//------------------------------//
// The Mines 
// Story: Prince of Equestria 
// by Chlumpy 
//------------------------------//


Prince of Equestria
Chapter 3
The Mines

Shadowblaze sat in his chambers, reflecting. Gilda's battalion had already taken over a small village. Although it wasn't Ponyville, it was a very strategic point for recon and defense. Word of that town's capture should arrive to Celestia any moment now, Shadowblaze thought. And when she sends out more troops, it will be too late... 

There was a knock on the door, and he grunted, signaling entrance. The door opened slightly, its old hinges creaking their complaints. The largest Diamond Dog of the trio, Fido, peeked his head around the frame. "Master," he said as he entered. "The enemies forces have been defeated, and a few of them have been captured." Shadowblaze did not reply. "Master?"

"Bring them to your mines," Shadowblaze said. "Interrogate them, and if they do not give you any useful information, kill them, preferably in front of Celestia via the viewing globes your sages are so fond of." 

Fido's ears tilted back. He, as did the others still could make their own choices even though they are forced to serve the monster of a stallion. "But master, our pack can benefit greatly if we kept them alive." 

"Fine, keep them as slaves, but I want one of them to be killed. Understood?" 

"Yes sir."

"Good, see to it that my orders are carried out." Fido bowed, leaving the room. "And Fido," Shadowblaze said. The dog turned around halfway out the chambers. "Do not question my orders again, or it will be you who burns next." The dog ran out, the fear visible in his eyes. 

Shadowblaze proceeded to bolt his door shut. If anypony figured out his weakness... He shook his head, banishing the thought. He was the Lord of Destruction. He had no weakness. But even so, he turned to a small chest at the end of his bed. He pulled out the key which he kept deep in his mattress. Opening the chest, he pulled out its contents. A violin and its bow. He scowled, his red eyes narrowing. 

This instrument was a gift from his father for his birthday, two centuries after Celestia’s birth. He hated his father, for lying to him, for branding him with his old name. Blackjack, he thought, scoffing. What an idiotic name for a king. But most of all, he hated his father, for crowning Celestia as heir to the throne. 

He would've burned the cursed thing millennia ago, had it not been for his mother. It was all he had left of her memory. The violin wasn't the important factor, but a song that she had taught him in the garden. It was this song which he was going play. 

He closed the chest, stepping out onto the balcony. The dawn's crisp air was full of the chatter of the Everfree Forest's mysterious creatures. He put the bow on the strings and proceeded to play. The song started out slow, soft, like chocolate being poured into a mold. Then, it became glorious, strong and absolutely magnificent.

As he played, his strings began to glow with golden light. You could hear the sound of an entire orchestra joining in. The violin was enchanted, and if the musician was playing with enough passion, the sound of an entire ensemble would rise to make the song truly magical. The glow died as Shadowblaze played the last note, letting it cast its beautiful sound out into the forest.

He set the instrument down on a stone bench behind him. His lips trembled and he shut his eyes tight. For a moment he was Blackjack again, his mother laughing with joy as her son finished the song for the first time. A tear slid down Shadowblaze's eye. He went back into his chambers, putting the violin away. 

"I will have my revenge," he whispered. "Thus swears Shadowblaze!" The tear was evaporated from the fiery heat that returned to his body. You'd better make sure that the Elements are with you dear sister, he thought. Because they will fall along with you.

'-'

Rainbow Dash was with a squad of soldiers, preparing to lead an attack to re-take the small town of Whispering Meadows. A scout had alerted them of the town's capture, clearly out of breath. She, in turn had assembled the squad in, what it seemed to her, ten seconds flat. In reality it took eleven.

She stood in her tent now, with a group of Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns. This group accounted for twenty mares and stallions total. "Alright, listen up," she said. "Whispering Meadows has been captured by the enemy, and I don't need to tell you about its importance. Our mission: re-take the town. Any questions?"

A purple earth pony stepped forward. He was roughly the height of Rainbow and had a nasty scar running down his jaw. "General, what I don't understand is how these Diamond Dogs have been able to take a town. I know they're smart, but they're not that smart."

Rainbow nodded. "I think Celestia forgot to tell you guys..."

"Forgot to tell us what?"

"The reason why the dogs are so organized. She thinks that her older brother is forcing them to do his dirty work."

The group turned to each other, mumbling their disbelief. "What older brother?" The stallion asked.

She told them her story, as fast as she could as time was of the essence. The squad again was skeptical, giving her dirty looks. "I didn't believe it either, but after Nightmare Moon busting out of Canterlot Tower..."

The squad's unease then turned to shock and outrage.

"Nightmare Moon?"

Shadowblaze?"

"Uncle?"

"Eternal darkness..."

Rainbow could sense the squad's loyalties being questioned, just as hers did before. "Hey you guys," she said. "Celestia just didn't want you to be afraid, or cause chaos. That’s what Shadowblaze feeds on. Besides, we will win this war."

The purple stallion nodded. "Shadowblaze better watch out, 'cause his fire is going to be snuffed out!"

'-'

The squad moved quietly through the town, weapons drawn. There had not been any resistance so far, though the squad had encountered corpses. Soldiers, dogs, and civilians dotted the road, their dead bodies dried with blood. Rainbow heard a muffled sob next to her. She frowned in sympathy. Death was unnerving sure, but most ponies had only seen death from sickness or age, not from cold steel, gunpowder, and arrows.

She heard something clatter inside one of the houses. She signaled for two soldiers to take the sides of the door. They did so as she notched an arrow and broke down the door. She stepped in, only to find a family of unicorns shivering with fear. She lowered her bow. "It's okay. I'm Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty."

The family warily rose to their hooves and followed her out. "Take them back to the outpost. We'll check for more survivors."

"How can we ever repay you?" The father asked.

"You can't put a price on life."

Four soldiers then began to escort the family to the camp. "I don't like this General," the purple stallion said. "There should've been some dogs to fight. If it weren’t for the bodies, you'd think that the town wasn't even taken."

"They're probably in some jewelry store; you know how the dogs are like."

"I don't know, this could be an-" The ground  began to shake beneath their hooves. Several Diamond Dogs emerged from the ground. "Ambush!"

"Get those ponies to safety," Rainbow shouted. "Hurry!" She notched an arrow and shot a dog square in the eyes. The squad then went into battle, firing guns, swinging swords, and shooting arrows.

The dogs retaliated, pulling several squad members down into the ground. Soon, Rainbow was the only pony left. She then gave up on arrows and began slashing with her bow. She killed a few dogs, but was grabbed by the neck, sharp talons scraping her.

Hiya Dashie," a familiar voice said. "Sleep tight." Rainbow was then clubbed to the head, knocked out.

'-'

The remaining five Elements of Harmony had been summoned to a war council inside of the castle. Princess Celestia and Ironmallet sat regally at the ends of the large table, both in their quadruple forms. The rest joined them, and took their seats.

"Hey," Pinkie Pie said. "Where's Rainbow Dash?"

The other girls looked at the vacant seat, their concern and worry showing on their faces.

"Ye haven’t seen the lass?" Ironmallet asked.

"Not since she went to check on outpost Morningdew's status..." Fluttershy replied, soft-spoken as usual.

"Yeah," Applejack said. "Something 'aint right."

Suddenly, the thick doors burst open, an exhausted Pegasus sliding in on his stomach. The princess knelled to the side of him. "State your business soldier."

"Whispering....Meadows," he panted. "Captured...by Diamond Dogs."

"That's near Rainbow!" Twilight exclaimed.

"She could be in danger!" Rarity piped in.

"I know you are concerned for her safety," Celestia said. "But my ponies come first in this war."

"Aye," Ironmallet gruffly said. "But we should assemble a strike team to reclaim the wee village."

"General Dash," the Pegasus continued. "Has already assembled...a team...to do so sir. She is currently...in the town. I can go...back to check on...their status."

"No," Celestia commanded. "You've done your part. I will send another in your place."

"I'm fine Your Highness...really...I can do a quick fly-by..." He struggled to his hooves, before collapsing in an exhausted heap.

"Please, rest. You have done so well, do not waste anymore energy then you have to."

"Thank you princess." The Pegasus instantly fell asleep on the floor.

"I can teleport to the town princess," Twilight said. "Help Rainbow in battle."

Celestia stood and opened her mouth to reply, just as a solider stepped into the room. "General Dash has been captured," she said. "The Diamond dogs took us by surprise and dragged them down. A family, three other squad members, and I are the only ones left."

"The others?" Celestia asked.

"Taking care of the family."

"I see. You are dismissed."

The solider left, shutting the doors behind her.

"What's up with those dogs?" Pinkie asked. "If they wanted to have guests, they could've sent invitations."

Laughter, Ironmallet thought. Ever the optimist. "We need to get the lass out of those caves."

"Yes," Rarity said. "I vote to go save our friend."

"Me too!"

"Yep!"

"Me three!"

"I guess I count as four..."

Celestia smiled slightly saying, "I admire your willingness to help your friend. But we cannot risk losing another Element."

"Aye," Ironmallet said. "That is why I will be going to get the lass."

"Uncle!"

"Neigh Celestia I've made up me mind. Besides who else is going to teach that stubborn lass to know when a battle is lost?" He stood, picking up a hammer from the large table. He pressed an anvil shaped plate that was in its handle, and mail began spreading up his body.

He changed to his anthro form, banging the hammer's head. "Blasted thing! Always forgetting a part or two of me armor." With another push of the plate, a blue cape clung to his back, a helmet appearing on his head, metal ram horns curling from its sides.

Finally it was the hammer that changed. From humble beginnings as a beaten, rusty thing, to a large, heavy war hammer. Its steel head shone proudly, Ironmallet's mark on either side. "This be me trusty hammer, Steel Meteor. I think it's ready to bash some skulls."

'-'

Rainbow groggily opened her eyes. Where was she? What hit her? She reached up to the sore spot, wincing. When she looked at her fingers, she saw blood. The weight of her helm was absent as well.

She stood up, walking to the rusty, steel door, her left leg pulled back. She looked at the source, realization dawning on her. Chains. The dogs had put her in chains. She went to a wall, head in her arms.

How long had she been out? Was anypony looking for her? Above all, did the family get away? As she thought, she began to cry softly. From the way the dogs fought, it was impossible.

"Be silent pony," a gruff voice said. Rainbow turned to the source. A large buffalo stepped out of the dim light. "I have heard enough crying today."

"It's alright Mountain," another said. "She just woke up."

Rainbow knew that voice, and it wasn't one she ever dreamed of hearing in a cell. Little Strongheart joined her large companion, smiling sheepishly. "It's been a while Rainbow Dash."

"Yeah...so how did you get down here?"

"Same as everypony else I suppose. I was out on patrol with a few others, then we were ambushed and pulled to the ground. Yourself?"

Rainbow then told her story, telling her friend about the war and all the characters that had come into play.

Little Strongheart frowned. "We have to warn my herd and the Appleloosians; Braeburn needs-"

"That pony again," Mountain snorted. "Strongheart, as the Chief's daughter, you are supposed to wed the strongest warrior. Me!"

"I was not planning on doing so. Besides, Braeburn is the leader of the Appleloosians and we'll need his help, apples, and weapons. And he's a friend. Just a friend."

"Why, that is just as believable as me wearing a tutu."

Rainbow groaned, rolling her eyes. This wasn't getting an alliance formed. "Look you two, we can focus on your social life after the war. Right now we need to figure out how to get back home."

There was laughter outside the door, and it creaked open to a small, familiar looking dog. "You're not going anywhere," he said. "You're going to be here for a long time."

He, and a group of others then put rusty shackles and harnesses on the trio. They were led out into the crystal caves, down into a deep jewel pit, many others forced to mine the dog's favorite materials.

A dog shoved a pick-ax into Rainbow's hands, shouting "Dig!"
Rainbow scowled, but eyed the dog's spear, knowing how sharp they were. So she picked a spot and set to work. She tried not to dwell on the sounds of despair that surrounded her. But one cry brought her to attention.

She looked to a dog snarling at a young colt, who was shaking in fear, eyes wide.  "Please," he said. "Leave me alone!"

"You will work, pony," the dog growled. "You will work until you hands are bloody, then you will work until your hooves are caked in mud. Now dig!"

The dog raised his whip, striking the colt on the back, leaving a long gash. The colt cried in pain, again the dog striking him.

"Stop," Rainbow yelled, running at the dog. "Leave him alone!" She tackled him, punching him in the jaw, again and again. She was about to strangle the dog, when she was pulled back by many massive paws, blunt claws digging into her body.

She was forced to the ground, being bitten and punched. She struggled to fight back, when they tied her arms and legs together. A hood was placed over her head, blacking out her vision. She could feel herself being lifted up and carried somewhere, screaming choice words at her captors.

At the end of the journey, she was pushed to the ground, the hood being removed. The dogs left out a door and she was alone. She looked around, realization dawning on her. She was in an interrogation room. She thought about Ironmallet's teachings, glad for all those lectures. 'If ye are ever interrogated, say nothing that they don't already know lassies. If ye don't have a choice, kick those doggies where it hurts. Dash, pay attention!'

She shook her head, hoping the stallion's words would stay with her. The door opened and two dogs stepped in.  "Get up pony," one said. "Stand against the wall. We're going to ask a few questions."

Rainbow scowled. "Don' t think so pal. I'm not telling you anything."

"The Commander thought you would say that. Sage?"

The other dog waved its hand and the chains on the wall leaped out and latched onto her arms, pulling her close to the wall. The dog asked, "Name?"

"Get a life fuzz-ball!" Rainbow yelled.

A whip struck her on the back, leaving a bloody gash. Rainbow cried out in pain.

"For every insult you will scream three times." Again, she was whipped. "Name?"

"R-Rainbow Dash," She groaned. "As if you wouldn't know that moron." She felt a familiar, painful sensation buzzing down her body, that she had felt during am accident while holding a storm cloud, and she screamed again, louder this time.

"Occupation?"

"Nggh...General of Equestria...butt-sniffer..."

The dog's sharp canines clamped down in her shoulder and again, her agony was pronounced. "Where are the other Elements?"

"Safe, where you won't find them you mutt!" The final pain was received. The dog sprinkled salt onto her wounds, and she screamed so loud, it hurt the two interrogator's sensitive ears. She collapsed, unconscious.

'-'

Celestia paced her chamber's floors, her vivid imagination causing her unease. What if Ironmallet didn't make it to Rainbow Dash in time? Would he too, be captured? No, she thought. Uncle is far too strong to be beaten by dogs. And yet...

She decided to trust Ironmallet. He will get Rainbow home, she thought. There was a knock on the door, and she answered, "You may enter." 

A cloaked figure trotted in. "It is good to see you again Princess," the figure said. "But the news I bring will cause much distress."

"What news?" Celestia worriedly asked.

The figure reached into its' cloak and pulled out a viewing globe, saying, "Look into my globe and you shall see the message that I brought with me." The orb glowed and Celestia was given the full view of a Diamond Dog's ugly muzzle.

"Hello Princess," it said. "I hope you have gotten this message, because it will be the only one the Master will allow. As you may know, we have captured that sad little squad you sent. Well, here's what's left!" The dog pointed its globe to the enslaved ponies a few buffalo being caught in the message as well.

"Oh no..." Celestia quietly said.

The dog turned the globe back to its leering face. "Those would be the lucky ones...the rest are being interrogated the moment we speak. Lets take a look, shall we?"

Celestia's globe crackled, switching to another part of the message. When it came into focus, the clear view of the interrogation room appeared. The globe now showed two dogs interrogating Rainbow Dash, who was chained to the wall, bruised and battered. "What have they done to you?" Celestia whispered.

A dog asked, "Name?"

"Get a life fuzz-ball!" Rainbow yelled.

A whip struck her on the back, leaving a bloody gash, Dash crying out in pain.

"For every insult you will scream three times." Again, she was whipped. "Name?"

"R-Rainbow Dash," Rainbow groaned. "As if you wouldn't know that moron." Celestia saw lightning shoot out from the other dog's staff, and poor girl screamed again.

"Occupation?"

"Nggh...General of Equestria...butt-sniffer..."

The dog's sharp canines clamped down in her shoulder and again, her agony was pronounced. "Where are the other Elements?"

"Safe, where you won't find them you mutt!" Another pain was added. The dog sprinkled salt onto her wounds, and she screamed an ear-piercing shriek. Rainbow slumped in her chains, obviously unconscious.

No.... Celestia thought. Stay strong Loyalty...stay strong.

The rusted door in the globe swung open. "Hey we're in-" a dog shouted when a war hammer flew out of nowhere, flattening his skull. Ironmallet stepped boldly in, a scowl on his face. Steel Meteor zoomed into his hand, the other dog charging at him with a sword. Ironmallet raised a hand, and the sword's blade bent, piercing the dog's heart.

Ironmallet picked up the viewing globe on his end saying, "Don't worry about her niece, she's tough and will not die on my watch." Celestia's globe then went dark, the message ending.

"Is there not more," she asked. "Nothing to show why they have allied themselves with Shadowblaze?"

"Unfortunately no," the cloaked figure replied. "This is all there is to see; but Princess please, listen to me."

"Alright old friend," Celestia sighed. "Pray tell, what is it?"

"Those ponies and buffalo will be freed, take it from me; Ironmallet will see them through, you shall see."

"I hope so..."

'-'

Ironmallet raced down the tunnel, Rainbow Dash hung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He occasionally had to bash the skulls of the stray dogs that encountered him; other than that, he was uninterrupted.

"Psst!" somepony said, stopping the royal smith in his tracks. He turned to a dungeon cell, a buffalo snout sticking out of the door's window. "Can you help me?" the buffalo asked.

"Aye," he replied. "Won't take but a wee moment. Stand back." He carefully set Rainbow on the ground, getting to work. The snout disappeared and Ironmallet used his powers to fold the door, the heavy steel groaning. He folded it into a square, about the size of a tooth. He then put the former door into his satchel, grinning.

"Nothing to it." Ironmallet chuckled. Out of the cell, a small, shackled buffalo shyly stepped out.

"Thank you," she said. "May I ask, are you here to rescue everyone here?"

"Neigh, I have only come for the lass. But I will help ye nether the less."

"Thank you again. There are many others here though and I am not sure they can all be freed."

"Whatever it takes lassie, whatever it takes."

He then broke the buffalo's chains and quickly picked up Rainbow Dash. "Let's get going." They then ran through the tunnels, the buffalo already ahead of Ironmallet.

"There are some ponies and buffalo in some cells just around the corner," the buffalo said. "If you can free them, we might have the numbers to free the rest." She suddenly skidded to a halt, her four legs kicking up dust. The little buffalo's eyes began to fill with tears. Ironmallet stopped along with her, cocking an eyebrow in curiosity. He followed his companion's gaze, understanding why she had stopped.

A buffalo had been skewered and mounted on a pole. Ironmallet set rainbow down and tenderly put his arm around his sobbing friend, looking for the right words to say. "Oh lass," he softly cooed. The distressed bovine then suddenly put her tearful face into Ironmallet's chest. Ironmallet held her close and rocked her back and forth.

"H-he was my friend," she sobbed. "Mountain was the only one who hadn't given up hope..." The small, pitiful buffalo then went into a fresh round of tears.

As Ironmallet held her, he found his voice. "Mountain's death will not go unpunished. I swear it."

"Thank you, but a single pony like you can't convince your Princess to stop in the middle of your war to get revenge."

"Actually lass, I can. I have the power to dethrone me niece. And sadly lass, our war is based entirely 'round vengeance."

"Wait, you're Ironmallet!" the buffalo gasped, her tears stopping. "Rainbow Dash told me about you!"

"Ye know the lass?" Ironmallet asked, stroking his beard.

"I'll tell you the later, but we need to get to work."

"Aye."

Just as Ironmallet picked Dash up, a groan escaped the limp mare's mouth. "Ironmallet?" she asked.

"Aye lassie," he whispered. "I'm here. Ye just got a couple 'o dogs rubbed 'th wrong way. Can ye stand?"

"I think so." Rainbow Dash begun to take shaky steps, before finally stumbling into the old stallion's arms. "Nggh, maybe not..."

"I have some healing herbs," the little buffalo said. "They should help." She reached into her saddle bag, pulling out the precious plants. She ground them in her hooves, applying them onto Rainbow's wounds.

The blue mare gasped as the herbs touched her wounds, sighing as they took effect. "Thanks Little Strongheart. I owe you one."

"Staying alive will more than cover that, Dash," she replied, applying more onto the mare. "There. Those herbs should speed up the healing process. Try standing again."

Rainbow did so, stepping away from Ironmallet and stretching her wings. Her companions gasped. She turned around asking, "what?"

"Lass," Ironmallet softly spoke, his eyes glassy. "The dogs clipped your wings."

The mare frantically whirled around, trying to see them. She switched back into quadrupal form, seeing that what Ironmallet said was true. "No big deal. I've been grounded before. I'll just wait for my feathers to grow back."

"That's the thing lass...they might not come back."

"Then I'll just have Twilight or somepony magic them back."

"It can't be done Rainbow Dash!" Ironmallet yelled, shaking her. "Something like this is almost never mended. It just can't be done!" He looked at her, seeing her wet eyes. "It can't be done lass..." he said softly. The old stallion then began to sob, hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry lass...I didn't come in time. This is all my fault."

"Don't say that..." Rainbow hoarsely said. "I didn't pay attention to the things around me. If I had, this wouldn't have happened."

"Like the liberation we're trying to do," Little Strongheart said bitterly. "I know how you two feel, but we have a duty to our races, to Equestria...to ourselves." The two sad ponies split apart, nodding in agreement.

"Aye," Ironmallet said. "And to a future without me nephew's tyranny. I think everypony has been in these mines long enough, eh lassies?"

"Let's get going!" Rainbow shouted, running ahead. She was held in place by Ironmallet's magnetism before getting far.

"Hold your horses lass. We need a plan first."

"Not to mention weapons," Little Strongheart added.

"Aye. Though as useful as bucking can be, you two are practically defenseless against those mutts."

"Fine," Rainbow grumbled, crossing her hooves. Ironmallet then pulled her back to him. 

First off, let's see if we can find Strongheart here a weapon. And some clothes. I don't think ye would want to fight with a breeze, eh?"

"Not really."

The old pony then took out the former door, and shaped it into a light, flexible armor for her to wear. He and Rainbow ten turned away to give her some modesty as she put the suit on. "Now that that's done," she said. "I know where the dogs put the rest of your squad, as well as some of my tribe. Ironmallet and I were about to get them."

"Then let's go already!" Rainbow eagerly said. "The sooner we're out, the sooner we can end the war!" The trio then advanced, the cell doors helpless against Ironmallet's powers. "It took you long enough General," the purple stallion quipped. "And I thought you we're the fastest thing on wings."

"Yeah, don't remind me..." she growled. Changing back into anthro form, she preened the cut feathers. A buffalo walked up to her.

"Thank you for your help blue one, but your fellow ponies will need weapons."

"I think I saw an armory on my way over," the purple stallion said. I'll lead you to it."

The group advanced, getting all the weapons they needed as Ironmallet relived the guards. Surprisingly enough, even The Element of Loyalty was in the armory as well. Rainbow Dash picked it up, thankful for her luck. She filled her quiver with some new arrows then strapped it on. The group was ready for a liberation.

They marched onward, stopping at behemoth like doors that would lead them to the mine. Ironmallet looked them up and down, giving a low whistle. "Oi, this must've taken a long time to craft. Oh well..." He raised Steel Meteor, the war hammer humming metalically. The doors then crumpled up, the dogs and enslaved looking shocked.

Rainbow then shot an arrow, the metal head penetrating a hound's skull. It died instantly. "Charge!" She cried. The group did so, the buffalo bellowing, and the ponies shouting war cries. The Diamond Dog's recovered from their astonishment, returning the challenge with unearthly howls. The battle had begun.

Little Strongheart twirled the ax she acquired skillfully. She clashed with the dogs, cutting and hacking them down. As she and the others went bye, they cut the chains of the enslaved, who then picked up whatever weapon they could find.

The equine and bovine troops were gaining the upper-hoof, when a fierce screech sounded above the battle. A large buffalo's throat was suddenly torn out, a griffon landing neatly on the bleeding carcass. "Hiya Dashie," Gilda said, licking the blood off of her battle claws. "How's your head?" She laughed, the Diamond Dogs growling. Rainbow's helm glinted sharply on Gilda's head.

"Gilda!?!?" Rainbow asked, flabbergasted.

"Who else?" The griffon snarled. "Where else would I be in this war?"

"Not here. Anywhere but here. Why? Why are you doing this?"

"'Cause Shadowblaze pays good bits, 'aint that right boys?" The dogs chuckled grimly. "And also because of you." Gilda then swooped forward, grabbing Dash and lifting her high into the air. "By the way...I'm the one that clipped your wings." Gilda then dropped her, Rainbow falling rapidly. She screamed at the top of her lungs, the ground rushing to her.

An idea then came to her. But she would have mere seconds to execute it. Oh well, better late than never, she grimly thought. She reached into her satchel, pulling out a long piece of rope. She quickly tied it to her bow, and an arrow. Firing it, the head stuck into the wall, swinging her up at Gilda. She cut the rope, grabbing her former friend's wings in place, and wrestled her down to the ground.

When Dash was close enough, she grabbed her helm from Gilda and jumped off of her, shouting, "Thanks for the lift!" She then rejoined the newly heated battle, mowing her enemies down. She and the liberation force then protected the escaping ponies and buffalo, heading for the light at the end of a tunnel.

"That's the last of them!" Ironmalet exclaimed. "Let's get out of here!" The squad than ran out, Ironmallet causing a rock slide with a blow from his hammer, sealing the exit, and killing many dogs.

"Good fighting there General," the purple stallion panted to Rainbow. "No wonder you have the rank."

"Not bad yourself," she replied. "I don't think I ever caught your name."

"Sergeant Fruit Smoothie, ma’am."

"Well then Sergeant, you'll have to start going by the rank Captain now."

"Thank you ma’am."

Little Strongheart then joined her friend. "I just finished with Ironmallet. As soon as I return to my village, Princess Celestia will have full support from the tribes."

"Thanks Strongheart. She'll be happy with some good news."

"It is my race's duty. This war does not just involve ponies, but every race willing to fight. No one will be safe until Shadowblaze is dead."