate it.  His eyes opened up surprisingly, revealing his milky orbs.  “They’re mints!”

The prong was still eating the mints happily while he talked to the pair.  “So you guys are being chased by deer and want to end the war hu?”

Both Iron Side and Silentium looked taken back.  Iron Side asked the prong suspiciously, “How did you know that?”

The prong threw mints up in the air in feigned exasperation.  “Because I was spying!  DUH!  I even sang a song!”

Iron Side just stared at him blankly.  All of the sudden the prong got a lot more serious.  “By the way my name is Harry.  I too want to end the war and I would like to accompany you.”

Iron Side and Silentium stood still, mouths agape.  Iron Side was being cautious, “Well you just admitted that you were spying on us so doesn’t that mean you’re with the Ibex?”

Harry shook his head furiously, “Nope not that kind of spying you silly filly.”

Iron Side was scratching the back of his head in confusion.  “Uh hu, well I guess you could come.”

Silentium then raised his head high and alert.  “Well then we better hurry.  I just sensed the deer.  They’re moving and they're closing in fast.”

Iron Side and Silentium grabbed the prong and ran south, in the opposite direction of the deer.  While they ventured south the trio exchanged stories.  They told each other about their past, how they got here and why they hate the 
war.  Iron Side told of his childhood in Gildedale and the start of the war.  He talked about his encounter with the black deer and the loss of several squads.  He also went into the coup, his brother and Cornibus.

Silentium then recounted his early years in his forest.  He then went on to explain the Confederacy and Cornibus thoroughly.  After that he talked about what the black tailed deer did to his home and son.

Harry didn’t just tell his story, he made a game out of it.  The whole time he made jokes and added random inclusions.  He went through about being a scientist that made powerful weapons and about his family.  He then recounted Mountgomery and his plans. 

After that the group discussed each sides plan for the passage battle.  These conversations went on until the early morning.  The whole time they were staying just slightly ahead of the deer.  By the time they reached the mountain pass it was noon.

They came into the pass from the north.  The pass was massive.  It ran from the edge of Equestria into the Ibex Empire.  The valley pass was at least a mile wide and an indiscernible length.  Each side of the pass was flanked by massive mountains that were thousands of feet high, all snowcapped.  Near the middle of the pass ran another series of valleys going from north to south.  The valleys met the pass near the middle forming a cross shape.  These valleys were smaller, more broken up and much more rugged.  They had hills and small peaks breaking them up unlike the main passage which ran west to east.

On one side of the pass the pony army amassed.  Thousands of tanks were divided into battalions in the pass.  Soldiers laid spread out, behind the tanks and into the mountains.  Planes constantly flew overhead and deployable missiles were stationed.  Their tech and accommodations were unrivaled.  The army looked like more of a show of strength and grandeur than anything.  

On the other side was an army that was at least four times the size of the ponies.  There were very few tanks and no planes.  Their conditions were rugged, same as their weapons.  Yet there was an innumerable amount of Ibex soldiers.  They took up several square miles on their side of the pass with crowded soldiers.  There were even hundreds of prongs which would present a challenge for the ponies.

Iron Side, Silentium and Harry stood on top of a large hill at the cross.  They were looking down on each of the massive armies, bent on destruction.  From up here they could even see the General’s tents.  Down on the ponies’ side there appeared to be a commotion at Rommule’s tent.  Their eyes were then drawn to the Ibex side by a bright flash.  It came from Mountgomery’s platform in the middle of his army. They could see the General standing proudly on top of it, now there was another prong next to him.  Both sides were organizing but something appeared to be troubling each side.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


Rommule was looking over a map of the passage in aggravation.  The small, grey unicorn was grumbling angrily to himself.  His assistant Proditorem came in and set a glass of beer next to the General.  The General swiped the glass off of his desk in frustration.  Proditorem ducked and the glass flew over his head.  It hit the side of the tent, spilling and falling to the ground.  Proditorem quickly scrambled out of the tent in fear.

Rommule sighed in frustration.  “Vat does Celestia zink zat zis vill accomplish?  Does she van't us to loss half of our army?  I need more time to make a feasible plan but she commands me to attack early.  Zis vill result in heavy casualties.”

Rommule flipped his desk in annoyance.  He was heaving heavily when he heard a commotion from outside his tent.  It sounded like some of his soldiers were arguing but there were two female voices arguing along.  Rommule then thought that he recognized one of the voices.  His eyes grew wide.  “It couldn’t be, he should be dead,” Rommule thought.  He heard the voice again and he now felt uneasy.  He made his way to the tent flap and opened it to the outside.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


Mountgomery was standing regally on top of his wooden stage.  He was just finishing addressing his soldiers when a bright light flashed next to him.  Standing there was James in a new white tuxedo.  The brown and white prong had wounds all over his body.  He appeared to be in pain but he was trying to hide it due to his pride.  James held his head high as he approached the General. 

Mountgomery smiled lightly at James.  “Ah James.  I see you have a new tuxedo.”

James didn’t have his usually cocky grin on him.  Instead he had a serious demeanor about him.  He saluted the General, which Mountgomery found oddly official.  “I have captured both Generals and returned them to Hong Prong.”

Mountgomery eyed James’ wounds carefully.  “Good, another mission accomplished.  Congratulations James, you are our best spy.”

James stood next to Mountgomery in utter silence.  He was completely stoic and Mountgomery found this disconcerting.  “You seem a little worse for wear old chap.  Something happening on your mission?”

James huffed irritated, “There were a few inconveniences.  There were some who objected to my work and they made themselves known.  They very well could be a problem in the future.”  James growled, “I even had to get a new tuxedo.  I barely escaped with Fire Storm.  Aura was hell between the moose attack, the military and some nuisances.”

Mountgomery decided not to press James, “Well we have the General’s in custody and were about to destroy the ponies.”  Mountgomery looked up to the hills to the north.  He was looking directly at Harry.  “Ah and Harry is just on time.  Perfect, well old chap how about we get some tea.  This is going to be quite the interesting day.”  Mountgomery gestured for James to follow him.  He then turned and winked towards Harry.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________


Harry saw Mountgomery’s gesture.  He cringed at it then looked back down at the armies.  All of the sudden Silentium spun around.  He yelled for the trio to get down the hill.  Right behind them emerged hundreds if not thousands of black tailed deer.  Standing in front of them was Cornibus.  He took a deep breath then smiled down at the group.  He then turned around and disappeared into the multitude of cackling deer. 

The trio continued to run down into the valley.  They were nearly in the middle of the pass when they noticed that the deer weren’t following them.  They then looked up to the mountain slopes.  The black tailed deer stood completely still in ranks.  All of the sudden a plethora of different deer started to come out of the tree covered mountains.  Both sides of the pass were now being covered by every species of deer.  They almost seemed to have materialized out of nowhere.

Both the Ibex and the ponies were in chaos.  Guns were being pointed everywhere and the battle almost started that moment.  The whole pass was in utter chaos as the three sides met.  Right before the fighting seemed to begin the whole pass froze.  Everything from deer, Ibex and ponies stood completely still.  The pass was in complete silence and calm as a massive roar echoed throughout the mountains……….

> Chapter 4: The Judge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The End of Peace: Chapter 4, The Judge
By Ceasertiberius

Winter Bliss bolted up from her cot.  She was sweating and breathing heavily.  Bliss quickly gathered herself and looked around the interior of the plane.  She heard tearing coming from the back and light breathing next to her.  She gazed to her side and saw the dark purple bat pony.  Vespertilio was fast asleep, as peaceful as could be.  

Winter Bliss got out of the cot and quietly walked around the slumbering bat pony.  She yawned in a reserved manner, making sure not to disturb Ves.  Bliss walked to the cockpit of the plane and peered out of the dark, massive cave.  The valley and mountains glittered in the noon sun.  Bliss had only gotten a few hours of sleep, nightmares about the previous day’s events kept her up.  James and her dead mother kept replaying in her mind, forcing her to finally wake from her burdened dreams.

She stretched slightly until the tearing sound from the back of the plane recaptured her attention.  Bliss groggily walked past the sleeping Ves and into the rear of the jet.  Sitting in the back was the silver and black griffon Cutlass.  His black panther like haunch was planted firmly on the ground as he used his talons and beak to tear into some sort of meat.  Bliss couldn’t tell what the poor animal used to be nor did she want to know.  She took a deep breath and tried to keep calm while the male griffon ripped into his food mercilessly.

Winter Bliss cleared her throat to get the griffon’s attention.  He looked up at Bliss and swallowed the piece of meat whole.  He then narrowed his eyes at Bliss and grinned deviously.  Bliss looked revolted as she gagged and looked away.  She was heaving slightly before slowly calming down.  She then gulped and peered into Cutlass’ golden eyes with her cobalt eyes.  “Did you have a good breakfast?”  Bliss remarked quite sarcastically.

Cutlass’ grin grew larger, “Yep, freshly caught this morning.”  Cutlass picked up part of a furry leg and shoved it into Bliss’ face.  “Here have some, it tastes like chicken.”

Winter Bliss stuck her tongue out in repulsion, “Yuck I’ve never eaten chicken and I’m not planning on it.  You’re disgusting, what even is that?”

Cutlass grinned even larger if it was possible, “Oh it was a little rabbit mother with her children.  It tried to run but I caught it and ripped it from its family.  It screamed the whole way.”  Cutlass leaned in close to Bliss and narrowed his eyes. “Until I broke its neck!”

Bliss recoiled and squealed in a high pitched voice.  She blushed and quickly regained her composure.  She put on a brave face as she attempted to change the subject, “Ahm well I hope you enjoyed your meal but we need to plan our course.”

Cutlass was still grinning in an amused manner.  He dropped his food and slowly stood up while stretching.  He rubbed his belly then motioned for Bliss to proceed.  They went to the front of the plane and gazed at the map.  They were discussing what route would be the most inconspicuous to take to Hong Prong.  They were trying to avoid any major military installations and approach the city stealthily, a nearly impossible task.   The pair continued to talk as Ves slept soundly on her cot.  They had soon decided that a southerly route through a less populated region would be ideal when a roar reverberated through the cave.  

Cutlass and Bliss scrambled out of the cockpit and into the plane’s back.  Ves was sleeping soundly and all appeared to be normal and quiet.  Bliss was about to make her way back to the navigation system when a second roar echoed through the cave.  Cutlass was already strapping on his weapons and combat gear without a second thought.  Bliss looked around and decided that she didn’t need a gun so instead she picked up a flashlight.  Cutlass nodded and they made their way to the plane’s door.

Bliss looked back at the peaceful Ves and smiled lightly.  Cutlass looked at her in a calculating manner.  He narrowed his golden eyes at Bliss, “Should we wake her?”

Bliss shook her head while continuing to smile, “No, let her sleep.  I’m sure we can handle whatever is causing this ruckus on our own and if not we’ll wake her then.  For now let her sleep.”

Cutlass looked back at Ves and sighed.  He nodded his head slightly and opened the door.  The pair flew out of the plane and into the massive cavern.  It was dark, damp and wet.  Light was creeping through the angled opening of the cave as the sun was nearly over head.  Water continuously dripped from massive stalactites that hung on the ceiling.  The cavern had a massive entrance that was big enough to easily accommodate their 110 foot black stealth plane.  The main opening was large and mostly empty with the exception of a few cave formations.  Yet this was only a small fraction of the chaotic cave system.  Smaller passages and caverns wound deep into the earth like a snake.

Bliss and Cutlass couldn’t figure out which one of the caves the sound was emanating from.  They walked to the far left of the plane to a fair sized opening several feet off of the ground.  It was a dark void of desolation.  Bliss was about to move on when another roar erupted through the cave.  The sound seemed to reverberate through every nook and cranny but a blast of wind shot through the entrance they were just at.

Bliss turned on her flashlight and flew up to the passage.  The cave had a diameter of about 15 feet and was void of any formations.  It was perfectly circular with an almost carved appearance.  The cavern appeared to almost fight the light Bliss was shining but her and Cutlass flew into it regardless.

They flew through the carved passage for 15 minutes with recurring roars at random intervals.  Finally the light from Bliss’ torch spread into a large room.  The cave almost seemed to have several stories or layers to it.  On the bottom there was a multitude of stalagmites flanking the banks of an underwater river.  At the back of the room there was a slope, almost like a ramp, that led up to a balcony like overlook.

Cutlass searched the bottom floor for an exit but found no obvious route.  He then flew up to the balcony section of the room.  It was rectangular and the part facing the lower level had large formations that made circular window like openings.  The room seemed to be magically made and regularly up kept.  Cutlass quickly saw that there wasn’t an exit and Immedietly flew to the top level through a circular opening.  The top level was smoothly curved at a slope down to a circular opening where the rock was perfectly rounded like a disk.  The ceiling above curved into a smooth dome but there still didn’t appear to be any passages.  Streams of water flowed from small crevices to the opening and then plummeted to the river below.  

Cutlass was frantically flying around, attempting to locate another passage in vain.  Bliss calmly flew down to the bottom floor to investigate the river.  She knew it had to start somewhere and flow to another location.  Bliss went to the beginning of the river which was a crystal clear pool.  The streams from above emptied into the pool then flowed with the river.  There was no other real beginning, all Bliss could see was a foot wide hole in the bottom of the pool that continuously bubbled.  Bliss asserted that the hole was the rivers source and that there was no way to enter the small hole.  Bliss then decided to find where the river led to.  After a short flight she landed in front of the room’s wall.  There was a crevice in the wall where the river flowed down into.  Before it dropped into the hole, the river suddenly got much deeper.  Bliss peered down the crevice while shining her light.  The river fell a ways then coalesced into a pool.  The crevice was a few feet wide but with the increased depth of the river Bliss figured they could squeeze into the crevice.  She wasn’t sure if it was worth adventuring down into the crevice until the first roar in awhile tore through the room, coming from the crevice.

Cutlass was continuing to fly frantically around the room as Bliss whistled to get his attention.  Cutlass instantly dove next to Bliss and looked where her hoof was pointing.  He raised his brow skeptically in an unimpressed fashion.  “How do you expect us to fit down that little thing?  You don’t even know where it leads or if this wild goose chase is even worth it.”

Bliss sighed and glared at the much larger griffon.  “A lot of the crevice is under the water which is much deeper in this area.  If we spread out and use the water as a type of lubrication we can squeeze in there.  You might have to take off your gear and spread out but you should fit.  The roar came from down here, I’m sure of it.  It leads to an underground pool.  Aren’t you curious to what’s making these earth shaking roars?”

Bliss wiggled her brows and nudged the griffon.  Cutlass growled in irritation, he could care less what was making those sounds as long as it didn’t attack him.  He was just following the little blue pegasus to protect her curious ass from getting killed.  She was the only one who could fly the plane and Cutlass needed her help to fight James and retrieve the Generals.  Cutlass took off his gear reluctantly and set it down next to Bliss.  “I’ll go first.  Throw my gear down when you hear from me and I swear if there’s a scratch on any of my gear……”

Winter Bliss cut him off with excited chatter, her curious and adventurous side was showing.  “Yeah yeah, just hurry up and get down there.”

Cutlass grumbled then spread out his limbs and wadded into the water.  He was looking down into the water for the beginning of the crevice while wading closer.  Suddenly and unexpectedly he slipped down and disappeared.  Bliss peered into the dark cove below excitedly and expectantly.  She shined her light into the frothing water below.  For a few uneasy seconds nothing happened but Bliss was confident that Cutlass would resurface.  Bliss’ confidence was soon rewarded as Cutlass burst out of the water in an angry, shocked and disoriented manner.  He coughed up some water then turned to glare at the smirking pegasus near the crevices entrance.

Cutlass growled as he attempted to regain some dignity from his unexpected plummet. “Damn little hole in the ground caught me by surprise.”  Cutlass coughed up some more water then motioned towards Bliss, “Now it’s your turn and while you’re at it throw down my gear.”

Winter Bliss smirked and giggled slightly, “Well it wasn’t that small of a hole if you were able to fall through it.”  Bliss threw down Cutlass’ guns and armor then slide down the crevice like a slide.  She gracefully came to a stop just above the water.  Her small size allowed her to hover above the water in the condense cove.  She gave Cutlass a prideful grin then looked around for another passage.  

Cutlass just rolled his eyes, “If you were here in the water with me you would know that there was still a current.”  Cutlass pointed at a wall next to him, “The water flows that way.”  He then got low and peered at the wall before diving under water.  

Winter Bliss hovered over the water impatiently, waiting for the large griffon to reappear.  After a short amount of time Cutlass resurfaced.  Bliss had her hooves crossed as she glared at the black and silver griffon, “Well it’s about time you came back.  I’ve been hovering in this boring cove for hours.”

Cutlass narrowed his eyes and sighed, “I was gone for five minutes tops.  Anyways, the passage is mostly underwater with a few air pockets in between.  It runs quite a ways, I didn’t even see the exit but there’s enough air spread out to where we should be fine.”

Bliss just looked at the water hesitantly.  Now Cutlass grew impatient, “Come on, what are you waiting for, an invitation?”  Bliss continued to look hesitantly at the water, ignoring Cutlass.  The griffon looked up curiously at the usually brash and cocky pegasus who was staring silently at the water.  “Oh, is this because of your little underwater heroics back in Aura?  Don’t worry the water isn’t nearly as cold or deep, plus there’s air pockets.”  Bliss looked at him slightly fearful with her cobalt blue eyes.  It then dawned on Cutlass how scared the young pegasus really was.  She had gone through a great deal in a short amount of time and that underwater dive must have been more trying than she let on.  She was after all still somewhat of a filly even if she was cocky, brave and rash at times.  Cutlass tried to keep this in mind as he talked sympathetically to Winter Bliss, “Listen kid it’s just water and this time I’ll be here to protect you.  Don’t you want to find out what’s making all these sounds?  Don’t worry I’ll stay with you, I wont let anything happen to you.”

This seemed to do little to ease the light blue pegasus’ mind.  Cutlass then thought that he had to reach Bliss’ more competitive and prideful side for her to overcome her fear.  Cutlass put on a forced smirk as he tried to coax Bliss’ arrogant and independent side.  “Well I’m not scared of a little water.  I can swim in here all day, I even bet I could out swim you.  What, are you afraid that you’ll get beat by a griffon?  I could swim circles around you.”  

Bliss narrowed her eyes dangerously thin at Cutlass, “No you couldn’t.  I just don’t want to get my coat wet and I just went swimming the other day.”

Cutlass grinned wide and raised his brow expectantly, “Then come in here and prove me wrong, that is unless you’re too chicken.”

Bliss’ eyes grew large, “Oh that’s it, you’re on buddy.”  Bliss shot like a bullet into the water without hesitation.  Cutlass grinned, happy with himself, then dove to follow the slick pegasus.  The pair flew through the underground river at impressive speeds being that they were used to flying in the air.  This was a result of Bliss’ competitive nature showing and Cutlass’ need to nurture her competitive tendencies to help her overcome her fear.  As they swam swiftly with the currents they instinctively took breaths of air when the pockets were available.  Both were attempting to outdo each other in the final stretch but it was Bliss who breached the river first.  She landed on a small bank, breathing heavily as she pumped her hoof in the air.  

Cutlass climbed out of the river, genuinely smiling at Winter Bliss.  “Good job kid.”  Cutlass wasn’t quite sure why he was proud of her or why he even helped her overcome her fears.  It wasn’t necessarily convenient for him.  If he didn’t help her they might have just gone back safely to the plane but instead he felt compelled to protect and encourage the young pegasus.  Cutlass seemed to be getting attached to Bliss who he’d only known for a day.  It was unlike him to get attached to anybody and he figured that it might not be a smart choice in this instance.  He decided that he would remain cool and aloof but act like a sort of fatherly figure to Bliss until she got her real father back.

The pair dried off their coats then investigated their surroundings.  They were standing on a small bank next to the river with a tall ceiling above them. The river curved a ways then went under another wall.  In front of the bank was a passage that could easily accommodate both flying creatures.  This passage once again appeared to be carved with an absence of cave formations even with the abundance of water.  The pair walked through the relatively short passage and into a gigantic chamber.  The chamber easily dwarfed the entrance to the cave that sheltered their plane.  Other than its size there was nothing spectacular about the chamber.  

The chamber was very dark but as Bliss shined her light around she noticed something curious.  At the far end of the chamber her light seemed to either disappear or reflect back.  It didn’t cut through the darkness like the rest of the cave but rather abruptly ended at a black void.  The mass was absolutely void of light yet it seemed to move.  Judging by the curve of the chamber, the void likely encompassed about a third of its space.  

Everything was still until an earth shattering roar resonated from the dark void.  It then shifted violently and moved up.  It quickly grew closer to the pair and started to form into a creature of unimaginable magnitude.  It twisted and moved, revealing sets of massive claws that glistened with a titanium silvery shine.  A large snout on top of an elongated neck lowered itself towards them.  Gigantic spikes and spines jutted out of the creatures head and back.  Its face was reptilian and terrifying.  Its ebony black scales shifted as a snake like spiked tail wrapped around the entire cavern.  The beast spread out to where it engulfed the majority of the cave with its massive scaly body.  Its enormous head was looking down at the pair as its eyes instantly shot open.  The creature’s eyes were a blood red with a black reptilian slit for the pupil.  The red eyes peered into the flying companions.  The monster opened up its gaping mouth and roared.  The roar was deafening and deep as it resonated through the earth itself.  The monster spread out a pair of impressive wings that were each the size of their plane.  The black scaly, leathery wings appeared cramped and confined in the enormous cavern.  The beast itself appeared to be cramped in such a large space.  

At this point it was apparent to both Winter Bliss and Cutlass that this creature was a dragon of legendary size.  They had both only heard about dragons in stories and from their descriptions this dragon dwarfed many grand sized dragons.  It shifted again to sit on its rear legs in front of the pair.  During its movement Bliss saw millions of gems and minerals sparkling behind the beast.  Bliss had always heard about dragons’ legendary greed and hording but she doubted that any ever compared to the mass of valuables behind this monster.  

The dragon opened its mouth again to reveal rows of silvery, razor sharp teeth and a blood red tongue.  The pronged tongue wrapped around the pair, almost like an inspection, then retreated into the beast’s mouth.  The dragon opened his mouth again but this time he spoke in fluent Equestrian with a booming deep voice.  “A pony and a griffon,  welcome to my cavern.  I am Soot, the destroyer of cities, the bane of empires, the terror of all species and the judge of this world.”  The dragon looked slightly annoyed at the pair but it was hard to tell from his scaly face.  “So you are the ones that have awoken me from my deep slumber with your presence.  I sensed your unnatural and corrupted presence as soon as you entered my cave.”  Soot looked up slightly and took a deep breath.  “And there is another pony of the night in that abomination of nature that you have parked in my cavern.”  

Winter Bliss showed absolutely no fear as she rolled her eyes and spoke, “Celestia, and I thought I was cocky but you think you’re the judge of the whole world!  That’s a new level of narcissism even for me!”  Cutlass looked at the confident pegasus in fear, instantly regretting his part in her confidence boost.

Soot released a low growl and got close to the small, prideful pegasus as he narrowed his blood red eyes that were still much larger than both Bliss and Cutlass combined.  “Judgment is coming.  Your species aren’t fit to inhabit this world.  You’re frivolous and destructive, selfish and unrelenting, foolish and weak.  Dragons are superior to your measly existence.  It is our job to rule and protect the world.  Your kind will only harm it.  It is my job to prevent that.”

Winter Bliss scoffed at the insanely large dragon, “Great, just our luck, we stumble into the one cavern with the one dragon who is egotistical enough to think he’s the judge of the world.  This is just peachy.”

Soot looked furious at the tiny pony’s remarks.  “Your mockery is foolish little one.  You need to respect the order of the world.”

Cutlass looked nervously at the bold Winter Bliss, “Um Bliss, it might not be a good idea to argue with and mock a massive dragon that could swat us like flies.”

Bliss completely ignored the usually collected and cool griffon as she continued her arrogant tirade.   “Oh I understand the order of things: first I say something witty, then I kick your ass, after that you beg for mercy, then I consider it and find forgiveness in my big heart for someone as arrogant and rude as yourself, then I celebrate my victory with ice cream and move on with my life.”

Soot reared back in anger, “I was given the role as the guardian of nature since before pony kind.  It has granted me the ability to manipulate anything natural for its own protection.  I am blessed with this power of nature to righteously destroy its enemies at its biding.”  Soot’s claws glowed and the cave shifted and moved with his will, creating more room for the towering dragon to stretch.  “This ability was bestowed upon me to give me authority over nature’s creations.  I am entrusted with the great responsibility of preserving nature at any cost.  I am assigned with the great burden of judge, jury and executioner over this world and its mistakes so don’t mock my role in this world child.  The civilized species of this world have made abominations of themselves and nature.  That thing you call a plane and all your machines are a defilement of nature.  You build them to make yourselves better than nature then you turn around and carelessly destroy the world you live in and toss away its blessings.  It is my job to rid the world of those who have gone astray from their intended design.  I shall reign down great fires of vengeance on all those who have defied the natural order of the world.”    

Bliss narrowed her cobalt eyes as she skeptically gave a rebuttal to Soot’s claims.  “Nature made all creatures, including civilized creatures.  Many of us have strived to help nature, do you just choose to ignore what good we’ve done?  It’s awfully narrow minded of you to only look at the bad and from that decide that you must kill millions of nature made creatures.  If you destroy us based on only our mistakes then you will be acknowledging that nature made a mistake in making us.  For as you know all of us are part of nature.”

Soot huffed in agitation, “Nature makes everything perfect, it makes no mistakes.  Yet what those creations do, their faults and mistakes, are not natures responsibility.  When its creations go awry and defile it I must set them right.  I must restore balance to nature, restore harmony as you ponies so arrogantly put it.  That is my purpose and that is my objective, to fix what has broken by any means.”

Winter Bliss growled angrily at his response, “Sounds like more ends justify the means bull shit.  You’re just like any other dragon.  You horde jewels for wealth and their magical properties instead of leaving them as nature intended.  You are civilized like other dragons also, you speak our language and this cavern was clearly carved in many places likely for your convenience and comfort.  Even your so called blessing allows you to manipulate nature which is exactly what you say you’re trying to protect.  You’re nothing but a big hypocrite trying to justify his actions with some self-righteous cause.”

Cutlass started to back up fearfully as Soot flared his wings and nostrils.  “Um Bliss maybe we should just.”

Soot angrily cut off Cutlass, paying no heed to the griffon.  “You ignorant fool.  Dragons admire jewels for their natural beauty and properties.  We do not mine the earth for jewels but rather retrieve the jewels that your kind has so carelessly stolen from nature.  Most dragons believe as I do and those who have strayed from our ways will suffer the same fate as all civilized creatures.  There is nothing wrong with dragons gaining what knowledge the world has presented to us such as language.  Being civilized isn’t even the problem, it is your species actions against each other and nature that is the issue.  Also this cave is made only by nature or by uncivilized creatures.  My powers are only temporary and will revert what I have manipulated back to its pure form.  My powers actually leave nature revitalized and renewed.  

Unfortunately though, when something strays from nature such as yourself I can not manipulate it.  Those who have set themselves apart from nature are immune to my powers over the purity of this world for they are a plague on the world itself.”

Bliss glared imposing daggers on the massive dragon, “So you’re not even going to give our kind a trial.  You never tried to intervene or set us on the right path.  Never a warning or a fair chance to fix our wrongs.  Instead you just decided on your own that we are vile creatures that must be wiped out with no exceptions.  You’re punishing the entirety of civilized creatures based off of your limited knowledge of us, never even attempting to contact or truly observe us.  Never trying to help or intercede when we make a mistake.  What kind of caretaker are you?  To decide the fate of so many based on so little when you’ve done nothing.  That’s not the traits of a just ruler or of a leader but of a tyrant!  Nature would not assign something as malicious and arrogant as you to preserve the world!”

Soot roared in fury, “I have seen your species’ effects on the world.  I am in tune with nature itself and I know your actions.  It is not my place to intervene with nature but to fix what is broken so nature may start anew.  I was not made to give direction to nature but to cleanse it of impurities.  And even if I only killed off the vile creatures and left those who cared for nature more would soon take their place and outnumber them.  Your kind is broken in an endless cycle of destruction and I shall end the cycle for the sake of nature.  That is my purpose, that is my design and I shall not be patronized by a half pint pegasus!”

Winter Bliss angrily flew up to Soot’s face and peered into his eyes, “No one calls me a half pint you hypocritical, narcissistic jerk.  Fixing what’s broken sounds like delayed and failed intervention to me.  So how about you use your brain that nature gave you and think.  Is destroying millions of innocent creatures created by nature really the way to help save nature?  Or is getting involved and trying to change them the right course of action?  If you had any room in that massive skull for reason instead of self-righteous bull shit then you’d realize that I am right.”   

Soot reared up and spread out to show his size and power.  Cutlass was cowering behind Bliss.  He had fought in many battles against strong enemies and was known for his steel mentality and bravery but what Bliss was doing was suicide.  This dragon was not only thousands of times larger than them but he could manipulate nature itself.  Cutlass knew that they couldn’t defeat such a foe and Bliss’ arguing wasn’t helping the situation to say the least.  Cutlass attempted to regain his cool as he pushed himself forwards.  “Um I’m sure that.”

Soot’s voice boomed through out the cave as the pegasus and dragon continued to fire exchanges at each other, ignoring the griffon.  Cutlass shut his beak and landed timidly.  He attempted to look calm and in control as the pair continued to throw insults at each other.  Eventually Soot got sick of the bantering and roared to silence the pegasus.  “ENOUGH!  I WILL NOT BE LECTURED BY A MEAR FILLY!  I WILL BRING JUDGMENT TO THIS WORLD AS NATURE HAS SEEN FIT AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO!”

Bliss laughed haughtily at this, “Please, you could use a good lecture to put you in your place big guy.  And why do you always act like nature is a being?  You’re basically religiously devoted to the laws of science that make up nature but treat it as a living being.  It’s kind of childish actually.  Are you alright in the mind there buddy?  You seem a little crazy, maybe from being cooped up in a cave and talking to nature for millenniums.”  

Soot growled in fury, “NATURE IS THE BEING THAT GOVERNS EVERYTHING!  I HAVE MET THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD ITSELF LONG AGO!  HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY MENTAL FACULTIES AND NATURE’S EXISTENCE AS A DIVINE BEING!”

Bliss just chuckled, “Oh yes you’re definitely insane.  This is quite entertaining actually.  Well tell your nature goddess thing hello for me.  My griffon friend and I are just going to be taking some of your gems to power our satanic machine then we’ll get out of your loony cavern of darkness and despair.  Seriously you need to lighten the place up a bit, it’s depressing.”

Soot grew a devious grin as he spoke with malice, “It appears that my purge will begin in my own home.  How fitting, don’t you agree?”

Bliss narrowed her eyes in anticipation as she grabbed Cutlass.  Soot let out a roar that fractured the cave in several places.  He then spread out on his four legs and spread his wings.  The cave started to get larger to give Soot room to charge.  He grinned viciously at the undaunted Winter Bliss and the petrified Cutlass.  As soon as Soot started to lunge with his steely claws, Bliss bolted under the beast with Cutlass in tow.  She dove in and out of the dragon’s limbs as the massive dragon attempted to swat them.  Flying around the dragon at such speeds gave the pair a perspective on how big Soot really was.  It took Bliss longer than expected to out maneuver and pass by the gargantuan monster that was attempting to eradicate them.

Eventually Bliss landed in Soot’s horde of treasures and quickly started to stuff the best gems into Cutlass’ gear.  She expected Soot to be nearly on top of them but as they flew up she noticed that the dragon was on the far end of the cave, blocking the exit.  Bliss narrowed her eyes and quickly looked through the gems to find the necessary components for her escape contingency.  She quickly grabbed what she needed and flew with Cutlass in front of Soot as she explained her plan to the griffon.  Cutlass went to the left side of Soot nervously as Bliss flew right in front of him.

Soot grew a smug grin as he spoke to Winter Bliss, “Your exit is blocked and you are trapped.  What are you going to do now pony?”  He spate out the last part with spite.

Bliss grinned as she held out two crystals, one blue the other a bright violet.  Soot’s eyes grew large as Bliss slammed the crystals together and threw them at the dragon.  Soot held out his claw and magically took control of the crystals.  He grinned as he spoke pridefully to Bliss, “The crystals weren’t corrupted enough, I was still able to control their purity.  You’re going to have to….”    

Before Soot finished an explosion ripped through the side of his head.  He stumbled to the side, holding his face as he roared in agony and fury.  Bliss took this opportunity to fly through the exit while pulling the shocked Cutlass who threw the crystals along with her.  Cutlass continued down the passage as Bliss stopped and looked at the slowly recuperating dragon.  She smiled smugly and yelled at the dragon in a haughty tone, “Never underestimate Winter Bliss!”  She spat into the cavern then gleefully pranced down the passage before flying after Cutlass.

Shortly after she took off, Bliss reached the edge of the water.  Cutlass was waiting nervously for her by the river’s bank.  Bliss landed with pride etched on her face from her successful plan and escape.  Cutlass fearfully looked back down the cavern, “We’re lucky your plan worked.  What if it didn’t work or if he’s quickly recuperating?  Do you think he’ll come for us?”

Bliss chuckled slightly, “Of course it worked.  He practically ignored you the whole time so when I threw my purposely failed solution at him I knew he would have to arrogantly mock me.  That would completely distract him while you threw the successful and much more potent concoction at him.  Don’t worry he’ll be down for long enough.”

Cutlass anxiously looked back down the empty passage expecting Soot to ripe through it at any moment.  Bliss noticed his very real fear as she spoke, “I thought you were the fearless and stone cold mercenary?  Why are you so terrified of this narcissistic jerk?  Shouldn’t you be calm and uncaring instead of trembling in fear?”

Cutlass grumbled slightly as he replied, “I’ll fight a manticore or a hydra any day without hesitation.  Hell, I’ll even fight a more reasonable dragon without showing any emotion but that thing is different.  He is gigantic and has the power to manipulate nature.  I can’t understand how that doesn’t freak you out when water had you frozen in place.”

Bliss grimaced slightly, “Hey, I’ll admit I was scared but I was only afraid of being underwater for a long period of time.  I did almost drown and freeze after my extended stay underwater the previous day you know, but you helped me get over it easily so now I’ll help you get over this.”  Bliss flew up and pumped her hoof in the air triumphantly, “You have nothing to fear!  The brave and daring Winter Bliss will protect you from the measly dragon!”

Cutlass looked extremely unimpressed as Bliss changed tactics, “Want to race?  I bet I could swim circles around you.”

Cutlass huffed as he continued to look unimpressed, “Bliss the same tactics I used on you won’t work on me, and besides this is a giant dragon of death versus water.”

Bliss landed, slightly let down with her failed attempt to help her griffon friend.  “Well then we better get going.  I’ll try to help you when we’re in the plane, in the meantime I think the best thing for you is to get as far away from here as possible.”

Cutlass nodded in agreement as the pair readied for their swim.  The fliers dove into the water and quickly swam, getting air when possible.  They emerged from the river then quickly scrambled out of the crevice.  They quickly shook the water off of their coats and flew down the passage that led to their plane.  The pair landed next to the plane’s door as Bliss lowered it.  They clamored in quickly and shut the door behind them.  Bliss rapidly flew into the cockpit while setting all the instruments, preparing for flight.  She strapped herself in and began to move the plane to the caves entrance.

Bliss looked back at Cutlass who was staring dumbfounded at the still sleeping Ves.  “How is she still asleep?  After all that time and commotion she’s still sleeping like everything’s perfectly fine.”

Bliss hurriedly spit out a response, “That’s because everything is perfectly fine!  Now go to the back where there’s a large machine with several tubes.  Take every single gem we have and put them into the tube that says magical flux compacitor.”

Bliss continued to flip switches as Cutlass questioned her, “Flux compacitor?  What are we traveling back in time or something?”

Bliss rolled her eyes, “Of course not, don’t be silly.  All it does is convert jewel magic into a fuel source to make energy, simple really.”

Cutlass looked down at the peaceful Vespertilio, “Shouldn’t we wake her up?”

Bliss sighed in agitation, “No, it’s pointless.  She’ll be awake soon enough anyways now would you hurry up and put those jewels where I told you.”

Cutlass huffed then went into the back while grumbling obscenities.  He put the jewels into the tube which lit up and made a loud ruckus.  Cutlass returned to the cockpit, taking note that Ves was still soundly asleep.  Bliss noticed him and quickly addressed him, “Now get Ves and strap her into a chair then do the same to yourself.”

Cutlass picked up the dark purple bat pony as carefully as he could.  He put her into a chair next to Bliss and strapped her in.  Cutlass then proceeded to strap himself into his own chair.  He continued to gaze at Ves, amazed by the sleeping bat pony.  Bliss flipped some more switches then took the plane to the caves opening.  

A massive roar shot through the cave followed by a rumble deep underground.  The sounds got louder as Bliss stared intensely at the controls.  Cutlass looked at Winter Bliss nervously, “I think that means that we should get going.”

Bliss mumbled to herself as the sounds grew closer and louder, “Come on, come on.”

The cave behind them started to shift violently as the lights on the controls sprung to life.  “And not a moment too soon.”  Bliss forcefully hit the engine and pulled up without hesitation.  The plane shot out of the cave and high into the sky with tremendous force.  The speed pushed the companions hard into their chairs.  Eventually they leveled out and slowed down.  Bliss smiled cockily as she was about to say something prideful, until she noticed the still sleeping Ves.  Her smug smile disappeared and her eyes grew big as her mouth hung open, “Damn that girl can sleep! Should we check if she’s still alive?!”  

Vespertilio’s chest moved up and down in a calm rhythm as they flew away.  Bliss turned the plane to head south.  At this point they could see the cave far below them in the distance.  The whole mountain started to move and a sinkhole like entrance opened up in the earth.  A gigantic stream of blue fire shot out violently into the air.  The massive reptile climbed its way out of the abyss and into the sun.  Even with the gaping hole in the earth Soot seemed to have to squeeze out with difficulty.  The ebony mass that was Soot climbed out of the mountain and wrapped around it, casting it in darkness.  Soot’s massive head viciously scanned the horizons until he spotted the black machine heading south at top speed.  

Bliss was directing the plane southeast as Soot spread his wings and shot into the air.  Forests below the dragon were flattened from the sheer force of his ascent.  Even going at RD5 Soot was soon on the plane’s tail.  The enormous dragon cast an encompassing shadow on the mountain range below, blocking out the sun for miles.  The darkness below seemed to consume the towering peaks like a ravenous night.  The sheer size of the shadow put Soot’s size into perspective.  He was likely the size of a small city, full of fire and contempt.

Soot flew alongside their plane, casting them in pure darkness.  Soot turned his head and glared at the companions with his blood red eyes that were larger than the cockpit.  His face bore no marks from the crystal explosion that Cutlass used on the beast.  He grinned and yelled at the friends, “There is no escaping judgment young one.  You have been quite the nuisance but now I can start my purge.”  Even at this speed and altitude, Soot’s voice reverberated in the plane with a deafening boom.  Bliss was slightly stunned by the volume of his voice in such a situation.  

Soot opened up his mouth to blow out a stream of blue fire.  Bliss wasn’t quick enough to avoid the barrage and the flames washed over the plane.  When Soot relented the plane was still flying with only some soot marks on it.  Soot growled in anger as Bliss pushed the plane to its limits.  Even at full capacity the plane couldn’t hope to outrun Soot.  Bliss changed tactics as Soot opened his enormous maw to crush the plane.  Bliss hit the brakes as the engine stopped and the brake panels opened up.  The plane lost altitude and slowed down as Soot snapped where the plane used to be.  By the time the beast realized what had happened he had already flown far ahead of the plane.  

Bliss quickly turned on the engine and turned the plane north at top speed.  Soot attempted to bank sharply but his massive size made the maneuver a labored undertaking.  Eventually Soot righted himself and flew after the plane that was now far ahead of him.  Soot was in a rage as his roars reverberated through the mountains, echoing through the valleys that magnified his great volume.  

Bliss looked to Ves who was still miracuosly sleeping, well maybe not to miracuosly as she had slept through every other mishap that had preceded.  Bliss quickly scanned her navigation for an escape route.  When she found none she quickly got desperate and decided that flying over Ibex military instillations would be the best course of action.  Hopefully the Ibex would concentrate on the oversized dragon instead of their plane, allowing them to pass into the Empire unscathed.  Unfortunately for them Soot had no intentions on letting them escape alive.  

The pitch black reptile was soon on their tails with new found malice in his eyes.  Bliss sighed and set her eyes in determination as she whispered to herself, “Come get me big guy.”  Cutlass heard her and looked at the young pegasus in fear.  He was about to say something when Bliss grinned deviously as she abruptly pulled the plane up at a steep angle.  She then forced the plane upside down as she twisted around the back of the dragon.  Soot squirmed and flailed as he attempted to catch the plane that was rolling around his gigantic body.  

Bliss kept cool as she pulled multiple G’s around the furious beast.  Soot flared his wings and swung his tail in an attempt to strike the plane.  Bliss kept a stoic face as titanium claws snapped just out of reach and as blue flames streamed just behind her plane.  She did a final roll then shot straight into the air, gaining altitude rapidly as Soot regained his bearings.  

Soot quickly recovered and flew up in pursuit.  Bliss smiled lightly as the plane continued to climb as her companions and her were being forced back into their seats.  She could hear Soot directly behind them as her smile grew and she cut the engines.  The plane tumbled down and backwards towards the ground as they neared Soot’s gapping mouth.  Right before they got to Soot’s razor teeth, Bliss flared the engines propelling the plane to the side and jolting the companions.  Soot was better prepared this time as he flipped backwards to stay within striking distance.  

At this point the plane was aimed straight down, plummeting towards the ground.  Bliss turned on the engines and pushed them forward.  Soot dove after them with his wings tucked back for speed accompanied by an excess of momentum due to his unparalleled mass.  When the plane was barely a few thousand feet above the valley floor Bliss pulled up.  The plane straightened out and glided above the tree tops as Soot realized what was about to occur.  He attempted to extend his wings to slow himself but it did little to help him as he slammed into the ground with a resounding crash.

Soot’s momentum due to his velocity and mass created a massive crater.  The whole mountain range shook from the impact.  The dust settled to reveal an apocalyptic scene of destruction in the valley.  Trees were flattened, dirt was overturned, whole mountain sides collapsed and the ground was torn open.  In this massive crater laid the terrifying beast, Soot.  He was motionless as the dust settled on him and the valley lay in a mourning silence.

Bliss banked around the destruction as she headed towards a mountain pass to the north.  She had a smug grin on her until she turned to her companions.  Cutlass was barfing furiously from the G’s Winter bliss pulled and Ves was sitting wide awake in her seat with her eyes wide open in fear and shock.  Winter Bliss busted out laughing at the sight as she addressed Ves in between outbursts of hysterical laughter.  “How did you sleep?”

Vespertilio slowly turned to look at the now manically giggling blue pegasus, “Fiiiiinnee.”  She barely stuttered out.  

Bliss laughed again as she attempted to ask another question, “When did you wake up?”

Ves just stared silently for a while before she stuttered out another response. “Wheeeennn yoouuu werrree flyiiiing arounnnddd that thinnnnnggggg.   Whatttt wasss thattt?  Wwwhhatttt did I missss?”  

Winter Bliss couldn’t stop laughing long enough to answer so Cutlass did when he stopped regurgitating his fluffy bunny from that morning.  “That was a massive dragon that can alter nature and Bliss managed to piss him off.”

Vespertilio was hyperventilating into a bag as Cutlass rubbed his head.  “Ugh, I have the worst headache ever from your fancy little maneuvers.  How about next time you warn a griffon before you pull that crap you prick.”

Winter Bliss put the plane in auto pilot so that she could roll on the floor in laughter.  Ves finally calmed down but still had a fearful look as she talked to Winter Bliss, “Next time could you please wake me up before you piss off a massive dragon.  Being woken up by G force with a gigantic black beast trying to kill you isn’t very pleasant.”  

After several minutes of laughter, to the displeasure of Cutlass, Bliss retook control of the plane manually.  The mountains began to gain elevation as they neared the pass.  Bliss planned to follow the pass into the Empire then swing south to hopefully avoid detection.  As they neared the valley a resounding roar tore through the mountains behind them.  A black void rose into the air.  It climbed into the sky until it blocked out the sun.  The void hovered in front of the sun for a while until it released another deafening roar as it dove after the plane.  

> Chapter 5: The Battle of the Pass 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The End of Peace: Chapter 5, The Battle of the Pass
By Ceasertiberius

Amare panted heavily as she climbed over what seemed to be the fiftieth hill that day.  The last week of travel had been nothing but an uphill battle and it was beginning to ware on the docile doe.  Amare finally caught her breath and gazed at the oppressive snowcapped peaks that lay before them.  Scorch stood as tall and proud as ever on top of a nearby hill.  A whole week of nonstop running and climbing yet Scorch remained just as determined as he did when they started their journey back in Roam.  Now, a boat ride and hundreds of miles later, the group was finally nearing Rommule’s camp.

Behind Amare a ways was the zebra princess Zenith.  She was slowly struggling up a small hill as Scorch waited patiently for both of them.  Zenith was not used to life outside the city so this was a massive change from her norms.  Amare was used to traveling through a dense forest yet this trip was still taking its toll on her, so she could sympathize with the zebra princess.  She figured that it must be hard for someone that small and used to high class to deal with this trying and abrupt change.

Amare slowly trotted back to help the tired zebra.  Zenith was panting heavily but she spared enough energy to smile gratefully at Amare for her assistance.  After a tiresome climb, the pair reached the hill top where Scorch was standing regally.  He looked strangely proud yet fearsomely serious.  His fire like mane moved gently in the breeze as he stared intently into the distance with his cobalt blue eyes.  Amare cantered up to see what the blood red unicorn was staring at so attentively.  The symmetrically stripped zebra princess sat down behind them to catch her breath.

Amare scanned the horizon with her small blue green eyes.  She wasn’t a soldier so she wasn’t as observant as her Germaney friend.  Eventually she saw it, a flat area of land with a black top on it.  They could only see part of it but Scorch was seemingly entranced by it.  Amare looked at her friend with worry, “What are you doing Scorch?”

Scorch didn’t move an inch as he responded, “Zat asphalt is for a runvay.  Zat means zat ve are near ze pass und near Rommule.”  Scorch hesitated as he let out an exasperated statement, “He brought ze whole damn air force for one battle.  Vat ze hell is he planning?”  Scorch continued to stare at the airstrip intently.  He appeared almost possessed until he blinked.  He shook his head like he had emerged from a deep trance then he immediately galloped towards the airstrip.  

Amare opened her mouth to respond when she noticed her friend running off again.  Her mouth hung agape as Zenith sighed in exasperation behind her, “Great more running.  Let’s go.”  Zenith slowly trotted after Scorch as Amare regained her composure to follow.  Scorch reached the airfield quickly but he didn’t stop.  The blood red unicorn continued to run towards the massive mountains as he left his companions in the dust. It took the pair awhile but eventually they reached the airfield.  The mares stopped to stare at the pony air force as Scorch continued on.  

There was an assortment of hundreds of planes.  Amare stared in shock because she had never seen a plane before, “Are those planes?  They’re large and so strange looking.  How can something so big fly?”

Zenith’s eyes were equally as large, “Yes those are planes and a lot of them.  I’ve never seen so many planes, this is insane, there must be nearly a thousand!”

Amare continued to stare as she asked another similar question, “But how can that many huge machines fly?”

Zenith slowly reacted to her question, “Ummm I believe they use magic to augment the pilot’s inherent magic while utilizing natural fuels combined with an aerodynamic body to create lift.”

Amare blinked in confusion, “Wow, you really know a lot about these things.”

Zenith lightly shook her head as she continued to stare, “No, I just overheard my father’s briefings.  I actually have no idea what any of that means but I know what they do, they destroy.”

Amare was breathing heavily, “Why would anyone turn such a beautiful invention into something so terrible?”

Zenith replied bluntly, “War.”

Amare started to tear up as she continued to gaze at the war machines.  Zenith hugged Amare and pushed her along, “Come on, we don’t want to lose Scorch.”  Zenith was absolutely exhausted but she needed to keep Amare moving for her friend’s sake.  Each of them had dealt with their tragic losses differently.  Amare and Zenith comforted each other as they cried but Scorch just got more and more determined.  Zenith was worried that her unicorn friend was going to do something rash but right now she had to get Amare moving before they both broke down in tears.

Amare stood up and the pair continued to gallop after Scorch.  A couple of hours later, the two friends caught up to Scorch in the mountains.  He was sitting on top of a large boulder, overlooking some sort of valley.  He was as still as a stone, staring into the valley below.  Amare and Zenith slowly climbed the boulder and plopped down next to Scorch, panting heavily.  

After the pair caught their breaths, they too stared into the valley.  At some point the valley might have been a picturesque scene but that was not the case now.  The valley stretched as far as the eye could see from east to west and spanned about a mile in width from north to south.  The valley was bordered by a pair of gigantic mountain ranges, the largest in the world.  The valley was more of a pass, dividing the ranges, but it was large nonetheless.  

Scorch was staring towards the west and Amare followed his gaze to a plethora of tents.  There laid thousands upon thousands of ponies with high tech weapons.  Tanks littered the camp and artillery was stationed in the back.  The army was enormous, like nothing Amare had ever seen or imagined.  The sheer amount of ponies, tanks and missiles was staggering.  She stared awestruck along with Zenith until she glanced east.  To the east was an army four times the size of the pony army.  Amare’s mouth flew open as her eyes grew to the size of a pony’s.  The red deer stared in utter disbelief at the amount of Ibex that laid before them. There were no tanks or machines of any type and their conditions seemed poor but there was easily a million or more Ibex.  Both Zenith and Amare continuously looked back and forth at the two armies with equal amounts of shock.  Meanwhile, Scorch glared imposing daggers into a large tent in the center of the pony army.  

Scorch slowly stood up and began to make his way towards the large tent.  It took Amare and Zenith a moment to notice Scorch’s absence.  They tentatively followed Scorch towards the all-encompassing army.  Amare called out to Scorch in a scared tone, “Scorch, I know that you want to meet this Rommule guy but is this really the way to go about it?  Is it even safe for us to go into that *gulp* army.”

Scorch looked over his shoulder with no emotion, “Zey vouldn’t dare harm either of you as long as you stick vith me.”  Scorch continued to gallop ahead without another word. The Germaney soldier made it clear that there would be no more conversation until they reached the tent.  It took the group awhile to reach the camp but when they did silence ensued.  Soldier’s playing, joking, fighting, pissing and planning all stopped to stare silently at the group.  Surprisingly, none of the soldier’s attacked or even acted when they saw the group.  No one yelled out slurs or approached, they all just stayed back and stared silently, almost as if they knew something that the group didn’t.  This thought occurred to Zenith as she stayed near Scorch for protection.  Maybe the soldiers had heard about them and wanted Rommule to deal with them.  Clearly none of the soldiers wanted any part of the group.  Scorch paid them no heed as he continued to march towards the tent with purpose.  

After a relatively short walk, the group came to the tent’s entrance.  There was a ruckus from within the tent then a zebra scurried fearfully out and ran into Scorch.  Scorch didn’t budge as the zebra collided with him and fell back.  The zebra servant stared up into Scorch’s fearsome blue eyes.  “It’s you!”  The zebra exclaimed as his eyes widened in shock, “You are alive, and here!”

Scorch huffed and looked at the zebra servant with disgust, “Oh it’s you.  Still vorking for zat traitor Rommule I see.  You vent groveling back to him even after he used you und destroyed your homeland.  You’re pathetic Proditorem.”

Proditorem stuttered out a weak response, “Yes, I mean no Rommule isn’t a traitor and he didn’t use me.  Zebrica is not my homeland and I did not come back to him groveling, he is like a father to me.”

Scorch grunted in annoyance, “I should have killed you ven I had ze chance. Now move out of my vay, I need to speak vith our illustrious leader.”

Proditorem stood up and blocked Scorch’s way, “The General is very busy, I must ask you to leave.” 

There was some yelling emanating from the tent as Proditorem blocked Scorch’s way.  Scorch growled in frustration, “I don’t care if he is fucking or dying but I vill see him immediately und no one vill stop me.”

Several Equestrian soldiers moved to block Scorch with their weapons raised, “Halt! The zebra said no one enters, now leave at once!”

A loud commotion sounded from within the tent as Scorch glared daggers into the soldiers.  Scorch narrowed his eyes in defiance, “I vill give you one last varning, move out of ze vay or I vill move you myself.”

The soldiers readied their guns in preparation, “We will kill you if we must.  Stand down soldier.”

Scorch spit towards the tent, “I am no longer a dog of ze military.  I vill never kill for zat monster again.  Come out of your tent Rommule, you coward!”  Scorch bellowed at the tent.  Soldiers started to push Scorch back while arguments erupted and Proditorem cowered in fear.  Amare and Zenith tried to dispel the conflict as the voices of reason, to no avail.  Each side argued louder and louder until a small grey unicorn with a predominantly black mane with red emerged from the tent.  The unicorn had a general’s cap on his head and wore aviators to disguise his eyes.  The General appeared to be annoyed by the disturbance but it was hard to tell.  He gazed at Scorch and his two companions then walked slowly towards them.  

Rommule appeared to be observing the misplaced companions but it was hard to tell with his glasses concealing his eyes.  The General huffed as his soldiers stood at attention and Scorch growled impatiently.  Rommule surprisingly broke out into a smile, “Vell zis is a pleasant surprise, Scorch, my favorite soldier!  I heard rumors zat you vere killed in Roam but I never believed zem!”

Scorch rolled his eyes, “Don’t act so surprised, I’m harder to kill zan you anticipated.  You may have killed off my family und friends but I came back.  Zeir sacrifices vill not be in vain.  You used us as distraction pawns so zat you could massacre a whole city.”

Rommule’s smile faltered slightly but he saved face, “You are mistaken my friend!  I never intended for your friends to be put in danger.  I had faith zat you would escape unharmed.  I do apologize for your losses, I did not foresee zat ze zebras vould chase your squad vith so much zeal.”

Scorch hissed in anger, “My family is dead, everyzing I had, gone because of you, and all you can say is sorry?  You destroyed a whole city because it vas a tactical advantage.”

Rommule continued to smile, completely unfazed by Scorch’s anger, “Your squad vas hailed as heroes und I know zat it does not make up for your losses but ve all admire zeir courage.  I destroyed ze city because zose vere my orders.  Didn’t you ever vonder vhy I delayed attacking ze city for so long?”

Scorch hesitated as Rommule took advantage of his doubt, “I knew zat you und your princess friend vere trying to evacuate ze city.  I did not vant a bloodbath so I vaited until you cleared ze city.  Ze majority of dead zebras vere killed by your squad.  I destroyed ze city for a psychological und tactical victory, not a decimation of ze zebra species.  I could have saved thousands of pony lives and billions in bits if I had destroyed ze zebras but I could not bring myself to commit such an atrocity.  I disobeyed my orders by doing zis but I felt zat it vas right.  It took me days to convince Celestia zat I did ze right zing much less Chancellor Marekel.”

Scorch was at a loss, he was still angry but he was conflicted.  He tried to redirect his anger in defense of his friends, “Yet you destroyed Amare’s forest und Zenith’s city.  Zey are good friends zat have done nozing but good for zis vorld und yet zey suffer because of you.”

Rommule bowed to Zenith and Amare, “I am truly sorry for your losses but zis is var und zeir vere necessary sacrifices.  I vas not aware zat zere vas a deer in zat forest und plenty have lost a lot more zan your princess friend.  At least ze zebras kept zeir lives but you lost your family fighting against zem.  You Scorch have lost more zan both of zem, carrying out your orders und serving your country.”

Scorch was breathing heavily as he responded, “Zey died following your orders.”

Rommule shrugged, “Zey vere soldiers, zat is zeir jobs.  Zey knew vat zey signed up for und zey followed zeir orders bravely.  Many others have died for less vith less fan fair, do not forget zem for your own problems.  You are not ze only one who has experienced loss for his duty und country.”  Rommule looked away and sighed, “My vife left me because of zis var.  I lost my brother in zis var und my father died in another var, defending his country ven I vas young.  Ve have all lost something Scorch.”

Scorch was dumbstruck, he had no scathing response or hateful spite.  All his anger and hate was dispersing quicker than he realized.  What Rommule was saying made sense and spoke to Scorch as a soldier.  Scorch was usually prepared with an arsenal of rebuttals but this surprising turn of events left him speechless.  Rommule turned around and sighed with a mournful look on his face, “Please excuse me for I have a battle to fight.  Now I must sacrifice thousands more in zis poorly planned battle because Celestia commands it.  Thousands of losses und devastation for a pass.  I advised the hierarchy against zis course of action but zey disregarded me.”  Tears fell from behind Rommule’s aviators, “So many pointless deaths und for vat?”

Scorch stared at his former General in disbelief.  He then attempted to persuade the General out of action, “Please Rommule, no more lives need to be lost because of zis futile var.  No more dead fathers or brothers, no more destroyed cities or forests.  You can end zis now General, I’m begging you.”

Rommule looked down and shook his head, “I vish I could but I have a duty to my nation und orders to fulfill.”

Both Amare and Zenith started crying.  Amare approached the General as she attempted to talk to him, “Please sir, more bloodshed and pain won’t accomplish anything.  You can talk to Celestia and help end this war.”

Zenith stood next to Amare as she spoke, “It might be too late for my city but all of these soldiers can live on.  Make your own choice to do better, do it for your men.”

Rommule snapped back with a bit of anger, “You know nozing, zis is var.  It is all much larger zan any of us.”

Before anyone could respond, a commotion erupted throughout the camp.  Numerous soldiers were pointing at the north ridge in confusion.  The group followed their gestures to a group of three creatures standing high on the north ridge.  This was followed by a flash on the Ibex side and more confusion.  After a brief pause, the three creatures sprinted into the center of the pass as thousands of deer materialized from the northern mountains.  

The new comers threw the ponies and Ibex into a panic.  Hysteria was rampant as guns were pointed every direction.  Rommule magnified his voice and took charge, “Prepare for battle soldiers!  Redirect a quarter of our troops und artillery at ze newcomers und keep ze rest of our troops in defensive positions und aimed at ze Ibex!  Zis just became a three vay battle men, so be prepared!”

Order was restored as the pony army moved like a well-oiled military machine.  Guns were pointed in unison and orders were being distributed amongst the men.  Rommule was about to leave the group as the battle was prepared to begin when a large roar shook the entire mountain range.  Silence ensued as all three sides froze in fear.  Then a plane shot overhead going at unimaginable speeds as an enormous beast that cloaked the entire pass in darkness followed in pursuit.  

______________________________________________________________________________ 

Vespertilio was screaming as she hugged her seat tightly and closed her eyes from the horrors outside of the plane.  The plane dove and spun as ear splitting roars echoed behind the machine.  Cutlass was doubled over in his seat, throwing up into a bag violently.  His feathers were ruffled and he was in no condition to yell at Winter Bliss.  Ves continued to scream as she opened her eyes to see the fearless Winter Bliss hold her determined concentration.  Ves almost forgot her fear as she watched the stalwart pegasus in wonder.  Her admiration was cut short as the stoic Winter Bliss rolled the plane and then shot up to avoid a stream of fire.  

Winter Bliss narrowed her eyes in concentration, avoiding this beast was extremely tiring.  One wrong move, one misread and the entire plane with her friends would be doomed.  She was determined to get her friends out of this predicament alive.  She did not want to admit it but it was her fault that they were in this situation.  Her curiosity, her arrogance and her cocky attitude is what led them to Soot and is what compelled Soot to pursue them.  Her thoughtless actions had caused her friends great grief and put them in harm’s way.  Now it was up to her to fix her mistakes and save her friends, even if it meant sacrificing herself.   

The plane shot straight up in a desperate attempt to gain altitude before Bliss performed a dangerous stunt.  The massive ebony dragon corkscrewed skyward in pursuit of the plane.  Soot was directly behind them, easily within striking distance.  Bliss pushed the plane a little farther then flipped the plane 90 degrees as Soot’s giant maw barely missed devouring the plane.  Bliss pushed the throttle as the plane shot to the side, upside down.  She then yanked the controls, forcing the plane straight down.  Ves screamed at the top of her lungs as the plane descended rapidly.  Bliss spun the plane in a tornado stunt to throw off the vicious dragon judge.  Soot followed closely behind but slowed down to make sure he did not hit the ground again.  

Bliss counted on his hesitation as she straightened out the plane.  Soot gained lost ground quickly but Bliss was ready.  She elevated the plane slightly then cut the engines and spun the plane 180 degrees with relative ease.  The plane glided over the dragon’s scaly back, dodging in and out of his mountain like spikes.  Soot lost sight of the plane and attempted to roll after his prey.  Unfortunately for the ebony dragon, he was too close to the ground to flip effectively.  Although he avoided crashing this time, Soot was only a few hundred yards off of the ground, rendering any drastic maneuvers impossible.  Soot gained altitude to flip but Bliss was rolling under the dragon’s belly.  Before Soot could even react, Bliss had propelled the plane to the side and into a long narrow valley.  Soot eventually saw the end of the fleeting aircraft and sped after it.

Even though the valley was quiet long, Bliss knew that Soot would catch up and that they could not remain in the valley for long.  Bliss quickly turned to her friends, who were recovering from the nauseating maneuvers pulled by Bliss.  This was the first time Bliss had looked at her friends since the chase had started.  She was startled to see them in such disarray.  She raised her brows in surprise and laughed, “You guys look like you just went into space.”  

Cutlass lifted his silver feather covered head for the first time.  He looked completely disheveled and tired as he angrily replied, “Space would have been preferable.  Did you really have to spin the plane so much?”

Bliss huffed, “Hey it was either that or death by giant black arrogant dragon of death and destruction…….he’s also a jerk.”

Cutlass growled slightly as the plane continued to cruise through the valley, “It’s your fault he’s after us in the first place.”  

Winter Bliss got uncharacteristically quiet and gazed out of the cockpit.  Tears started to brim her eyes, “I know, you’re right.  I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put you in harm’s way.  I should’ve listened to you Cutlass, my actions were stupid and selfish.  Now it’s up to me to get both of you out of here alive, at all costs.”

Cutlass was dumbstruck from Bliss’ unexpected apology.  Vespertilio spoke for the first time.  She had a splitting headache but she fought through it for her friend’s sake.  The plane ride had taken a toll on her but she had more important things to worry about than herself.  She walked over and hugged Bliss from behind, “It’s alright Bliss.  All you’ve ever done has been to protect us or to bring us together.  Your process might be a bit questionable but it has worked.  We hardly knew each other before but now we all care for each other and are friends.  You brought us together and you keep us together.”

Cutlass looked a bit ashamed for his rash outburst directed at Bliss, “Sorry for snapping at you Bliss.  You’re just trying to do what’s best for us, even if you can be a bit reckless.”

Bliss shook her head, “Thanks guys but I still got us into this mess and I’m going to get us out.”  Soot flew overhead and quickly gained altitude.  He hovered over the exit of the valley, positioning himself to dive after the plane, even if it exited earlier.  Bliss told Ves to buckle down, “This ride is about to get bumpy so strap in.”

After both Ves and Cutlass were secured in their seats, Bliss flipped a switch.  Cutlass noticed that his seat made a clicking sound.  He gazed at Bliss who was looking ahead with newfound purpose.  She started quickly giving directions to her companions without ever diverting her gaze, “Alright, as soon as you guys hit the air you need to fly away from Soot and the battle.  Fly low and be careful, I’ll have Soot’s attention so you both should be able to escape undetected.  Find and rescue my father, tell him I love him.”

Ves was in shock but Cutlass was attempting to break free of his seat, “No, Bliss we can escape, don’t do this.  We’re in this together, we’re a team, and we work through the good and the bad as a team.”  

Bliss started crying as she looked at Cutlass gratefully, “This is my fault, you wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for me.  I won’t let you die for me.  Survive and rescue my father and the General.”

The dark purple bat pony, Vespertilio, was in a panic, “No, Bliss we need you!  We’re a team, don’t do this!  We can figure something out together!  Don’t give up!”

Cutlass was trying to rip his seat apart as Ves continued to plead with Bliss.  Bliss smiled slightly at the ravaging griffon, “Remember all of those crystals I had you pick up in Soot’s cavern?”

Cutlass was attempting to claw through his restraints as he answered in a pleading voice, “Bliss forget some stupid crystals!  We can get out of this, just don’t give up!”

Bliss continued to talk, ignoring her friend’s pleas, “Well I made you take certain ones for a purpose.  I have a bit of an escape contingency and a little firepower to back me up.”  Bliss grinned with a few tears rolling down her eyes, “I’ll catch up with you guys later.  There’s no way that I’m going to let a big narcissist like this guy hurt my friends and I’m definitely not going to let him beat Winter Bliss.  I’m the best, so don’t worry about me, just remember to fly away from Soot when I eject you.”     

Cutlass stopped struggling for a second, “Wait what?  What do you mean….”  Before Cutlass could finish Winter Bliss hit two yellow buttons and the cockpit opened.  Both Cutlass’ and Vespertilio’s chairs shot high into the air before releasing the restraints.  As soon as the chair relinquished its hold, Cutlass barreled after Bliss.  Vespertilio quickly bolted after the silver and black griffon, using her momentum to tackle him to the ground.  They hit hard but quickly looked up to watch the plane climb high into the sky.  

Soot let out an earth shaking roar before he sped after the plane.  The plane leveled out high above the valley and then dove at an angle towards Soot.  The pitch black dragon propelled himself towards the plane at great speeds.  Soot’s massive blood red eyes burrowed into the plane’s cockpit, eyeing his foe.  Soot’s enormous mouth opened, reveling rows of silvery teeth lining his red mouth.  Soot was either preparing to blow streams of blue fire or devour the plane but he was not able to accomplish either.  The plane unloaded a barrage of colorful projectiles that slammed into the beast’s mouth.  Each streak of colorful light impacted the dragon and exploded in a furry.  Soot tumbled backwards as the plane quickly approached.  Several laches underneath the plane opened, releasing a torrent of crystals directly onto the dragon.  Soot was flung into a mountain range far away from the valley as the plane neared for another attack.  

Vespertilio and cutlass sat in awe as the plane unloaded round after round into the monster.  The fight was now far away but they could still see it.  The plane then banked for a final approach but this time Soot was ready.  The massive dragon stood on the mountain range as the plane began to strife him with the projectiles.  Soot stood firm as he was hammered by magical explosion after magical explosion.  The plane then detached two devices as it flew straight for Soot’s mouth.  The devices released streams of fire that propelled them directly into Soot’s mouth.  The ancient dragon blew a massive surge of blue fire at the missiles with the plane close behind.  The missiles continued towards Soot as the plane flew closely behind, never changing course as it fired an onslaught of crystals at the dragon.  The fire and the missiles met half way between Soot and the plane, causing a cataclysmic explosion.

The explosion ripped through the mountainsides, blinding both Soot and Ves who were miles away.  The shockwave followed with an earth shattering boom.  Trees flew everywhere and the pair was tossed into the air like flies.  It took the flying couple a second to regain their control and start flying on their own.  They both landed on top of a mountain with minor injuries and some hearing impairment.  The two friends gazed towards where the dragon was but all they could see was a towering fireball of multiple colors.  No sign of the dragon and no sign of the plane.

______________________________________________________________________________


Iron Side was momentarily stunned by the sheer size of the beast that just flew over the pass.  His military instincts took over and snapped him out of his stupor.  He looked to his sides to observe his companions reactions and the movements of the armies.  Harry was muttering to himself and drawing strange symbols in the ground.  Silentium, on the hand, was staring after the direction that the beast had flown with eyes wide open.  His milky orbs were hard set, as if he was actually seeing something, something no one else could see.

Iron Side didn’t bother asking his companions what they were up to, there were more pressing matters to attend to.  The armies were organizing and beginning to advance on each other.  Weapons were positioned and orders were being bellowed out in a variety of languages.  Iron Side had fought plenty of times but this was different.  This time he didn’t have a well-trained squad but instead a possibly senile prong and a wise yet blind elk.  On top of that he didn’t have an army or adequate resources.  He was stuck between two massive armies with no supplies and two allies that had no combat experience.  The situation was bleak to say the least.  

Iron Side was scanning the pass for some sort of escape contingency but the battle would leave every option obliterated.  Iron Side was beginning to panic when the first shots were fired.  It started off slow but then quickly erupted into a roar of sounds and destruction.  Loud booms echoed from behind the ponies as artillery rained down on the ibex.  Tanks fired, missiles launched, planes flew overhead and bullets ripped through the ibex ranks.  

The battle seemed extremely one sided, it was more of a massacre than a fight but every time an ibex fell another took its place. Their numbers were staggering yet, oddly enough, they weren’t firing back at the ponies’ onslaught.  That’s when it occurred to Iron Side, the ibex were planning on charging the ponies.  The ibex didn’t have the range nor the weapons to fight from a distance, they had to get in close.  From a distance the ponies would bombard the ibex but up close their numbers could be overwhelming.  What struck Iron Side was that the ibex knowingly walked into the slaughter.  If they were afraid they hardly showed it, thousands marched straight into the fire so that the next wave could advance farther.  The losses would be tremendous but the strategy was working, the ibex were closing in on the ponies and in on the companions. 

So far the group was lucky, the two armies were far enough away that all the bullets and explosions had just flown over them but that wouldn’t last long.  As soon as he thought that, the light tan prong, Harry, exclaimed, “By George I think I’ve got it!”  He was beaming, proud of his nonsense that he had carved into the soil at his hooves.  Iron Side was about to snap at Harry to get his priorities straight but he was silenced by an explosion that threw him to the ground.  Iron Side stood up slowly, his ears were ringing and his sight was blurred.  He shook his head and looked up just in time to see several artillery shells hurling towards him.

Iron Side closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.  There was a bright light followed by a fleeting feeling.  The Gildedale pony experienced all of this rapidly with his eyes shut tightly.  When the light faded he felt a light breeze and moist grass beneath him.  The iron grey stallion slowly opened his rust colored eyes to see rows of towering mountains.  He slowly stood up and stared at a completely white mountain that towered above all the rest.  “Is this heaven,” Iron Side remarked in a dazed and whimsical voice.

Behind him he heard an overly ecstatic voice that brought him back down to earth.  “Heaven?!  I didn’t mean to take us that far!  I thought my math was pretty spot on!  If this is heaven then heaven is kind of plain.  You would think that the universe could make something a little more spectacular for the afterlife than a replica of the border mountains!  Well if this is heaven then do you guys think that we could fly!?”  That remark was promptly followed by an ummpf and a disappointed “Awwww.”

Iron Side sighed and turned around to see Harry face first in the dirt and Silentium staring at him awestruck with his milky orbs.  Harry whiningly said, “The heaven Robin Williams went to was way better!  And less painful!”
Iron Side rolled his eyes but Silentium continued to stare.  Iron Side became curious about the elk’s odd behavior, “I’ve never seen you keep your eyes open.  Are you okay?  You had them open in the pass and now you’re staring at Harry.  Do you see something or are you just as astounded by his oddness as I am?”  

Silentium slowly closed his eyes and then turned towards Iron Side.  “I can’t see the physical world but I can see things that many cannot.  The thing that I can sense the best is magical energy.  My eyes, while blinded to our normal spectrum, can pick up magical fluctuations in detail.  In the pass I could sense the immense power emanating from each army but that was quickly overpowered by another force.”

Iron Side was taken aback by this, “What could have more magical energy than thousands of magical beings with magical weapons and machines?”

Silentium seemed slightly scared but Iron Side couldn’t be sure.  Silentium responded slowly and quietly, “The dragon that flew over.  It was like nothing that I have ever sensed before.  Its energy easily overshadowed that of both armies combined.  The power and dread was incomprehensible.  The beast radiated an ancient and powerful magic that reverberated off of the earth itself.  It’s as if the world was giving him power or he was feeding off of the world’s magical supply.”

Iron Side didn’t know much about magic but Silentium’s words were enough to make him uneasy.  “So…… then why did you stare at Harry afterwards and how did we get here anyways?”

Silentium gazed at Harry who was singing a song about a stairway to heaven.  Silentium looked back at Iron Side in a confused state, “He……..well he is also curious.  Quite odd in a very peculiar way.”

Iron Side huffed in his deep and commanding voice, “What else is new?” 

Silentium looked back at Harry, “He used magic to take us here.  He was able to take us all here in a matter of nanoseconds, essentially saving us.”

Iron Side looked at the strange prong, “I guess he teleported us.  He has horns so I’m sure that he can do magic.”

Silentium shook his head, “Not teleport, he took us on a ride here.  He used magic to muster some sort of electrical energy that we rode on.  Teleporting that kind of distance with multiple passengers would drain almost anyone from any species of their magical energy reserves yet he appears to be fine.  The amount of magic that he expounded was astonishing, more than I could ever muster and elk are among the most magically gifted species.  What’s even more curious is that I can sense very little magic in him now, almost like it’s hibernating but not drained.  Also, every now and then I sense an immense flash of power from him that fleets just as quickly as it came.  There is more to that prong than we know.”

Iron Side was a mix of awestruck, suspicious and confused, “Well I have heard that prongs can ride lightning but I’m just thankful that he got us out of there.  He might be excessively strange but I guess he has some uses.”  

Silentium nodded and muttered to himself, “Yes……some uses indeed.”

Silentium was about to start moving when he became completely rigid.  Iron Side was walking away when he noticed Silentium’s sudden halt.  Iron Side turned around and asked what was wrong, “Did you sense something?  What….”  Iron Side was abruptly cut off as a large griffon rammed into his side and sent the large earth pony sprawling.  Iron Side’s eyes were rolling as he staggered to his hooves.  The griffon rolled and face planted into a tree from the collision.  The black and silver griffon slid down the tree and slowly rose as a dark purple bat pony flew over a hill from the direction that the griffon had come.  Her neon green eyes grew large as she saw her griffon friend spread out on the ground.

She quickly flew to her friend and spoke with concern laced in her voice, “Oh my Celestia, are you alright?  What happened?”  The black furred and silver feathered griffon stood up and shook his head.  He huffed and then stared at Iron Side with his piercing golden eyes.

Cutlass brushed himself off and muttered in response, “I’m fine.  Let’s get out of here.”

Harry was bouncing excitedly and pointing towards the direction that the flying pair had come from.  There was a giant dust cloud hovering over some nearby mountains with and eerie glow emanating from inside.  Harry was jumping excitedly, “They almost did it!  The force and collision of the magical particles and material particles almost caused a chain reaction of splitting atoms and fusing atoms!  The resulting release of energy could potentially rival that of the sun!  That’s my design!  We could create and sustain enough energy to power the world for a millennia!  Oh it’s so beautiful, how did you accomplish such a feat?!”

Silentium also gazed at the cloud with his milky orbs showing, “The amount of magic radiating from that cloud is astonishing.  It’s almost like it’s absorbing the natural magic of the environment around it.”

Harry shook his head, “Not absorbing but utilizing dormant energy.  Pure energy, the reaction unlocks the true potential of particles.  When we use gems or burn fuels we use a minuscule amount of that source's inherent energy.  These reactions release all of that stored energy in a flurry of explosions.  Harnessing and controlling those explosions of energy is the key to unlimited power.”

Silentium looked stunned which was strange for the wise elk.  He closed his eyes and looked at Harry.  “So, even the magic we use is only harnessing a small fraction of the world’s potential but we can increase the fraction by ability, nature and machines.”

The tan prong beamed with joy that shown in his bright blue eyes.  “By George I think he’s got it!  Although I’m still curious as to what caused such a spectacular phenomenon!”   

Silentium cut the excited prong off, “Now, now Harry, we have yet to introduce ourselves.  Just because things are dire does not mean that we should forsake our manners and turn to savages.  Let’s be civil and partake in some niceties.”  Silentium smiled at the grumpy griffon and young bat pony.  “My name is Silentium and I am an elk traveling with my friends Iron Side of Gildedale and Harry the prong.”  Silentium gestured to his friends while keeping his eyes closed.

Harry ran over and shook the pair’s hooves and claws profusely, “A pleasure I’m sure.  I am Dr. Scudworth ruler of the 4th dimension and your commander! Any Questions?”

Iron Side rolled his rusty eyes and trotted over to the pair, “Ignore him, he’s a bit eccentric.”

“Why I’m no more eccentric than that tie you’re wearing!” Harry blurted out in mocked outrage.

Iron Side looked down to his bare iron colored chest then back to the young bat pony.  She had spikey black and light purple hair and her neon green eyes were staring admirably at the sturdy earth pony.  Iron Side noticed her look but paid little heed as he shot a glare at the black and silver griffon that was staring defiantly back in response.  They continued to stare at each other in silence, as if fighting for dominance.  Iron Side then looked back to the bat pony mare, “So, you know who we are, now tell us who you are and what caused that explosion.” 

All three of the companions waited expectantly and eagerly for an answer.  Her neon green eyes were rimmed with tears as she choked out an answer, “My name is Vespertilio and I’m from Aura.  This is my griffon friend Cutlass.”  Cutlass huffed and rolled his golden eyes.  Vespertilio ignored him and continued her story, “We were traveling in a plane with our pegasus friend Winter Bliss.  She was taking us to Hong Prong to save her father and another pony General when we encountered *gulp.”  Ves shivered and her eyes were quivering with uncertainty and fear.  “That thing!  That giant evil monster from the depths of Celestia knows where!  It followed us and tried to kill us but Bliss never faltered.  She fought back and sacrificed herself to save us.  That explosion was here unleashing magical weapons and colliding with the beast as it attacked.”  She started sobbing and the griffon hugged her with a stoic mask covering his feelings.  

Silentium looked taken aback, “That magical creature was after you and it was responsible for that explosion?  The power that ancient beast wields is staggering.”

Harry’s eyes were big and he was completely serious, “There’s no way any form of weapons, magical or non, could cause such a reaction.  The amount of energy and heat that the dragon must have produced is impossible for any being.”

Vespertilio was shaking slightly as she stuttered, “She said the plane was a prototype, it could do FS or RD 5 or 10 or something.  I guess it was really fast and powerful and that dragon could manipulate nature.”

There was a stunned silence followed by Silentium’s surprised reaction, “Manipulate nature?”

Before anyone else could comment, an explosion rattled the far side of the mountain they were near.  Gunshots rang through the next valley and planes flew overhead.  Explosions continued to rip through the adjacent valley.  Harry looked around their small valley and nodded in understanding, “Right, I meant to take us farther away but the explosion halted my lightning travel.  I guess we’re closer to the battle than I thought hehe.”  

Three silhouettes stood on the slope of the mountain they were on.  Two of the shapes ran down the mountain towards them while the other levitated guns and fired down the other side of the mountain.  They traveled a ways down the mountainside when a mass of soldiers spilled over the slope in pursuit.  The figure continued to fire back until a plane flew over and mowed the group down with machine gun fire before releasing a bomb.  The bomb shook the mountainside and caused a landslide.  
The silhouettes disappeared in the chaos as the wall of earth hurled towards the group.  Cutlass immediately flew into the air.  Harry used lightning to move out of the way and Silentium made a magic barrier.  Iron Side attempted to run but the avalanche was too fast.  The large gray stallion dug into the ground and used the ancient earth pony technique of stand firm against the oncoming torrent of dirt and rock.  Vespertilio was quickly swept up by the oncoming stampede of earth and disappeared. 

The dust slowly settled, revealing a disaster zone of rocks and soldiers.  Several Ibex scrambled out of the mayhem, wielding archaic guns.  Fire shot out of the mound of earth, spiraling in a column.  The fire created a crater in the ground that a blood red unicorn emerged out of.  He levitated two assault rifles and quickly dispatched the scrambling ibex soldiers.  After the brief fire fight, the unicorn began to search frantically for something.  

Silentium was in the midst of the slide with a protective bubble of magic around him.  He was panting heavily, the magical effort needed to stop the avalanche was immense.  The old elk climbed out of the ground and stumbled to the side where Cutlass had landed.  There was a bright flash and Harry appeared next to the pair.  Some rocks started rolling as a gray earth pony hoofed his way out of the layers of dirt.  He was filthy and terribly bruised but he was coherent and functional.  

He staggered over to the group, panting heavily.  At the bottom of the land slide there were two creatures covered in dust.  They were so dirty that it was hard to tell what exactly they were.  The unicorn, with his fiery hair and cobalt blue eyes, ran towards the pair.  He grasped them into a tight embrace and then began to move away from the slide when a yell for help rang out.  For the first time Cutlass noticed that Ves wasn’t with them.  He quickly flew to the sight of the pleas for help with the rest of the group closely behind.  The other trio was already on the scene.  Vespertilio was covered in rocks and only her snout and hind leg were visible.  She was sobbing slightly while answering the questions of a concerned doe.  

The doe was dirty but her coat shown through with a reddish brown and her green blue eyes were laced with compassion.  A young looking zebra was searching frantically through her saddlebags as the unicorn levitated numerous rocks off of Ves.  Cutlass and Iron Side started digging Ves out while Silentium moved the larger rocks.  The majority of the debris was cleared off of Ves but her wing was pinned under a large boulder.  

Silentium was burned out from exerting such extensive amounts of magical energy, blocking the landslide and clearing off rocks from Ves.  Cutlass and Iron Side attempted to use brute force to remove the boulder but it wasn’t enough.  With Silentium burned out, only the unicorn could levitate that kind of mass.  

The Doe was consoling the bat pony with kind words as she helped dress numerous lacerations on Ves’ body.  The zebra was mixing some herbs and preparing some food.  Ves was calm but she was clearly in pain as she winced every time the boulder was moved.  She had tears streaming down her face but she was keeping her composure.  The unicorn looked sympathetically at Ves as he mustered his magical energy to move the boulder.  Even with the trios combined force the boulder hardly moved.  Iron Side yelled for Harry to help, “Harry, you can use magic!  Help us move this boulder!”  

Harry looked uncharacteristically nervous, “I can’t levitate things very well.  It’s not a specialty of prongs, mostly paper and small items is all.”

Iron Side huffed as he pushed even harder against the boulder and pleaded with Harry, “But you can use your lightning.”  

Silentium agreed, “The force of a strike at the right angle, or you traveling on lightning, would garner enough force and momentum to help move the boulder.”

Harry shook his head, “It’s too risky.  The lightning could electrocute her or anyone else helping to move the boulder and I don’t think the lightning alone could move the boulder, scorch it but not move it.”

Harry noticed a crack near the top of the boulder and quickly ran to investigate.  He muttered to himself and tapped on the boulder, “Yes, yes this will do just fine.”  Harry gestured to Iron Side and Cutlass to move, “Get back, if I strike this fracture perfectly it should break the rock in two.  The mass would be a fraction of the original, making it easy to move.”  

The pair moved back and Harry amassed a plethora of electricity and then unleashed a flurry of lightning into the rock.  The light was blinding and the sound of thunder was deafening.  When the storm of electricity was through, the rock was split cleanly in half and Ves remained unharmed.  Half of the rock rolled off of Ves but she was still pinned under the other half.  Iron Side and Cutlass charged it while the unicorn levitated it to prevent further damage from a rolling boulder on Ves’ wing.  The combined force pushed the rock farther down the mountainside, freeing Ves’ wing.

She tried to move her wing but instantly winced.  She smiled sheepishly with tears still brimming her eyes.  “Thanks Iron Side,” she remarked in an overly grateful tone.  She turned to the rest of the group, “Thanks everyone for your help, Cutlass, Harry with the lightning and ummmmm errrrr.”

The doe was putting a splint on Ves’ wing as she answered the bat pony’s confusion, “My name is Amare and I’m a red deer.”

The zebra was hoofing out food as she introduced herself, “My name is Zenith and I’m from Roam.”

The blood red unicorn approached Ves with shining blue eyes and an awkward smile, “My name is Scorch und I hail from Germaney.”  

Ves chuckled a bit uncomfortably as she quickly introduced herself and her companions before turning towards Iron Side.  She was secretly hoping to receive more attention from the large masculine stallion but he was staring off into the distant as the battle grew louder.  Ves turned away, blushing slightly.  She had just met him and knew very little about him yet she was immediately attracted to him.  She was confused by these conflicting feelings, they all seemed rather shallow to her.  In the end she decided that she would try and unite their groups and attempt to bond with the Gildedale pony.  

Everyone was exchanging stories and bonding slowly when Silentium began to inquire into Harry’s past.  Silentium approached the strange tan prong who was sitting on the landslide, quietly looking east.  “Missing home?”  Silentium asked as he came behind Harry.  Harry nodded slightly then looked back.  Silentium sat down next to Harry, towering over him, “Would you care to explain some of your background, like how you are so well learned in the field of magic and matter?”

Harry sighed, “Well I’m a senior physicist in the Ibex Empire.  I specialize in the microscopic world of magic and matter and how they interact.  Because of this, the government wants to use my knowledge and abilities to their advantage in the war.  That’s why I sent my family away and accompanied you and Iron Side.  You see, I want to use my knowledge to create a free and infinite power source for the world but they want me to create a weapon.  A weapon that could wipe out an entire city in an instant.”

As soon as he finished there was a pair of extremely bright lightning strikes in front of the pair.  Standing in front of them was a pair of prongs.  One was wearing a general’s uniform with a beret and a mustache, the other had a tight cut tuxedo on.  The older general prong spoke first in a very formal and older sounding accent that was similar to Harry’s, “There you are ol’ chap.  I was wondering where you had run off to.  Well no time for stories we have a job to do.”  The general turned around towards the site of the earlier explosion, “Ah, it seems that you have gotten an early start, very good.  Testing out the device to ensure that it was at top capacity, very astute of you master Harry.”  The General then looked to the other prong, “I told you we could rely on Harry, didn’t I?”  The other prong huffed and adjusted his bow tie, never looking at the pair.  The General then looked at Harry’s companions, “Ah, and you have test subjects.  How very rustic but I must commend you on your scientific prowess.”

Scorch approached the general with a furry in his eye that only a soldier could muster, “Rustic!  Vat about your soldiers’ archaic weapons und insufficient living conditions?!”

The General snorted, “Please, those creatures’ needs are none of our concern.  The Ibex are below us, those doltish animals are merely pawns in a much grander ploy, a means to an ends.”

Iron Side spoke up in anger this time, “How can you so carelessly throw away the lives of your soldiers?  Do they mean nothing to you?”

The General replied in an overly snooty and haughty tone, “Do we care for the cattle that we raise for substance or the bugs we swat because they bother us or the ground that we tred on?  Of course not, such frivolity is below a species as marvelous as the prongs. These beasts are inferior, we use them to promote our own glory as a slave serves his master.  The many serving the needs of the few and the superior.  This is how the world works.  Who cares for that which is below him?”

In a timid but angry voice Amare spoke up, “I do.  It’s our job to help those less fortunate than us.  We should care for every being and help everyone because we have been blessed and put in a position as caretakers.  The world isn’t some hierarchy that you can rule but a land created equal, where everyone contributes and extends a helping hoof to each other.  This world was made for love, tolerance and friendship between all living things, mighty as a dragon and as feeble as a mouse, we’re all created equal.”

The prong in the tuxedo scoffed at this, “Oh how very noble of you madam doe.  Your speech went straight from my ears to my heart and right out the other end.  Learn your place deer, you’re speaking to the revered General Mountgomery of the Ibex army.  He is not one of your feeble mice I assure you.”

Silentium made a quick rebuttal, “You act as if the Ibex are below you and that you are on top of the hierarchy yet your ruler is an Ibex.  If you’re at the pinnacle of nature then why do you swear fealty to an Ibex and cower at the sight of a dragon?”

Mountgomery growled at this, “What a preposterous question.  We are using the Ibex and their foolish leader to our advantage.  You see prongs are greatly outnumbered by Ibex so we play along with all the pomp and circumstance but in reality we are ruling from the shadows.  Leading Emperor Tie Ti’s army is nothing more than a clever ruse.  The Ibex would never swear allegiance to us and forsake their precious emperor.  Their numbers are our greatest threat so while the Ibex think we are on their side, and are brilliantly leading them to victory, we are actually slaughtering their soldiers to even the playing field.  It is all a clever ruse to seize control of the empire.  And our ace up the sleeve is good ol’ Harry here with his weapon that will send the Ibex cowering and pleading for mercy!  It will send the whole world scrambling to bow before our hooves!  So Harry, how about we unleash that weapon of yours and end this battle quickly?”

Harry stammered out a response, “Yeah, about that.”

As quick as lightning, James pulled out a silenced pistol and aimed it at Ves’ head, “He’s not going to give us the weapon.  He was never going to, he’s come to care for these creatures.  So let’s give him a choice, use the weapon for our species benefit or watch your friend die like the dog she is.”

Everybody was completely still and Ves stared into James’ electric eyes, never flinching.  James cocked the hammer and looked at the stunned Harry, “Well, what will it be?”  Still nobody moved but the tension was palpable.  James shrugged, “Very well, have it your way.”  

Just as James levitated the gun to Ves’ head a yell rang out from above, “JAMES!”

Ves’ neon green eyes grew wide as she muttered, “Winter Bliss?” in disbelief.  As soon as the words left her lips a light blue blur slammed into the tuxedo wearing prong.  The small pegasus then proceeded to melee the prong profusely.  Bliss was flying through the air, rapidly striking James with her hooves.  The rapid hits were too quick and unexpected for James to block.  Winter Bliss agilely spun around and landed a hard kick on James’ forehead, sending him reeling.  

James stumbled backwards before he was able to regain his stance.  James stood firm, breathing heavily from the constant blows he was dealt.  Blood was dripping from the prong’s mouth, causing him to levitate out a handkerchief to stem the bleeding.  James growled but brushed himself off as if nothing had happened, “Ah, Miss Bliss, I was wondering when you would show up.  You’re a hard filly to give the slip…….or kill.  You seem to have made me bleed once again Madam Bliss, this insult will not go unpunished.”

Lightning struck behind Bliss and Mountgomery appeared, lightning arching off of his uniform.  James summoned more lightning to form an electric cage around Winter Bliss.  Both prongs started swirling bolts around their hooves as Bliss scanned the cage for an exit.  Just as the prongs were about to strike, fire washed over the cage and Bliss was immediately tackled to the side.  
Bliss was lying supine in the dirt with a blood red unicorn towering over her.  She looked to the side where there was a smoking crater, flanked by two very annoyed prongs.  Before the prongs could strike again, the rest of the group engaged them in combat.  Cutlass tackled Mountgomery and started clawing his uniform to shreds.  Iron Side was fighting hoof to hoof with James who was also dodging magical arrows from Silentium.  Harry was standing at a distance, firing lightning when he could.  Amare and Zenith were holding back the injured Vespertilio as she attempted to reach Winter Bliss.  

Bliss took all of this in in an instance before turning back to look at her savior.  For the first time she actually took in the unicorn who had saved her.  He was tall and toned with a blood red coat.  His eyes had a fiery blue to them that she stared into for a moment.  Her eyes then gazed at his short cropped mane that was colored like flames that were burning on the ends.  Her eyes grew larger as her gaze continued to travel down his body to his cutie mark.  The mark was a line of fire that flared up into a column like a protective wall of fire.  Her eyes then started to move to the side from his flank when the unicorn grunted.

Winter Bliss’ eyes darted back to his as a bright red blush spread across her face.  The unicorn had a strange accent and disciplined tone as he spoke yet it had a caring and friendly undertone as well.  “Are you okay?  You almost got turned to cinders by zat lightning strike.”

Bliss continued to blush as she nodded her head and giggled.  Scorch raised his brow but continued to talk, “So your ze famed Vinter Bliss who crashed a plane into a dragon to save her friends.”

Bliss giggled more as she stuttered out a response, “I like the way you say my name, Vinter Bliss, hehe.”

Scorch looked slightly perplexed at her behavior, “Vat?”

Bliss blushed even harder, “I ummmm, I meant yeah that’s me, always flying planes into dragons and making explosions for others.  They don’t’ call me Winter Sacrifice Bliss for nothing, hehe.”

Scorch was thoroughly confused by this point, “Zey call you Vinter Sacrifice Bliss?  Do you typically sacrifice yourself in zat fashion?”

Winter Bliss giggled more and responded in an extremely girly and dreamy voice, “What?  Hehe.”

Scorch helped Bliss to her hooves but when he did she suddenly started avoiding eye contact as Scorch looked her over for wounds.  She was blushing profusely and staring at the ground.  Scorch didn’t see any visible wounds but there was something off about the young pegasus.  She was very cute but a bit too young.  She had a powdery light blue coat and an ocean blue mane that was held back by a hair band.  Her eyes were a deep blue and they had a nervous glint as she continued to avoid eye contact.  This was curious to Scorch because Bliss originally came off as headstrong, cocky and brash.  Her friends made her sound caring, intelligent and talkative but a bit reckless and impulsive.  Yet she was sitting here nervously pawing at the ground and sitting awkwardly.  There was something wrong but Scorch couldn’t figure it out, it must be a girl thing, he thought.  

Scorch tried to coax her into opening up but it didn’t work well, “Do you need food, vater or someone to talk to about vat has happened to you?  Ve’re all friends here you know, you can talk to me about anyzing.  Ve may have just met but I care.  I know how it feels to lose zose you love und have to face ze zing zat took zem from you.”

This caught Winter Bliss off guard as she turned towards him.  She gave a high pitched hiccup and blushed even harder as she stuttered out a response, “Oh haha yeah same here buddy.  I’m a great listener, you can talk to me any time, hehe.”  The pair sat in awkward silence for a period of time as the rest of the group fought the prongs.  “Well I better get going, you know fight my arch nemesis, help my friends and save the day.”  Bliss gave Scorch a very light punch and she blushed, “Thanks for the talk buddy.”  She then bolted off, leaving a trail of dust behind her as she joined the fray of battle.

Scorch sat a while longer in a confused stupor before he too stood up to join the fight.  Bliss rammed in James who was distracted, deflecting Cutlass’ constant blows.  James skidded a ways before roaring in anger and charging at Bliss with a spear of lightning leading his way.  James was nearing Bliss when a separate lightning bolt struck his side, throwing him into a nearby tree.

Close by, Iron Side was rolling out of the way of flowing electricity to land as many hits as he could muster on Mountgomery.  The old General was ungodly fast, making it nearly impossible for Iron Side to make any progress.  Silentium attempted to slow down Mountgomery at every turn but even the elk’s advanced magic had little effect.  

Mountgomery stood on top of a mound of rocks, taunting the tiring Iron Side, “My dear boy, is this the famed Gildedale earth pony stamina I have heard so much about?  I can’t say that I am very impressed.  Honestly, is this the best that you can do prince of Gildedale?  It’s a feeble attempt, pathetic really.  Did you honestly think that you could lay a hoof on the greatest prong in history?”  Lightning flashed and circled Mountgomery in a fanciful show of power.

Iron Side fired his high powered rifles at Mountgomery as Silentium attempted to trap the prong on the mound he was standing on. Rocks opened up, rose and collapsed like a vice as two high caliber bullets ripped through the air right above the constricting trap yet nothing was there.  This all happened in a split second, followed by Silentium being bucked and a flash behind Iron Side.  “You missed ol’ chap!”

Lightning struck Iron Side’s prized rifles and burned holes straight through the barrels.  This was immediately followed by a spin and a hard kick to the face.  Iron Side was knocked to the ground while Mountgomery laughed arrogantly.  Iron Side’s eye was swollen shut.  He was trying to stand slowly but Mountgomery was there in a literal flash.  He kicked Iron Side over onto his back while smiling deviously, “I’m a proper prong, steeped in grand tradition and expectations.  So before I kill you, I will allow you to pray to your gods.”

Iron Side spit blood in Mountgomery’s face, “I serve no gods, only the ground I trod on and those I love.”

Mountgomery wipe the blood off of his face before planting a kick on Iron Sides’ sternum.  Iron Side was coughing up blood and heaving heavily.  Mountgomery was visibly infuriated by Iron Side’s response, “I would grant you final words but I think that you have said enough already.”

Mountgomery started swirling a high voltage of electricity in hoof as he wore a smug expression.  The General was about make another haughty remark when a plume of fire washed over him.  Mountgomery was quick but he wasn’t quick enough.  The fire was fast, hot and unexpected.  It caught the prong in the side of the face before he was able to put up an electrical barrier.  Mountgomery screamed and covered his face as he stumbled away from Iron Side.

Scorch charged, firing round after round at Mountgomery while releasing bursts of fire.  The barrage of attacks was significantly suppressing the General yet astonishingly, Mountgomery was able to deflect every strike flawlessly, even with his injury.  Mountgomery created a large barrier of lightning while firing off spears of electricity to hold his attackers at bay as he attempted to retreat.  Silentium joined in the assault with Scorch, using magical blades to slash at Mountgomery’s barrier to no avail.

Close by, James was defending himself against an onslaught of slashes and strikes.  Bliss was using her speed and momentum to pummel James.  Cutlass was throwing unrelenting strikes at James as Harry countered every one of James’ defenses and attacks.  James was unable to go on the offense and he was barely able to defend himself.  This was visibly angering James who was near the breaking point.  Every now and then Bliss would find a hole in James’ shield and land a stunning blow.  James was bleeding heavily, he had never taken such a beating and it was severally harming his God complex.

Harry shot a group of rotating lightning bolts into James’ barrier as Cutlass flanked and clawed at the spy prong.  Part of James’ defense faltered but he was distracted by the ravaging Griffon attacking his side.  Bliss took advantage of James’ predicament by Flying high into the sky and then plummeting through the breach in the electric barrier.  She spiraled into the dome of electricity with a cloud trailing her.  The impact caused the energy to dissipate, leaving James vulnerable to attack.

Winter Bliss collided full force into James.  They flew several hundred feet before hitting a large tree.  Bliss had James pinned against a tree as she threw punch after punch at her greatest enemy.  James was bloody and beaten but this only infuriated him more, driving him to the breaking point.  James snapped under the duress.  Static electricity filled the air as James’ eyes started to radiate electricity.  Bliss paid no attention as the electrical charge in the air increased rapidly, she just continued to beat James while yelling, “This is for breaking into my house, for killing my mother, for kidnapping my father, for hurting my friend, for trying to kill me and for ruining my life you tuxedo wearing bastard!”

Bliss flipped and planted a forceful kick on James’ chin.  James was knocked to the ground with Bliss hovering above him.  He started cackling manically as electricity covered his body.  Blood was streaming from his face but he was too far gone to care.  Being beaten by a filly had pushed James over the edge and he was going to have his vengeance.  

James slowly stood up, encompassed by lightning.  The lightning arched and coiled around his body, striking out randomly.  Only his blue eyes showed through the electrical storm but even his eye looked like a tesla coil.
Bliss was slowly backing up as the air became more and more oppressive with an electrical charge.  Electricity started flowing through the trees, the air and the ground itself.  Harry had disappeared and Cutlass was quickly flying towards Bliss.  The large griffon grasped Bliss in his claws and barreled away from James and into the foliage.  He was agilely flying through the trees.  Dodging branches and avoiding trees. 

Bliss was trying to wiggle her way out of her friend’s grasp.  She was only able to get half way onto his shoulder so she could see behind him when a large yell of fury went out and a massive sphere of electricity radiated out of where James had been.  The sphere continued to grow outwards as it rapidly caught up to Cutlass and Bliss.  Cutlass held Bliss close and dived to the ground, covering and shielding her from the blast.  The electricity hit them and threw them against a nearby tree but the shock was only minor.  Cutlass released Bliss to catch his breath and she immediately flew back to where James had previously been.  

As Bliss flew towards James, she began to realize just how far Cutlass had taken her and how far the blast had radiated.  She climbed above the tree line where she saw the valley in its entirety.  Electricity was coursing through trees miles away from James and the damage only increased the closer she got to the blast’s origin.  She realized that, as the sphere expanded, it must have lost most of its energy but the devastation closer to James was horrendous.  A whole section of the forest laid in a charred ruin and trees were toppled over, extending away from a massive smoking crater.  

Bliss approached the edge of the crater and peered into the scorched earth.  Kneeling in the middle was a deranged James.  His tuxedo was gone and he was cackling in between coughs.  He was still excessively bruised and beaten from their earlier fight and blood was starting to soak the ground around him.  The proud, polite, calm and in control prong that Bliss had first met was gone.  He was driven by anger and frustration that Bliss continued to come back and beat him.  The proud prong was not used to having a challenge much less getting beaten to a pulp by a young pegasus.  His snap in Aura was nothing compared to this.  That incident was only a flash of his true capabilities.  He used his pride and prestige to cover his rage and innate desire for control.  He despised any situation where he was not in complete control and the brawl with Bliss was just too much for him to handle.

Standing next to him was another prong with a severe burn on one side of his face.  It took Bliss a second to recognize the prong as General Mountgomery.  His uniform was gone but besides the burn on his face, he was uninjured and showed no signs of being disheveled.  He had the same arrogant and stoic look as he stood over the crazed James.  

James was glancing around frantically until he froze while gazing behind Mountgomery.  He slowly turned his head to the side and glared right up at Winter Bliss.  His pupils shrank and he quivered slightly.  His mouth twitched as blood bubbled out the side.  He slowly stood up, shaking as he did.  He put his hoof up as if to adjust a nonexistent tie and then spoke in his same calm and polite tone, “Well Miss Bliss, it seems that you have thoroughly flustered me.  This insult will not be forgotten.  Until next time.”  
James bowed and Mountgomery stared at Bliss before they both vanished in a flash of lightning.  Bliss stood at the edge of the crater a while longer until her friends started to accumulate.  First Harry appeared next to Bliss in a flash.  Bliss was initially startled by the flash, fearing James had returned with back up.  Harry quickly explained how he had traveled away from the blast but not before he had absorbed some of the electricity to weaken its power.  He also said something about being thunderstruck and stuck in some town but Bliss didn’t understand nor did she really want to.

Next, Amare and Zenith appeared from the forest with Vespertilio being propped up between them.  The young bat pony squealed and ran to hug Bliss.  Apparently Amare’s healing talents were some kind of a miracle.  Ves was already moving her injured wing and was overjoyed at seeing Winter Bliss.  Ves didn’t get to hug Bliss after she made her reappearance from the dead.  Ves was holding onto Bliss and crying softly into her powdery blue coat.  She kept saying how she thought Bliss had died and she was so happy she was okay.  Bliss comforted and reassured Ves that she was alright before the next companion arrived.    

Cutlass was a little bruised from their quick escape and crash but other than that he was no worse for wear.  He was being quiet and aloof to the group but Bliss approached him regardless.  She tackled him and nuzzled him, thanking him for risking his own well-being to help her.  Cutlass grunted and remarked how he was just glad she was still alive after she flew a plane into a dragon.  Bliss chuckled before getting up and rejoining the group.  Cutlass kept his distance once he brushed himself off from Bliss’ unexpected tackle.

Finally Scorch appeared from the depths of the forest, followed by a bruised Silentium who was levitating a beaten and unconscious Iron Side.  Silentium gently laid Iron Side on the ground as Amare rushed to his side.  She immediately started working her magic, both literally and figuratively.  Zenith explained how Amare had used her magic to block the blast but Ves’ screech somehow redirected the brunt of the blast.  Ves rolled her eyes playfully, “It was just waves hitting waves.  After the collision the resulting waves have to go somewhere.”

Bliss nodded her head, “Makes sense.  The electricity was likely flowing on a wavelength of energy so countering that wave with another force should theoretically redirect it or expel the wave .”

Harry rose in between the trio unexpectedly, “And depending on the force of each wave a new force of the combined energy would direct the force at a different angle, just like pie………… not the value, a triangular piece of pie with different sides and angles.”

Harry slowly drifted down again and scurried away.  The trio just sat dumbfounded with their brows raised.  Scorch and Silentium then joined the group once they were sure Amare had things under control with the gravely injured Iron Side.  Scorch and Silentium explained what had transpired in their fight with Mountgomery.  Mountgomery had easily beaten Silentium and Iron Side but he suffered a burn at the hooves of Scorch.  Unfortunately, that was the last blow that Mountgomery had suffered.  The prong was unnaturally fast and cunning, even compared to James who had his flank brutally handed to him by Bliss before his little tantrum.  

The friends were talking calmly when several large explosions shook the valley.  The battle seemed to be picking up again and it was getting closer.  Scorch was about to suggest that they leave when a swarm of black tailed deer emerged from the forest.  They were running over each other and cackling manically.  They drooled and snickered in their insane manner while wielding some terrifingly archaic blades.  The deer were a little ways down the valley but they were close enough to make the group excessively uneasy.

The group was preparing to run when several planes flew overhead, dropping fire bombs on the approaching deer.  The bombs formed a large fiery wall between the deer and the companions.  Blood curdling screeches emanated from the blaze as it burned the deer alive.  Some of the crazed deer even jumped in the flames giddily as their skin melted off their bones.  The whole situation was disturbing and full of mass hysteria.  

The group’s attention was torn away from the burning deer to the mountain slopes, where a mass of ibex were scampering into the valley.  Their numbers were staggering, there didn’t appear to be an end to their army as they continued to flow into the valley.  Their stampede caused the ground to shake violently as they ran from something.  They were wielding very old and rustic guns that looked like they would backfire before they could actually hit something.

Finally the influx of Ibex ended as they filled the valley from the fire wall to the mountains.  That’s when another group appeared on the mountainsides, coming from the valley beyond the peaks they were on.  A fair amount of ponies stood above the ibex and fired down on their ranks.  The ponies were slaughtering the ibex in droves as they desperately tried to fire back with little success.  The ponies had better weapons, armor, machines and had a range and height advantage.  The battle was a massacre, for every one pony that fell another 30 ibex fell.

More ponies amassed on the slopes as the ground started shaking again.  Tanks, dozens of tanks began to line the mountain range and fire down into the enemy armies.  The pony soldiers started to dig trenches for cover and flank the ibex from the slopes.  Planes flew over and dropped more fire bombs paired with smoke bombs.  This mayhem concealed the ponies’ movement as they quickly surrounded the ibex and dug in.  The battle would have ended quickly if it wasn’t for the shear amount of ibex soldiers.  Amare couldn’t help but think that Mountgomery had partially planned this massacre.

The battle could have remained very one sided but when the fires died down the deer stormed both armies.  The warped black tailed deer slaughtered soldiers in excessively grotesque ways.  They ripped off body parts and bathed in the blood as they laughed in glee.  From the forest more deer emerged but these deer were much larger and more regal.  White tailed deer and red deer started firing powerful bolts of magic at the pony tanks, destroying several.  Planes flew overhead again but this time only a few bombs hit the newcomers.  The deer’s magic shot down numerous planes.  The flaming machines crashed into the forest and into the colliding armies.  The scene was one of utter destruction.

On the hill, more machines arrived to replace the fallen tanks.  Artillery lined up and fired barrage after barrage at the deer who returned fire.  All of this happened as the ibex were getting slaughtered in the middle.  A couple of missiles soared in the sky and slammed into the deer’s lines.  The massive explosions caused devastating damage to the deer army.  Even with the arrival of the more powerful deer, the ponies seemed to have a distinct advantage and control of the battle.  Another wave of missiles flew at the deer but three of them were stopped in their tracks.

A large deer strode out in front of the others.  He had an arrogant air of superiority about him as his antlers towered above similar white tailed deer.  He stood in front of the deer, his antlers aglow.  The rest of the missiles struck the deer causing more carnage and obscuring the group’s view of the large deer.  When the fire subsided the deer was still standing in the same spot, smiling smugly.  Amare was revolted by this deer, How could he smile in all this destruction while his fellow deer are slaughtered merely feet away, she thought in disgust.

The three floating missiles were clearly controlled by the large deer that stood in front of the rest.  The missiles’ burners sputtered out and the deer turned them towards the pony defenses.  His smile grew as he threw the projectiles into the ponies’ war machines.  The missiles took out lines of artillery and caused another landslide that carried several more tanks and artillery guns with it.  

Now a few elk and moose emerged from the forest and starting firing magic at their enemies.  Another wave of planes dove into the valley with a furry.  They strafed the deer with machine gun fire before releasing more deadly bombs.  The explosions dealt another massive blow and the head deer was once again hidden from sight.  The planes flew away in formation except for one that was grabbed by magic.  The magic used the planes own momentum to swing it in circles before sending it flying into the mountain top.  The explosion caused part of the mountain’s peak to crumble and fall into the ibex below.

The impact of the mountain top caused a large dust storm to cover the battle field.  The dust caused a momentary lull in the fighting and an eerie silence.  There was still fighting but it had diminished enough that Amare could hear even more distant gun fights.  That’s when she realized that this wasn’t even close to the entirety of the battle.  The surrounding area for miles echoed with the sounds of fighting.  What they were witnessing was only a small part in a much grander endeavor by all sides to win this war.  Even then, this was just a single battle in the much broader war that spanned oceans and continents.  Amare started to cry at the thought of so much death and destruction.  It all seemed so unnecessary to her.  Yet this revelation only hardened her determination to end this tragic war.

As the group was transfixed by the battle, the dust finally settled.  The large deer that had been in front had vanished and the battles’ ferocity resumed.  Amare and Zenith were both shaking as Ves averted her gaze.  Scorch put a foreleg around Amare and tried to pull her from the raging battle, “Come on, ve don’t need to vatch zis.  It’s better if ve leave before any of us get hurt.”  
Amare sniffled and nodded as Scorch reached over and grabbed Zenith too.  The rest of the group was following Scorch’s lead, turning in the opposite direction of the battle to head deeper into the forest.   When they did, the group noticed the large deer standing a ways in front of them.  He was grinning as he slowly made his way towards the group.  His coat was dirty brown and his antlers were large and intricate.  He was much larger than Amare but about a head shorter than Silentium.

Silentium spoke before the deer even reached them with a tone of pure disdain, “Ah councilor Cornibus, I thought I sensed your foul magic.”

Cornibus scoffed and responded in mock pain, “My dear friend Silentium that was both rude and quite unlike you.  What’s the matter?  Does something bother you old friend?”

Silentium growled in contempt.  Cornibus chuckled and gazed over Silentium’s new found friends.  He stopped examining Silentium’s companions when his gaze settled on Amare.  His grin spread across his entire face as his small brown eyes were fixated on the young doe.  “I see that you entrapped a young doe into your fruitless cause.  Already moved on Silentium?  It’s only been a few weeks since my black tailed deer skinned your wife alive and you’ve already gotten yourself a young doe to replace her.  I’m proud of you Silentium, being able to move on is an important part of growing up.”

Silentium bellowed in rage and charged Cornibus who easily teleported out of the way.  “Tsk, tsk watch the temper Silentium, that’s no way for an elk councilor to behave.  What would your tribe think of you if they saw you acting like this towards a fellow antlered creature?  For shame Silentium, they would be appalled by your behavior if they could see you.  Too bad they can’t see anything in the afterlife.”

Silentium continued to charge after Cornibus who nonchalantly teleported away from Silentium.  He was leading Silentium away from the group by luring him farther into the forest.  Eventually Cornibus just dodged Silentium’s attack and bucked him.  Silentium slid a ways before he regained his stance.  Cornibus just winked and teleported away.

Silentium was about to pursue when manic cackling filled the air.  The sound was emanating from the trees above Silentium.  The crazed black tailed deer lunged at Silentium from their perches but Silentium was in a furry.  He wasted no time dispatching the insane nuisances.  A pair of the deer sprang from a bush, swinging knifes at Silentium.  The old elk shot two magical spears straight through the deer’s chest.  The deer spit up blood and laughed with their wild eyes before dying.  Another group of deer attacked Silentium but he flung them away without a second thought.  Silentium tried to make his way back to the group but a whole plethora of black tailed deer appeared in front of him.  Silentium sighed and made two magical swords as he engaged the deer.

Amare was fuming at the arrogant deer that had suddenly appeared to mock and coax Silentium into following him.  Silentium and the deer vanished into the forest until crazed giggling could be heard from within the forest.  In a flash the deer was back with his hoof over Amare’s shoulder.  “That should take care of him.  My minions will carve him up just like they did to his whole tribe.  He was always a thorn in my side, preaching peace like he knew what was best for the deer.  Well anyways, how about you and me head back to Shimerwood forest where you can be my queen.”  Cornibus gestured to Amare with a devious look on his face.

Amare threw Cornibus’ leg off of her as she ranted in anger.  Her blue green eyes narrowed angrily as she verbally attacked the evil deer, “I would never go anywhere with you.  You watch idly as droves of your fellow deer are slaughtered and you enjoy it.  You sit back and laugh arrogantly as you cause more damage.  You slaughtered a whole tribe just because you disagreed with their leader.  You’re a monster.”

Cornibus laughed, “You make it sound so awful!  I didn’t just kill his tribe because of my disdain for him, I also did it because it was fun!”

“You’re evil!”  Amare cried out in disgust.

Cornibus just smiled, “Why thank you!  I like you, you’re a bit feisty.  I think I will have you as my queen and we can watch the world burn together as we rule!”

Amare yelled in outrage, “I would never go anywhere with you!  Your neglect for those you view inferior to yourself is the epitome of insolence!”

Cornibus chuckled, “And you have a brain in that head of yours!  Such an extensive vocabulary, you’re perfect to be my queen!”

Cornibus moved towards Amare but he was met by a group of angry creatures.  Scorch was aiming his guns at Cornibus, Winter Bliss was about to charge and Cutlass was wielding his SMGs.  Cornibus backed up a bit but his smug grin remained.  A bright light went off deep within the forest that was followed by a strange mixture of screams of joy and pain.  Cornibus bowed, “And that is my cue to make my exit.  Goodbye my queen, until next time.”  Cornibus teleported and reappeared back at his former position, at the front of the deer he army.  He winked in their direction before taking command of his fellow deer.  

Silentium was cutting down black tailed deer as quickly as they appeared.  One flick of his swords and heads went flying which only seemed to excite the deer further.  Silentium was getting sick of this annoyance quickly.  A large group of black tailed deer charged him with their rusty weapons.  Silentium quickly spun his swords around his body.  The deer didn’t even hesitate, they sprinted into the meat grinder and were torn to pieces.  While Silentium was focused on the deer charging him, several deer pounced on him from above.  Two deer sank their makeshift blades in Silentium’s back.  Silentium bucked them off and in a furry opened his milky white eyes.  They glowed bright as wisps of magic circled Silentium.  The magical energy grew thicker and formed an orb around Silentium.  The winds picked up and pushed the crazy deer away from Silentium which only made them laugh harder.  The energy built up until it exploded in a flash.  

All that was left of the black tailed deer were pieces.  Silentium broke into a gallop to rendezvous with his friends.  It didn’t take him long to reach his friends. When he arrived he noticed that Amare was slightly disheveled and Cornibus was nowhere to be seen.  His friends were glad to see him but they were in a hurry and skipped the niceties. They were preparing to travel a great distance away from the battle that raged behind them.  Amare was helping Iron Side to his feet and the others were readying their saddlebags.  Iron Side was able to walk and he looked better but he was still in bad shape.  

They were about to head into the forest when Silentium sensed Cornibus on the battlefield.  He gazed in his direction, not that he could really see him, but he could sense his smug arrogance.  That’s when a new machine rolled over the mountain side.  The machine roared to life and shook the ground.  It was a tank but it was much larger and deadlier looking than the ponies’ other machines.  It had several sets of treads and five turrets that were laid out in the shape of a pentagon.

The turrets spun like miniguns before settling on their own axis where they rotated in different directions to cover a wide swath of the battlefield.  The tank had hatches for flamethrowers and guns all over it and tubes that projected out of its back for rockets.  Standing on top of the tank was a gray unicorn, wearing a general’s hat and aviators.  He was barking out orders and directing troop movements.  

The tank’s cannons aimed at different sections of the battlefield as the unicorn pointed at the deer.  All 5 cannons fired but not just one shot with a single normal shell.  Each turret shot multiple shells rapidly with numerous effects.  Some caused explosions, some electricity, poison or fire while others opened up and released even more projectiles.  The range of effects caused an equally devastating range of destruction.  The turrets then centered again, creating the pentagon formation.  The machine stalled and then let out another deafening roar.  The cannons started spinning rapidly until all that could be seen was one massive rotating circle.  The canons then released a flurry of shots like a machine gun.  The different shells ripped through the ibex and deer armies like they were paper mache.  The machine guns on the tank started strafing the armies and rockets fired into the enemies’ ranks in a chilling harmony with the cannons.

Scorch grunted, “Vat type of monstrosity did you create zis time Rommule?”

Scorch had seen enough and so he started to make his way through the forest.  The rest of the group slowly followed suit as the battle continued behind them just as vigorously as ever.  They made it a fair distance from the battle but the sounds of death were still able to reach them.  They stopped by a large boulder in a clearing to let Iron Side rest.  Amare checked his wound and the rest of the group conversed to lighten the mood.  

Bliss flew above the tree canopy to scout out their surroundings.  She could see several parts of the battle in the distance but that was about it.  They were heading south east on the edge of the massive mountain range.  The valley they were in was starting to open up into the Ibex Empire.  Bliss was content with their progress but she was worried that the group would separate as soon as they were safe.  She had come to like the other creatures that she had just met earlier that day, one unicorn a bit more than the rest.  They had similar goals and they were all good creatures, not looking for slaughter like the rest of the world.  She was going to try and keep them together, no matter what it took.

Bliss had zoned out and she realized that she should probably return to the group before they began to worry.  That’s when an earth shattering roar echoed throughout the entire mountain range. Off in the distance, a massive stream of blue fire climbed high into the sky.  Bliss froze up in disbelief.  She shook herself out of her stupor and began to yell in outrage, “OH COME ON!  I DROVE A FREAKING PLANE INTO YOU AND EXPLODED!  YOU CAN’T JUST BRUSH IT OFF LIKE THAT!  I HAD TO NEARLY DIE TO STOP YOU THEN I HAD TO FIGHT MY ARCH NEMISIS, DEAL WITH A MASSIVE BATTLE AND A COCKY DEER YET YOU CAN’T EVEN GIVE ME A MOMENTS REST!  YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!  I HAVE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF YOU!”

A gigantic black figure rose in the distance.  It climbed high into the sky until it completely blocked out the sun, covering the range in darkness.  The beast’s wings spread out wide as it released another stream of blue fire.  Bliss angrily continued her rant at the dragon as if it could hear her, “STOP BLOCKING THE SUN! WE GET IT, YOU’RE FREAKING MASSIVE, NOW CUT IT OUT!  IT’S NOT ENOUGH THAT YOU SPREAD OUT YOUR WINGS, BLOW BLUE FIRE AND CAN CONTROL NATURE BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO EMPHASIS YOUR HUMONGEOUS SIZE!  THE ONLY THING BIGGER THAN YOU IS YOUR DAMN EGO, YOU ARROGANT JERK!”

Winter Bliss started backing up as she fumed in anger.  She hovered over the clearing where her friends looked up at her in confusion and concern.   A great shadow engulfed the mountain range but the group couldn’t see the dragon from within the forest.  Scorch called out to Winter Bliss who was still hovering above the clearing, “Vat are you yelling about?”

Bliss grunted and never averted her gaze, “That big flying jerk is back.”  She answered quickly before yelling again, “YOU WANT TO GO ANOTHER ROUND SOOT?!  I’M GOING TO HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER PLANE TO RAM YOU WITH BUT I’M SURE I CAN SCAVANGE SOMETHING FROM THE BATTLE!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, COME AT ME!”

Vespertilio’s and Cutlass’ eyes grew wide as their pupils contracted.  Their mouths hung open and they we’re frozen in fear.  Cutlass mumbled anxiously, “He’s still alive?  We need to get out of here quickly!”

The typically calm and reserved Cutlass was flying around in a panic.  He was trying to muster the group to make a quick escape, hopefully unnoticed by the mighty dragon.  Bliss started taunting the dragon but it was unclear if Soot could actually hear her.  “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!  COME ON, LET’S DO THIS ALREADY!  WHAT ARE YOU JUST A GIANT FLYING CHICKEN?!”

Scorch looked at Bliss questionably, “Who is zis Soot?”

Bliss turned to give a quick answer, “He’s a giant arrogant dragon that can alter nature.  He chased us and I crashed a plane into him to kill him.  It obviously didn’t work.”  Bliss deadpanned before she gazed back up at Soot who was hovering in front of the sun, scouting out the battle below.  

Scorch talked to the rest of the group briefly, “So Soot is vhy Vinter Bliss crashed ze plane.  Makes sense vith ze little information her group has shared vith us.”

Silentium nodded, “That excess of magical energy is back and stronger than ever.  I can feel it in the air.”

Harry started running around aimlessly as Zenith and Amare continued to tend to Iron Side.  Vespertilio attempted to speak with Bliss as chaos erupted around her.  “Bliss, maybe you should stop yelling at him.  We should just leave quietly while we can.”

Bliss waved her hoof at Ves in dismissal, “He’s too scared of me to attack and now that there’s more of us he wouldn’t stand a chance.  He wouldn’t’ dare attack, he’s going to tuck his tail between his legs and run.”  She boasted and then yelled another insult, “ISN’T THAT RIGHT YOU BIG SCARRDY CAT!”

Vespertilio started speaking again in a worried tone, “Bliss, on the plane you apologized for your brash and arrogant attitude that resulted in Soot chasing us in the first place.  You promised that you would tone it down and never put your friends in danger again.  Well now there are nine of us and one is injured, we don’t have a plane or sufficient weapons.  If we couldn’t outrun or defeat him before what makes you think we can do it now?  Please Bliss, come down and let’s leave while we still can.”

Bliss hesitated but then she sighed and hung her head.  She slowly began to descend but then Soot released another deafening roar.  Bliss stopped her descent and glared at the ebony dragon.  This time Soot appeared to glare back.  His massive red eyes looked straight down at Bliss.  Soot opened his gigantic maw into a grin, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth.  Bliss motioned for Ves to stay put as she slowly gave her orders, “Just stay put.  I will distract him while you guys head through the forest.  Once you’re in the forest he should pursue me and lose track of the group.”

Vespertilio immediately protested, “No, Bliss come down!  We can still escape together!”

“No, it’s too late for escaping, now it’s time for action.”

“Bliss, come down now!”

“No, I can handle this, just get everyone out of here.”

“Bliss please, get down, you can’t handle this!   You flew a plane into him and he came back!  We need you, I need you, don’t go!”

“I survived didn’t I?  I can take care of myself, just get everyone to safety.  I’ll just distract him and this time I’ll make sure no one gets in harm’s way because of me.”

“Bliss no…”

“What? I can do this.”

“Bliss…”

“It’s fine, I know what I’m doing.”

“BLISS!”  Ves yelled in distress.

Winter Bliss finally looked at her.  Her neon green eyes were watering and she looked on the verge of an emotional breakdown.  “Bliss no,” she choked out as tears started flowing.

Winter Bliss was caught completley off guard by this, “What’s wrong?  I don’t understand what the problem is. I said I could handle this.”

“Bliss you can’t!  Stop this!”

“What?  I don’t understand what you’re so worried about.  I came back alive the last time didn’t I?  So what’s the matter?”

Ves yelled in frustration and sheer emotion, “I can’t lose you again!”

Ves started sobbing as Bliss looked on in shock and confusion.  “I thought you died in that crash.  I thought you died saving us and I couldn’t take it.  Then you came back and I was so happy but now you’re just going to leave again.  You can’t beat him and what if you can’t get away?  I can’t lose you again, so please Bliss, just come down.”

Bliss was taken aback by Ves’ reaction.  It prompted Bliss’ emotions to start flowing as she yelled in response, “No!  I won’t let anyone else get hurt because of me!  No one else will be put in harm’s way because of my big mouth!  I brought this curse on us, it’s my responsibility and I’m going to deal with it!  I’ll protect you even if it cost me my life!”

“Bliss, it’s not worth your life!  I don’t think he has even noticed us so we can leave together, safely.”

Bliss was about to respond when Soot started bellowing out an address, “Ah, so you survived little pegasus!  I must admit, your efforts were valiant but I will not allow you to escape again!  This time you die in fire!”

Soot dove after the tiny Winter Bliss who shot up in response.  The pair were on a collision course that only Soot could survive.  The massive dragon grinned and then opened his mouth wide.  Rows of titanium razor sharp fangs were glinting in the sun.  His open mouth was a disturbing blood red, accented by his extensive forked tongue.  Soot’s blood red eyes narrowed in anticipation as Bliss rapidly approached. 

Soot blew a huge plume of fire but Bliss had already dove down below his range.  She then shot up and struck the underside of Soot’s jaw.  She started flying along his belly, delivering multiple quick strikes.  Soot was unfazed by this as he expected her to outmaneuver him.  She was small and very agile while Soot was her antithesis.  He had learned to be patient in his pursuit of the annoying pegasus.  While she could land pointless blows and fly circles around Soot, he could just wait for her inevitable fatigue.  She was smart but he had millenniums of experience.  He understood nature and biology and he could learn how to counter her moves.

Soot rolled and Bliss rolled in response.  She mimicked Soot’s much larger movements flawlessly.  He rolled, she rolled, he dove, she dove, all while remaining on his underside.  She continued to make forceful strikes as Soot easily changed direction and speed.  Even if Soot tried to swat Bliss away, she was able to dodge his strikes.  She flawlessly avoided Soot’s massive claws and maintained her position under him. Although Bliss was able to keep up with Soot while delivering blows, it was wearing her down.  As she began to experience fatigue, Soot was no worse for wear.  The exertion of pulling so many stunts had little effect on Soot but Bliss was starting to slow.

Soot noticed her increasingly sluggish movements and prepared to enact his plan.  He quickly climbed into the air and began to perform barrel rolls.  He was surprisingly quick in his rolls and it took a great amount of effort for Bliss to keep up.  Eventually Soot stopped abruptly.  Bliss was thrown off from the force and was staggered from the spinning.  She was dazed and extremely dizzy.  Soot took advantage of this by quickly flying away and positioning himself above Winter Bliss.  When Bliss regained her composure, Soot was hovering far away and above her.  

Bliss growled and charged him to remain on the offense but Soot just kept his mouth aligned with her.  Bliss realized this and began to use evasive maneuvers to no avail.  She moved every which way but Soot remained aligned with her, no matter how she adjusted her position.  Soot started blowing fire balls at Bliss.  Bliss was able to dodge them but Soot was predicting her movements and getting more accurate.  The act of dodging was also straining Bliss who was already tiring.  This was Soot’s plan, to make Bliss continue to exert her energy while luring her in for the kill.

Bliss was nearing but her agility had decreased significantly.  She was narrowly avoiding Soot’s attacks while attempting to out maneuver him.  All of the sudden, Soot let up his persistent attacks.  Bliss saw her opportunity and bolted at Soot, trying to get underneath the massive beast.  Soot just kept his mouth aligned as a grin spread across his face.  Bliss was getting dangerously close when she noticed a blue flicker between some of Soot’s jagged teeth.  Bliss put on her breaks but it was too late.  Soot unleased a column of pure blue fire that illuminated the surrounding landscape in a wavering blue tint.  Even at his elevation, the heat from his fire melted nearby snow, shifting what snow remained, creating numerous avalanches.  Bliss had no chance of escape so she just cringed in expectation, waiting for the fiery wave to make everything just melt away.  But the heat never came.  Bliss kept her eyes closed for a time but eventually her confusion and curiosity over powered her caution.

Winter Bliss slowly opened her eyes and noticed a light blue shimmer was encompassing her.  The fire was gone and Soot was flying erratically in the distance.  Bliss quickly took in the cage like magic that was surrounding her.  She had learned a lot about magic in school but she was a pegasus and she only knew book knowledge.  Even then, a unicorn would easily know more about their inherent magic than her.  She tried finding openings, fracture points and she even examined how the light reflected off of the sphere to try and discern the nature of her cage like surroundings.  She even resorted to attacking her prison but got no results.  All she found out was that the magic was solid, very strong and besides being confining, caused no harm.

She decided that trying to escape from the clutches of the mysterious magic was fruitless.  She instead watched Soot closely.  The dragon was being beaten back and he was visibly flustered and confused.  Several beams of magic strafed the massive beast, causing Soot great distress.  Whatever was casting the magic was much smaller than the world shaking Soot but it was also quite powerful.  The magic it used seemed to genuinely hurt Soot.  Bliss thought that if a plane crash and magical explosion could only hinder the dragon then what kind of power could do so much damage and what could summon so much energy?  

Winter Bliss watched intently as Soot attempted to dodge the magic with very little success.  The beams continued to make contact with Soot who released several pained roars.  Soot was in a panic as he tried numerous retreats only to be met by a corral of light blue beams.  Soot roared in frustration as he yelled out to his opponent, “You are not of nature, I have never sensed anything like this force!  What are you?!”

Soot’s question was followed by a bright blue light.  The thing that was assaulting Soot was ablaze with blue magical flames.  It shot into Soot’s chest and sent the dragon plummeting into the ground.  There was a resounding crash followed by a rumbling in the ground.  The dust settled and a silence proceeded.  This lasted awhile until the sounds of battle resumed from the surrounding valleys.

Bliss was staring at the scene in amazement.  All of her efforts to defeat Soot had amounted to nothing but in an instant this thing had struck the feared dragon down like a fly.  Bliss was captivated by what she had seen as she continued to gaze dumbfounded at the spot where Soot had fallen.  

She didn’t even notice the tall creature standing next to her.  It wasn’t until the magical sphere had disappeared and she was being levitated to the ground that she snapped out of her stupor.  The creature was a massive pony.  Bliss had only seen Celestia once, when the Summer Sun Celebration was held in Cloudsdale, and she towered above everypony yet this pony was even taller than her and it too sported a large horn and grand wings.  It had a mane and tail that flowed with blue, white and green.  Its coat was a light blue and its cutie mark was of a scroll with a blood red seal.  Its calm golden eyes were half open with a peaceful glint to them.  It had a soft smile as it looked off into the horizon where Soot was beaten.  

Bliss stared at the pony in awe but she couldn’t figure out what its gender was.  She had never heard of a male alicorn and it had very light feminine colors yet its physic was more masculine.  It continued to stare at the horizon, never showing any signs of acknowledging Winter Bliss.

Her curiosity was killing her so she finally asked the creature a simple question, “Who are you?”

The pony slowly turned to look at Bliss with its soft and caring smile, “My name is Serenity.”

This only served to confuse Bliss further because the creatures name was also feminine but its voice was quite masculine.  But the response did open up the pony to more questions and Bliss took advantage of her opportunity.  “So what exactly are you?”

Serenity didn’t even flinch as it gave another brief response, “I am an alicorn.”

Bliss rolled her eyes, “Well no duh, anyone can see that.  You have a horn and wings so that’s pretty obvious.  What I meant is are you a stallion or a mare.”

Serenity raised its brow, “I’m what you would call a stallion I suppose.”

Bliss was confused by his partial answer, “You suppose?  How can you suppose what gender you are?  You either have a……well you should know!”

Serenity paused for a moment then started speaking slowly, “I am the one that saved you from dragon fire and struck down the beast.  He is down but not defeated and far from dead.  We need to leave quickly for I cannot destroy the monster, only hurt him.”

Bliss didn’t even notice the abrupt change in subject and she certainly didn’t miss a beat with her comments, “Yeah I figured that was you.  Thanks for the save by the way Serenity.  I would love to accompany you away from this monster and battle to who knows where but I have friends that need help and a father to save.”

Serenity was quiet for a time but then he nodded, “Very well Miss Bliss.”

Winter Bliss was stunned as she slowly asked a question, “Wait how did you know…”

Her question was cut short by a bright light.  When the light receded she was in a very different location.  The trees were tall and oppressive and she was alone.  She had a momentary panic until Serenity calmly strode out from the tree line.  Bliss huffed as Serenity walked up next to her.  “What gives Serenity?  Where did you take me?”

Serenity motioned for Bliss to follow him as he walked into the forest, “You don’t address me formally Miss Bliss.”

“Am I supposed to?”  Winter Bliss is extremely intelligent but she seemed oblivious to Serenity’s abrupt subject changes.  He completely avoided several questions and changed the conversation without protest.  Winter Bliss answered his question instead of pressing the issue but she didn’t know why she was compelled to follow Serenity’s lead and subject changes.

Serenity chuckled slightly and shrugged, “It’s a bit refreshing actually.  You are a very straight forward pony unlike many creatures in positions of power.  They always address everyone formally and with respect even if they have none.  They may say mister and sir just to lie or make a harsh remark, it’s all very dishonest.  With real ponies you have to earn their respect and by earning it you gain trust and with it comes honesty and much more.  Politics is much different, it’s harsh and deceitful.”

Bliss nodded, empathizing with Serenity’s feelings.  She had experienced formalities that have given off a false sense of sincerity.  The polite and formal addresses are nothing more than politics to hid malice.  Bliss experienced this with James and even before that with politicians her father had to deal with.  Bliss’ father had always said that politics was his least favorite part of his job.  
The pair continued to trek farther into the forest.  Bliss had no idea where they were going but every time she asked Serenity would pose another question.  The questions would usually be about her personal life.  They successfully distracted Bliss as the pair continued to delve deeper into the forest.  

Bliss was about to ask another question when Serenity stopped her with his wing.  She ran into his wing and stumbled slightly before following Serenity’s gaze.  There was a small clearing ahead with a pond in the center.  The clearing was empty which caused Bliss some confusion over why they had stopped.  She was about to ask when the underbrush started to rustle to the left of the pond.  

Out of the tree line emerged her friends, tired, sad and eager for a rest.  All eight of them immediately started drinking from the pond.  One by one they had their fill and sat down.  Scorch was walking the clearing’s perimeter like a watchdog while Zenith handed out provisions.  Harry was excitedly writing in the dirt and Silentium was sitting serenely by the pond’s edge.  Iron Side was walking on his own, he had improved greatly as Amare continued to tend to his numerous wounds.  Amare really could work magic Bliss thought as she watched her expertly apply herbs for medicine on a few deep cuts.  

Bliss’ view then latched onto Cutlass who had his back turned to the group.  He was sitting at the far end of the clearing, completely isolated.  He was breathing heavy but he was otherwise still.  It took her a second but Bliss finally noticed that Scorch had stopped next to the pond.  He was saying something to someone but Bliss couldn’t see who.  That’s when she realized she hadn’t noticed Vespertilio.  Scorch moved away from the pony he was standing next to.  There was a sitting pony with a dark purple coat, leathery wings and a spikey light purple and black mane.  She was bent over the pond and small sniffles could be heard from her.

Scorch was saying some comforting words to the bat pony before he left.  Bliss noticed that both Zenith and Amare were nervously staring at the scene.  Bliss couldn’t understand why but she was more concerned with her crying friend.

Bliss tried to run to her hurt friend but Serenity blocked her with his wing.  He nodded and moved forward while Bliss waited anxiously.  Serenity came out of their secluded spot and emerged into the clearing.  He stood calmly as Scorch and Cutlass aimed guns at him.  Bliss couldn’t hear the whole conversation but her friends relaxed as Serenity spoke.  He then said something that confused the group.  He smiled lightly then turned to where Winter Bliss was still hiding and motioned for her to come out.  Bliss ran out of the forest and tackled Ves in a massive hug.

Ves was coughing but Bliss continued to hug until Vespertilio asked her to get off.  Bliss released her friend and looked her over.  Her mane was frazzled and her reptilian neon green eyes were brimming with tears.  She looked completely disheveled but there was a light smile on her face.  Bliss smiled in response but it quickly faltered as she rubbed the back of her head, “Sorry about flying off like that.  I should’ve listened to you but I had to keep you safe.”

Ves choked on tears slightly, “I know you did what you had.”  Ves smiled slightly before she smacked Winter Bliss as hard as she could.  Bliss reeled from the hit as she covered the spot on her cheek that Ves had struck.  It was extremely tender and Bliss was very shocked and confused.  Ves yelled in a very angry tone, “If you ever do something that stupid again I’ll kill you myself!”  Ves’ anger then softened and she pulled in Bliss for a tight embrace, “But I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Bliss smiled even though her face was still throbbing.  Cutlass came over to give Bliss a light scolding before her grumbled about reckless pegasi and then stomped off again.  Scorch came over and rustled Bliss’ ocean blue mane, “Good to have you back kid.”

Bliss giggled and blushed slightly, “Good to see you again too buddy.”  She gave Scorch a light punch on the shoulder before giggling again.  Scorch smiled but raised his brow.  Scorch laughed awkwardly and then moved away.  Bliss hung her head in embarrassment as she muttered to herself, “Bliss you idiot, first you almost get yourself killed and worry all your friends and then you can’t even hold a casual conversation with a stallion without embarrassing yourself.”

She then looked up to observe the rest of her companions.  Harry was intently jumping around Serenity, making strange faces in an attempt to break his serene composure.  Zenith wasn’t present, she had apparently gone off to gather more herbs and provisions from the forest right before Serenity appeared.  Amare was still tending to Iron Side who was glaring at serenity skeptically but it was Silentium that captured Bliss’ attention.

The old elk was showing his milky eyes once again, except this time he wasn’t staring at Soot, he was staring at Serenity.  Silentium was transfixed by the alicorn but this didn’t really surprise Bliss.  Alicorns have an immense amount of magical energy and Serenity had just beaten Soot so he likely has unfathomable powers yet Silentium’s gaze was unnerving.  He walked forward and stared straight into Serenity’s calm golden eyes.  Silentium couldn’t see with his eyes but it was like he was seeing something more than sight itself.  Serenity remained calm and asked a question, “How have you been councilor Silentium?”

Silentium closed his eyes and moved back, “I have known better days Serenity.”  Silentium answered bluntly before backing away and asking his own question, “There was always something about you Serenity.  Some energy that I couldn’t quite determine while in Shimerwood but it’s clearer here.  Less magical energies interfering with my readings.  You have a daunting amount of magical power but that can be expected in an alicorn.  What confounds me is there is even more energy that is obscured and veiled in mystery.  It is almost like it is being repressed or even purposely hidden.  It is like nothing that I have ever sensed.  It’s not of this world, it’s unnatural and it is restless.”

Serenity retained his calm composure but he was not able to respond.  Before Serenity could do anything, a young zebra trotted out of the trees.  She had a short Mohawk like mane and symmetrical strips.  She was tightening her saddlebags when she turned and caught a glimpse of Serenity.  Her gaze went to Amare but then immediately shot back to Serenity.  Her bright violet eyes grew huge as she noticed the alicorn.  Zenith quickly ran over to Serenity in a full gallop. She put on the brakes and stopped at his hooves.  She wanted to hug him but she held back her emotions, feeling it was a bit inappropriate.  

Zenith, never the less, asked questions in excitement, “Mister Serenity!  Where did you go after the war started?  I haven’t heard anything!”

Serenity looked down at the young zebra and smiled, “Princess Zenith, please call me Serenity.  I failed my task and I am no longer a diplomat.  But why are you out here in the forest and not in Roam with your father?”

Zenith bowed her head a bit as tears began to form, “Haven’t you heard?  Roam was destroyed.”

Serenity’s calm demeanor failed him as his smile and eyes dropped.  He looked truly disturbed and saddened by the news of Roam’s destruction, “I haven’t heard anything about the war.  I am so sorry.  I don’t enjoy hearing about what death and destruction my failings have inflicted upon this world.  This is my fault, I should’ve done better.”

Zenith looked up at Serenity with tears falling off of her cheeks.  “You tried your best.  This was never your war to begin with and no one blames you for what happened.  You were trying your best to prevent the inevitable.”

Serenity was about to say something but Bliss didn’t give him the chance, “Wait, I heard about you!  My dad said some soldiers were talking about a report of an alicorn speaking to the Princesses.  They said it was a large male and he had tried to barter peace but the war broke out soon after.”

Silentium nodded to confirm what Bliss had said.  Scorch stared hard at Serenity, “I too heard rumors about a mysterious alicorn zat tried make peace.”  

The whole group was in utter silence as they all stared at Serenity.  Iron Side growled as he spoke his first words, “Be honest, are you the alicorn that met with all the leaders?”

Serenity closed his eyes and simply responded, “Yes.”

Iron Side continued, “Did you truly try to bring peace?”

Serenity once again simply answered, “Yes.”

Iron Side looked confused at his answer.  He had suddenly gotten excessively uncomfortable but before he could say anything Zenith spoke up, “He met with my father and worked his heart out for peace.  I heard some of the negotiations and I truly believe that he tried his best to save the world.  He cares for all creatures, big and small.  Even his unwarranted apology about the destruction of Roam was heartfelt.”  

Iron Side hesitated but he remained quiet as Silentium spoke, “I can’t quite grasp him but he did come to the Shimerwood forest to demand peace.  He stood up against Cornibus and almost secured peace.  Unfortunately, the Union and Order entered our forests and Cornibus seized his opportunity to wage war.”

Iron Side growled again, “Wait you knew about the deer?  You were the one that got our leaders to send troops into the forest yet you knew there were deer!?  I was part of the first group that entered the forests and we were ambushed by deer!  I lost good soldiers!  The war started that day and I have seen nothing but death and misery since!”

Scorch raised his guns angrily at Serenity, “Ze expeditions into deer forests is vat started zis var!  You knew about ze deer ze whole time but you still told us to extract zeir resources!  Vat type of peace plan is zat?!  Ve might have avoided zis var und my family might still be alive if it vasn’t for you!”

Serenity continued to flinch at every accusation that was hurled at him.  Zenith tried pointlessly to defend Serenity.  “He was trying to help all species and that includes the deer.  He was only doing what was best for everyone, it’s not his fault Cornibus didn’t listen.”

Amare nodded and spoke out in his defense, “Now we shouldn’t be casting the blame on anyone.  Give Serenity a chance to tell his side.  We don’t really know what happened, give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Scorch yelled in defiance, “Amare, because of him your forest is burned to ze ground!  Zenith, because of him your city has been leveled und my squad lies dead vile battles rage on all around us!”

Amare shook her head, “Now we don’t know that.  Be nice Scorch, give talking a chance.  Will violence against Serenity change what has happened?  Will it end the violence and bring your lost ones back?  No, violence only leads to more violence.  Arguing won’t bring back my forest and my critters either.  We need to work through this instead of yelling and waving weapons.”

Amare put a hoof on Scorch’s shoulder and calmed him down.  Serenity then gave his explanation, “I knew about the deer and their intentions from the beginning.  They were plotting to regain their former glory by conquest.  They were forgotten, isolated and angry, it created the perfect storm.  The conflict between the Order and the Union was the perfect opportunity to divide the world and take it back.  To secure peace, I had to deal with all factions.  The Order and the Union’s conflict was focused on resources while the deer wanted to be acknowledged, so I tried to play all sides.  I knew the deer were planning to attack from their seclusion so I attempted to force a confrontation.  If the Union and Order could utilize the resources in the forests, they could form fair trade agreements and make peace.  Together they would discover the deer and negotiate.  I talked to the deer and convinced all of the councilors to work with the other species and emerge from their isolation, all but Cornibus, or so I thought.  This has worked plenty of times before but I failed to realize that the nations were too far down the path of war.  It was working well but the deer had yet to reveal themselves and the Union and Order were initiating their excavations.  Cornibus used the presence of foreigners in their forests to rally the other deer.  This is how the war started as you know.  I never anticipated that Cornibus would or could do such a thing.  I am truly sorry for my failure and what this war has cost all of you.  I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”    

Serenity bowed but only Amare and Zenith were quick to accept his explanation.  Iron Side was still skeptical but he remained silent.  Scorch put his guns away put kept his gaze focused on Serenity.  Silentium was the first to speak, “What he says is true to my knowledge but there is still a lot that confounds me.”

Winter Bliss was thinking over Serenity’s statements carefully before she made her inquiry, “When has your strategy worked before?  I have never heard of a male alicorn much less one that has prevented wars.”

Serenity responded in a matter of fact way “There are no names for what I have done because history only names and remembers the wars that occurred, not the ones that were prevented.  My negotiations were successful, therefore they were forgotten.”  

Winter Bliss looked more convinced but still skeptical as she continued to essentially interrogate Serenity, “Then why have Luna and Celestia never met or heard of you?  Even if you did your negotiations hundreds of years ago, they were still around and would have been involved yet there are no records.  No records or knowledge of a male alicorn, of your negotiations or of anypony named Serenity.” 

Serenity chuckled, “Oh but they have child, you see before Celestia ruled with the elements there were constant conflicts, I was just a pony with a talent in negotiations.  I was not an alicorn and my name wasn’t Serenity.  I was well known but my contributions to history were footnotes at best.  I was great at mediation and solved every conflict that arose with eloquence.  That is until my greatest failure.”  Serenity hesitated a moment before continuing, “Well at least my greatest failure until now, Luna was growing jealous and more violent with every passing day. I went to confront her but she was already to the point where she became the Nightmare.  I ignored the signs just as her sister had but I attempted to negotiate.  I tried to calm her but my words failed me and she became enraged with me.  She banished me deep into their castle and left me bound in a dank dungeon.  The fight that ensued tore the castle to shreds and left nothing but rubble.  When Luna was defeated by the Elements of Harmony and banished to the moon, a massive amount of magical energy was released.  The blast left what was left of the castle in ruin, confining me in the dungeons.  I sunk into a coma and what transpired next I cannot truthfully explain.  When I woke I was no longer an average pony with a talent for negotiations.  My body and previous self was gone and in its place is the alicorn you see before you.  My guess is that the magic emitted from the Elements of Harmony transformed me into an alicorn, much in the same way that they turned Twilight Sparkle into an alicorn.  Before, I was a simple beige earth pony named Pact with a signed treaty as my cutie mark, now I’m a massive light blue alicorn.  So it is really no surprise that after more than a millennium and a banishment with my changed form that the princesses would forget me or just as easily not make the connection.”

Winter Bliss was shocked by this revelation but she continued her skepticism, “So you were there when Luna was banished. Then why did you remain hidden and anonymous for the past millennium?”

Serenity pawed the ground nervously, “I had a case of amnesia.  I remembered very little, so I remained secluded in the Everfree forest.  I stayed in the castle of the two sisters, avoiding any trespassers or curious foals.  That all changed when Nightmare Moon returned.  Twilight and her friends had rediscovered the Elements of Harmony and they used them to free Luna from her jealousy in the castle.  I watched the whole event unfurl and the power that radiated off of the Elements were even greater than when Luna was banished.  Before the liberation spell that the Elements used on Luna, I was just a light blue alicorn with no cutie mark, magic mane or name.  After the magic was released I found new power and enlightenment.  Some other worldly voice told me about my destiny to help save the world and renew it.  When I came to from my trance I had a name, this cutie mark and my magical tail and mane.  The voice still speaks to me in whispers and it told me to bide my time until a major conflict arose.  When this one emerged I knew that it was my time to act but I failed.”  

Serenity started tearing up but then he stood resolute, “But you and your friends can fix this atrocity.  You are my true calling.  You and your friends can end this war together.  Speak to the world leaders and convince them to end this conflict.  You have heart, determination and each other.  Each one of you has faced hardships brought on by this war but you have overcome it in your own unique ways.  You have representatives from every faction of this war and together you can end it with your unity, with your harmony.”

Winter Bliss looked shocked but quickly recovered with more cynicism, “How can we end this whole war, we are just 9 friends who have our own goals we want accomplished.  I just want to kill James and rescue my father.”  

Serenity chuckled again “Child, you underestimate the power of friendship.  Earn the trust of the leaders and then you can speak with them about ending this terrible war.  Become closer and learn from each other.  This is the first step on your long and tedious quest.”

Winter Bliss objected again, “Are you at least going to help us?  How can we do this on our own? We’ve just met and we are just barely friends.”

Serenity shook his head, “I will teleport you to the south end of Foal Chi Minh City, the Ibex capital.  From there you can get a transport to Hong Prong.  The rest is up to you Winter Bliss.”

Winter Bliss backed up, “Me, why me?  I’m just a little pegasus who’s still in school.”

Serenity chuckled, “You are more important than you realize young Bliss.”

Winter Bliss was about to respond but Harry started speaking in a haunted manner.  His eyes were huge and he was staring directly at Serenity.  “You are not of this world.  You are one of the four.  He was given power to........”

Serenity started shimmering as he looked extremely nervous.  Harry was about to continue but Serenity’s horn started to glow bright.  Harry and the rest of his companions were lifted into the air by Serenity’s magic.  There was a bit of protest but it didn’t last.  A bright light flashed and when the group woke up it was sunny and warm.  They went from the cold and abrasive border mountains to the humid and wet Ibex Empire coast.  

The air was oppressive and dense.  To the south of them was a large lake that fed into a river.  The geography was full of green foliage that covered rolling hills.  The land itself seemed ancient and mystical.  Magic radiated from the ground and the forest almost seemed to shift, as if to hide an ancient secret.  

The group was scattered over a small area and they quickly regrouped.  Winter Bliss was coughing slightly from her rough landing.  She walked over to Harry in a hurry, “What were you saying before we were teleported?  It sounded important but you were cut off.”

Harry blinked at her and then ruffled her mane, “Who doesn’t like pudding silly.”  Harry chuckled then happily bounced around.  Winter Bliss just stood stunned with her eyes wide, mouth open and hoof hanging in the air.  She shook her head and huffed before joining the rest of the group.  Scorch was packing up his possessions with Amare and Zenith.  Iron Side was likewise conversing with Silentium as Harry joyously circled them.  Even Cutlass was sitting quietly next to Vespertilio.  Her friends had just barely gotten to safety and they were already dividing into their previous groups.

Winter Bliss trotted over to Scorch and asked what they were doing, “Why are you guys packing up like you’re leaving us?”

Scorch gave a sheepish grin, “Hey kid, it has been fun but Zenith, Amare und I have a var to stop. Ve are heading to Equestria to speak vith ze Princesses.  It’s a long trip und ve need to get going if ve vant to prevent as much bloodshed as possible.  Ve just need to know vere Foal Chi Minh City is so ve can follow a road vest.”

Bliss raised her brow, “Why would you follow a vest?”

Harry popped up in between the ponies.  He pointed to a cloud of haze hanging in the air to the northeast, “That polluted cesspool is the glorious capital of this magnificent empire.”

Harry pretended to choke himself to the ground before crawling back to his group.  Bliss was confused but then she blushed slightly and mumbled to herself, “Oh right, he meant west duh. Stupid, remember the accent Bliss.  You’re just embarrassing yourself.”

Bliss hit herself until she noticed Scorch staring at her, “Vat vas zat?”

Bliss laughed awkwardly as she pointed at Harry before she quickly turned towards Iron Side’s group.  “So, what are you guys doing?”

Iron Side huffed but answered regardless, “We are heading back to Gildedale.  I want to know what happened to my half-brother and my country.”

Silentium then continued their plans, “And hopefully we will find my family if they are still alive.” 

Bliss sat down hard as her friends continued to prepare for their departure.  It hurt Winter Bliss deeply.  She never had very many friends and she valued the ones she had just made.  Sure she had only known them for a day but she felt that they had grown close.  She wanted the chance to get to know them better and share adventures with each and every one of them.  Her friends started going their separate ways and even Vespertilio and Cutlass were waiting for her to take them and only them to Hong Prong.      

Winter Bliss was watching this with dread when a spark ignited in her mind. Her eyes where radiant as she excitedly knew what she had to do.  This was her purpose, she had to keep the group together, bind her friends as one.  This was what Serenity had alluded to and Bliss was not about to let him down.  She glowed with confidence as she approached her friends, “Serenity believed that we could change the world together and I agree.  Together we are stronger, together we can overcome anything.  We will learn and grow from each other.  This is how we can end this war, our combined ideas and personalities can accomplish things that none of us could complete alone.  We may have only known each other for a day but there was harmony between us and that’s all it took to turn Twilight and her friends into the heroes that they were and still are.”

Iron Side growled, “Good sentiment but I don’t trust that Serenity guy.  He reeked of mistrust and besides, we all have our own goals.”

Silentium nodded, “You’re wise young Bliss but there is something off about Serenity, even Harry showed us that.”

Scorch seemed to agree as well, “Ve all have different objectives zat need immediate attention.  It’s a nice idea but it’s also impractical.” Only Amare, Zenith and Vespertilio appeared more willing to hear Bliss out.

Bliss stood just as resolute in the face of the criticism, “Are our objectives so different?  We all have lost something to this war and we all want to end it.  Our immediate goals may differ but we are hoof in hoof in our true desires.  Destiny has brought us together for a reason.  What are the chances that we would all meet the way we did?  Not to mention what Serenity said and that we all hate this war for various reasons.  We were brought together for a greater purpose and we can’t ignore that.”  

Everyone was silent but Winter Bliss could sense the lingering skepticism, “I have a compromise that will hopefully suit us all.  We are already in the Ibex Empire, near the capital and Hong Prong.  Scorch, we can speak with the Ibex emperor to try and end this war, it’s a start.  If we tell him about Mountgomery’s treachery, he might deem dealing with his nation’s internal issues more important than the war.  If that doesn’t work you can talk to the prong leaders in Hong Prong who supposedly control the nation from the shadows.”

Harry perked up at this, “You likely won’t talk to the Emperor but there is a rebellion group headquartered in Hong Prong.  They are zealous about ending the war and you may be able to learn a lot from them.”

Bliss nodded happily before she turned to Harry, “Harry, you said that your family was in Hong Prong and that Mountgomery might retaliate against them for your disobedience.  You can check on your family and protect them with help if necessary.”  She then looked at Silentium and Iron Side, “I know both of you want to head west but you have to go the same direction as us first so why not stick together?  Go farther north with us and we can head over the border mountains and back to Gildedale, taking us through Germaney and closer to Equestria while avoiding the frontlines.”  She looked at Scorch after her last statement but she then looked at Cutlass, “You and me will still save my father and the General, Cutlass, but now we might have more backup.”

Cutlass nodded, “I’m with you no matter what your choice is.”

Winter Bliss nodded then spoke to the group as a whole, “I promise that on our journey we will become closer and we will be joined together in harmony.  If we finish in Hong Prong and some of you still want to part ways then so be it but give friendship a chance.  We will split up at times to address our own personal goals but we will always be close to each other and supportive of each other.  This is how we make a difference, this is how we change the world, together.”

Her friends began to muster behind her and her rousing speech.  They all agreed to her idea with a glow in their eyes.  Winter Bliss’ words had true magic behind them and they were able to move mountains.  Soon her friends had their supplies gathered and were ready to trek through the Ibex Empire’s grand forests, towards the smoggy capital.  Bliss had a smile of pure jubilation as their journey began.  She gave one final speech, mostly to herself, before heading into the unknown, “Together anything is possible because together we are better.  Our friendship is what gives us power, alone we are nothing.  Friendship is the force that binds us together.  Friendship, friendship is magic.”