“Twiley, I know how bad you want to find Spike.” Shining Armor addressed his sister Twilight Sparkle as they looked over the army of the Crystal Empire.
“I know Shiny, and I know somepony in Baltimare knows where Spike is. I have to find out where he is and if he's there.” Twilight told her brother.
“Twi, we saw the place crawling with Unicornian guards. It won't be easy especially if they have the citizens locked away.” Rainbow Dash floated over to Twilight as she explained the situation.
“She's right Twilight.” Starlight Glimmer added in. “What we need is a plan of attack. We go in with a full frontal assault we'll be sitting ducks.” she told Twilight as the alicorn nodded.
“I'll have one once we get ready to march.” Twilight answered her student.
“Well yer not goin' alone Twi. We're all comin too since we got some payback ta get on them dirty traitors.” Applejack stepped up with Rarity and Pinkie Pie beside her.
“Okay. First we all need to be ready for war.” Twilight Sparkle told her friends. She soon began final preparations with Gladius Strife and Shining Armor.
“Twiley, it's best you stay in the shadows. We can't let any Unicornians see you alive or else they might try to kill you again.” Shining Armor told Twilight whom nodded.
“I know. But I want to be there once we free the citizens of Baltimare and we learn where Spike is.” Twilight told her brother. Shining Armor nods.
“Perhaps I can be of some assistance.” Discord appeared before Twilight sparkle.
“How can you be of help?” Twilight faced Discord as the Draconequus chuckled.
“Simple, the Unicornian army can't fight what they can't see.” Discord was grinning as he spoke.
“Discord what do you have in mind?” Shining Armor asked.
“Oh a simple spell of mine to blind the Unicornian army to your presence. It's dirty I know but hey, they played dirty too Twilight.” Discord told Twilight.
“Do it Discord, once the army arrives in Baltimare. I want you to cast that spell on the Unicornian army.” Twilight told Discord. This surprised the Draconequus. “You are right, they did play dirty when they tried to kill me using Sir Gallant Heart as a pawn. And I've been told what they did to Princess Celestia's school, the school I proudly attended. And it's because of them Spike is all alone somewhere out there in Equestria!” Twilight's rage was showing as her hatred for the Bluebloods was surfacing. How Amadeus got away with attempted murder and slander of her good name, how he used other ponies to get what he wanted.
“Twilight!” Came Princess Celestia's voice as she heard Twilight's outburst. “We all want Amadeus to face his judgment for all he, Prince Blueblood, and Unicornia has done to Equestria.” she said as her wing wrapped around Twilight like a mother protecting her child.
“I know, it's just...” Twilight sighed. “They robbed me of so much, seeing my sister Twinklestar being born as well as my niece Flurry Heart. They even took Flash Sentry's life.” there were tears in Twilight's eyes.
“Twiley.” Shining Armor looked at Twilight and sighed. “Gladius, lets go to Baltimare. Suddenly I feel like crushing some racist unicornians.” he growled as Gladius nodded his head. Discord followed after them.
Days later in Baltimare, the once proud city was under Marshall law due to Unicornia's invasion. In one of the main inns was Sir Morning Blade, he was formally of the royal guards before he betrayed them in favor of serving the Unicornian cause. He was also responsible for freeing Tirek. Morning Blade was busy drinking when a soldier approached him. “What is it?” Morning Blade asked as he used his magic to set his mug down.
“Sir, we've been following reports over the whereabouts of the citizens of Ponyville but so far we've run into a dead end. As for the citizens we have here they will conform to Queen Majesty's rule or be executed as traitors.” the soldier told Morning Blade whom nodded.
“And what of the situation in Manehattan?” Morning Blade asked.
“Our forces are preparing to invade Manehattan, reinforcements will arrive soon to take over the rest of Equestria though there is concerns for the far off regions such as Saddle Arabia and The Crystal Empire.” The soldier told Morning Blade.
“Bah! No desert will stop us nor will any cold.” Morning Blade responded to his soldier.
“There is concern over the barrier around the Empire. If it's as strong as the one that is preventing our forces from taking Canterlot Castle.” the soldier said again.
“Must be the work of that fool Shining Armor. He's known for his powerful wards.” Morning Blade took a drink from his mug. “He won't be much of a problem once we get past his barrier.” he said unaware Shining Armor was about to arrive in Baltimare undetected.
Outside in the outskirts of Baltimare the Equestrian army stood at the ready, armed to the teeth and armored to match. Shining Armor stood at the front ready to lead the attack. “Alright everypony. We stand on the brink of war with those gutless traitors. They conspired to murder my sister Princess Twilight Sparkle and even more so to overthrow Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They murdered many innocent mares, fillies, stallions, and colts to spread a message of fear in Equestria through terrorist acts. And most importantly they chose to screw with my family. My sister was the first they messed with, and they dared to lay hooves on my baby girl Princess Flurry Heart. Now is the time to strike back!” Shining Armor's voice echoed almost like the royal canterlot voice. The army cheered as they prepared to march into Baltimare but before they could, Discord whom was beside Shining Armor snapped his finger. A wave of magic surrounded the soldiers but seemingly did nothing.
“Lets see if those Unicornians can hit what they cannot see.” Discord grinned as he nods to Shining Armor.
“Then lets start retaking our home!” Shining Armor lead the army into Baltimare. Thanks to Discord's spell the Equestrian army went undetected as they began to ambush and assault the Unicornian patrols. Shining Armor and Gladius Stride made their way through the downtown area as they caught sight of one of the Unicornian guards rush into an inn.
“Sir Morning Blade! We're under attack!” the guard shouted as Morning Blade spat out his drink. He coughed a few times before he glared at the guard.
“Who's attacking us??” Sir Morning Blade stood up.
“The attackers are using some kind of invisibility spell to attack us. We don't know who they are.” The guard replied as Morning Blade grabbed his sword.
“And none of you thought to break that spell?” Morning Blade asked the guard.
“Several of our soldiers tried but failed to dispel it.” the guard answered as Morning Blade growled.
“You better hope no word of this reaches Queen Majesty.” Morning Blade headed out of the inn, as he did he suddenly felt the cold steel against his throat as he froze in his tracks.
“Hello Morning Blade, didn't think somebody like you would turn in his Equestrian armor for the rags of a bunch of racist traitors.” Shining Armor's voice came out as he held Morning Blade.
“Shining Armor?! But how did you..??” Morning Blade struggled as he felt Shining Armor's sword at his throat but couldn't even see it.
“My little secret.” Shining Armor responded as he forced Morning Blade back into the inn, behind Shining Armor was Gladius Stride whom kept two guards at bay though the guards were more in confusion at the invisible attackers. Inside the inn Shining Armor forced Morning Blade into a chair, he kept his sword on the turncoat's throat.
“Queen Majesty will have your head for this!” Morning Blade shouted before Shining Armor growled at Morning Blade.
“Not in this or any life time pal. Besides after what happened to my sister Twilight, Majesty and Amadeus will burn in Tartarus!” Shining Armor growled at Morning Blade.
“Still morning that whore sister of yours huh? She deserved to die for snubbing the Prince of his royal bir-agh!” Morning Blade felt the cold blade close to digging into his flesh. “No! Don't!” Morning Blade suddenly felt fear.
“Blueblood had no right to the title of Prince! After all he was his daddy's little bitch all the way to the end when he pissed himself when he was burned!” Shining Armor snarled. “And as for Amadeus and his new bitch Majesty, I'll enjoy seeing them get what's coming for what they did to my sister Twilight and for forcing my brother in arms Sir Gallant Heart to break his vow of friendship to me and Twiley by attacking her!” Shining Armor snarled louder.
“You fool! Can't you see that she's the cause of the cancer that doomed Equestria?! Queen Majesty is trying to heal Equestria's wounds your whore sister Twilight tried to inflict in her quest to usurp the crown!” Morning Blade shouted as he felt the blade deeply close to cutting his skin.
“Majesty is the only cancer hurting Equestria! Your just a blind fool under her control!” Shining Armor shouted back.
“Thanks for the idea.” Morning Blade's horn lit up as a bright flash suddenly emitted form it. Shining Armor and Gladius Stride were both blindsided by the flash. As their vision cleared they noticed that Morning Blade was gone.
“Damn coward!” Shining Armor shouted as one of the Equestrian guards rushed in.
“Your highness, we've routed the remaining Unicornian forces. They've been locked away as planned.” the guard reported to Shining Armor.
“Good, though that traitor Morning Blade escaped. Used some kind of spell to blindside me and Gladius.” Shining Armor sheathed his sword.
“I take it things went as planned?” Discord suddenly appeared sitting on a stool as Shining Armor nods.
“Discord, you can dispel the invisibility spell now. The unicornian soldiers are prisoners now.” Shining Armor told Discord whom nodded as he snapped his claw causing the Equestrian Army to appear.
“Oh I also took the liberty to disarm your prisoners. They can't fight without their magic.” Discord grinned. Moments later Shining Armor located the citizens whom were locked away. Once released the citizens showed their gratitude to their heroes. Shining Armor headed to a royal caravan that had arrived in Baltimare.
“Is it done Shiney?” Twilight sparkle's voice came from the caravan.
“Yeah. But Morning Blade escaped. Gladius discovered notes and I suspect he's fled to Manehattan to join a squad of Unicornian soldiers arriving there. We can go from here to Manehattan using one of the cargo ships as a decoy.” Shining Armor outlined his plan to Twilight whom nodded. She soon emerged with a hooded robe on and was accompanied by Starlight Glimmer. The two began to question the citizens till they got to the docks, the Equestrian army were loading supplies for the trip to Manehattan in the captured Unicornian ship.
“I hope Shiny knows what he's doing.” Twilight watched her brother and his forces prepare for the next strike.
“Don't worry, I'm sure your brother knows what he's doing.” Starlight said to Twilight as she continued her questioning. She sighed when her questions weren't answered. That was till she met a scruffy looking Minotaur looking over the at the ship he once served on alongside the Captain just before the Unicornians wrecked it as part of their invasion.
“Blasted unicorns. If I see another one I'll..” the Minotaur growled before he heard the sounds of hoofsteps behind him, he turned to see Starlight and Twilight. “What do you two want?” the minotaur asked.
“I'm searching for somepony special to me.” Twilight Sparkle began.
“Who might you be looking for?” the minotaur asked.
“A baby dragon. He answers to the name Spike. Have you seen him?” Twilight asked. The minotaur seemed puzzled before he nods.
“I saw him, had a baby phoenix with him. He paid good bits and jewels to secure a boat to set sail from.” The minotaur mused. Twilight's eyes went wide when she heard the minotaur's answer.
“YOU MUST TELL ME, WHERE IS SPIKE AT?! WHERE DID MY SON GO?!” Twilight cried out almost in the royal voice.
“Twilight, please calm down.” Starlight tried to calm her mentor and friend.
“Easy now. Yeah he and his pet phoenix were on my boat. I say it's suicide for him to head to the Erebus Islands. Oh well his loss then.” The minotaur told Twilight. The alicorn nods as she turned to Starlight.
“Starlight, get the others. We're headed to the Erebus Islands.” Twilight Sparkle told Starlight whom nodded. “Spike I'm coming. Just be safe.” Twilight said looking out toward the ocean.