Twilight was about to fly to the wonderbolts to give news of the harpies, before being informed of the arrival of some unwanted allies. Ember and Rutherford had arrived and waited at the kingdom gate, accompanied by their own soldiers. Twilight was quick to arrive and disappoint them. "Why are you both here!" She demanded worryingly. "Their malice is towards me, not any of you! You'll put yourselves in the crossfire!"
"Me remember princess help when yaks not ask," Rutherford answered, "Now yaks help when princess not ask."
Ember gave her reasoning as well. "We've helped you against those three other threats, what's one more."
"But the ares something different entirely," Twilight complained. "They're soldiers who have had a full millennium to get stronger. They are prepared for the other tribes and know both of you will help."
"All the more reason to tag along," Ember Commented."
"Yes," Rutherford replied. "Princess in danger alone if ares ready for yak. Princess need yak and dragon help."
"Don't y'all forget us," came a familiar voice Twilight knew. She looked behind and saw Applejack walking towards her, paired with Pinkie Pie who rode her party cannon and wore her honorary yak helmet. "We're doing our part in this too. Rarity's been getting ponies on all the available trains to leave more room in the safehouses."
"Applejack and I are ready to defend Canterlot beside you," Pinkie said with a confident smile. "I've loaded this baby with cherry-changas for when they get here and some adhesive cake batter in case they're hungry for more."
"Me know princess not leave pink pony and hat pony out of fight," Rutherford argued, "Why leave yaks and wing lizards out?"
"Well, that's rude," Ember complained. "But he's right. You stand a better chance with assistance, and I did not fly here with my best dragons to be turned away."
Twilight wanted to further her attempts to keep them out of harm's way, but she knew she needed the extra assistance and they were determined to change her mind of neutrality. Remembering their stubbornness, Twilight sighed at gazed at their annoyed faces. "I'm not going to convince you am I?"
"No," they both answered.
Accepting defeat, she quickly thought of where to put them. "Ember, you and your dragons will guard the safehouses, protecting the civilians as the last line of defense."
"Why not on the front lines? Dragons are tough and fireproof."
"So are the Ares. We will have many others fighting the enemy, and the other tribes will most likely come and help as well. But the citizens will be their main target for a bargaining tool. I need fighters at the bunkers to defend them, can I count on you?"
Ember visually showed irritation to being put in the back, but she understood Twilight's reason and accepted. "We will make sure they won't even reach the doors."
Twilight gave a nod before turning to the yak king. "Rutherford, the ares are using some material called stygian stone for their weapons and armor. Think you and your yaks can smash it?"
Rutherford gave a glistening grin of joy. "That challenge? Course yaks will! Yaks will smash sticks n stone!"
"Stygian stone," Ember corrected.
"What me said."
"You and your yaks will join the crystal guards behind the front gate should the ares break the doors. The archers and aerial artillery will weaken them and give you a better chance."
"Yaks no need help weaken enemy. Yaks strong and brave!"
"I saw one eat a spearhead and spit out melted iron."
". . . However, yaks embrace comrades."
"And what about us?" Pinkie questioned.
Twilight turned to her two friends. "Pinkie, I need you to head with the yaks and prime that cannon. I suggest using some fireworks as flashbangs."
Pinkie pulled some fireworks out of her mane, "Never leave home without them."
"And Applejack, I need you to assist the dragons in guiding everypony to the safehouses. Afterwards, grab something long range and find some high cover."
"You got it, sugar cube." She ran to the dragons and prepared to head to the streets. Before running though, she looked at Twilight and said, "And Twi, have hope. You know you can count on us."
"Exactly," Pinkie commented, as the yaks walked ahead of her. "Friendship hasn't failed before, and it's not gonna let us down now."
Twilight felt reassured from their optimism. "Thanks you two."
With that, both groups headed to their positions, while Twilight flew to find Rainbow Dash. As she soared into the air, she could see Rarity getting the townsfolk in the last train, positive she would then help those who didn't make it. Applejack was guiding ponies to the bunkers while the dragons took defensive positions around them. Pinkie rolled on her party cannon as she conversed with Rutherford on their way to the front lines. As she looked down upon the capital of Equestria, a bird flew past her and soared to her next destination.
She flew to the biggest airship in the sky, where the wonderbolts and the night guard were grouped together. She landed down to the front deck where the night guard were sharpening their spears and the wonderbolts were bragging about their advantages of flight and speed. One of the wonderbolts seemed to distance himself from the others, instead staring into the horizon as though he was lost in thought. When Twilight became curious of his view, she saw that the changelings were flying to them, led by Thorax and his brother Pharynx. She would have to engage in conversation with them soon, but for now her focus was unchanged.
Looking to the bow, Twilight saw Rainbow Dash and captain Spitfire having a conversation with Fluttershy. Rainbow had her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder while Spitfire flew with a mirror and binoculars in hers. Twilight realized she missed a discussion on her way to them as Spitfire then put the binoculars around Fluttershy's neck and the mirror in her hoof. She then flew into the air and headed far ahead of Canterlot's gates as Twilight approached the two wonderbolts.
"Where is Fluttershy going?" Twilight questioned, catching them off guard.
"Ah Princess," Spitfire said, "Fluttershy wanted to have some use in our preparations, so we assigned her to keep a lookout for the enemy."
"Discord's disappearance has really gotten to her," Rainbow remarked. "She can't stop worrying about what might have happened to him."
"To be honest," Twilight replied, "I'm worried too. This isn't the first time Discord's been a no show, but now we have a reason why and there's no telling what they did to him."
"Don't forget though, this is Discord we're talking about. Whatever's his condition, be it capture or hiding, it won't be permanent. And if we can not only succeed in our defenses, but capture whoever's leading the ares, we might get them to tell us where he is."
"Whether he's been taken captive or being a coward," Spitfire spoke, "I've heard a draconeques is not an easy challenge. Would almost surprise me if they had their own air support to take care of us."
"Ah, that's right." Twilight put her hoof to her face in quickly forgetting the information she needed to share. "Some new intelligence has been discovered."
Dash and Spitfire's curiosity was quick to show, followed by Spitfire's annoyance. "You do know I was joking, right?"
"And this is a cruel joke. The ares are being supported with flying monsters called harpies."
What are those?" Dash canvassed.
"I looked them up in the encyclopedia. They're wind spirits associated with violent storms."
"Like the windigos?"
Twilight shook her head, "Not exactly. Harpies don't feed off negativity and look more bird than horse. They cause ponies to suddenly disappear and are reportedly faster than the eye can see."
"That's gonna be a problem," Spitfire pondered. "The fastest flyers we have are Rainbow and the new recruit, Overcast."
"Excuse my interruption," came a small voice from behind. Twilight looked behind herself to see the same stallion previously staring at the oncoming changelings.
"Speak of the Grogar," Dash said.
"Hope it's something important rookie," Spitfire demanded.
"King Thorax and his soldiers have arrived." As he said it, the changelings landed on top of the airship, waiting for my addressment. "The hippogriffs and griffons are slowly approaching themselves." He pointed past the mountain side to show the two groups flying towards them, specks in the horizon.
Twilight gave one last look to Spitfire before changing her attention to them. "Spitfire, please spread the info," Ordered Twilight. "Wonderbolts and night guard."
"Yes, your majesty." Spitfire flew towards the group to yell out the existence of the new threats, while Rainbow stayed in her position seemingly deep in thought and question. What was on her mind was anypony's guess, but Twilight didn't want to keep the changelings waiting.
Twilight trotted towards Thorax, who gave a somewhat awkward smile. "I know you said you wanted us to leave you to this," Thorax differed, "But it wouldn't be right to just leave you all alone against some new threat, especially when they have an army."
"Though, you don't seem to be alone anyway," Pharynx argued. "We saw the dragons and yaks below. Care to explain to us why they were recruited and not us?"
"They weren't," Twilight answered. "They were asked for neutrality, same as you. But I'm actually glad you all came anyway, we didn't have enough strength by ourselves."
"We figured, that's why we came."
"Pharynx," Thorax whispered to him. "So, what positions will you have us take?"
Twilight took a deep thought and looked out towards the front of canterlot. Looking past the front gate and seeing the plains, she found a strategy changelings would be substantial at. "A deception and flanking maneuver."
"I don't fully understand. Could you please give us more detail?"
"See those scattered trees and rocks ahead? If you and your soldiers disguise yourselves as random obstacles and foliage, you can deceive them and have them march right past you on their way to the gate. Once our defenses are unleashed, your group will uncloak and assault them from behind, where they'll be least defended."
Thorax and Pharynx discussed the effectiveness of their position. "Hmm, i'm not sure," Pharynx argued cautiously, "Even if we catch them completely off guard, they will no doubt retaliate."
"Yes, but if you use your magic from long range after they pass by, you can cast some spells to immobile them while also keeping your distance."
Thorax seemed more allayed in their position. Pharynx however, still showed skepticism. "I still feel like there's something wrong. If they know our existence, then surely they know of our abilities, and will be prepared."
"That's my worry. They knew you'd help regardless too, so they're not ignorant. But if we're going to have any chance of winning, we'll need to do the best we can."
"Well, it's almost noon," Thorax remarked. "We better get in position before they catch us doing it or we'll lose the element of surprise." Thorax turned to his brother, still uneased but ready to join and fight. With that, the two brothers signaled their forces to follow them as they flew from the airship, the buzzing of their insect wings slowly losing audibility.
"Twilight," Dash spoke behind her with a questioning tone, "The harpies, how did you get that information?"
Twilight didn't want to speak it out loud, for the soldiers might believe she's going crazy. She walked to Rainbow Dash and whispered, "Same way I discovered the Ares, in a dream. Last time was like a visit to a possible future, but this time..."
"It's what happened last night, was it?"
Twilight nodded. "Something or someone is giving me visions when I sleep. It's probably a result of that god, and I've learned his name is Mars."
"'Mars'? Who is he?"
"I don't know. Gods aren't in the book, but I don't have the time to search the library." Twilight took quick looks around herself to see if anyone was listening before sharing the most important detail. "And I heard from his meeting with the praetors that we have spies."
Rainbow almost stopped whispering out of shock. "What? Is that how they knew the other creatures would assist us?"
"Yes, but they didn't leave us any clues on who. I need you to keep this secret Dash. We can't let his spies know we're aware. I'll tell the rest of us soon, but for now just keep an eye open for anything suspicious."
Rainbow Dash sternly examined the ponies behind them, angry at whoever would betray them, but unsure who it was. "Nothing we can do about it now, but they're not getting away with this. Right now, we'll just focus on surviving the first wave."
Twilight looked to the sun, then to the hippogriffs and griffons, still a distance away. "I'll have to move the sun. Can you and Overcast fly to them and inform their positions?"
Dash gave a smile. "You bet I can." Her smile quickly ceased when she realized a new problem. "But what about Fluttershy? She out in the open right now and those harpies might pick her off."
"I realized that too." Twilight gave a quick side eye to the night guard. "I'll send two guards to assist her, now hurry."
Dash gave a nod before flying to her group, while Twilight headed to the other. The captain of the night guard sat and played a game of checkers with a deckhand and had her hooves to her face in indignation. Somepony of her rank was losing a simple strategy game and she was not taking it well, much to the sailor's pride. Neither had noticed Twilight's presence until she spoke.
"Captain Artemis." Her sudden voice took Artemis by surprise and knocked the checkers board off its barrel. The sailor looked at the mess with disappointment, maybe two moves from winning. The captain quickly stood on all fours and brought her bat wing to her forehead.
"Your highness!" She spoke quite loudly. She put on as serious a face as she could through her reddening cheeks. "You request my services?!"
"Not exactly," Twilight answered more casually. "I assume you have been informed of the new enemy."
"Yes ma'am, the harpies."
"Fluttershy is scouting for the enemy, but she hasn't been informed yet. I don't want her to be taken by surprise."
Artemis folded her wing and probably misunderstood Twilight's reasoning. "Ah, they'll stop her from exposing their arrival. I read you loud and clear princess Sparkle, I'll send two of my best to ensure her safety." Artemis trotted past Twilight to assign her fellow guards, "Ebony, stand up straight. Nocturne, attention. I got a job for you two."
As she assigned her soldiers, Twilight saw Rainbow fly from the ship to the griffons, with Overcast cracking his neck and shrugging his shoulders before heading to the hippogriffs himself. Twilight herself, spread her wings and soared to the air. She gave one last look to the majesty of the capital of Equestria, uncertain it would stay that way. She glided down to the front gate before landing on the wall walk, the royal guards around her bowing to her arrival.
As she looked around, she saw the ballistas and cannons being loaded with nets and ready to fire. The catapults were being pulled and loaded with giant rubber balls filled with sticky tar, carefully moved with unicorn magic. She could hear the sound of the drawbridge as it was being raised, locked with a boom by a long log.
No more holding it off, she thought to herself. Using her magic, she summoned the amulet from her dimensional storage. With a turn of the dial, the picture of the sun moved to the top, the setting for noon. The true sun silently moved across the sky, resting itself in the center of the endless blue. The time was now, and there was no holding back.
"Are you nervous as well, dear?" came Rarity's voice from the left. Twilight turned to see her standing mere feet away, worried curiosity plastered on her head.
"I don't think any of us aren't," Twilight answered. "Wait, why are you on the gate with me?"
"Truth be told, I am not a lady who riles herself to violence. But after all those threats we've faced, one can't help but learn an offensive spell or two. Besides, everypony else is pitching in, I see no reason to be left out."
Twilight merely rolled her eyes and gave a humorous smile. They looked out towards the vast grassland, waiting for the ares to show their fire sporting heads. After half a minute however, not one cloud of smoke showed itself. Other than the aerial support, not a single object flew through the sky, not even birds. The only bird they did see, was what must have been the same one she saw earlier, a black woodpecker standing on a brick and looking at the duo with curiosity.
Something was wrong, and Twilight felt more disturbed by their absence instead. She was about to speak her thoughts to Rarity, when a flaming roar suddenly engulfed their ears. There, just ahead of the forest came a giant wall of fire. Its pure black blaze spread wider than a sports field, its tail reaching high enough to downsize Canterlot's gate. It filled Twilight a sense of shock and dread, unsure of the purpose behind its sudden appearance, until the ares crawled out of it.