Chapter 16 - Outnumbered and Oblivious

"Your Highness! Scouts have reported large camps of Changelings setting up around Equestria!" Shining Armor exclaimed, bursting into Princess Celestia's private study.
"How many camps have been reported?" Princess Celestia asked, using her magic to pull down a giant map of Equestria.
"At least twenty seven; each camp consisting at least three hundred Changelings, all classes. The camps have been reported to be located around the summits of the Unicorn Range, Ghastly Gorge, the Ruins, the Foal Mountains, the Neighagra Falls, and near the Rambling Rock Ridge. A scout reported an attack a few weeks ago on Sweet Apple Acres, resulting in ShadowHawk Archimedes' hospitalization. We've covered the evidence from the residents of Ponyville but it's no doubt that was a Changeling attack," Shining Armor replied. Princess Celestia furrowed her brow, a bead of sweat trickled down the side of her head as she began to mark the camp locations that Shining Armor reported on her map.

"We're at a disadvantage here, they've got multiple sides. How many available guards to we have?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Available and ready to fight, we've got about three thousand at the ready; pegasus, unicorn, and earth," Shining Armor replied.
"How are our current defenses? Any allies we can call upon?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Unfortunately, our only allies were the newly acquired Stalkers and ShadowHawks. With the Stalkers gone and the ShadowHawks unable to fight, we're alone in this fight. Our current defenses are moderate but under a heavy siege, we'll loose the outer defenses. Cadence and I can protect Canterlot with our own personal shield but other than that we can't expand to other towns." Shining Armor replied, "They seem dead set on attacking Canterlot and Ponyville, Cloudsdale doesn't seem to a problem at the moment but we're sending Royal Guards up to begin immediate training for all able bodied pegasi."

Princess Celestia groaned, her head pounding due to the pressure of the situation.
"Give me a report on the soldiers ,what do we've got? How many unicorn? Pegasus? Earth? What weapons do we have at the moment?" Princess Celestia asked, motioning for a servant to fetch her military advisors.
"At the moment we have approximately one thousand of each. Weapon wise, we have approximately two thousand five hundred arrows, eight hundred bows, and two thousand four hundred spears. But only the earth and pegasus ponies are formally trained to use the spears while the unicorn's magic are used for the bows and arrows," Shining Armor replied. Princess Celestia paused for a moment, thinking about her past decisions and choices and then about the current situation.
"Tell me, how many would we have if the Stalkers were still here?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Approximately three thousand as well, not counting ShadowHawks," Shining Armor reported.

"And with the ShadowHawks?" Princess Celestia inquired, her military advisors arriving and taking their places while the maid answered any questions directed towards Princess Celestia.
"Not counting Sven and his smaller team, we'd have maybe another three thousand plus," Shining Armor reported.
"Three thousand plus?" Princess Celestia asked, bewildered by the large number for such a small team.
"Yes dear sister," Princess Luna spoke, entering the room.
"Luna? Shouldn't you be resting?" Princess Celestia asked, confused why her sister would be up and about. Usually she would play around in her room, messing with her magic and creating mini constellations before destroying them with a will.

"I spoke with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Sven through dream and reality. According to Sven, they've done some dealings with the Dragon Kingdom when tensions were high. The Stalkers had called upon their exiled group of ShadowHawks to ease tensions and they did. This secured a good relationship with the king Vaal Durothil. They could technically call them to fulfill their favor and fly into battle," Princess Luna spoke solemnly.
"And why would we trust these outcasts? Obviously he-who-shall-not-be-named was exiled from Canterlot and hunted for a purpose! The fact that he's reemerged and yet alone allowed to walk freely is already causing an uproar in Canterlot!" one of the military advisors scoffed.
"Which is why he and his crew probably settled down in Ponyville," Silver Wings chuckled, suddenly emerging from a dark corner of the room.
"How rude of me, my name is Silver Wings, at your service. Now, please hold your guards back for I have no intention on causing harm to anypony today," Silver Wings smiled, Princess Celestia motioning for her Royal Guards to lower their weapons.

"Ah! One of the foul creatures themselves!" another military advisor scoffed and laughed. Silver Wings smiled before suddenly flinging a silver feather through the stallion's mane, slicing off a large chunk.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I forget that these are just one of the many things that us Hawks and Stalkers use to make sure Equestria remains safe," Silver Wings smiled, though venom was easily detected behind his smile. The military advisor trembled in his seat before slowly nodding and lowering his head.
"Now my dear Celestia, I do believe that Equestria requires additional hooves to call to battle?" Silver Wings asked, Princess Celestia nodding, fuming in hidden anger that Silver Wings was talking down to her.
"Allow me to assist perhaps? While I may appear to be a single pegasus, I can hold off the skies for a long while, given proper… motivation," Silver Wings chuckled his eyes focusing on a small pouch of bits.

"Absolutely not!" Princess Celestia yelled, slamming her hoof down on the table.
"Have it your way. I'll be off now. Ta ta," Silver Wings chuckled, flying away.
"Dear sister, we need to make peace with Sven," Princess Luna spoke, Princess Celestia and the military advisors looking at her in shock that she uttered the once forbidden name. Princess Celestia looked towards Shining Armor, the white stallion hesitantly nodding in agreement.
"We're outnumbered and already in a bad position for defense. And if those ShadowHawks are even better than the Stalkers, they could vanish as well. Perhaps we should try and mend the bridges between us and them," Shining Armor spoke.
"We're letting him walk freely now aren't we?" Princess Celestia replied.
"I mean extend a hoof out to him. You know that what happened before wasn't his fault," Shining Armor spoke, Princess Celestia glaring at him.
"I'm sorry. I overstepped my bounds," the stallion apologized and bowed.

Within a matter of seconds, argument broke out between the military advisors, various ones debating on whether or not they should ally with Sven and his ShadowHawks. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia watched as chaos broke out within their private study. The sisters looked at each other before turning to Shining Armor.
"Where is Sven currently?" Princess Celestia asked.
"Royal Guards report that he's back at his old home, visiting his family and catching up," Shining Armor answered.
"I'll go and retrieve him," Princess Luna spoke.
"Are you sure dear sister? We could always send some Royal Guards," Princess Celestia replied, surprised at her sister's imitative.
"And how do you think they'd react at the sight of more Royal Guards at their house?" Princess Luna spoke solemnly. Shining Armor nodding in agreement.
"I see, well then go, retrieve Sven. Hopefully he and his family will not misinterpret," Princess Celestia sighed, turning her attention back to the military crisis that had presented itself. Nodding in understanding, Princess Luna opened a nearby window and took to the skies, beating her wings quickly to speed up her arrival.

"I see, so that's what happened," Sven mused after listening to Rarity. The stallion had been pulled aside by the unicorn to talk in private about what happened between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash earlier upon the two mare's arrival.
"There you see? She still loves you. She's just too shy to ask," Rarity assured, Sven nodding in understanding.
"Well what do you suppose I do?" Sven asked, unsure of how to approach the new situation. Rarity pondered for a moment before a heavy knock on the front door drew their attention.
"I'll get it," Octavia called out, the mare trotting over and opening the door to find.
"Princess Luna?!" Vinyl exclaimed.
"Luna!" Fluttershy smiled and waved, the alicorn returning the gesture.
"May I enter?" Princess Luna asked, Vinyl and Octavia nodding, allowing the princess into the living room.
"Where is Sven? I wish to speak to him of important matters," Princess Luna asked.

"Over here," Sven called, slowly trotting into the room, his eyes scanning the area for any hidden Royal Guards.
"At ease, ShadowHawk. There are no Royal Guards with me," Princess Luna assured. Sven continued to look around skeptically before hesitantly taking a seat on one of the couches in the room. By now, the other mares had all gathered in the living room, family behind Sven, Fluttershy and Rarity to the side, and Princess Luna across from Sven.
"I have not come to take your son away, I have come to inform him of the new crisis that has raised in the positions of the Changeling armies," Princess Luna spoke. Sven's interest was instantly piqued.
"What's going on?" he asked before a soft whisper was heard.
"My son is a what?" Silk Dancer gasped. Eyes turned to the elderly mare.
"Oh horsefeathers," Sven muttered, Octavia throwing him a nervous glance.

"You mean you haven't told them?" Princess Luna asked, looking at Sven, surprised. Growling angrily, Sven motioned for Princess Luna to follow him outside.
"Don't know when I'll be back, just keep a window open or something okay Octavia?" Sven muttered, Octavia nodding. Princess Luna and Sven promptly left, a small crowd quickly dispersing from outside of Sven's home.
"She wasn't supposed to know," Sven murmured, his eyes staring at the cobblestone ground.
"You think she'll react badly?" Princess Luna asked, Sven nodded.
"I'm sure she'll understand. Your friends Octavia Phiharmonica and Vinyl Scratch don't seem to mind. They still see you as the pony that you were and are," Princess Luna assured. Sven sighed heavily.
"Something tells me that when my mother hears that her son is the leader of the outcast group who assassinates other ponies, she isn't going to take it lightly," Sven muttered.

"Exactly what do you plan to do then?" Princess Luna ask, curious at the stallion's thoughts on how to handle the situation.
"Can we just drop this? What's the deal with the Changelings?" Sven asked.
"Oh, yes. Well here is the report, copied by Shining Armor himself and a map to point out where the location of the current known camps," Princess Luna replied, handing Sven a field report and a small map of Equestria with multiple markings. Sven's eyes widened as he read over the numbers and positions.
"This isn't good… we're completely outnumbered," Sven groaned, "And their in better strategic positions… With my team out too… we're outnumbered. If Shining Armor and Cadence use their shield, only Canterlot will be protected… that means Ponyville would have to rely on the defense of the Elements of Harmony and myself." Princess Luna nodded.
"Well, there's only one problem," Princess Luna mused, Sven raising an eyebrow.
"Once Twilight Sparkle hears about this, she'll most likely come to Canterlot with the rest of the Elements."

"What? Why?! She lives in Ponyville!" Sven exclaimed.
"Her parents are here along with her own mentor. Together plus the other elements, their power will be strong enough or even stronger than the Changeling army. Strong enough to hold their ground firmly at Canterlot," Princess Luna replied.
"That's so bucking stupid…" Sven growled, "Ponyville would be left defensive! I have family in Canterlot too but I'm sorry, I'll still be staying at Ponyville even if it means that I'll die there!" Sven yelled.
"It's a savage town anyway, nothing lost," a upper class mare scoffed as she passed by.
"I hope you burn in the fires of Tartarus," Sven growled, glaring at the mare and sending her screaming and galloping down the streets.
"Wow, may I ask why such a hostile reaction was called for?" Princess Luna asked.
"It's not a town of savages, it's a place just like Canterlot, though not everypony has as much bits as the snobbish aristocrats here. It's a place where ponies live and play. Laugh and learn. Cry and comfort. IT'S NOT A TOWN OF SAVAGES!" Sven yelled, his anger getting the best of him

"Please calm down, I understand this makes you angry but don't loose it here in public," Princess Luna admonished. Sven slowly began to calm down before a soft voice came from the doorway.
"Sven?" Fluttershy meekly called out. Sven turned around, meeting her eyes before quickly turning around, a light blush on his face which was quickly noticed by Princess Luna. The smirk on the princess's face didn't help him too much.
"Oh? Is that all?" she giggled.
"She lives there," Sven muttered, Princess Luna smiling widely at the young love.
"Does she know you love her?" she asked.
"Well there was that one incident with Rainbow Dash and her. And I kinda… overreacted," Sven groaned, facehoofing in frustration.
"Care to tell me about it?" Princess Luna asked.
"Shouldn't we be focusing on the situation? If you haven't noticed, though I know you have, we're kind outnumbered by a lot." Sven muttered, "How exactly do you and Celestia propose we defend Ponyville, Canterlot, and Cloudsdale?"

"According to scouts, the Changelings aren't interested in Cloudsdale, only Canterlot and Ponyville. My personal guess is it's because Celestia and I are in Canterlot while the Elements of Harmony live in Ponyville," Princess Luna answered.
"Lucky pegasi," Sven muttered, looking back at the map.
"And I think my sister might try and gather all ponies into Canterlot and hold out there with all the guards," Princess Luna admitted, Sven could only stare.
"Let my mind try and comprehend how stupid that idea is," he muttered, massaging his temples with his hooves.
"Why are we running?! We can stand and fight!" Sven protested, "Give me time or something! I can retrain my team! I can at least give them the basic knowledge they had!" Princess Luna looked at the stallion sadly.
"Sven, it's time to come to terms. Your team… isn't your team anymore. They wiped their memories," Princess Luna spoke firmly, looking at the distressed Sven with sympathetic eyes.
"This reminds me, another Stalker appeared in our private chambers today during the discuss on the course of action. A Silver Wings? Are you familiar of him?" Princess Luna asked.

"Silver Wings?! He's still kicking around huh?" Sven smiled as he looked to the skies, "Yeah. I know him, a good pegasus. He may work mainly for bits but he's a good pony." Princess Luna nodded, noting down Sven's vouching for the pegasus.
"If this is the case, what do you think you'll do?" Princess Luna asked.
"I'm going back to Ponyville. Now. I need to at least try," Sven replied. It was only now that Fluttershy realized that Sven was about to leave again. Hesitantly, she took a deep breath and approached the unicorn.
"Wait!" she squeaked, Sven and Princess Luna turning and looking at her, causing the pegasus to hide behind her mane.
"Oh… I'm sorry. I was just… wondering if you'd…" Fluttershy began before a voice from inside the house completed the sentence.
"GO ON A DATE?! With Sven?! AHAHAHA! That's priceless! I'll tell you!" Vinyl shrieked, laughing heavily while Octavia tried to calm the laughing DJ down. Rarity could only throw Fluttershy an apologetic look and shrug lightly.

"It's okay if you don't want to!" Fluttershy squeaked, turning around to run away before she felt a warm embrace.
"I'd love to," Sven smiled.
"But what about the other ShadowHawks?" Fluttershy asked, still worried she had placed Sven in an inconvenient situation. Turning to Princess Luna, the alicorn motioned for the pegasus to go with the unicorn.
"It's fine, I can leave tomorrow. In the meantime, let's go grab dinner perhaps? My treat," Sven smiled warmly. From inside, Fluttershy could see Vinyl's jaw hit the ground while Octavia was struggling to hold back her laughter. Rarity only smiled warmly at her and winked at her before motioning for her to nuzzle. Slowly, Fluttershy nuzzled her head underneath Sven's jaw, causing the unicorn to let loose a pleasurable whine before looking away in embarrassment. This time, it was the laughter of both Octavia and Vinyl that caused an even heavier blush to appear on Sven's face.

"I'm so sorry Sven! It's just… I've never seen your face get that red before!" Octavia laughed. Vinyl spared no effort in displaying the humor that was presented to her; falling on the ground and rolling around while grasping her stomach.
"Thanks…" Sven muttered, kissing Fluttershy on the brim of her nose, resulting in a squeak of embarrassment and the mare hiding behind her mane.
"Come on Flutters. Let's go find a nice place to eat," Sven smiled warmly as he gently took Fluttershy's hoof in his and led her down the cobblestone streets. Princess Luna could only smile as she watched the two disappear. Knowing that her work was done, the alicorn swiftly returned to her castle, trotting towards her and her sister's private study.
"Dear sister, what is our solution?" Princess Luna asked, Princess Celestia was looking over multiple pieces of paper, each with a multitude of solutions.
"We pull them back. Everypony in Canterlot. We can then use all the guards and utilize our shields to the most effective capability," Princess Celestia replied, rising from her seat and trotting towards the giant map of Equestria.

"And leave Ponyville open for destruction?" Princess Luna asked, baffled by the solution.
"It's a sacrifice we'll have to make. We can rebuild though, crops, houses, schools, stores, everything," Princess Celestia assured.
"And anypony who would rather stay and fight to the death?" Princess Luna asked.
"Sven?" Princess Celestia asked, her sister nodding.
"I feel like he still feels betrayed by the city and therefore sees no need to waste his life protecting Canterlot. He'd rather die in Ponyville trying to protect his new home. And the home of his lover," Princess Luna spoke.
"His lover hm? Fluttershy. That's still interesting. I hear she's here in Canterlot," Princess Celestia spoke, her sister nodding.
"I see. Well, If it's Sven's will to die in Ponyville, then I can't stop him. But we stand a better chance holding our ground in Canterlot than we do in Ponyville," Princess Celestia muttered.

"What about Applejack? Her family lives in Ponyville, they're entire way of life is there. The orchard, the barn, the house," Princess Luna asked.
"They can… cope," Princess Celestia replied, her sister shocked by the cold reply.
"Granny Smith can hardly walk quickly to Canterlot, yet alone make it to the train on time!" Princess Luna protested.
"Big Mac," Princess Celestia replied, her eyes not faltering form the map.
"If that is what you think is best, then I shall not question your judgment, I do have my doubts still. Goodbye dear sister, I shall retire to my chambers till night," Princess Luna spoke, bowing before leaving.

"Vex? Aurora? Dinner's ready!" Rarity called from the bottom of the stairs. When silence was the answer, Rarity began to grow curious. Gently trotting up the steps, Rarity soon reached the two mares' room. Carefully entering she glanced around the dark room until her eyes landed on two figures in bed, one on top of the other.
"Aurora…" Vex whimpered, feeling her sister's lips gently brush against her neck.
"We shouldn't…" the pegasus weakly protested, but her moans showed more desire for continuation than stopping. Rarity's gasp drew both mare's attention to the doorway. A silence fell over the room before Vex slowly pushed her sister off and quickly ran out of the door and downstairs. Aurora stared at Rarity, slowly trotting out of the room and making her way downstairs as well.
"Wait… WHAT?!" Rarity exclaimed.

"Archimedes? Hon' you in here?" Applejack called out, trotting into her room. Ever since he had been released form the hospital, Applejack had been insisting that the stallion sleep with her in her room. While there was protests from the stallion in question and Big Macintosh, the two eventually gave in under the agreement that Archimedes wouldn't touch Applejack inappropriately. While Big Macintosh's threat was intimidating, Archimedes found himself cringing more when Granny Smith whacking him on the head with a cane.
"Archi- Aaaw, would you look at that," Applejack smiled. Lying on the right side of the bed was Archimedes, all curled up beneath the covers and with a blissful smile on his face. Rayne was perched on a nearby chair, the black phoenix snoring softly.
"Ain't that cute?" Applebloom spoke, startling her sister.
"Yeah, it is… Wait, why are you here? Shouldn't ya'll be out crusading with your friends?" Applejack asked.
"Well I told them what happened and they were pretty concerned so they asked if they could pay a visit," Applebloom answered, motioning towards the other to CMC members who waved from the end of the hall.

"Well that's mighty fine of ya'll to do so, but I reckon he's still fast asleep," Applejack replied, waving at the other CMC members.
"But look sis, he's waking up!" Applebloom pointed out, the other CMC members coming closer to witness Archimedes' awakening. Yawning softly and stretching his forehooves Archimedes stretched. Rayne woke up at the same time, cawing before quickly preening her feathers and noticing her owner was awake. Circling around, the phoenix soon landed on the bedpost closest to Archimedes' head, cawing happily.
"Hey girl. Hello Applejack," Archimedes waved towards the farm girl and her sister.
"I don't think I recall your name little one, nor your friends," Archimedes smiled, slowly slipping out of bed.
"My name's Applebloom! And these are my friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle," Applebloom exclaimed proudly.

"I see. So Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom. Pray tell why your friends are wearing those capes?" Archimedes asked, Rayne picking up his hat from a nearby chair and plopping it on his head.
"I wouldn't ask that if I were yo-" Applejack began before…
"WE'RE THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! WE'RE ON A CRUSADE TO GET OUR CUTIE MARKS!" the trio of fillies bellowed excitedly. Rayne took a quick moment to make sure she wasn't deaf while Archimedes and Applejack tried to regain their hearing quickly.
"I… see? So may I ask why you four have paid me a visit?" Archimedes asked.
"Well I came to see if you were awake yet. You passed out after we left Sugarcube Corner. Big Mac was nearby so I had him carry you back to the barn. You've been out for a few hours now," Applejack answered.
"I heard that you weren't doing too good so my friends and I wanted to pay you a visit!" Applebloom answered.

"The innocence of a filly, got to live it," Archimedes thought.
"Well! Much appreciated Applejack. Where can I find your brother? I have to thank him too," Archimedes asked.
"Oh! We can take you! Cutie Mark Crusaders Escort Service!" the three fillies yelled happily.
"Innocence… Just stay innocent," Archimedes thought, Applejack throwing him a confused and nervous look. Archimedes smiled wearily before three pairs of hooves grabbed him and pulled him along. Applejack turned her head, watching as Archimedes was being dragged away before sighing.
"Good luck sugarcube. It was supposed to just be me… So I could tell you…"

"Alright soldiers! The princess has given us specific orders and we must not fail! Equestria could fall if we fail our task!" Shining Armor barked. Standing before him were twenty of his most trusted generals, each one reading over the orders that Princess Celestia had given Shining Armor.
"Sir… we're to hold within the shielded area of Canterlot?" one of the generals asked.
"What about Ponyville? According to the orders, we're leaving pulling everypony out of Ponyville and herding them here. Won't that cause a class warfare?" another general asked. Shining Armor sighed.
"I don't think it's the best plan either but it's the princess's orders and we must obey," Shining Armor replied.
"Permission to speak sir?" one general asked, Shining Armor giving him the go ahead.
"What about the Elements of Harmony? Couldn't they essentially hold the line at Ponyville with a few additional supporting troops?" the general asked.
"Would you like to question the princess's plan to her face? I'm the one who has to ask her whatever suggestions are given to me," Shining Armor snapped.

"Forgive me captain," the general apologized.
"No, forgive me. I've been under a lot of stress lately and also knowing my sister lives in Ponyville… well it's just hard for me to think what she'll say. She loves it there and I'm sure she'll do anything to defend it," Shining Armor sighed.
"Wait you don't know?" Silver Wings chuckled, appearing behind Shining Armor. The generals and soldiers in the room quickly drew their weapons and pointed them towards Silver Wings.
"Why is it every time I appear I'm threatened?" Silver Wings chuckled.
"As I was saying, you mean you don't know your sister's current condition? She'll die somewhere between a few weeks to three months," Silver Wings smirked. Shining Armor snapped. Grabbing Silver Wings by the neck, he began to choke the pegasus.
"Don't believe me? Ask Celestia about Jagged Decay. Chrysalis' mark," Silver Wings chuckled before he bucked Shining Armor off of him and vanished.

"Captain! Are you okay?" one of the generals asked, Shining Armor nodding before getting back up on his hooves.
"Pardon me, I need to speak with the princess," the unicorn spoke before leaving the room.
"You trust the Stalker's word?" one of the generals called out.
"They've been right about nearly everything so far…" Shining Armor muttered.