After a seemingly endless day of giving instructions and dealing with Earthborn politics, Supreme Commander Applejack walked into her office to focus on less stressing matters. The dimly lit room was in need of some candles being lit, and Applejack could not work without a good light source. However, as soon as she let go of her mace, her only weapon, to walk towards the candles, she heard something moving, as if a blade was being unsheathed, followed immediately by a stallion's voice,
"Supreme Commander Applejack..." the voice said as the silhouette of a Nighthoof stepped out of the shadows.
"...I thought I was alone," Applejack said, not moving a muscle, the silhouette being on her blind side.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to interrupt." The stallion slowly walked further out of the shadows, pointing a blade at her. "We need to speak."
"You come to speak? Pointing a weapon at me?" Applejack looked at the stallion, not recognizing his diamond eye patch, but knowing quite well where he had come from. "Is this how you Whitegold dogs deal with your leaders? I warn you, I do not need my mace to bring you to your knees, pegasus."
"I told you, Commander, I am only here to speak to you." Sky Dreamer retracted his blade. "Allow me." He lit up the candles himself, making up for the lack of sunlight in the room. "I have information that might be of use to House Earthborn."
Applejack still remained suspicious, knowing Whitegold ponies were famous for being liars. "Now why would I trust the words of a Whitegold assassin?"
"I am not with Whitegold." Sky Dreamer took off his mask and put his hood down, letting Applejack take a look at his face. "Rarity would frown upon my acts if she found out."
Applejack seemed to recognize the pegasus in front of her, though only faintly remembered him. "...You...You are the one who burned that unicorn months ago," she finally said, though after a small pause her surprise increased. "You joined Whitegold?!"
"A decision I regret." Sky Dreamer motioned for Applejack to sit at her desk. "Let us leave past decisions behind and focus on pressing matters."
Applejack sat on her chair, though she still looked at him suspiciously. "Keep in mind, just because you indirectly provided us with information on Moon and Star thanks to your little act of revenge does not mean you are important or anything of the like. Try to double cross me, and you will be dealt with swiftly."
Sky Dreamer silently took papers from his pockets, placing them on the desk. "Moon and Star is developing a new weapon in Stalliongrad. Similar to an Idol of the Sun and Moon, but twice the size, and I can only conclude it is twice as powerful as well. It is nearing completion as we speak."
Applejack carefully looked at the papers. Reports from Sky Dreamer himself and other Whitegold spies, all of them pointing out the incredible size of the for now inert statue, accompanied by some comparative sketches, some drawn from memory and others being closer to reality.On one side, Applejack was infuriated by Moon and Star's tactic and their exploit of slaves, but on the other side she was still skeptical about the information, especially knowing it came from Whitegold. She looked at Sky Dreamer with a serious expression, though her tone was hostile. "Tell me why I should believe this, coming from Whitegold."
"Whitegold does not even know I am here. Trust me, Rarity had no influence in my actions, and I can assure you those reports are true." Sky Dreamer was not lying, and he tried his best to make it clear, yet he could see Applejack would not easily believe him. "Please, Commander, you are so close to turning the tide of war in your favor! All you have to do is believe me! I speak the truth!"
Applejack thought about it deeply. "Believe you speak the truth, huh?" She moved her hoof towards her eye patch. "I shall be the one to determine that..."
Sky Dreamer could not describe what happened afterwards, he felt something similar to a presence watching him. Well, not him, rather, his words. He felt as if his words were very carefully observed, as if something was looking for the one bit of information that disproved his claims. All those sensations stopped when Applejack returned to her initial position, sitting on her chair.
"...It appears you aren't lying after all." Applejack put her hooves together on top of her desk. "Which brings me to my next question. Why act behind Rarity's back?"
Sky Dreamer sighed and thought his answer carefully. "...Because I lost faith in Whitegold." He said the words that he had kept in the back of his mind for months, but that had begun to believe only weeks ago. "I joined them simply because it seemed like the best choice for me to live in peace. I was wrong...I joined their forces so that I would be respected, so that I would have protection for me and my family. Instead they used me and used that which I wanted to protect to blackmail me. I wanted to be away from the war, but instead the war always found me. And now that I want to ensure one of the most despicable Houses does not win, I am met with the typical attitude of waiting to see if the other Houses can handle it, and I wish to stand idly and watch no longer."
Applejack was surprised, she did not expect such a long answer, but did not feel enough sympathy to speak to him in a friendlier tone. "I see. So, about this weapon of Moon and Star, what do you propose we do?"
Sky Dreamer looked at the map of Equestria that was on the wall behind Applejack. "You can travel by sea to the small peninsula near Stalliongrad. An airship takes one day from Colterado, but considering how you fight, it will take you two days, without unexpected problems, of course."
"Hmm." Applejack looked at the map herself. "I suppose it IS the only possible way. Alright, Earthborn will take the sea route."
"Good. Now, if you excuse me, Commander, I must return quickly to Manehattan before somepony notices my absence." Sky Dreamer turned to leave, but was interrupted just before getting to the window.
"Sky Dreamer, was it?" Applejack spoke up. "You do not need to follow Rarity. Earthborn is always in need of allies."
"...Maybe not, but I have committed far too many crimes against your House already," Sky Dreamer said, shaking his head. "I made my choice months ago...I have to deal with it." With no further talk, Sky Dreamer left Applejack's office and flew away.
***
Later that day, just after sunset, Sky Dreamer walked in Redhearth's Refuge, taking the time to remember the place he was brought to after his first encounter with Tricky Note. Nopony recognized with his uniform nor eye patch, but he did not need unnecessary talk.
He soon heard Guardian's sounds, and looked to the north to see Guardian flying towards the refuge with Rain Cloud. He smiled and went to their encounter, Guardian landing on his back.
"I did as you asked, Sky." The mare landed in front of him. "Commander Spitfire sent Wind Riders near Stalliongrad, if what you say is true then Stormwing will take action as well."
"Good, if my calculations are correct, Stalliongrad will be under attack in two days." Sky Dreamer looked up to the sky. "I really hope it all comes together."
"What do you think will happen if Stormwing and Earthborn find each other during the siege?"
"Well, if they are not brutes they will see that they are there for the same reason and cooperate...Bah, who am I kidding? At least, the two of them will ensure that thing falls."
"Sky, if you allow me to ask...Why are you risking yourself like this? I know you were a slave and all but is this really what you want? Whitegold may offer no support," Rain Cloud said, concerned about Sky Dreamer's secret plan.
"I know they won't, I know no House will, which is the reason why. Moon and Star took our freedom, they shall pay for it, and slaves like me should get what we deserve."
"...If you say so..." Rain Cloud put her hoof on Sky Dreamer's shoulder. "I really hope you succeed, friend."
"Me too, Rain Cloud. Me too..."
***
It was one day before the planned assault, or so he calculated, and Sky Dreamer had just finished hiring the services of a mercenary airship and its crew. He had already bid his family goodbye and accompanying him on board was only his best friend Lucky Shot.
"Are you sure you want to do this, partner?" Lucky Shot asked.
"Yes. You are free to return before this thing takes off." Sky Dreamer looked sympathetically at his friend.
Lucky Shot thought for a moment. Sky Dreamer could have sworn he was about to flip a coin to decide, but against his expectations Lucky Shot smiled and nodded. "Don't think I'll let you get all the fun! Besides, without me there, you might as well die! And who do you think Leaf Heart's gonna blame? I'm with you, partner."
Sky Dreamer smiled and nodded, then looked at the ship's captain. "Ready for take off, captain!"
"Everypony, get to work!" the captain shouted.
"STOP!" a familiar voice yelled.
To the surprise of everypony, General Fancy Pants and two of his bodyguards ran to the ship's hangar as he shouted from outside the ship. "Sky Dreamer, what do you think you are doing?! Call this off!"
Sky Dreamer approached the deck and looked at Fancy Pants. "I am afraid not, General!"
"You OWED me, boy!"
"And I promise to repay you, but this is something I HAVE to do!"
"You already got Earthborn and Stormwing to attack Stalliongrad, there is no need for whatever you are planning!"
Sky Dreamer wasn't surprised he found out, Whitegold did have spies everywhere. "General, I have done what Whitegold wants me to do with no reward for far too long, it's time I finally do what I think is right!"
"No reward?! Did the Mistress not tell you of your prize for all you did?!"
"She did, but I will not rest easily unless I do this! The slaves deserve their freedom, away from the war! Trust me on this, Fancy Pants!"
Fancy Pants was torn between his sympathy for Sky Dreamer and his unspoken promise to keep him safe. He looked at the ship's captain, as if silently ordering him to call it off.
The captain shook his head. "Sorry General! A mercenary's contract is with the customer and nopony else!"
Fancy Pants sighed. He looked at Sky Dreamer one last time before waving his hoof in signal that even though he wasn't happy with this, he would allow it.
Sky Dreamer nodded once again at the captain and the ship began taking off, however he could hear the General shouting something over the sound of the starting engine.
"Just answer me one thing, Sky! Why are you doing this?! Why risk so much for this?!"
Sky Dreamer did not think the answer for long. He had already found it before this part of his plan. He looked at the General from the now moving airship and shouted. "Because nopony else will!"
With that answer, the General saw the ship take off and leave Manehattan. He shook his head and sighed as he turned back to return, secretly hoping Sky Dreamer knew what he was doing.