War of the Moon (or Thanks MA Larson for the inspiration

by WildmoonNH

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The grand hall where Lapis addressed his team filled once more as he magically hung the layouts on the walls behind him. Each member had found their places within the room. A quiet glance to each one as he prepared. The Sand Brothers sat together, as always, Sandstone's attentions more to Slurry that to his boss; Morning Star and Night Ash sitting as close to the "front" of the room as they could without interfering in Lapis' preparations. Desert Sun lounged close to the entranceway, having already heard most of his speech as he'd rehearsed. The pegasi assembled restlessly, Hatchet still cowed by the nightmares his "boss" had sent him. Ichor hung in the shadows to the back of the room, listening in his cold silence while Sweet Pea dangled from his back. Strife decided he would also attend, impatiently waiting by the entranceway opposite Desert Sun. The alicorn knew he had a bunch of misfits in front of him. HIS misfits, each fulfilling goals under his tutelage and now preparing to return the favor.

"I believe we have everything we'll need for this invasion," he began. "We have strong weatherponies, good soldiers and two different militias backing up our relatively small team. Between Spellbreak and Ichor's undead leigons we will at least be on equal footing with the Canterlot militia."

"How soon are you wanting to begin this invasion?" Strife dryly asked, expecting to be leaving that evening.

"Tomorrow."

Strife calculated travel time in his head. "I can be there, but I will also need time to rendezvous with the Spellbreak contingent. I'm unsure how close they would camp to Canterlot."

"I give you the cover of this evening for travel. Dustmite can accompany you - "

"No. If I show up with him wearing your 'collars' that will undo what tenuous truce you have with Salvino."

Umbral nodded slowly, tired of even arguing the point. "Take what time you need. We will be there tomorrow."

"And what are we gonna do when we get there?" Violet Force inquired. "Your sisters raise the sun and moon, they'll make short work of us..."

"All will be explained shortly. Our 'guest' can have some quiet time to herself while I show you how all this will work."

Violet regretted the comment, realizing he'd questioned his leader's tactics. He knelt, wings splayed, awaiting punishment that only came from his sister's wing across the back of his neck.

"I am done doling out punishments to my allies. It is time that we turn our energies toward Canterlot." He turned back toward the map. "The Spellbreak team will be approaching from the east, we will be approaching from the southwest. The rest has the castle backed up against the mountain.

"Violet and Silver, you will pull one chariot bearing myself, Sun, Morning Star and Ichor. Cloud Slayer and Hatchet will have a chariot with Night Ash, Sandstone and Dustmite. Slurry, you will not be required to pull a chariot unless you wish to." Her glance enough of a negative answer. "Very well. We will be attacking, initially, in daylight...."

"So they'll see us coming? Great strategy....."

"This is more than deliberate, Strife. Morning Star and I can cast Absolute Night so that Canterlot is forced to scramble the Phalanx. The coming storm will be their only warning. Once the Phalanx are in play, I will have them join us, along with the undead leigons. Thus why I want all of you who have Phalanx armor, wearing it.

"Dustmite will infiltrate the castle and keep him out of battle. I need you to seek out and sabotage any backup plans that may be brewing deeper within its confines. Sandstone, you will be in the front lines of the battle. You will have several pegasi for cover, Desert Sun will use her range to keep back other attacks, plus the two militias backing you until Spellbreak arrives.

"Night Ash, I will be calling on you to locate my sisters and my brother so that once their militias are dispatched, we can approach them directly. You will also be seeking the Elements of Harmony, but without their 'hub' they should not be an issue. I will assist wherever I am needed until we have my Family gathered in the Great Hall. I had done so three years ago, and foolishly sent Luna to finish her mission alone. This time there will be no mistakes.

"You have the remainder of the day to prepare as you see fit. Strife, please let me know when you are going to meet with the rest of Spellbreak." With a simple nod the meeting ended. As the other ponies dispersed in pairs or small groups, Strife alone approached Lapis with a final question.

"We have your word that there will be amnesty for Spellbreak once you have regained the throne?"

"You have my word. Do not doubt it ever again."

Strife doubted it already. "I will be leaving shortly to meet with Spellbreak and rest at their site before the attack."

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The railroad camp near the Crystal Empire buzzed with its labors, the process indeed going smooth. Snowcatcher felt ill at ease with this order. Rainbow Dash's departure, along with the rulers of the Empire, had certainly shifted the mood within the camp. The pegasi continued to move clouds with precision, yet glances groundward caught her eye. The unicorns positioned the ties and re-measured, but the earth ponies would re-measure their re-measurements. The camp had almost seamlessly dissolved into three distinct groups by race, and the unease was only increasing. The weather-minded unicorn kept her ears open to some of the conversations, but as long as schedules maintained there would be little need to interrupt-

"Snowcatcher, I'm sorry I'm late."

She turned to see Red Embers galloping up, iced coffee on a fitted tray on her back. "I've been running around all afternoon. I knew you'd be thirsty."

Snowcatcher only blinked her thank you as her magic carefully pulled it free from the tray. "What have you heard?" she asked quietly.

"'Heard'? I haven't had time to listen to - "

"What have you heard, Love Flare?"

The earth pony hesitated. "My name is Red Embers."

"What have you heard, Love Flare?"

She took a few steps closer. "The earth ponies' ears are a lot larger than you think," she whispered.

"I saw you come through to the camp from the Empire. Let's just say I have 'long ears' too."

Love Flare exhaled. "Fine. I work for the Princesses to help keep an eye and ear on things. All I do know is that Strife is involved in some sort of takeover, but he hasn't been found yet. We might have Spellbreak in the camp."

Snowcatcher sipped her iced coffee idly. "And in town?"

"I'm helping with an armor project."

"Are you going to keep her over there all afternoon?" Siren called from nearby. "We're actually working, perhaps some refreshment for the rest of us?" A general rumble of resentment followed. With a nod from Snowcatcher, Fire Embers returned to her errands.

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A host of Solar guards escorted Spike, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy through Canterlot Castle to one of the larger conference rooms. This was no leisurely stroll - the soldiers marched in tight formation, as if the attack would be centered around these five. Fluttershy flinched at the harsh sound of hooves around her, wishing to be home again. Knowing that Twilight was in danger kept her moving, less and less reluctantly, to this very important meeting.

Rarity did not pack for this journey as she usually would. She felt almost naked lacking her ensemble near hoof, but there was nothing she could wear to comfort her mind. She had a good friend in danger, and princess or not she needed help.

Applejack fell in step with the soldiers unconsciously. She knew this was business, the farm would have to take care of itself for a while. Mac, Applebloom and Granny should be ok, and there's other family that would come by once the word gets to them. Sure, family and the farm are important, but they're not in danger.

Pinkie wasn't hopping along in her typical gait. Her head weighted with theories about her friend Twilight and mane dampened by her mood. It hadn't dropped completely, signalling hope in her heart. She did step back to push in the moping Spike forward.

"What?? I'm coming, I'm coming...." Spike grumbled in half-awake irritation.

Pinkie leaned in closer to the dragon. "Twilight's okay, I think.... I haven't had a 'doozy' or anything, but I bet she's just curled up someplace waiting for someone to save her."

"That's what we're doing, right?"

Pinkie brightened. "Of COURSE we're going to save her!! We're going to break her out of prison and get chased all over Equestria until half the kingdom gets into the chase and there'll be lots of music and -"

The guards halted before the doors to the meeting area. Pinkie tumbled over Spike at the sudden stop, both getting back to their feet as the doors swung open.

The room itself simple but still grand under the vaulted ceiling. A circular table held a printed map of the castle, five others already looking it over. Princess Celestia looked up from her study to see most of the Elements arriving.

"Time is very short," she apologized. "Thus my haste in bringing you here. I have already discussed much with our regiment leaders. I am unsure of how much time we will have."

"Twilight Sparkle's safety is foremost," Luna continued. "We expect Lapis to have her along as a trophy and a shield. No guard would fire in her direction if she is seen."

"That means I might be able to lasso her down," Applejack suggested a little too quickly.

"Were it only that simple," Celestia resigned. She turned to the guard captains to let them explain.

Thunder Arrow, a dark gray pegasus with a sleek blue and white mane spoke first. "There's only about 130 degrees of ground space their troops can approach us from, starting northeast and ending to the west-southwest of the grounds. Any other direction would require a very wide fly around, or a teleport. This group is led by an alicorn but I don't believe he will just teleport inside the walls of the castle."

"Alicorns are known for.... dramatic entrances," Luna admitted. "While night would be the proper strategy, we anticipate an attack in daylight."

Flank Attack nodded to the group. "Shining Armor and I can divide the Solars into enough teams to catch the incoming enemy at almost any point, even from the air. This won't be a short battle, so we'll have reserves ready..... " a wary glance to Gallant Lionheart ended his contribution. The brown unicorn pulled to his full height, ignoring the red earth pony's ire.

"The Phalanx will be already awake and waiting in various areas around the complex," Lionheart detailed as he used his magic to mark out spots clearly on the layout. "Should the Solars require assistance, we can pounce at any time. Some can be airborne with the Solars as necessary."

"Save your troop strength if this battle leads into evening," Flank Attack snapped. "We don't know how many will be coming, and it would be impossible to have a large complement hidden away. We would likely hear that many hooves marching long before we see them."

"So how are we to figure into all of this?" Rarity queried. "We're not soldiers, and we don't have all of the Elements here."

"That's easy!" Pinkie interjected. "Spike can be Rainbow Dash -"

"Uh, Pinkie, it doesn't work that way - "

"That's what Twilight wanted to try before! And you're really REALLY loyal to her just like we are!! Ooh, and Princess Celestia can be the element of Magic because her jewel thingy is the same color as Twilight's -"

Celestia finally dared herself a smile at Pinkie's suggestion. "The Elements of Harmony have already chosen their bearers, Pinkie Pie. They no longer resonate with myself or Luna."

"But alicorns ARE magic!!" Pinkie playfully insisted. "You can raise the sun and the moon and -"

"This is serious!" Flank Attack barked. Pinkie sunk below the table and shushed.

Celestia nodded before continuing."This is a very serious situation, as Canterlot proper has never faced combat. I've asked the Elements of Harmony to be here in case we can get Twilight Sparkle back, and potentially use the Elements' power to minimize the damage. There will still be battle until we have all of the Elements together. But you are here now, and that is one less target outside of Canterlot."

"But what if they attack Ponyville as well....?" Fluttershy refused to imagine that scenario.

"Lapis has no other interests in Ponyville that we're aware," Luna told the quiet pegasus. "His sisters are in Canterlot, and Twilight Sparkle is his prisoner. We do not know if he knows anything more of your town. We should simply focus here."

"But for now," Celestia finished. "The five of you do whatever you need to do to prepare. This is not how I wish to bring you to Canterlot so soon after a much happier occasion. But this is something that we will all face, together."

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Strife's saddlebags still carried the tools he had brought from Hollow shades - the whip, the Lyrium potion, and his marching orders. He guessed Salvino's troops would be close to Canterlot already, but could not close in enough to be spotted by alerted forces. Letting the other unicorn go was dangerous enough, in his mind. They should have kept her here, she had a friend or two in Drakengard. He knew, however, that luxury was not his.

He heard the pegasi outside arguing about the storm and fog cover. He could hear the unicorns practicing elsewhere in the compound. The two earth ponies who resided here having to rely on the others for their travel in and out of the building soured his mood even more. He'd found a few smaller tunnels to get to ground level on his own, and risked his hide more than once from the lower launch platform down the steep sides of this dragon-hewn fortress before asking the help of anypony else there. If he must be assisted, he insisted on a pegasus. This time he would not ask.

He seethed anew with Lapis' empty promise. Should Salvino ever lay eyes on an alicorn in person, he would not negotiate. Belmonte would only strike first because he's younger and faster than Salvino these days. The two zebras - named for crumbling rocks and annoying bugs. Is this what Equestria thinks of earth ponies any more? He shook his head in disgust.

Hoofsteps approached the entryway to his temporary quarters. He ignored them as he continued to simmer. He looked forward to the day -

"Not that you care. Lapis didn't send me."

Strife paused in his musings so that he could savor the discontent in Slurry's voice. "So why have you come? Here to warn me of treachery? Your 'master' and his 'students' sent quite the warning the other day through you."

"I wanted to speak to you about your 'anti-magic' stuff. You don't think earth ponies have magic?"

"We don't need it. What we have is an innate ability to 'listen' to the voice of the planet. A pegasus rarely stays on the ground long enough to listen, and the unicorns ignore it."

"After what happened with me the other day, I want to at least hear your offer."

Strife nonchalantly opened his saddlebag. "What would you want with what I have?"

"Going through all that gave me more information on what was done to me, since I had a couple of magic experts examining my curses. It's a spell knot, so could it be dissolved with your Lyrium?"

Strife looked the pegasus up and down. "There is always a price."

"I know. What is yours, anymore?"

He removed the elixir from his saddlebag and placed it before her. "This will dissolve the supposed spell-knot. But it will be at least a moon or two before you can play with the lovely toy your current master gave you."

"But only the necklace?"

"No magic. At all. No healing of wounds, no magical balm for burns. And there is a war tomorrow. Your choice means little to me either way. I am at least being generous in telling you this much instead of you finding out in a less pleasant manner."

Her gaze fell to the bottle for a few moments, a glimmer of the necklace reflected in its eerie blue coloring. "Lyrium is the same shade of blue as a summer sky," Strife deliberately described. "Odorless and dispensible as liquid or powder. Its results are swift and complete. No experiments, no torture. It will not be a soft landing, but a magical wound cuts deeper than a traditional one."

The wording not lost on the pegasus. "Too good to be true."

'When we win this war, there will be plenty of Lyrium for your use. You must drop that ornate yoke before you consider this seriously."

"It's not a yoke. I'm not a slave."

"Then why are you still here?"

"If you weren't around when Sandstone crashed through.... Lapis promised."

"You're naiive to think that he will fulfill that when the war is over." He took a measured step toward the Lyrium bottle. "My offer still stands. We are not hard to find."

Slurry concealed a shudder from Strife's offer. "I'll.... keep that in mind. Did you want me to fly you to the entrance to valley or not? I'm available for the rest of the day."

"Unnecessary. I will get there by my own hooves. Just remember my words."

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~~Tomorrow is the day! I can't wait~~

Aurora sat by her window, a sigh escaping her. She was happy to hear Morning Star happy and excited about something, but wasn't happy of what that something was. ~~You'll be with them, right?~~

~~At Master Lapis' side! I wish I could tell you more..... ~~

Aurora wanted to be happy for her friend. She wanted to tell Morning Star that she had been nominated for the Magic Council. She wanted to tell her many things, but held her thoughts back tightly. ~~You don't have to tell me more,~~ she replied after a moment. ~~I just hope everything works out okay.~~

~~Why wouldn't it? Twilight Suck-up is still in chains, Princess Celestia told Master Lapis to surrender... this was going to happen. Where will you be when we get there?~~

~~Probably in my room, unless we're evacuated~~

~~Come with us!! Once everything is done, Master Lapis will teach you anything you want! No magic is off-limits! He knows some of the stuff that got Sunset Shimmer kicked out - ~~

~~I thought you weren't supposed to use this too much~~

~~Sorry, too excited. See you tomorrow!!~~

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Count Solaris paused in the hallway mid-step to Luna's quarters. He heard the word "tomorrow" hanging magically in the air. Not the deep voice he caught traces in the past, but a mare's. Excitement about tomorrow? No celebrations planned; perhaps something regarding Princess Celestia's classes. He shook his head clear and continued walking.

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Slurry reported to Lapis shortly after her unnerving conversation with Strife. His offer, tempting but sinister, was indeed a solution; Lapis had given her a temporary one, likely to be used in a multitude of ways the following day. With Strife leaving to meet with his team she could not give him an answer before the battle. Still angry at Lapis for delaying a solution, has at least apologized (again) but still no solution in sight. Are any of them listening to her anymore? Has she spoken too much of her past? Her wings rustled in protest. She glanced to her short mane, her muddy colors. Is this what she would be for the rest of her life? No matter from who she has requested help, many have listened, though nothing done. She wanted to buck Lapis in the face, slap him with her wings, scream in his ears until he actually made an attempt. Knowing that he had the means to drain her down to a blank flank daunted her greatly. Was it worth the risk? Or should she just wait that much longer? The frustration only mounted as she entered Lapis' quarters, where he did not immediately look up from his planning.

"You wanted to see me?" She inquired almost mechanically to the alicorn.

"I was hoping you could forgive me for the time it is taking to bring you a complete and permanent solution," Lapis began, not looking up from his map. "I had hoped that the inspiration you gave me for those necklaces - these 'shadow elements' - would feel more a reward than just a half-thought solution."

"Still feels half-thought if you're not even bothering to stop what you're doing to apologize," she accused. "If I was Desert Sun, and I proved this, you would put all this aside and be all over me because Equestria can wait."

The Shadow of the Moon raised his head from the map and turned to the angry pegasus. "That's what it takes anymore. You're nothing more than every other spellcaster I've worked for in the past. Will. this. be. fixed. or. not? YES, or. NO?"

Lapis casually rolled up every one of his maps and turned to her. "You have my full attention. I keep to my word, and that has not changed. Once our mission is complete, you will have the spell knot untied. You can do what you wish with the necklace after that time. Trade it at the Bazaar, sell it to another unicorn for study, or smash it against the wall as I'm sure you dream of doing every night that I have not fulfilled this promise. Strike me if you wish; I had hoped you would save your rage for the venue of where they have not heard your past cries for justice. I have listened. I gave you a partial answer. They did not even hear your voice."

This tempered her next question. "So you said the rest of the day was 'open'...?"

"For all of you, this is a day of rest and preparations. I'm presuming you are still looking for something to occupy your time before the real work begins late tomorrow morning."

"Working on me would be something."

"You force me to once again use what you see as an excuse. I reiterate, once we are done with the injustices of Canterlot I will see to you."

"So what should I be doing in the meantime?" The pegasus rolled her eyes.

"There is something I would request of you. Please bring our prisoner extra food and water, in case our battle is prolonged. I have no desire to keep track of her while we are on our mission. Ichor will place guards in the early morning of the assault so that you will sleep. Sandstone guards her now, relieve him for at least the afternoon so that he may spend time with his brother."

"How long do you want me down there?"

"As long as you feel necessary. I will be occupied with the final details of our invasion for the rest of the day."

The pegasus chose to not roll her eyes a second time. "Fine."

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Rainbow Dash could finally see the spires of Canterlot in the distance. Her wings felt a little heavy from the exertion but it helped her vent the frustration. All sorts of images roiled through her mind as she sped over the landscape - who would want Twilight as a prisoner? What are they doing to her while she's captive? Where is she being held? When will they even be allowed to go get her?

Her questions scattered as a Solar guard pegasus shot through her vector. "Hey!!! Hello, Element of Harmony on a mission of mercy here!"

The guard launched into her face. "Sneaking in the back door? Afraid somepony might see you?"

"Somepony BETTER see me! I'm here on orders from Princess Luna herself!"

"And what if I don't believe that?" The pegasus sneered. Dash refused to be intimidated.

"You don't have any weight TO throw around, pipsqueak! Now get outta my way, Princess Celestia and Luna are waiting for me!"

"I thought you were in the Crystal Empire. Didn't they buck you north to go play with the railroad tracks?"

"Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and I were ALL asked to come to Canterlot! I got sick of waiting for the train and I'm not gonna hover here and get a third degree from a half-pint pegasus guard!" Launching past the guard, Dash's rainbow contrail swooped around the spires of the castle.

The guard stopped spinning long enough to report. ~~Stripey mane's here~~

~~Princess Cadance and Shining Armor arrived an hour ago,~~ Gallant Lionheart added. ~~As have the remaining Elements~~

~~Understood. No more communications, Hot Head, Lionheart.~~ the shadowy voice ended the call.

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Rainbow Dash circled the spires a few times, still frustrated by the little pegasus' interruption. Her wings were sore enough from the trip, she didn't need a good race ended with that little white flag. She'd covered considerable ground, and a quick tour around the outside of the castle couldn't hurt.

She whipped around the spires, drawing the attention of posted Solar guards. She waved to them as she sped past, glancing about for any sign of the Princesses or her friends. Most of the windows closed despite the cooling weather, and the few that remained open just enough for a breeze to sneak inside. Her ears caught the sounds of bustle in Canterlot proper, hushed by the steam of an arriving train. She changed course to see the arrivals - reinforcements? More travelers? Dash was positive she beat Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to Canterlot!

Not recognizing anypony from the arriving train, her interest turned back to finding a proper open window. The Atrium was completely open, letting the breeze pass through unopposed. She swept up the outside of the tower, planning to fly down the stairwell and through the castle until she found Princess Celestia or Princess Luna.

But even the fastest flier in Ponyville stops in her airborne tracks before an alicorn. Both froze in the moment, surprise of two different kinds in the air. She, like most of Equestria, had never encountered a male alicorn, and for once she had no witty comment before him. His coat shone in a brilliant yellow, paling only slightly in his short mane and long tail. His dark orange eyes, the color of the harvest moon, offset the sunshine saturated in his coat coloring. While his hair didn't "Flow" as Princess Celestia's or Princess Luna's, it had a blend of colors, mostly those of late autumn leaves. His wings rustled slightly, a breeze over a fresh cornfield.

Cepheid's expression softened only slightly before the pegasus. Was this the Element of Loyalty he heard discussed elsewhere in the castle? Perhaps her bond created by having every single color of the rainbow in her mane and tail, or her coat the color of a perfect sky? He savored the incredulous stare from her paler violet eyes and her abrupt landing.

"Rainbow Dash?" he asked simply.

"Yeah," the nervous response, "Have you.... heard of me?"

"If you could move as fast as your reputation," he half-joked, half-scolded, "You would have beaten Shining Armor and Princess Cadance here. You've got a LOT of catching up to do."

"But - wait, who - what - I mean, I know what you are but - "

"No buts," Cepheid interrupted. "You're needed downstairs. Don't let me stop you."

She launched downstairs without another word. Cepheid sighed and settled back to rest.

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The kitchens of Drakengard, sparse as they were, produced all the meals for Wildforce thanks to Violet Force's cooking skills. He'd cooked for the militia on and off over the years, so he knew how to cook for 100 more than he did for two. He kept several cauldrons on steady heat with a beat of his wings and the casual addition of broken furniture wood. He had one smaller pot just for Umbral and Desert Sun, and a cooled stock pot for the leftovers to be brought to their prisoner. Not out of malice, he reasoned - the troops needed the nutrition more than a sedentary foe. The two female pegasi pushed their bins of stomped down meal from oats, barley or corn, cooked into thick pasty goodness that brought not a single complaint. Night Ash joined them today, using her necklace to watch the process and help season the concoctions.

"You're going to need to put a lot more in there than that," Violet chided on her frugal flavoring. "Two scoops of anything in these pots will get lost."

"I'll certainly taste it."

"Because of your happy shiny necklace?" Cloud Slayer leered as she filled another bowl with grains to stomp.

"Oh, well before that. I could taste the difference in berries from different bushes even before these were made. Seeing the berries seems to mute that a little."

"Figured you wore that day and night," Silver Shimmer posited as she dragged the bowl away from Cloud Slayer. "If I couldn't see, I'd probably wear it day and night."

"Master Lapis warned all of us about that, and the temptation is truly there. I don't need my eyes when I'm asleep, and I think just the noise around the complex would wake me up. I just wear it for the utility."

"So you'd walk around without it?"

"I was blind for several years, I'm more used to that."

As she continued to sweeten one pot, two more empty ones clunked next to the cauldrons. "Fill these up," Slurry ordered.

"Hungry already?" Violet smirked as he fanned the flames with his wings. "Almost ready."

"They're not for me. Our guest needs more than one last meal."

"We shouldn't leave her anything. She can gnaw on rocks!" Cloud Slayer punctuated the remark with a stomp that lacked a bowl of grains to smash. She glared to Silver Shimmer, who had already mashed the oats to a proper pulp.

The mud-colored pegasus gathered one bucket with her teeth, about to dip it into Violet's main cauldron. "Hey, that's for the rest of us!"

"I'm not standing here for an hour while you figure out who gets what," Slurry growled through gritted teeth.

"I don't think we'll notice this much missing," Night Ash gently intervened. Her magic gathered Slurry's bucket and Violet's ladle, carefully scooping from the top of the cauldron. "We'll add more fruit to ours and that will settle that."

Violet scowled as the unicorn continued to fill the bucket. "Then at least don't fill the bucket. She doesn't deserve- "

"She's getting 3 or 4 day's food now, get over it." Slurry nosed open one of her saddlebags so the food bucket could be placed. Night Ash already had the other one filled with cooled water, trying to prevent a fight the day before a war. "There, now I'm out of your faces for an hour or two. I'll eat when I'm hungry." She stomped out without another word.

"She'll eat half," Cloud Slayer cackled.

"I hope she eats it all," Violet snorted. "I don't cook for prisoners."

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A Spellbreak guard scout reported to the center of their encampment. "That rainbow-maned pegasus just flew into Canterlot. Their preparations continue."

"In vain," Salvino's weak voice returned.

"Save your strength," Belmonte quietly chided, "Tomorrow is likely the day."

Salvino nodded to his second, shivering under a Lyrium-traced blanket provided by the camp. "We will wait for Strife," he whispered, "he will come back. Then our dreams will not be when we rest....."

"Lord Salvino..?" Silverback sat opposite to Belmonte, also checking on their ailing leader.

"I've sat too long..." he wheezed, "under the brilliant blue shield of our blessed Lyrium. Equestria is gripped with magic of all kinds any more. One cannot trot five paces before stepping in its spoor. Tomorrow, I will... WE will... see that change begin."

Silverback turned to the others. "Get him a broth," he ordered. "And someone spare another flask of powdered Lyrium for his blanket." Others scrambled to task as the mottled earth pony knelt to Salvino. "Please preserve your strength for the storm we must bring."

"Don't prattle to me," Salvino grumbled. "Save your breath for the storm itself. I will walk with you, not behind you or before.... as any leader... should...."

"Asleep again," Silverback worried.

"Fighting the magic out here for too long," Belmonte hissed. "Leave him be, and help scout for Strife's arrival."

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The icy winds roared around the small troupe of Spellbreakers as they continued north. They paused only at the edge of the frozen waste, knowing that they would have no landmarks, no sky, no means to trace their way. As they shouldered on the cold climate gear, Sonja carefully unwrapped a lodestone from her belongings. It would be their only guide once they set foot in the white wasteland. "Stay close," she warned them. "Nature may know us but still does not forgive. If you are separated from the group, try to find north and head that way to rejoin; or turn south and wait at the edge of the wastes. Any other way and you will sleep under this white blanket forever."

"This isn't unnatural winter?" one of the others queried as she draped a woolen cloak on another team-mate.

"Even with swamps this far north, this winter exists. Likely from the shadows of the mountains further north of the Crystal Empire. If not that, it might be the last habitat of the Windigos. Even Salvino was unsure, as Spellbreakers haven't been anywhere near this area in centuries.

"The lodestone will lead us there. We should still be there by nightfall, and Night Watch will hopefully be in charge."

"There will be unicorns and pegasi on duty at night as well," another added.

"We will deal with them when we arrive. Keep your Lyrium close and the rest of us closer."

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"I didn't want to wait! I wanted to BE here! I want to be out THERE looking for Twilight!"

Shining Armor had one big hoof on Rainbow Dash's tail. "We can't split up now. We know they're coming here, and they might bring Twily to us."

"You're just gonna wait? She's your sister!"

"We don't want to wait," Cadance assured the flustered pegasus. "None of us do. We don't know where she is, and if neither Celestia or Luna can trace her magic, we don't have any leads. Where would we start looking?"

"She's not in Ponyville! She's not here! There, that's two places down......"

"Are you sure?" Pinkie queried as she looked under a couch and behind bookcases.

"Save your strength and especially your speed," Shining Armor finally ordered, "for when they come to us. We're not going anywhere."

Dash pulled her tail free and turned snout-to-snout with Shining. "I can cover a lot of ground in a few hours!"

"An hour more than it took us to take the train," he retorted. She finally lowered herself to the ground and sighed.

------------------------------------------

The big guard was back again. Twilight tried not to show fear, but his glowering had improved from his previous visits. The faintly glowing yellow orbs locked with her deep violet eyes, the slitted pupil a virtual blade to her throat. The monstrous earth pony said even less this time; perhaps things from the previous days had been resolved? She fumbled for a question, not expecting an answer.

"What happened with the mare that was screaming the other day?"

The soldier grunted questioningly. "You went to see her. Was she all right?"

"She wasn't hurt."

"Why was she screaming?"

"Magic."

"What sort of magic?" she shivered, her useless wings trembling from her memory.

"Don' matter, wasn't fixed. Nothin they could do."

"Just wondering," her meek reply. The guard huffed at her in frustration. "Sorry," she quietly added.

"Not sorry," he grumbled.

"Actually, I am. I shouldn't bother you." The soldier shrugged.

Both their attentions turned to the stairway, where measured hoofsteps and the faint sloshing of water caught both their ears. She saw the guard relax in the presence of this female pegasus, who almost seemed to ignore his glances. He mustered a growl - or was it a purr? - as he nosed at her neck and ears. She carefully but brusquely shoved him aside.

"Back up, loverboy," she grumbled. "Go play with your little brother or something, if you can find him."

This beast of a soldier whimpered at the cold response. "You heard me," she continued, almost an order. "I've got it from here."

Twilight watched, almost amused, as this towering wall of a soldier wilted in the pegasus' presence. He slunk away from her and almost galloped up the stairs in fear of her dark gaze. Even Twilight paused, intimidated by the mare's height and build. Was she a soldier, too? She had a distinct air of discipline; does that explain why her coat was camoflage colored? Or her mane was so short? Or how tightly her wings pressed against her sides as she dutifully filled the water and food troughs to the brim? Would there be more taunts and ridicule? The alicorn's mind spun a little when their eyes briefly connected.

"I'm just bringing you food and water. You're welcome." The pegasus then removed the saddlebags and seated herself by the bars.

"So, no taunts? no ridicule...?"

"I think Strife's cuffs are plenty enough for you. I doubt you've ever had worse." The pegasus rolled her eyes and looked away.

The alicorn froze at that name. "You.... talk to Strife?"

"I talk to him because at least he listens. and he's apparently very effective in what he does. I'm sure you didn't like what he's said to you." Slurry's tone offered no sympathy.

"Lapis and the others have been just as..... 'kind'...."

"You expect kindness here? The way Lapis talks? All the 'kindness' goes to his 'goddess' Desert Sun."

"No, I...." Twilight fumbled at the sharp responses. "I just wonder when I hear screams upstairs. Aren't you all working for the same cause?"

"We are," her curt reply.

"I'd heard a mare screaming upstairs.... and a stallion about the same time. Do you know - "

"The stallion? Probably Hatchet. Nice to know something hurts him, even if it's in that box of rocks he has for a head."

Twilight shuddered again. "What did Lapis-"

"Everyone's scared of something, 'princess'. Even that nutcase. Nice to see him scared for once and hiding under his girlfriend's wing for a day or two. Probably 'daddy issues'." The mare shrugged dismissively.

This stirred something in her mind. The dream she had a few nights ago - an authoritative stallion yelling at a pegasus child. She recalled Morning Star's and Celestia's voices, and guessed the zebra was the blind one who sat with her previously. "What of the mare?" she queried.

"What about a mare? There's a few of us here, you know. Strange that this group is more stallions than mares."

"I heard one screaming about the same time. That big guard -" Twilight blinked, realizing his reaction when the new guard arrived. "...that was you, wasn't it?"

Slurry's voice remained dismissive. "I'm used to it. Between bad bosses and bad luck that's just how my life goes. I'm guessing this is the Absolute Worst Possible Thing to EVER happen to you."

The alicorn's ears drooped. Again with the Princess comparisons! She hadn't been a princess long enough to have any "worsts" than this. "I'll admit this is the first time I've been ponynapped."

"So yeah, this is - all those luxurious meetings, stallions at your feet, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna your bestest of friends. You eat fresh fruit every day and sleep on a soft cushion at night. Poor, POOR poor little princess......"

"Being a Princess is more than that," Twilight insisted. "We try to keep relations with other nations and races to maintain harmony. Even if the other leaders don't want that. The Farasipundans are easy to talk to, but the griffons and some of the city leaders....."

"And all that leaders are, are talk. They talk but they don't do much." Slurry's expression darkened. "Even Lapis...."

"But if we don't talk, we can't take action if there's a problem."

"I've got problems, 'princess' and leadership in general is one of them."

Twilight looked the pegasus up and down. "I would think you'd be in the Wonderbolts. Or working weather in a larger kingdom or city."

"Best laid plans, and all that. I got hired out of Cloudsdale Academy on my looks, not my resume."

"How do you know that?"

"You're a 'princess', I know you've worked with other leaders - Silver Viceroy, Lady Willowreed, Oaken Laurel, Alabaster, Red Cedar - unicorns that only prove that maybe Strife was right all along. Nothing I've ever reported on any boss I've ever worked for has ever made it through the gates of Canterlot. Lapis saved my life, when others just wanted to destroy it."

"You said Silver Viceroy, as in Baltimare mayor Silver Viceroy?"

"Who gave HIM a city?" Slurry snarled as she snapped to her feet. "All he wanted was a harem! I'm no 'trophy mare', I'm one of the fastest storm creators and dissipaters in Academy! I'm not there to pose and preen for him!"

"He's known for chasing a mare or two - "

"Hundred," Slurry finished for Twilight. "He didn't even look at my resume!"

Twilight wondered if Silver Viceroy even looked at the pictures. "So what happened from there?"

"I went looking for work in a smaller village, and that's when I met Lady Willowreed."

"I've heard my friend Rarity talk about her. She is still in charge of Blue Mountain Falls not far from Manehatten."

"And she doesn't like pretty mares walking around her village." Slurry glanced up at her closely cropped mane.

"I don't understand....."

"She wouldn't hire me unless I had my mane cut - and then she stuck it like this."

"You should have repo-"

"And I wouldn't be able to get a job anywhere in Equestria. All she has to do is shake her flank one way and wave her mane the other and everypony listens. She wanted me blacklisted, so I left."

"You didn't even ask her to-"

"She didn't want anypony prettier than her in her village, so I moved on. I had hoped Oaken Laurel, who DID read my resume, would fix my mane while I was working for him."

"I'm guessing he didn't. He's an odd leader with an even stranger sense of humor."

Slurry bristled again. "Is THAT what you call it? I call it magic abuse. 'Oakhead' said he'd fix my mane but 'oops'...... now I look like I'm covered in mud."

"Did you report him? He's reputed for doing things like that."

"If I did, who heard me?" Slurry mocked. "Nopony heard about that, what Alabaster did, and I don't have enough on Red Cedar to even send anything in!"

"Alabaster? The shaper? She's very talented - "

"And should be locked up like you making statues for the rest of her life!" Only then did Slurry spread her wings. "Behold her masterpieces - a 'test' that she refused to fix!"

Twilight gasped. Slurry's bat wings were almost as large as Lapis', spreading almost as wide. They, too, were an ugly shade of brown and gray, but still beat strong as she stirred up dust with a few angry beats. "So I don't know buck about privilege, soft beds, or even real bits to carry for food!! All I've wanted was an honest day's work with an honest day's reward, and I can't even find a competent boss!"

Twilight backed deeper into her cell. "If you had come to Canterlot - "

"Oh, I'm SURE I'd have gotten some sympathy - but that's about it! I'm guessing if any of my complaints got there, they were thrown away for 'not being important enough' or 'blown out of proportion'." She flapped her wings again. "They'd have to fix all of this at the same time," she grumbled as she pointed to her coloring, her wings, her mane.

"Celestia would have - "

"I've heard it too many times, 'princess' - as long as those leaders are still leading I'll just move on!"

Twilight continued to back up. "If it's any consolation..... Red Cedar was likely stalling for time. He's not powerful enough to undo Alabaster's magic, and would have needed help."

"And he strung me along for months.... "

"But isn't that was Lapis is doing? Why hasn't he tried?"

Slurry hesitated, the silence and gravity growing heavier to her. "He's......" she couldn't justify it. "he's still 'researching' when he's not growling about you or fawning over Desert Sun. I've seen the notes, the other unicorns have seen the notes. To their credit, they at least tried......"

Twilight blinked again. "That really was you screaming, wasn't it..."

"And if it was, who actually cared?" Slurry sat herself facing away from Twilight, abruptly ending the conversation for now.

---------------------------------

"Stony, she's just grumpy cause of other stuff, not you."

"Can't help it, Dusty," Sandstone sighed. "Can't help her."

"You got each other's backs tomorrow, and I'll be fine. Once I'm inside the castle, they won't see me or (hopefully) sense I'm around. If I make it to the library again, maybe I can scare somethin up for her."

"Will Boss let you?"

"He's already got the layout, remember? All he wanted me to do is make sure nothin surprised him. Besides, you're gonna be too busy kicking flank and making room for the rest of the gang." Dustmite hopped up to his big brothers back. "Leadin the charge into battle, smashin everything in your way! That'd be awesome."

"Wanna trade...?"

"Huh? I can only smash bugs, you can smash anything!"

Sandstone finally smiled. "Just wish you weren't gonna be inside while I was fighting outside."

"You'll be fine! Just keep thinkin I'm back here, invisible." Dustmite tapped the Stealth gem on his necklace and vanished.

"It'd be awful quiet back there."

------------------------------------

Hatchet spent most of his afternoon where he preferred to be - in the forges, venting his frustrations on the metal. The chariots for tomorrow were Boss' designs, but the smithy wanted to add some "Decoration" to make the rides a little more intimidating. Each strike through his hammering rig sparked and spat, ringing curses unspoken by the red and gray pegasus. His eyes simmered with the last few days' memories, even his accomplishments biting him back, badly. The armor he made for Boss was perfect - every curve, every shade, every gem - and so what if he gave it some Phalanx touches? He'd hoped Lapis would have at least continued with searing his wings before getting into his head! A rare shudder spread his wings and pushed new strength through his hammering rig, continuing to refine an edge for a crest to mount on one of the chariots.

His ear caught the rush of Cloud Slayer's wings as she perched on the window sill to watch. "Metal doesn't fight back, what's the fun in that?"

"Ain't the metal I'm fightin," he sneered back at her. "I'm winnin against the metal, just like we're winnin tomorrow."

Her grin broadened. "Gonna help me finish something tomorrow?"

"Name it."

"Rainbow Dash." Her normally eager-to-fight look deepened closer to true anger. "I wasn't done with her yet. I'm gonna get that done this time. I know she's there, she HAS to be there...."

"We'll get her. We'll get her friends. We'll get her bosses. We'll get that whole bucking castle from those two."

"Think 'boss' will give us someplace to rule?" her sadistic expression started to return.

"Too bad the first thing I'd wanna do, I can't. I'd lock up the old nag that I had to call my father and feed him broken glass for three days."

"And why not? Boss would be happy to find him for you."

"Diggin him up ain't worth it. I'd ask Ickky about it but it wouldn't be no fun beatin up a zombie. Too easy."

"Betcha his foal could do it, too."

"Hey, I like that little ragdoll. But that old nag ain't worth it. Rather see her make skeletons dancin in the Royal Gardens." He pumped the hammering rig a few more times for emphasis. "Just gonna scare all o' them, then we get to do the dancin."

Only then did Cloud Slayer leap off the sill, landing next to him with a wing-blade to his throat. "Not a royal 'we', right?" she leered. He didn't flinch.

"Tease. We're gonna tear that place down. Just thinkin about it I'm feelin better."

"When we're done with it all," she playfully growled. "We'll just have to do.... a little MORE damage."

Hatchet chuckled, nipping the wingblade. "All kinda damage," he replied. "And yeah, that multi-colored thing you hate so much? You want a coat, or just a scarf?"

"Her cutie mark in a pendant. I'll get that, myself. But I get her first, and if there's anything left....."

Their laugher echoed as they continued their twisted plot.

-----------------------------------

Desert Sun's ears twitched at the cacophony of laughter, gaze slowly turning toward Lapis. He continued to pour over scrolls and maps, making more notes and corrections, still sorting through it all. Every minute, every second he tried to time just so, even without the actual time that Spellbreak would arrive in Canterlot. He even tried to figure in summoning times for Ichor! She quietly shook her head and trotted up next to him, hoping her warmth would at least calm him a moment.

"Everything must be perfect," he whispered in a constant mantra. "The entrance, the deployment, the introduction of other forces...."

"Battles rarely follow a schedule, luv."

"This one must, as our windows of opportunity are limited. My sisters are not amateurs to battle, they have just not fought many in the last millennium."

"I think you're thinking too hard about it."

"Am I? How close was I when Luna came home? I had forgotten SOMETHING, whether it was not following her or- "

"It was out of your control, wasn't it?"

"I don't wish to fail again."

"Who would want to fail? Though sometimes you learn something when you lose from time to time."

"I've lost enough....." The maps and layouts all snapped shut. "I lost my sister once when she was banished, and again when she returned. I would hope she understands when I arrive tomorrow."

"Thundering in with us isn't exactly a good way to return home."

"Nor is walking in alone to be met with chains and the dungeons."

"We'll be there, luv, but you should step away from this for a bit. Perhaps a bonfire at sunset? Have everypony outside for a little bit?"

"And what of our prisoner?"

"She's not going anywhere, luv. You've made quite sure of that. Ichor could leave a guard or two if you'd like."

The alicorn looked to his betrothed, once again falling under the spell of her silver eyes. She could see the corners of his mouth twitching as they stared into each other, lost to the moment. He could not get enough of her moon-gray eyes, and her warmth at his side even greater comfort. She knew he was grateful, but still had tremendous trouble showing it. But she knew. "Please," she continued. "Time with everyone to relax before morning. We'll not be up late, and you should sleep before something this important."

"I......"

Her eyes glimmered in the faint light of the room. "I need to practice making Royal Orders, luv."

Only then did his body relax. "As you wish."