An earth pony mare escorted by two changelings pulled a cart filled with prisoners down a burned out street in the outskirts of Canterlot. As she passed the crumbling buildings only one thought rang through her mind.
Serve your masters.
It was the only major thought that had crossed her mind in the past few weeks and it never seemed to go away. It was always there, never leaving her head.
As she continued down the road she overheard her masters talking about a subject that didn't interest her, but sense she couldn't voice her own opinion she just pricked her ears in their direction.
"What do you mean she wants a secondary food source?" The left one asked, "We have enough emotion in our prison camps and in our slaves that we can eat like kings!"
"The Queen says that a secondary food source is invaluable as it will not only feed us but our numerous slaves as well." The right one replied.
"But when they're harnessed they don't need to eat!"
"Then it's probably only until every slave is harnessed. And think about it, these ponies wont have emotion in them forever."
"True, and by the way, did you hear that the resistance is leaving Canterlot?"
"It's about time, they were starting to annoy the crap outta me!"
"Did you hear where they where going?"
"Where?"
"Ponyville."
Ponyville, she had heard that name before, but couldn't quite put her hoof on it as she struggled to pull the heavy cart as parts of her yellow mane fell into her eyes.
"Come on Cowgirl!" One of the changelings said, "We haven't got all day!"
"Yes sir," she replied as she put every ounce of effort she had into making the cart move.
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News of the move to Ponyville spread quickly throughout the camp and by dawn the entire group was ready to move out. With the few remaining unicorns they had left performing a cloaking spell for the group to make sure that they weren't discovered.
After reaching a road hidden by foliage did they lower the cloaking spell.
"You're sure that this route will get us to Ponyville?" Cadence asked her navigation officer.
"Most of the way, yes," he replied," but we'll have to put the cloaking spell back up the last couple of miles if want to reach Ponyville in one piece."
"Lead the way then," Said Cadence.
"Yes Princess." He said as he led the group into the forest.
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That night the group set up camp in the dense trees so that they wouldn't be spotted.
Nyx sat next to a low burning fire with Dawn sleeping comfortably at her side. Orion sat across from her, with a stern look on his face.
"What wrong Orion?" Asked Nyx.
"I'm just wondering why you wanted to leave Canterlot,"
Not this again, she thought.
"I mean, after you heard Twilight might be at Canterlot, you insisted that we join up with the resistance group there and try to find her, saying it was the least we could do for Shining Armor after his sacrifice in Fillydelphia."
"I know," Nyx said, remembering the day she lost Twilight all to well. "But you saw the situation in Canterlot. These ponies would have been slaughtered if they stayed there another night."
"Yeah," sighed Orion as a member of the guard approached their fire.
"I'm here to inform you that all fires must be out in 10 minutes and that Sir Orion will help scout out our route for tomorrow."
"Right, thanks." said Orion as Nyx put a spell on the fire to suck away the oxygen and snuff the flame.
"Goodnight Orion."
"Goodnight Nyx"
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When Orion reached the edge of the forest he was about fifteen minutes away from the group. Peeking through the trees he could see a blue-tinted barrier spell surrounding the town of Ponyville.
Good, he thought, At least the rumors were true. From a distance he could make out fortifications through the shield, and the silhouettes of some buildings.
As he prepared to return to the group he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see a massive cart being pulled by a single mare escorted by two changelings.
He saw a black bulge on the back of her head and immediately knew she was harnessed, so trying to rescue her would be a lost cause. But for some reason he felt if as he had seen this mare before. He shrugged of this feeling and returned to the group to let them know that the path is clear.
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When the group reached the edge of the forest they waited until mid-afternoon to approach the town so that they could be sure no changeling patrols were there.
As they neared the town the could hear sirens going off and the sound of unicorns charging their spell. As the group prepared their shield spells they heard a shout from the other side.
"IT'S PRINCESS CADENCE AND LADY NYX! LET THAT GROUP IN AT ONCE!"
As a hole in the barrier appeared the group rushed inside to their new home.
Mayor Ivory Scroll approached Cadence and Nyx as soon as the group was inside.
"Princess Cadence? Lady Nyx?" She asked.
"Yes?" Said Nyx and Cadence in unison.
"I take it your the leaders of this group?"
"Yes." Replied Cadence
"Then come with me, the president has a policy that she must speak with every groups leader when they first arrive here."
"Alright, lets go." Said Nyx.
"Right this way then." Said the Mayor as she led them towards the Town Hall.
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The town hall was filled with bunk beds and air mattresses as Nyx and Cadence were led to the presidents office.
"Madam president?" Said the Mayor as they stopped at the door that led to the presidents office.
"Yes, what is it?" Said an irritated voice from the other side.
"You have visitors."
"I'm busy! Come back later!"
"But this really important!"
"On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it?!
"An 11."
"If it will get you out of my hair then send them in!"
The Mayor turned to them, "She will see you know." She said as she walked away from the office.
As they entered the room they were greeted by a VERY familiar mare.
"Now, what is so important that you had to interrupt me..." She stopped abruptly.
Nyx felt her heart stop as she and Cadence stared back at the president of Ponyville. Nyx then looked down at the nameplate that sat on her desk.
RARITY, ELEMENT OF GENEROSITY,
PRESIDENT OF THE NEW EQUESTRIA