Mordane Stronghoof ( Act two : Path of thorns)

by Mr Stargazer

Chapters

• Run
• New places old faces
• Mercenaries
• A jaunt into enemy territory.
• An army marches on its stomach
• The town.
• Stronghoof's (bonus chapter)
• A Month After (bonus chapter)
• Dimond Dog Mountain (bonus chapter)
• Two friends and a sudden drop
• Treacherous Ground
• Inevitable.
• The begginning is where you make it.
• The next act.

Run

(This is the second part find the first part and read it before this one...seriously do it)

Mordane flew.

Over the forest he raced, barely resting. Who knew if the sun tyrant’s scouts were looking for him.

Celestia...

That name filled him with rage and fear. Such turmoil like never before. It was the hate. Such burning hate. Settling deep into his stomach. Like a pit of embers.

That bitch killed them.

The sun monarch he had been cautious of his whole life, had finally made her true colors apparent. With that article she showed just how far she would go to cover up her crimes.

The thought never entered his head that they might still be alive. After all, why lie about the time of someone's death if you were going to imprison them? She could've just said they were responsible for the attack.

His parents dead after the first wave? He had seen them alive and well after the enemy was in full retreat.

So he flew.

He flew until his breathing deepened.

The sight of the crusaders waiting for me in front of the club house...

He flew until his wings grew stiff and the pain was nigh unbearable.

The first lesson with Twilight...

He flew on. Teardrops falling down to the world below even as his eyes were filled with nothing but rage.

Star Charmer...

Fury filled him, as did uncertainty.

He would have to fly south, but what to do once he got there? How far must he go to escape her?

I have eternity to prepare, but that might not be enough... plus she moves the sun. Should I doom the world for my revenge?

The pony felt untold turmoil. He would silence it, but... who was he kidding. There are some emotions not even his mental control could stop.

My home in the valley...

Memories flooded back.

His brother, sisters and maybe the entire town.

Who knew how far her knife would thrust?

Part of him wanted to turn for his village nestled between two mountains.

Yet the rational part... the human part would not allow it.

They are likely already dead... even if not. Where would you take them?

He could not get there before Celestia's troops, and even if he did then he could not outrun them. Celestia was just too fast. Not only that but he had lost friends, a mentor. A whole life ripped away.

He was just so tired, both mentally and now physically. Looking around he saw a river. He landed and sat down next to it taking a long drink.

After he drank his fill he jumped into the deep part and came out with a shake before sitting on a hot rock.

He closed his eyes and let the heat seep into his aching muscles, yet he could not find rest. At first he thought it was still his parents’ death, but no, it’s something deeper...

A beat... he could hear them deep inside they spoke to him. Something he had forgotten long ago. It was not literally speaking... his mind was just going down paths it had not dared since...

His mind continued back...back to the time before Equestria.

Back to his grandfather's grave... and his promise.

...I let that part of me go long ago. There is no use taking it back up.

Yet, a part said some things should never be placed aside.

They're dead because of me...What have I done about it? Run. She takes and I run.

I've been running all my life. Even before this world. I ran from my nature. Perhaps it’s time to start moving again. Perhaps just wanting her dead won't be enough. I need something more to push me.

In his heart something stirs... just like in the battle.

The beat murmurs to drive him on.

Rested now, he flew over to a fruit tree and picked what he could before lifting off again.

The sack on his right hip was full of food. Next to it was three canteens. On the other side was his knife and satchel.

He barely had any money, Kindle was burned by the lightning, out of commission, and his food was low...

Yes, there was not much to go on. All he had in the satchel was a tent, flint, two bowls, ink, paper, an extra cloak and a coil of rope.

Sighing he ate some food and flew on.

******************************************************************

Mordane stared at it. How could something be so vast so... flat.

Before him lay the Badlands. A desert region just south of Equestria, and beyond this vast desert lie the lands of the south.

Not much was known about lands beyond the Badlands by Equestria. A few stories from traders in the port cities told of a region in turmoil.

It was also where most who were, banished or ran from the law went. From what he heard there was dozens of cities.

But first he would have to cross the desert. Then he would have to climb the mountains seeing as how the ports would be closed to him.

Years earlier, he had read that the trip over the desert was seven days by wing, without stop. The desert would stretch right up to the mountain.

He checked his canteens made a mental calculation and took off.

********************************************************************

Sand. Sand and more sand.

An unbroken desert of flat sand.

Six days of flying... no end in sight.

******************************************************************

Mordane drank the last of his water.

There was still nothing in sight. He would have to resort to desperate measures. He sat down on the flat hard, salty ground.

Setting down his canteen, he left it open and focused.

He reached out.

Water... smooth... flowing... life giving water.

No matter where one is there is always water.

It may just be so little that you cannot drink it.

Mordane could not feel any pockets of water in the ground, yet a tiny bit resided in the air.

So, taking the sun’s heat he pulled.

and pulled.

Why do things take so long out here?

He sat for an hour before opening his eyes, having pulled trace amounts of water from up to a mile away.

Looking into the canteen he saw that it was half full.

Better than nothing.

He looked out to the direction he had been flying, the sun guiding him. In the distance he saw something.

...Maybe.

**************************************************

Two days later. Definitely something on the horizon. The collecting of water produced three fourths of a canteen.

Mordane was convinced he must have chosen the widest point of the unbroken desert.

************************************************

Five days of travel later and the mountains barely looked any bigger.

Just how far away are they?

"*************************************************

Twenty one days...how the buck does seven days turn into twenty one.

Mordane sat at the base of the mountains, their peaks stretching into the sky above. He had read that the mountain was so high, that even the pegasi could not fly over it. It takes unicorn magic and time through one of the frozen paths on foot to make it.

Mordane refilled his water and checked his food.

...only a week's food left and that's with barely eating anything.

After day ten he had gone on starvation rations. Already the bulge from the easy life was shrinking. In a month his ribs might even show.

I don't have time to delay.

He set off and flew as high us as he could. Even after that, he had to make his way up a snaking path.

**************************************************

After days of unrelenting desert sun the cold was unbearable, and only getting worse.

Mordane was stumbling, bleary eyed and panting, through the frozen pass. Already he had cast spells to keep warm, on top of the ones to increase air pressure around him.

All around him a blizzard pounded, cutting into his flesh. His hooves sunk deep into the snow as the heat from his body melted it before the cold refreeze the water into ice. Even as an Alicorn, immortal or not, he was dying. He suspected that death would have already come if he did not have magic.

Every step grew more arduous and painful. As he was about to give up hope his eyes fell upon a cave. It stood out as a black dot along a wall of gray.

Mordane quickly stepped into the cave and shivered before casting a light spell.

Bones met his eyes. Over a dozen bodies laid around. Some in pieces, while others were huddled for warmth with their belongings strewn about. They looked as if most had simply laid down to sleep and never stood back up.

Others looked like they had been ripped apart.

He gagged and scanned the cave. It was small and empty of life. Only a darkly stained rock caught his attention.

Checking their belongings. Soon he found one who had a bag of bits.

There was not a scrap of food though.

Mordane was so cold... then he had an idea. The bones were dry... with a spell he could collect them together and set them alight. It might be considered desecration, but then again it could also be seen as giving them a final rest.

The decision came easily and soon a nose wrinkling smell of burning bones was filling the cave. Mordane shuddered and it was not from the cold, yet the warmth was welcome, at least until he heard a growl.

At the front of the cave entrance was a... thing. It stood on four legs that met at an ape-like torso. Its fur and eyes were pure white, save for the dot of a pupil staring at him. In its teeth was a mare. Her body was covered in ice, and it was clear from how thick it was that the monster had found her frozen to death.

Mordane hoped for a moment that the creature would prefer the frozen flesh over the living pony trapped before it.

"ROAR!" No such luck.

The stallion charged his horn to form an ice spear, but before he could cast the creature hurled the mare’s corpse at him.

The pony body was never meant to react quickly. He was thrown against the wall, where he felt a sickening pop as his wing slid out of its socket.

Dazed and in pain. He only had enough time to push the corpse off of his body before the creature grabbed him by the rear hoof and started to drag him across the cave.

It was then that Mordane knew what the dark stain was.

Desperately he looked around for something. ANYTHING that could be used as a weapon. His eyes settled on a rusty spear head.

He barely even considered what he was doing before the burning bones were thrust into the beast face.

It screamed as its hair caught fire. Mordane stood painting and floated the spear head over and began to pull on power. The wind and heat from the creature’s flesh itself, was his only source.

A second later the beast turned and roared.

Yet it never had a chance to charge. It was silenced as a rusty super accelerated spear head shot out.

Mordane stumbled back, pain erupting from his chest.

He could almost hear the lecture that Twilight had given him many years ago;

"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Half of a unicorn’s power must go to counter the force on the body. This applies to any spell where a lot of force is being used to move something, otherwise that force is reflected equally back."

The alicorn wheezed and checked his condition. Luckily it seemed he had only been bruised.

Cautiously, Mordane moved closer. The beast continued to twitch on the floor until Mordane pulled up another sword and cut off its head.

There he stood.

In a frozen cave among the dead. Shivering from cold and fear.

There was at least one thing he could do for the cold.

Skinning animals was illegal in Equestria, and so was any product made from their flesh. Mordane was not in Equestria. The beast’s skin came off easily enough. A heating by the fire and a spell to both pull out the water and work the skin made it into leather. While waiting, he checked the poor mare and was lucky to find some raisins.

His time during that night was the coldest of his life.

***************************************************************************

A few days later, he was traveling on the edge of starvation when in the distance he saw a gap in the mountain.

A smile came on his face. Thoughts of his parents had kept him going through the cold and monsters.

The gap opened to a sloping valley. Several paths converged into a singular one.

Even as he walked out to the road, a few travelers on it did a double take at his monster skin. One even called out.

He was a trader and paid Mordane in food and a book about edible plants in this region. Mordane found a quiet place by a small stream to set up camp before going to sleep, glad to be over the worst of the mountain.

*************************************************************************

Mordane woke up as the sun came through the crack of the tent. He feels warm and comfortable. He snuggles up to the pony next to him.

His eyes snap open and looks down in growing horror. His hooves are wrapped around another stallion. Both of them were inside his sleeping bag. The other pony turned to look at him.

Mordane mind nearly snapped as his eyes found a familiar sight.

It was Child Stalker, staring back up at him. The bane of his last six years broke into a large grin.

"Hello, beautiful."

RIIP!

Mordane sleeping bag was ripped open, as he tore out of it as fast as he could. In his struggle to get away the tent even collapsed as his scream echoed through the valley.

Child Stalker chuckled to himself for a moment before continuing. "Hey now, not so rough. You promised you'd be gentle."

"Gent- whuh?" Mordane shook his head vigorously just in case this was some horrible dream. "What are you doing in my bed?!"

"Well it just looked so comfy, and I didn't think you'd mind. I mean, you've never complained before."

Mordane ceased his struggles momentarily, his eyes wide and his mouth flapping soundlessly as he tried to process this information before yelling out

"I need an adult! ...Wait! I AM AN ADULT!" Mordane shouted. "Why are you still stalking me!? How did you find me!?"

"I didn't. I was just traveling to the south through the western pass. Though I did say you were interesting... aren't you suppose to be dead?"

Mordane was having none of it.

"Bull. We’re beyond Equestria. Tell me now, or I’ll break your spine in half."

Stalker chuckled and reached into his main. He pulled something out and gave it to Mordane.

"...This is one of my feathers. How did you use this to-"

Child Stalker placed his hoof over the stallion’s mouth.

"A better question is, how I caught up with you. The answer to that is you are a moron. What were you thinking going over the mountain? You could've at least taken a boat."

"Well then how did you get over here?" Mordane asked accusingly. "We're nowhere near the coast, so you couldn't have come that way."

"Oh, that is easy," he said, stepping back. "I bribed the diamond dogs to let me through their caves. It only cost twenty bits.  I’ll pack up our gear."

As Mordane sat, contemplating how he had risked his life for no reason, he looked down at the feather. Something about it nagged him. Something...

This is one of my primaries... but it’s small. That means he got it years ago... which means he knew I was an alicorn.

He stared at the stallion, thinking back.

When I first met him he was able to resist mind sight... he is brother with Smut Peddler... come to think of it, this family has been there for a long time. Ever since...

He remembered Child Stalker all those years before.

"Who are you?"

The stallion turned... and smiled.

"A friend. Now get your things. We got to get out before winter falls."

**************************************************************

Mordane and Stalker continued down the valley and soon found themselves going down the other side of the mountain range.

They looked over the rolling hills and hills in the distance with a sigh of relief. The road would be easy to follow now. As they walked the two talked.

"So, Mordane, does your wing still hurt?"

"Not really... you have anywhere to go in mind?"

"Well I was going to go to Vrus to meet Smut Peddler, but I think I'll go with you. So... where we heading>"

"...I actually have nowhere in mind. You aware of what happened in Ponyville?"

"Aye, I was there. Mighty impressive how you were revealed."

"True... Celestia chased me after that. I escaped after teleporting out of a thunderstorm."

"That could not have turned out well."

"Nope. Anyway I'm just going south... learn what I can."

"Are you going to kill her?"

Mordane paused and looked at his traveling companion, raising an eyebrow.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because she probably killed your parents... I saw your father flee. Then that article... did not know the sun monarch had it in her."

"...Yeah." Mordane looked at the ground and continued walking. “She really killed them... it still feels... shocking. Hard to believe."

The two traveled on in silence, before arriving at a town situated in a bowl in the land.

"I say we stop by the bar and sleep on the road."

"Agreed."

The two found their way to a table with drinks and made small talk until Mordane lifted his hoof up.

He was listening in on a conversation across the bar between two younger stallions and an old grizzled pony.

"Yah, them Carics are the best warriors in the entire region! Why, no one dares even attack them!"

"Then how do you know they are so strong?"

The gritty pony leaned close and smiled.

"If you go near their valley at noon... you can hear them fighting. You see the reason they haven't conquered the whole of this region is because they’re split."

"Split?"

"Aye, split. Over who is going to be the next leader."

Mordane turned to Stalker again, who looked at him with a smile.

"Planning to make a stop, hmmm?"

"...Well I would have to find out where that village is."

Stalker laughed and took a drink.

"You'll need to follow the road to Valenstien. Halfway there, you should hear the banging."

Mordane stopped half way through his drinking soda and frowned.

"Have you been in this area before? Also, are you not coming with me?"

"Yes, I've been around, and no I'm not coming with you... I have to go meet some ponies."

Mordane smiled.

"Well I guess it's been nice knowing you. Maybe we will run into each other again."

"Oh don't worry Mordane, you'll never be rid of me!"

Stalker laughed at Mordane pained expression.

"Just remember to stay on the road."

*********************************************************************

"For Terria!"

"For the plains!"

The two armies charged straight at one another. The pony soldiers of both sides crashing into each other.

Finally... I thought they would be here all day.

Mordane had been watching this 'battle' since both armies made contact three hours ago having completely ignored Child Stalker’s advice. It had consisted of one hour of screaming. One hour of staring. Then one hour of the two armies circling each other in mass.

What is with these ponies. That was terrible.

Why either general had bothered to try and flank the other side he would never know. Nor would he care to. In fact it seemed to him that they had must have met on even ground on purpose.

Seriously. Why is this battle happening? Whoever initiated should of at least brought an advantage in troops or equipment... as things are, both sides will take losses and have to withdraw.

Mordane continued to watch for another hour as two armies of a thousand both lost a third there number to both desertion and death.

The two foolish earth pony armies continued fighting for some time before mutually ordering a retreat.

Not wanting to provoke another attack neither army could clean their dead.

Just as I was hoping.

Mordane had lost nearly everything in his mad rush to leave Equestria behind.

He was trying not to think about it too much.

The amulet to hide himself had been beyond repair. He could not even hope to make a new one until he had a lot more money.

Therefore he would have to... refrain from taking off his cloak.

It had crossed him mind that Celestia knew about him now. So why should he hide? In the end, caution and not wanting to attract attention, made him decide against walking through towns without it on.

Flying felt great and there was no way he would walk to his destination....

...This village is supposedly located on top of a mountain in a bowl. Well villages.

He had no intention of meeting Stalker again....though something told him that it was inevitable.

This clan would be interesting to see but dangerous. There is much he could learn about warriors in pony society.

The journey would take about three days....

****************************************************************

Mordane landed at the entrance to the valley on top of the mountain. He was impressed. The valley only had two entrances and both had towns snuggled right up against them.  What had shocked him however was the sight of the red field in the bowls center.

Have they really been fighting that long? A blood soaked field... I dare not fly in. Better walk.

The gated pass entrance was held by two guards. They glared at him while holding their spears. Both wore a tunic in red with a strange mark on it.

"Halt! This is the proud home of the Tahcon clan. State your intent."

Mordane looked right into the guards eyes and with utter confidence responded.

"I am here to trade and learn with the master warriors of the Tahcon. Whose battle prowess is known far and wide. May I have entry into your home?"

The two guards chests puffed up at his request.

"It is brave of you traveler to so boldly approach our gate. Speak to our leader, that you may not be taken as a spy."

Mordane bowed his head and walked through the opening gate. Along its walls more flags hung with the symbol on it.

Upon exiting the pass he came into the town proper.

What a nice town.

The southern lands nearly universally shared one thing. Every group was composed almost entirely of its own kind. This was an earth pony clan. And in what was a rarity, it was an earth pony warrior clan.

The village contained well over a hundred earth ponies going about their day. To his right, a blacksmith was hammering away its melodious backing giving rhythm to the town. Houses much like Ponyville ones, hung close to the wall.

Beyond the houses and fields beyond, lay a wall with guard towers along its length. In the center of the town lay a grand hall.

As he walked ponies yelled out to him.

"Hail traveler, won't you come to my pub for a drink?"

"Ohhh, fancy a dance darling?"

"Arg, HAHA!  I wonder if you unicorn types are any good at fighting!"

The villagers would call out and many seemed to go about almost in a state of party. Mordane smiled at such a happy life. Could they really be fighters?

"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY MARE!"

A crash sounded as a stallion came flying out of the second story window. In moments the entire town was fighting. Crashes resounded as ponies kicked through walls. The cling of swords provided a backing to the disaster.

Before he could understand what was happening however the fighting came to a stop.

"HEY! All of you get back indoors!  And NO fighting!"

The bellow and command came from a pony who had stepped out of the main hall. He was huge. Bigger than Mordane by a good two feet. His fur, mane and eyes were black save for the red cracks in his eyes.

"You!" He pointed toward Mordane. "Come with me. Oh and welcome to Tahcon."

As he followed the apparent leader into the hall he saw ponies pull boards and windows from alleyways and start repairing everything. All of them laughing at the 'small' brawl.

...They are all insane.

Mordane entered into the hall with the leader. The entire place was made from well-polished wood and reminded him of a viking hall. All around, ponies sat eating and cheering randomly. Occasionally two stallions or mares would headbutt each other... Mordane took note that the gender ratio was actually about fifty/fifty.

...maybe from a history of fighting the population ratio shifted... interesting.

The stallion motioned for him to sit. Mordane replied.

"Oh I really could not impose."

"But I insist. It is tradition!"

The leader locked eyes with the alicorn. They stared for a short time before both laughed and Mordane sat down.

"We do not receive guests in our land often traveler. I hope we do not offend you with our revelry."

"Not at all... I was interested to learn more about such proud warriors. Could you tell me of your clan’s past?"

The leader smiled.

"Yes, but first." he drew himself up. "I am chief Running Sword. What is your name?"

"I am Mordane Stronghoof."

"Stronghoof? Good name... Now about our clan’s past." The room ,which had carried on before, grew quiet as it became clear that the chief was about to tell a story.

"Long ago," he began in a quiet voice. "Our tribe ruled over all the land from Tripington river to Inersel valley. Our clan had not yet grown to its full potential, however. Our ambition was without end... then the chief grew sick."

His eyes grew downcast.

"In order to choose the successor, a sword battle was to be held by his son and daughter. They fought for hours, yet in the end it was my ancestor who won. Pointing the sword at her fallen foe, she turned to her father for him to declare victory. Yet it was not to be so. The chief had risen at her victory, but so glorious was her fighting skill that his heart gave out. Shuddering, he fell to the ground."

He paused in respect and all bowed their heads.

"Her brother saw his chance. At her shocked face he swung his sword and nicked her shoulder. Then he claimed victory of first blood. Outraged, our ancestor attacked roaring the truth of her victory. In the end both were dragged away. Every day they met on that field were the stone throne stood. If either one could but get the other to admit defeat, then they could unite the clan and claim the chief’s sword."

"Chief’s sword?" cut in Mordane.

"Aye, The Sword of the Mountain. A blade forged with iron from a mountain’s heart. It is a glorious blade. A blade meant to conquer the world. It was placed in the old clan hall, behind the stone throne. For generations our clan has fought itself. Every week, one of us will march out in our armor. The other shall rush to arm themselves. Always we meet in the blood field... oh you should see it lad. A field stained red. Dozens of us will fall. Never to rise again. So long is our struggle. We charge each other trumpeting our battle cry."

"FOR HONOR!" he yelled at the top of his voice.

"FOR GLORY!" yelled the hall in return.

"AND THE RED DAWN!"

The hall shook with the warriors roar.

Mordane was in shock. He had imagined fighters but not this. It was simply... glorious.

"How long has your clan fought itself?"

"For over ten generations. My father and grandfather lie on that red field... I know they watch. Proud. Drinking to my honor."

"Is there no hope for peace?"

"Nay... not till they admit that it is I who should lead this clan."

*************************************************************

Mordane was walking through the woods. In a part of the valley beyond the wall, a waterfall fell into a deep chasm. There he would have time to think.

They are... greater than I thought.

The human-turned-alicorn had always thought of the ponies as terrible fighters. Almost too skittish to really make organized warfare. Now however he was faced with ponies who showed the spirit of warriors, instead of just desperation.

Perhaps the lack in matters of war is social rather than genetic.

Mordane found his way to behind the fall and with a few flaps of his wings he flew up onto a stone ledge.

And meditated.

Places like this one... I have not felt such in years.

The waterfall, the stone, the stars above all of it fit together. Such places draw crowds on earth or are broken by people finding their homes. They are places where the mind and world are reflected in one another.

Mordane felt himself fall back. Back through time, into memories. Throughout his pony life he had felt moments of clarity. Of how he was before.

...It’s almost like I walk around half asleep.

Yet tonight... tonight I feel awake. My old spirit, reawoken.

The alicorn pony turned to look at himself.

...Why do I feel so old. Three lives rattling away in my skull. It is only at times like this I see the stretch marks. The times I acted like a pony child or the monster....Why is it so hard to find my center. To find peace with my place in this world.

In his clear view the answer came with ease.

I have no place here... this world has denied me.

With a cold detachment he briefly considered throwing himself over the cliff but it was quickly abandoned.

He had things to do. Obligations to fulfill.

Celestia killed my pony parents... my good parents. They deserve justice. Yet if I am to move on her... I may have to let that part of me back in. Dare I go that far?

In his mind chains rattled to the echo of drums.

"Runner..." whispered a mare's voice.

Mordane snapped out of his self reflection and looked through a gap in the walls.

Darn I can't see anything.

The alicorn closed his eyes and used mindsight.

He felt two life ponies among the life in the area. Focusing he listened and put the scene playing out beyond the waterfall together in his mind.

...

"Where are you Runner?" asked a mare sneaking out of the nearby brush.

"Over here." spoke up a stallion confidently. Mordane already did not like the guy’s smug attitude but he put that aside to listen in.

The two trotted over and embraced just at the edge of the pool below the falls.

Quickly the sound of kissing wafted up to his secluded place.

He was about to call out to tell them he was here when the stallion called Runner spoke up.

"Did anypony follow you?"

The mare giggled.

"Golden Apple tried to follow me, but I gave her the slip at the poison joke fields."

"Did you touch any of it?"

She laughed again.

"Yah. But I bought some bubble soup. Why don't we take a dip?" she said in a seductive tone.

They both laughed and got into the water.

Mordane listened for the next two hours. The context of their conversation had piqued his interest. It was obvious they were a young couple as they never went much beyond kissing.

From there, multiple conversations Mordane pieced together the situation.

The mare was named Honey Dew and the stallion Running Glade. She was from the village of Tahcon. While he was from the other one, across the valley.

They were both very concerned about either village figuring out about their relationship. If Running's village knew about it, they would likely stage a raid. The other clan would do the same.

Both were very set on not being caught. Half of their time together was discussing when and how they would meet again.

After an hour they left leaving a perplexed Mordane.

He had come to this village to learn, yet now he was seeing an opportunity. If the couple could reach across then it is likely that the division is traditional, not actual hate.

I could try to bring them together. Would have to go look at the other clan though.

His pulse quickened at the idea of healing the rift between the two halves of a whole. It filled him with excitement.

If I can repair an old wound like this one without... that, then maybe I won't have to change to bring her low.

Mordane knew he could not make such changes with only one side of the story. Even if there ancestor really did act so disgracefully, they might not see it that way.

***************************************************************************

Mordane landed at the entrance to the valley, on top of the mountain. He was surprised how similar the entrance looked.

The gated entrance was held by two guards. They glared at him while holding their spears. Both wore a tunic in blue with a strange but familiar mark on it.

"Halt! This is the proud home of the Nochat clan. State your purpose."

Mordane looked right into the guards eyes and with utter confidence responded.

"I am here to trade and learn with the master warriors of the Nochat. Whose battle prowess is known far and wide. May I have entry into your home?" It worked on the last two.

The two guards chests puffed up at his request.

"It is brave of you traveler to so boldly approach our gate. Speak to our leader, that you may not be taken as a spy."

Mordane bowed his head and walked through the opening gate. Along its walls more flags hung with the similar symbol on it.

Upon exiting the pass he came into the town proper.

What a nice town... though I have a very strong sense of deja-vu.

Just like the other town, it was comprised of earth ponies. To his left a metal smith was hammering away its melodious backing giving rhythm to the town. Houses much like Ponyville one's hung close to the wall.

Beyond the houses and fields beyond lay a wall with guard towers along its length. In the center of the town lay a grand hall.

As he walked ponies yelled out to him.

"Hail traveler, won't you come to my pub for a drink?"

"Ohhh, fancy a dance darling?"

"Arg, HAHA! I wonder if you unicorn types are any good at fighting!"

Serious deja-vu.

The villagers would call out and many seemed to go about almost in a state of party. Mordane walked on with growing confusion.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY STALLION!"

A crash sounded as a mare came flying out of the second story window. In moments the entire town was fighting. Crashes resounded as ponies kicked through walls. The cling of swords provided a backing to the disaster.

Before he could understand what was happening however the fighting came to a stop.

"HEY! All of you get back indoors!  And NO fighting!"

The bellow and command came from a pony who had stepped out of the main hall. She was beautiful, yet strong.

"You!" She pointed toward Mordane. "Come with me. Oh and welcome to Nochat."

As he followed the apparent leader into the hall, he saw ponies pull boards and windows from alleyways and start repairing everything. All of them laughing at the 'small' brawl... just like the other town

...I don't even.

Mordane entered into the hall with the leader. The entire place was made from well polished wood and reminded him of the other one, with only a few minor differences. All around ponies sat eating and cheering randomly. Occasionally, two stallions or mares would headbutt each other. If it was not for the banners he could've mistaken that he had fallen back in time.

The mare motioned for him to sit. Mordane replied.

"Oh, I really could not impose."

"But I insist. It is tradition!"

The leader locked eyes with the alicorn. They stared for a short time before both laughed and Mordane sat down.

"We do not receive guests in our land often traveler. I hope we do not offend you with our revelry."

"Not at all... I was interested to learn more about such proud warriors. Could you tell me of your clans past?"

The leader smiled.

"Yes, but first." she drew herself up. "I am chief Breaking Wind. What is your name?"

Breaking Wind? Well, this will test my poker face.

"I am Mordane Stronghoof."

"Stronghoof? Good name... Now about our clan’s past." The room, which had carried on before, grew quiet as it became clear that the chief was about to tell a story.

"Long ago," she began in a quiet voice. "Our tribe ruled over all the land from Tripington river to Inersel valley. Our clan had not yet grown to its full potential however. Our ambition was without end... then the chief grew sick."

Mordane was well beyond any surprise.

"In order to choose the successor, a sword battle was to be held by his son and daughter. They fought for hours yet in the end it was my ancestor who won. Pointing the sword at his fallen foe he turned to his father for him to declare victory. Yet it was not to be so. The chief had risen at his victory, but so glorious was his fighting skill, that the old one’s heart gave out. Shuddering he fell to the ground. "

She paused in respect and all bowed their heads. Mordane mentally groaned.

"His sister saw her chance. At his shocked face she swung her sword and nicked his shoulder. Then she claimed victory of first blood. Outraged, our ancestor attacked roaring the truth of his victory. In the end both were dragged away. Every day, they met on that field were the stone throne stood. If either one could but get the other to admit defeat, then they could unite the clan and claim the chief’s sword."

Mordane said nothing.

"The Sword of the Mountain... a blade forged with iron from a mountain’s heart. It is a glorious blade. A blade meant to conquer the world. It was placed in the old clan hall behind the stone throne. For generations our clan has fought itself. Every week, one of us will march out in our armor. The other shall rush to arm themselves. Always we meet in the blood field... oh you should see it, lad. A field stained red. Dozens of us will fall. Never to rise again. So long is our struggle. We charge each other trumpeting our battle cry."

"FOR HONOR!" she yelled at the top of his voice.

"FOR GLORY!" Yelled the hall in return.

"AND THE BLUE DAWN!"

The hall shook with the warriors roar.

"How long has your clan fought itself?" said Mordane hoping that she might know more.

"For over ten generations. My father and grandfather lie on that red field... I know they watch. Proud. Drinking to my honor."

"Is there no hope for peace?"

"Nay... not till they admit that it is I who should lead this clan."

***********************************************************************

I think I might of seen some kind of massively improbable event... two clans both thinking the other is to blame. Both sharing a history and only some non-important things being the opposite. It's enough to drive one mad.

Mordane was divided on his next action. Revealing the couple could end badly or result in the ceasing of violence between the two clan halves.

The only other option would be to try and talk the two into a peace which considering the said romance was likely more tradition than hatred.

...Well I might as well go with the second option. The romance would probably be a better icing on the cake sort of motivation.

But how to draw the two together.....

*********************************************************************

Mordane was walking around Tahcon the general paty stance of the town had not lessened since he last had come...

If he was to heal the clan, then understanding them would be a necessity.

So he wandered around that village until coming on a peculiar scene.

"Come on! Do you want the Nochats to have victory!"

Out behind some building on an open dirt stretch a few young stallions and mares were laden down with massive piles of iron sitting on a stone pallet. It was strapped to her back as they struggled to walk in a straight line while simultaneously holding a spear.

"Put your backs into it!" yelled a mare at the students.

"But we have no liquid of strength! " one of the stallions groaned.

''Quit your complaining!"

Mordane walked up to the instructor and lightly tapped her on the shoulder.

"What is this liquid of strength he talks about?"

She laughed.

"It is what we drink to make us more powerful! Without it victory would be impossible!"

Mordane nodded and moved on to his wanderings.

Soon he came upon the blacksmith who was busy making a plow.

"Good fortune upon you blacksmith."

"Good fortune and glorious battle to you traveler. Are you going to fight with us tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" he said with alarm.

"Aye, tomorrow we march to the red field. There the two chiefs will meet in front of the old hall and demand the others surrender. If they refuse to bow to us then we shall fight once again."

...I will have to try then. It's the only place I'll have a chance.

"Ah, so that's what those things are for."

Mordane pointed to the edge of the blacksmiths land were some ponies were building what looked like siege engine parts.

"Aye... need those for the battle."

"If you are fighting tomorrow, why aren't you making any weapons or armor?"

"There already made. Takes far too long to make the armor to wait until the last minute."

The blacksmith then went on about how ingenious the armor designs were. Mordane could not understand it all really, but it sounded like it would have a built in cooling system of some kind and would make the wearer nigh invulnerable.

Mordane politely nodded his head and moved away as soon as possible.

There was not much more to do but eat and sleep in the hall before tomorrow....When he would have to pull out all the stops.

That night a voice from long ago whispered in his ear. A pulse beat through his flesh...

Gritting his teeth, the alicorn forces the memories and growing waves of hate away, before going to sleep.

*************************************************************

The following day, Mordane was waiting at the hall. It was easy enough to find as it was the only structure near the battlefield.

Looking down from the hill he could just not believe how red it was... almost as red as wine.

His attention snapped back as the two clan leaders walked up the small hill.

Coming to a standstill at the top of the hill both gave him questioning looks before turning to stare at the other.

" YOU STUPI-!"

"FAT UG-!"

Both parties started hurling insults at each other while Mordane simply stood there blinking rapidly.

Well....at least they haven't yet drawn swords.

Mordane sat there and waited until a lull in there yelling before cutting in.

"Would y’all two be quiet?"

Both of the chiefs pause and blink at Mordane.

"Listen, I know you two have not known each other long, but I think I can help yah."

"Help how?" said both at the same time. Immediately glaring at the other.

Psychologists would have a field day here.

"Look, are you not one clan? Do you really want to continue to fight those who should be your brothers and sisters?"

"Well of course not, but how are we suppose to work with them, unless she admits her ancestor was a liar!"

"My ancestor?!"

"Stop!" cut in Mordane." Is this really productive? What is really important?"

"Honor." they both said without blinking.

"Yes... honor. Is it honorable for brother to fight his sister for so long? Can we at least try to work something out.."

The two shuffled around uncomfortably.

Hope flared in Mordane’s chest. This was going better than he could of foreseen.

"Will you let me try to find a way?"

The two chiefs looked at each other and nodded with only a tiny flinch.

"Very well... let’s begin."

******************************************************

Mordane sitting in the grand hall of the united clan. Empty, save for the two chiefs and two messengers. Outside, he could hear both sides preparing for battle. Behind him, held above all the decorations was a throne. Laid across it was a blade that had made his heart skip a beat. For it was the sword that had been held by the last chief to rule from this hall.

Now however Four hours at the table and all they had agreed on was one that there was a battle between these two ancestors over a dozen generations before and two that the other was a complete tool that should bow down and lick the scum off the others feet.

Progress was slow.

"Look we are making no headway. Just tell me this. What is the most important thing about who becomes the clan leader?"

"They must be the descendant of the victor of the sword match."

Darn and without our knowing who really...

Mordane face hoofed.

Well it could work. If they don't have spouses... or their firstborns don’t.

"...Do either of you have children?"

"Yes, a son" said the mare clan leader.

"And I a daughter." finished the other.

No comment.

"Well... its obvious both sides have honor... why not merge the two lines?"

"WHAT!?" They both yelled nearly bursting Mordane’s eardrums..

"We are descended from the same line! It would be shameful!" Shouted the stallion.

"That was well over fifteen generations back... you basically aren’t related at all now."

"This is pointless!" shouted the mare. "Daylight continues. We go to war!"

With that she turned and ran out. Followed quickly by the stallion.

Mordane shook his head.

What a waste...I have failed.

The alicorn sat staring at the wood. Unsure of how he could've done better. Soon The roar of the two armies on the field below came to him.

So standing, he made his way to the front door.

Pausing only a moment to look on the battle below.

.....

.....

....

The fuck?

Mordane just could not comprehend at first what he was seeing. Part of him just refused to believe it.

The knights were lined up on both sides of the fields in radically large armor. Though even that description was not enough to describe it.

Each knight looked like an upside down ice cream cone with the bottom cut off. There helmeted heads sticking up and out. Two large funnels were mounted to their helmets. It took a bit to process, but the tubes leading down into the helmet and the smell of alcohol made it apparent.

The open to funnels were quickly filled with barrels of whiskey as both sides continued to yell at one another.

Oh god... this is...

Both sides 'charged'. The better word would probably be waddle, as the suits apparently only had one joint. So they had to sway from side to side in order to move toward each other.  An hour later the first two made it to each other. As they closed a couple of ponies ran out and straped wooden poles to there sides.

Once close enough they would rotate their bodies and hit the other with the stick making a loud ringing noise.

Mordane continued to stare dumbstruck at this spectacle.

As the two groups fully conversed soon multiple ponies were hitting on one. Occasionally they would fall over only to wait as more squires dragged over the machines that Mordane had thought were catapults but seemed instead to be pulleys to lift the fallen soldiers.

Mordane simply had to sit and take this in.

...The field is red from wine.

...There fallen have literally fallen over.

...There liquid of strength is alcohol.

This is the most pathetic thing I have ever seen.

************************************************************

Hours later, Mordane sat on the hill as the two leaders walked up. His blood boiling in shame and anger.

As they came to stand in front of him both ponies’ pride seemed to almost fill them.

There looks filled Mordane with disgust.

Of course, they began to insult each other, but Mordane would have none of it.

“Be quiet” they both ignored him and kept on yelling.

“I said, shut up.” Still no response even as mordane began to tremble.

“SILENCE!” A crack rang through the air as a blast of wind and earth flashed out from Mordane.

Both chiefs looked at him with their mouths hanging open.

“I came here to learn what gave you so called ‘warriors’ strength. Having heard of your military past I even hoped to understand what held you back! Never could I of imagined that I would find a pack of fools.”

“Hey you can't say tha-” The stallion guard was knocked to the ground as Mordane kicked him in the face.

“I see now that you have lost your way! Yet I can save you.”

“We don't need any saving!”

“Ask that to your ancestors! That pathetic display out there was a shame on every one of them. If you fought anyone else, then you would die!”

He took a step forward and used the spell shockwave.

The ponies collected stumbled back as the wall of air hit them. Followed quickly by a hail of stone.

“What is your word’s worth if you cannot even fight against me? A single unarmed Unicorn. Now you WILL come into this hall. We will find a solution for reintegration.”

With that Mordane grabbed both chiefs with his telekinesis, and dragged them into the hall.

Both groups retainers followed. Shouting and threatening. Yet none of them would lay a hoof on him.

Cowards.

After sitting them down they began to talk. Reluctantly at first. Mordane attacked every aspect of the way they did battle.

Step by step, he forced them to admit the truth of how ineffective it was.

Soon food was brought and all listened intently.

A part of him that had laid silent stirred. As it edged awake his words became stronger, more sure.

“With time, all ponies may lose their way but that is not what matters! It is what one does when this is called out that determines the value of a culture. Now I ask you.  Please... for your children.”

The two chiefs faces were shame filled. Both  looked at each other and nodded.

There hooves raised shake and bring about a lasting peace.

Then a bread roll hit the Nochat clan leader’s head.

Instantly, the whole place was in an uproar. Both sides began throwing food at each other while screaming like children.

Buck! What do I do? I guess I'll have to fall onto those two love birds.

“At least do it for the love between your two children.” He shouted at the chiefs.

Utter silence.

The chief Breaking wind spoke first.

“What do you mean?”

“I saw your son and his daughter kissing beneath the waterfall.”

The mare chief turned to her son with a stern faced.

“Is this true?”

“...Yes mother, it is.”

“You bastard!” Yelled several random mares from both sides of the room.

“You bitch!” Echoed many more stallions yelling at the other chief’s daughter.

The entire place descended into an all out food fight again.

Mordane just stared. In utter defeat. There was nothing else to do.  He stepped up from the table and turned around covering his eyes.

I can’t even... Do they have nothing that would bring them together? Are they so petty? What could they care about!?

Moving his hoof the alicorns eyes fell on their ancestor’s sword.

The Sword of the Mountain.

…

If I survive this... No time

With that Mordane grabbed the sword with his magic and yelled.

“I’m stealing the Sword of the Mountain!”

Nothing. They kept right on throwing food.

“I’m heading for the door!”

Surely they will not let me leave.

About half way to the door he began floating silver plates and utensils over to a bag he made by ripping apart a pillow.

“You know this painting of your ancestor would make good kindling. Do you mind if I take it?”

The audible rip as the picture of their ancestor was torn from the frame caused no alarm.

“I’m nearing the door... with your special sword... and the picture of your ancestor.”

Mordane stood at the front door staring at the two clans still fighting.

You know what. Buck them.

and with that Mordane flew away.

********************************************************

The alicorn sat on a peak, miles from the valley in the mountain. Utter disgust filling him.

Though not at their failures. At his.

The only time I could even do anything was when... when...

Out from the past, the dark voice called to him. His grandfather’s words no longer seemed so strong.

...If I am to defeat her. Then I will need power. But revenge is not enough. I need something more. Dare I let that deeper nature free? Dare I risk becoming a monster?

The human in me gave up his ambition... I was willing to live a life on the side lines, away from the world’s stage.

I gave up my ambition.

Dare I take it up again?

On the mountain whose name Mordane never learned, he made his choice.

A broken mind came to that mountaintop.

One that was unsure.

Its heart hurt and twisted in confusion.

The alicorn who left, felt none of these things.

Only the drums.

Only his hate.

Only the need, for revenge.

************************************************************

Child Stalker came over the hill and looked down on the mud-ridden port city of Valenstien.

Not a bad place to live. Well if you have the right mindset.

The road leading up to the city was lined with stalls trading all manner of goods. They would shout at passing ponies, hoping some would even look at their wares.

What a mess...I could always take the backway.

The stallion stepped off the beaten path, while keeping an eye on the guards. Wouldn’t want to garner attention.

He then made his way to the wall without being seen. Just over this section was the slums and the pony knew that no guards would be there... unless there had been someone important murdered... but that was unlikely.

Better safe than sorry.

Focusing his mind reached out beyond the wall. With a nod of his head he willed himself to be less noticeable and grabbed the rope from his bag.

With one try he tossed the quickly made lasso over a rampart and made his way to the top before jumping down to the other side.

His landing caused very little dust to be disturbed and even less noise.

He made his way through the dark alleys.

Soon he began to pass a few ponies. Most would walk past. However one bumped into him.

“Sorry.”

“No problem.”

A few steps latter Child Stalker checked his coin purse and was unsurprised to find it cut.

I think I made a profit.

The thieves purse being slipped into his saddlebag.  It was about double the size.

Soon he saw a small colt sitting on a corner flipping a small coin.

Now what was the code for the region?

“You colt. Where can I wet my whistle?”

“How dirty is it?”

“A bit rusty...”

“Oh, then you want the Rusty Mug.”

Child Stalker passed him a coin after getting his directions.

I think I told him the right one... lets see if I say its wet, I want a brothel. Muddy, a thieves den... yay I think thats right.

The trip through the street  took him through a few of the towns districts.

The old slums quickly gave way to the stark lines of the craftsmen's houses. Followed quickly by the docks.

Out on the sea, he could see ships pulling into harbor even as those up close prepared to leave with the tide.

Taking a left he made his way quickly through the market and finally came upon his destination.

The place was a regular bar to any who did not already know the truth.

“What would you like.”

“To wet my rusty whistle.”

“What's your name.”

Hmm now what name would he set.

“Stronghoof.”

The bar pony nodded and pointed to the back.

“He said he would know it was you.”

Child Stalker nodded and walked down the hall to the opening door. Once inside, he sat down and looked across the table.

“Its good to see you, brother.”

“Likewise. How is he?”

“Alive. You were right.”

“Good. Tell me, what is your plans?” Smut Peddler leaned back.

His eyes shining in the darkly lit room.

New places old faces

"If you say a lie loud enough and long enough, the people will believe it." - Adolf Hitler

The space between the truth and the lie is a fickle thing.

If one tells a lie about themselves long enough.                  Ponies won't follow me for my own revenge.

You being to tell yourself that lie.                                      I'm not just doing it for myself.

You act on the lie.                                                     I have to free those under Celestia's rule.

Then you believe the lie.                                                               I will save them.                            

Then it no longer is a lie.                                                      I'll fight her, for others.

It's the truth.

****************************************

In a flat spacing of land among the rolling hills, a little town of less than forty houses was resting beside a river. The leaves of trees were just beginning to brown and loosen, in preparation for their journey to the ground below a few weeks from now.

Throughout the streets, young played while the old sat grumbling about the children playing, and the middle aged worked in the shops and fields. On one corner of the dirt roads interlaced in the small town. Mordane cautiously walked out of the pawn shop while keeping his hood low. The bitter taste of that clan's memory left little room for appetite in the young stallion. In all truth he just wanted to break something. The frustration from being so close to success, only for the lack of perspective to cut under him, put his teeth on edge.

I could have used them...no! I must not think that way. It’s dangerous.

Dark thoughts played out in his mind as impulses long suppressed from the now released part of his personality came to the surface. His perception seemed to expand and contract. One moment he would be so aware of everything around him, from the smell of oil in the wood floors and the distant look of the shop owner, and the next he would fall back. The necromancer had thought himself quite strong willed, cruel and terrifying. His evil intentions however did not compare to these thoughts.

The worst part was knowing they were his own.

Yet he would not give into them. No they simply focused on efficiency without morality. The shopkeeper not giving you enough gold? Threaten him.

Find that mare enticing? Sleep with her, all you have to do is act tough but with a hint of kindness. Obvious daddy issues.

On and on it would go. There was the other ones that were just as extreme but on the opposite side of the spectrum and would still feel twisted.

Get some food for that homeless man. Treat him kind and use him after he becomes your friend.  

Say hello to everyone you meet with a smile. Treat them with respect and they will respect you even more.  

Follow that pick pocket and stop him when he does try to steal something. How do you know he's a pick pocket? By the way he looks at others of course.

All for himself. This side of him did not care if it was with sugar or blood, he would twist whatever he could to his advantage.

It would be up to his more...humane side to control this.

The wind blew hard through these streets catching up dust and blowing his cape in the wind. A string on the inside held the cloth close to his body. He had sown it in so as to prevent the cloak from blowing up and revealing his wings.

As he stepped out of the shop that little cord snapped from the winds pressure. Desperately the stallion grabbed for his cloak billowing upward. His wings were out for anyone to see for a full four seconds before he grabbed onto it and pull down.

His eyes darted around. Did anyone see?

"Well I be a Diamond dog! You got both wings and a horn? That's Something! What, was one parent a pegasus and the other a unicorn?"

Spinning around, an old earth pony was looking at him with a smile on his face. Mordane stared at the smiling stallion his panic quickly subsiding into confusion as he tried to grasp what the pony had said.

What it's almost like-

More ponies crowded started to gather around having overheard.

"What, he has wings too?" asked a construction worker

"I won't believe it till I touch em-"

"Never been with a stallion like you before," said a mare with a seductive smile

"Let us see em!"

Hesitantly while still forming a plan. Mordane slipped off his cloak. The crowd ooh-ed and ah-ed.

"What’s your name?" said the original stallion.

Oh buck...

Mordane thought nervously.

What if Celestia hears about me? I coul-

Suddenly he had an idea.

oh god why

Looking up he smiled as apprehension filled his stomach and yelled.

"Why little old me? I'm called the Party King!"

As some ponies laughed he could already see how to get the party going.

I really did tell myself not to drink again...Well it should be fine. I just won’t get drunk Celestia is over the mountains and tails of the 'Party King' will only be taken as rumors from all those years ago.

With that thought Mordane lead several of the ponies into a nearby bar and took his first drink

***********(fifth teen hours later)******************

Mordane opened his eyes.

Groan. I said I would not get drunk!

Pushing up from between the three mares on his coach Mordane stumbled up and looked around the room. Seeing his cloak, bag and sword leaned against the wall he walked over and checked it making sure that nothing was missing.

Oh buck did I do anything with them...best check

Casting a detection spell noticed that there was a contraception spell activated on himself.

God I though for a moment it was going to be like the last time. Having to check up on here a year from now would be terrible.

After packing up he walked out of the room and into the main bar area.

...You know what I'm not even going to ask how they got the flag that close to right.

He thought while looking around the nearly destroyed bar.

Mordane stepped over the fallen bodies even as the few still awake saluted him.  

"Hail party king!"

"uhh thanks."

Opening the front door of the bar Mordane stepped out onto the street.

"...huh"

All around him ponies were passed out in the street reflecting the look inside the bar.

"Everything is looking better than I thought it would."

As Mordane flew away from the town, with only a few fires and a lot less alcohol, he pointed himself south and aimed for the city that the townsfolk had told him of last night. Apparently there was a lot of jobs available there for those skilled enough. Mordane felt a small smile on his lips. The idea that no one knew about alicorn was just so strange to him. After last night at both the pawn shop and gambit table he had a tidy sum of just over a thousand bits.

He was excited to see a city state. At first he had not really caught onto its nature but a few questions at the town told him what he needed to know. It was said to be the center of the northern region. It was there where he could find out how things around here tick.

Mordane felt uncertain about his future, but happy considering his prospects. The townsfolk had known nothing of alicorn but that would not stop him from wearing his cloak. Best to avoid such attention. He glided down and landed at the entrance.

He moved quickly toward the City called Tietus. Which was said to be in a state of unrest. Mordane chuckled to himself thinking it likely meant rebellion.

Mordane did not know what to expect from the great city but his gut told him it was the place to go.

****************************************************************

Flying over the last of the hills, Mordane looked out over the plains and down on the city. The sight that came to him was impressive.

The coastal city seemed to be divided into four districts, and had two outer gates. The docks stood out fairly clearly, as did the marketplace, with its many brightly colored marquees. The bulk of the city was taken up by slum-like masses of buildings, with the last section containing larger, roof tiled houses surrounding the castle. Obviously the respective domains of the poor and the rich.One river ran through the three poor districts. It had an odd color to it but Mordane just chalked that up to weather.

Quickly his mind ran predictions.

Looking at the various sections and how run down they are one can make a fairly good estimation of the population...about five hundred thousand. No wonder this is the center of power. It's as big as Manehattan. From what I can see it's the port that gives it strength...block that off and the city would empty.

Mordane shook his head and smiled before setting down. As he made his way to the main gate he noticed as the guards considered stopping for a moment before shrugging and letting him walk past.

Inside, he was assaulted by the sight and smells of the city. Trash, dust, smoke and feces. The reality of a middle age city came up and slapped him in the face. Sewage ran freely along the street edge with trash floating through it. Carriages carry both the wealthy and goods through the dirt roads of the city.

Mordane gagged.

Wh-what the hell...this place is...Even basic sanitation?

The sickness growing in Mordane surged. He ran over to the road edge and threw up his last meal. Looking around in disgust he saw that nopony had even looked twice.

...This is atrocious. I have to hand it to the bitch, she at least lifts Equestria out of this sickening state.

Mordane knew even with his knowledge, anything he revealed would likely cause him to be seen as a threat by the elite. Something to be fought or controlled.

As Mordane walked through the town he purposely avoided bumping anypony. He down two raggedy individuals who actually purposely tried to bump him. A slight thrill ran through him both times, even as he watched them go to talk to others who were standing on corners as money exchanged hooves.

...organization. A thieves’ guild of some kind most likely.

He resisted the urge to laugh at that thought. What a world.

As he stepped through an unavoidable puddle of what he assumed was water, the stallion overheard something that gave him pause once more.

"Why, mares and gentlecolts, we have a fine selection today!"

Mordanes head tuned as his heart sank at what he saw.

Down a large alley, ponies stood close together in front of a simple wooden stage. Eight ponies stood on it. Two were guards. A third was the salesman.

The rest stood in line with neck collars and chains.

A few were mares, others stallions. They ranged from teen to middle aged.

Mordane found himself making his way through the crowd toward the stage. A sense of foreboding filled him and words he only thought to hear said in film came to his ears.

"Yes, before you today we have a fine selection indeed. These slaves were captured as part of campaigns in the south and are legally claimed. Just look at this stallions thick back legs. He could do some fine field work-"

The former human watched as the first batch was sold. On the second he was wondering why he was not crying out... All he felt was just shock. Slavery is just so unfathomable to those who have lived in a land where all are free.

It was only on the third line that he was snapped out of his stupor by a voice that sounded familiar...

"WHY DON’T YOUR SCREW YOURSELVES!"

"Shut up, you!"

The guards dragging out the stallion viciously bucked him in chest, causing Mordane to flinch.

As they held him in the middle of the stage the earth ponies face caught his attention. The stallion seemed familiar. In fact he was sure he had seen him before. It took a few seconds but soon Mordane remembered.

"Brawny Boulder? Is that you?"

The old drunk Mordane had meet after first leaving home stopped long enough to stare at the stallion. His eyes searching to something he could recognize. It had been years since the alicorn had even thought of his old temporary companion.

"Who the buck are you?"

"No talking to the merchandise!" shouted the sale pony. "Now this one may be feisty but he is strong! Chain him up to an entrance and use him as a guard! Do I hear five hundred bits?"

Utter silence. No pony would want such a hoof-full. Many in the crowd were muttering about how the pony should of been broken before being brought out.

...He does not remember me. Understandable. Luckily I should be able to buy him.

Mordane of course knew he would buy him. The question was how much it would cost.

"Four hundred bits!"

"I don't know, Boulder, that’s a might expensive," Mordane spoke to his chained up companion in front of him.

A pained look came over the former guard’s face.

"Buck you! If you know me then save me and then we can talk!"

"Three hundred fifty bits?" the sale pony’s look was even more pained.

"I'll give you two hundred bits," Mordane said with a smile.

I cannot believe I would run into this guy again.

"Only two hundred bits?" The sales pony looked around. "Do I hear three fifty...One twenty five? Yes you two hundred twenty five!" A random mare made a bid.

I have to end this.

"Three hundred bits!"

Nopony decided to go against Mordane’s offer. Handed a simple key they asked him three times if he had a guard to handle him, before letting him walk the stallion out himself.

As Mordane and Boulder walked out of the alley way the old stallion was giving his new owner odd looks.

"Why don't we get a drink, old buddy, and catch up."

"I don't know how you know me, colt, and if you think you can hold me..."

"Wouldn't dream of it. Just consider the three hundred bits a loan. I know you're the type to repay debts."

The old stallion grumbled and followed Mordane into a bar. The alicorn ordered them both a soda, drawing a smile onto the owner’s face.

"Really, soda? You really are a colt," Boulder grumbled.

"Not as young as I once was, old timer... Do you really not recognize me?"

He glared at Mordane before drinking the glass dry.

"Can't say I do."

The laughter bubbled up easily though Boulder did noticed it was a little strained.

"Well what if I told you we met in Equestria?"

Brawny Boulder took another long look at Mordane before shaking his head.

"I left there about two years ago and had a lot of drink before being hit in the head and taken as a slave." The shame of being caught so unaware was evident in his voice. Mordane felt pity at how far the earth pony had fallen. He hair was ragged and worn where the collar was hung. The eyes looking out at Mordane looked deader than the ones from all those years before.

"Heh. Guess I can't blame you then ...Perhaps if I tell you my name?"

"Out with it. I ain't got all day."

"I'm Mordane Stronghoof."

The old stallion spat out his drink as his eyes widened in recognition, and after a few seconds he smiled as he started to recognize the colt from all those year before in the stallion before him.

"By Celestia’s name, it is you! I can't believe you saved me," he shouted "What are you doing down here?"

"I could ask you the same. What happened to that mare, Sugar?"

"No idea. She left me after we came over the mountain, before I was captured. We were just running from some fines."

"Disorderly conduct?"

Boulder laughed.

"Yeah. What about you?"

This guy hated Celestia right? Perhaps I can find an ally.

"Oh you know," Mordane said awkwardly. Boulder raised an eyebrow and Mordane sighed. "I'm on the run."

"The run?" Boulder said with surprise.

"Aye, from Equestria and her queen...I remember you did not like her as well.”

The older stallion grunted an affirmation.

"She has no respect for conflict. It will come to bite her again one day."

"...Aye, it did. Diamond dogs attacked Equestria."

Boulder’s mouth dropped open, but he quickly recovered.

"I assume the defenses failed?"

"The attack was on multiple fronts simultaneously... The ill trained guard had terrible response time." Disgust and a slight sense of loss filled Mordane. It only magnified as the conversation continued. “The dogs were after slaves...I lived in a town called Ponyville at the time."

"Ponyville?" he cut in, "The home of the Elements of harmony?"

"You know about them?"

"Of course I do. I was part of the guard before...Well before I fell out of favor"

Mordane sat back."Interesting. What did she say about it?"

"Basically, don't respond to anything and leave it up to her student."

"...Huh. That's an...odd command."

"We got a lot like that. So were you able to repel those dogs?"

"Yes. Though it wasn't easy...I lost a few."

"Only a few?" he responded shock "Gods, boy, how did you fight them? I would think the town would be taken. No matter if Princess Twilight was there."

"I burnt the bridges and put all the colts and fillies in the town hall. Then built the defenses around it."

Boulder raised an eyebrow.

"You put young ponies’ lives in danger?"

"They were already in danger. I just forced the parents onto ground they would not give up for anything. Because I let them know what would happen to their little ones," Mordane explained. "After the battle I ran from Ponyville and was chased by Celestia."

This time the shock expression did not go away so easily.

"Why did she chase you? If you were just leaving?"      

"...Well. I did something that threatened her authority. After that she chased me down and ran me into a storm trying to kill me. It was only through teleporting in said storm that I was able to escape."

Boulder sat in silence for a moment staring at Mordane.

"Look, colt, I'm not going to take it as rent that Celestia wants you dead! That’s just crazy. Nearly as much as you wanting revenge for it. Nopony is going to die for your revenge."

That was obvious to Mordane.

...Ponies won't follow me for my own revenge.

He would just have to give them something more to fight for.

" ...This is unimportant. We have a problem. I only have six hundred bits. That is enough to start a home but not enough to really gain some wealth."

"We? And what is this about wealth?"

"Look, you old stallion, I might have freed you for our former acquaintance, but I remember how you thought. You're a pony of honor. The real kind. I helped you and now I need your help. Money is power and I need power."

Boulder leaned back and thought for a time before his face lit up.

"Well I do owe you some money it would seem...There is a way for us to make it back."

***************************************************

Mordane turned to look at Boulder with his face devoid of any emotion. Before them was a brothel with a hiring sign being held by a stallion as another stallion danced on a pole.

"No."

"But the pay’s good. With your tight fla-"

"No, and if you complete that sentence I'll sell you to a fat, gay stallion who obviously has various STDs..”  

Boulder burst into laughter.

“You're a backside, you know that?"

"Fine then. I do have one more idea. Though you'll wish you went with this one."

*******************************************************

"What is this dump?"

Mordane and Boulder were standing before a rundown warehouse on the edge of the dockyards. A bunch of stallions were standing in line leading up to a door.

"It's a recruiting station for the mercenaries."

"...So you want us to join them."

"Uhh..." Boulder frowned at Mordane "Yeah...The pay is ok, but the real pay is from the salvage. After a round I can pay you back and you can do...whatever it is you’re planning."

Mordane felt an odd sense that this was an important moment in his life. From this point on he would be building a destiny for himself. Such time come and go in life but Mordane was ready.

...I need money if I'm to succeed. While becoming a mercenary was not in the plan.

It does make sense however, there is not much I can be hired for...The experience would come in handy as well.

His pace quickened.

Besides...I'm not just doing it for myself...It's for those others under her hoof as well.

"Well...I really have no other plans."

The recruiting process was surprisingly simple. When it was your turn, walk out into the middle of the open space and state your specialty before demonstrating it. Mordane calmed himself before entering the line with Boulder.

With his sword strapped onto his back, Mordane walked calmly into the warehouse once his turn had arrived.

Three ponies stood in front of him with bored expressions.

The first was an earth pony in heavy armor. His light blue coat and dark blue mane were offset by orange eyes. On his back rested a greatsword. The sight of him filled Mordane with unease. He fidgeted a bit.

The second was an unarmored pegasi and carrying a lacer: An air blade dragged behind a flyer, meant to remove heads."

The third was a cloaked figure. Mordane tensed up as he felt the necromantic energy. Though quickly he recognized it was not the one from his childhood.

"State your specialty," said the first.

"...Magic. If you mean what kind, I can perform both elemental, necromancy, minor healing, and illusions."

The first two raised an eyebrow at that while the third simply said. "Show me."

He paused for a moment and made up his mind. There was no use in lying about his power. This necromancer was good enough to know.

"I guess I'll do an illusion first."

The three stared forward as Mordane’s eyes grew red. Quickly he was transformed wrapped in shadow.

"Fear me." His voice had unearthly quality to it.

"Is that rea-" Instantly he was cut off as he flinched. A wave of fear rolled off of Mordane. The necromancer fought off the mental attack with little difficulty, but the first two felt a little jittery on their hooves. He smiled at the younger stallion. Using illusion magic to dirctly induce fear was not bad. Inefficient but it showed proficiency.

"Good enough. Necromancy and minor healing are related. Leave them till last. Show your elemental magic."

"Are you aware of war magic?"

Approval radiated from the third one."Yes. Please show me yours."

"Of course."

Mordane did not need to restrain himself. Reaching out he took command of the local energy that was unclaimed. The third seemed to be holding onto over half of it, though his grip was nothing impressive.

...Must be self taught. No use in holding back.

Mordane quickly found his center. This was much easier since he had allowed his regressed trait free.  

His eyes snapped open. The calm flowed and stirred. The dust from all around the room moved and collected into a sphere. He compressed it to half the normal volume.At the same time he drew the moisture into a stream of water orbiting the compressing dirt clod.

The third one was smiling and nodding but the two pegasi seemed almost bored.

...Well then. I guess it's time to pick it up.

"I advise you to cover your ears."

Mordane pulled a shockwave spell and stomped his foot down. The ball of dirt compressed and then with an exhale he formed it into a stone sword. At the same time the water formed razor edges on the blade.

The two pegasi eyes were wide as he stabbed the sword into the ground.

Silence.

The necromancer burst out laughing.

"Hahaha. No need to impress these two, Mordane."

"What's funny?" said the first pegasi, confused.

"Oh, he simply was trying to impress you, but to someone who is skilled the first part was far more impressive. His control and strength were precise. Not perfect, but very good. That alone would’ve gotten him into the university."

University?

The first pony, named High Rise, nodded his head and chuckled.

"Well I don't know a thing about magic. Though from your comment I can tell this one is worth the money." He turned to Mordane as the alicorn felt a flush of pride.

"Do you have any other skills?" he asked catching Mordane off guard.

"Well...yes. Though what more could you want to know?"

“It helps our command. We do pay more if you have extra skills.”

I really do need the money...I suppose being winged would pay more. Eh it's worth the risk.

"...What if a pony claimed to be a winged unicorn?"

That gave them pause. The first one frowned.

"I would kick him out for lying."

Mordane laughed nervously.

"I'm sure that the other necromancer over there could verify my wing’s authenticity... or I could just hover."

They exchanged looks and the third one nodded.

"...Very well."

With that Mordane pulled off his cloak and stretched out his wings. Causing all of the three judges eyebrows to rise.

With a few flaps he took to the air and hovered.

Quickly, a bolt of thunder passed through where he had been as a rolling sensing spell ran across him causing a mildly unpleasant feeling throughout his body.

The unicorn’s eyes became thoughtful as he set back down.

"...He's genuine."

Curiosity in each other their eyes was evident. High Rise leaned forward.

"I'll pay you sixteen hundred."

Mordane thought for a moment before responding.

"Make it fifteen. Then you keep my nature to yourselves and whatever flying group I work with."

After a pause High Rise gave a simple nod of understanding. As long as he did not get too big, most would dismiss the idea of a pony with both wings and horn as ridiculous.

"I'll label you as a unicorn in the books and we will downplay your wings."

"Thank you. Where should I report?" Mordane asked with a stern face.

"Here. In two days, with equipment," chucked the unicorn while leaning back in his chair "You're going to need some armor. That is, if you intend to survive."

"Of course. I will be here at noon, sir." With that he saluted and marched out. The eyes of High Rise watching him as an unease settled into his stomach.

****************************************************************************

Mordane sat looking at the entrance for the few minutes before Boulder came out. The human alicorn slight smile reflected the surge of energy and excitement of somepony who knows they are about to go and spend a lot of money.

The guard pony walked out grumbling under his breath a look on his face as if he had spent three hours sucking on lemons.

"Four hundred bits. Those bastards."

"Only four hundred? That's half what a unicorn gets."

The earth pony winced at that and had a slightly jealous look entered his eyes. "Aye. Unicorn mercenaries are rare."

Mordane decided to refrain from telling him how much he was given. It would bring up questions.

He knew for a fact that Bounder had no idea he was an alicorn... Mordane had no idea how he would react to that knowledge. The very thought caused Mordane stomach to turn.

"We better use your money and buy our supplies." Boulder cut into his thoughts. "Who knows where we can find the things we'll need."

"Well I have the basics. We will need a sleeping bag for you...and a sword. Both of us need armor. You more than me...You’re expensive, you know?"

"Shut it, young’un. Lets go find what we need."

**************************************************************

The armor was easy for them to find. For Boulder, he needed iron leg bracers and a center piece that covered mid drift and his flank. Mordane pointed out this would leave his breastbone unprotected. He grumbled something about stupid children knowing nothing of war. Iron is very rare in this world. Many nations would hold it. Tartris being the main port city of the south however guaranteed a steady supply and the lowest prices in the world.

This gave them a price that most would've called a steal at fifty bits a kilogram.

Mordane just took Boulders word that the armor was necessary and dished out six hundred bits.

For himself he was much more careful.

He found a battle cloak in one shop that was basically a regular cloak with metal plates put in sewn up pockets.

Once realizing that Mordane saved money by buying the metal plates and some sewing material. Then he bought some quality gems for fifty bits.

*************************************************************************

Mordane made his way to the room he and Boulder were sharing. Sighing, he entered and rubbed between his eyes.

Boulder laid on his small bed his side gently rising and falling.

The room was tiny and beyond plain, filled with only the two old and dirty beds. The room was cool, but Mordane was sure it would have been freezing or burning depending on the weather considering it had such thin walls. The smell of dust and the kitchen below mixed to give the feeling of an abandoned part of a home.

Opening his pack, Mordane laid out a large piece of paper made of pressed wood.

Next he pulled out a paint brush and ink bottle. Finally he opened a book of magic symbols.

With a calm demeanor he began his work.

Learning enchanting was more of an art than a science. The symbols in truth held no power; they just acted as a means of fitting the entire idea of the spell firmly in your mind. The markings could be anything. It was just easier to use the magical standard markings.

After about four hours Mordane stood up and looked down at his work. He stared at the waving lines and worked to hold the entire spell in his head.

Reaching into a bag he pulled out a hoof cuff and some gems before placing it on the paper center where there was no ink.

Then he drew on the power from the fire downstairs. Pouring in the power, he gave the matrix existence independent of his mind using the magic of making. Once the magical matrix came to be, he then bound it to the cuff.

Small pieces of the cuff’s surface fell off leaving engravings similar to the ones on the paper. The very nature of the cuff was changed as it shifted from a dull bronze to a cold gray. Small pops were heard as the gems were pulled and set into the metal.

Excitement built in Mordane as he lifted up the cuff.

For a long time he had been certain that there were ways to magically store power. Why did Celestia’s troops wear armor with gems?

Crystals jewels are mostly made from carbon and a naturally occurring magical field. It forms a sort of spreading structure throughout the gem. Normally when one tries to hold power in an item it will eventually lose it yet the Equestrians used several items that seemed to hold power indefinitely.  

It was a closely guarded secret but soon it came to Mordane that the structure of crystal could be used to hold the energy better since its tight molecular bonds could more easily hold power.

That is what he used to make his copy of the clandestine bracelet...even if the end product was not as good as his original.

Now however he had far more strength and skill.

Though he would not be making a Clandestine bracelet. No this one would be a well of power. It would have a limit but with it he would have a store of strength that only he could access.

All of this flashed through his mind as he lifted up the cuff and put it on his arm.

"Go to sleep, Mordane...leave your magic till the morning."

Boulder grumbled having been woken by his annoying comrade.

"...Ok, Boulder. Good night."

Mordane pulled on the surrounding energy and stored enough in the bracelet to make a building burst into flame before going to bed.

*****************************************************************************

Boulder and Mordane sat on a curb just outside of town. Both had agreed that staying in the city would be extremely boring. While going out the sit next to the forest would be better.

The sun was hanging. Birds flew across the sky accompanied by the occasional pegasi. The wind blew softly making the trees, grass, flowers and pony hair wave in its flow.

Boulder did not know what to think of this runt.

He remembered back to all those years ago when he accepted him into the party.

Then he watched his girl die...What would that do to a kid? After he was able to lift up that huge boulder. Now all these years later... Hating Celestia.

The old stallion would never admit it but he felt protective of the kid and at the same time afraid.

If his story is to be believed, he had escaped Celestia...Impressive. Though I don't know what to think of that look.

Boulder sat there as the question worked its way up through his thoughts. Growing and festering until it popped out.

"Why do you think Celestia is evil? She has made mistakes but I don’t think she does it for herself."

Mordane turned glaring before responding in a terse voice.

"What, besides her blatant abuse of power and Equestria being stuck in the a technological rut?"

Boulder’s reply came back quickly with irritation creeping into his tone.

"Look Mordane, Celestia has not abused her power. She uses it every day to raise the sun and fights monsters who would destroy Equestria."

"Tell me, Boulder. You know that long ago the unicorn tribe, whose name is forgotten, use to raise the sun. Celestia took over not as an act of kindness but as a display of power. Are you suggesting that the unicorns could not take over again. Oh yeah! That's right, we no longer remember how. Instead she sits in her unicorn noble court and rules from on top of the mountain. Throwing parties and wasting taxpayer money on maintaining a home there instead of somewhere more accessible. Then she leaves the roads of Equestria unpaved and maintains military control with her guard acting as a police force."

Boulder raised his voice to match Mordane’s increased one.

"Are you saying she made us forget? That's insane. It would take hundreds of years. Canterlot I admit is not the best location for a capital, but it is in the exact center of Equestria. And why would you pave roads?"

"You pave roads so citizens can travel with more reliability or you at least build enough railroads instead of one way passenger cars between the major cities and Canterlot alone. Do you need more? Children are raised with her image on the glass walls. The holidays are designed to build her image. She has ruled unopposed for over a thousand years and only recently has her sister returned from a banishment caused her loneliness. Loneliness! Celestia's pride is such that she would rather send her sister away then let her be an equal in the eyes of her people."

"People?"

"Nevermind that!"

"Luna betrayed the Equestrian ponies wh-"

"Look you're already spouting her propaganda"

"You are just jealous of the love she receives!"

Mordane and Boulder were on their hooves glaring at each other, but at that Mordane took a few steps back.

" Jealous...jealous. JEALOUS! YOU FUCKING BASTARD! DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHE DID TO ME?!"

"What! What could she of possibly done Mordane!?"

"SHE KILLED MY PARENTS!"

Silence.

Boulder stared at the panting stallion. Unable to believe what he heard. Mordane spoke quietly.

"On the day of the diamond dog attack my parents were in Ponyville...I saw them alive after the fighting was done. DONE!"

Mordane reached into his bag and pulled out the newspaper before throwing it to Boulders feet.

The old guard watched Mordane storm off into the forest before picking it up.

**********************************************************

Mordane galloped away from the stallion, his eyes burning. Rushing between trees and fallen logs he growled before seeing a clearing between the trees teleporting into the sky.

To far away to been seen by Boulder he flew like a rocket until landing in a flat clearing.

Snarling he lashed out with his mind scouring the area for any sapient that could hear him before pacing around. He snarled and stopped staring into the distance.

Mordane had thought his anger had grown cold yet all it took was a little hot air from Boulder to set it ablaze.

With his emotions running high, the old magic of Star Swirl was activated and soon he could hear music.

With rage filling him he sang the song that came from his heart.

__________________________________________________________

What does that bastard even know!

....

How can he not see what she sows!

....

The fire of nations , misery and woe!

....

How can he not see her flow.

....

How she keeps them in depravity. Making markers.

Nothing as it seems.

...

She taxes the poor to give parties to the rich.

She sets above to glow and makes her sister a bitch.

...

She builds castles to scrape the sky

Yet does not pave the roads

so my father has a hospital for his wife!

...

For over a thousand years she has reigned.

Hiding behind her smiles a million ponies pain!

...

Well this pony, no this human sees true.

Watch out I'm coming for you.

...

Hell and fire I'll bring.

....

To twist your throne at its seams.

...

All the world is a stage

now I know the part I play

...

So rest in peace

You avatar of the sun

....

for when I come before you

your last song will be

DONE

_________________________________________________________

Drained of his rage Mordane leaned on his front hooves that he had been pounding into the now cracked stone. Shacking only one thought ran through his mind.

I have to free those under Celestia’s rule.

Child stalker watched the panting alicorn beneath him from the trees as the dust began to settle and Mordane's horn stopped glowing.

"Well Buck, Somepony gots problems."

He leaned back in the tree and covered in shadow.

"Poor colt."

Mercenaries

Mordane and Boulder reported to the warehouse the next day after both apologized and picked up their armor.

From there, they were directed to a place just outside of town.

As he came up on the mercenary camp, Mordane felt an itch rising in the back of his brain while he looked at it.

...So disorganized. Wonder they can get anything done.

The tents of the camp were placed at random. Mordane could see at least three places where food carts were. Armor, tents, and ponies of every shape and size could be seen as well. No overall plan seemed to exist and even as he was looking the stallion could see at least three fights going on.

Walking along the path he came across a board pony sitting at a table who called him over.

"Name?"

"Mordane." he responded "This is Boulder."

"Find the tent labeled forty five. The third guy is in there. Do you have a tent of your own?"

"Yes."

"Leave it here."

They complied, both giving each other looks knowing that this was a means of manipulation.

Wondering around aimlessly Mordane resisted the urge to growl as the disorganization was repeatedly thrown in his face. The smell of dust, mud, piss and crap permeated the air but Mordane had grown use to that in the city. The ground beneath him had been churned to mud by hundreds of ponies over time.

After an hour of searching both of them were tired and ready to rest.

"There it is."

Mordane walked in first and looked around the small tent before his eyes locked on the only pony inside. His groan was the equal of any prisoner who had just heard the death sentence.

"Hey, beautiful. Fancy meeting you here," Child Stalker said while laying on his side and facing the entrance.

"How in Tartarus did you get the same tent as me?" Wait I know that already "You know what just give me whatever feather you took."

Boulder looked confused but shrugged and rolled out his cot.

"Now, now, you must know I have backups."

"Of course you do. Do you at least know if we are getting another pony in our tent?"

"Naaa. When I bribed the tent assigner so he would put you and anyone you brought with you here."

"No surprise there. Can you even fight?"

"Of course."

Mordane laid down on his side of the tent as Boulder talked to Stalker.

"So how do you know this waste of flesh?"

"I could ask the same. We met in Ponyville shortly after his arrival."

"You going to tell him how you stalked me for upwards of six years Child Stalker?" Mordane butted in.

"Nah, he probably won’t care about that."

"...Your name is Child Stalker?" asked Boulder with confusion on his face.

As the two started to exchange stories, Mordane left the tent to report to his superior unicorn mage. It took several questions and near threats to find his tent.

It was bigger than most and a shiny green. Two guards in gray plate armor stopped him before he entered and asked for his name before checking with the unicorn inside.

After being allowed inside Mordane looked around to see a surprisingly plain tent with a regular cot, a table, and what appeared to be an alchemy set.

"Mordane?" asked a voice from his right.

Looking over, he saw the necromancer from earlier and saluted.

With a warm smile, he motioned to a mat beside him as a cup floated over filling with alcohol.

"Come sit with me, Mordane. We have to discuss some things."

"It would be my pleasure, sir," said Mordane returning the smile and sitting down.

"Now, young one. What do you know about combat?"

"Well... I was involved in the planning and fighting of a battle to the north. A bunch of farmers were facing diamond dogs."

"Sounds like a terrible situation. Tell me, how did you fight. Personally I mean." he said while pouring himself a glass as well.

"Thank you," Mordane commented as he picked up his own glass. "I used my War magic mostly... Used the other ponies to hold the front line. Ended up spending most of my time counteracting their shamans."

"Really? How many of them were there?"

"...I do not know. If I may ask, what is your name?"

"Oh thats right," he said tapping the side of his head. "We three forgot to tell you our names. I am Steady Gaze. The first pegasus with the great sword was High Rise and the other was Cloud Charmer."

"I am pleased to know you, Steady Gaze."

"Please just call me Gaze"

"Mr Gaze. I however must admit that I have no experience working with others in battle with magic."

"Ah." Concern flashed up onto Gaze's face. "Well its rather simple. We split into two groups. One attacks, the other links minds and defends."

Mordane tensed up. "Link minds!?"

"Do you have a problem with it?" Anger flashed through the Unicorns eyes.

"Well... no. Its just I've been told that linking with my mind is uncomfortable," Mordane said hoping the unicorn would just accept it.

"Really? Well link with mine right fast."

"...Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. With as long as I've been at it there should be no problem."

"Isn't it dangerous... I mean my last teacher never got around to it."

Actually I got her to avoid it. I swear, that girl’s lists.

"Not at all. The only danger while linking mind is if one of your minds is so much more powerful that it can swallow the other and does so."

"...And if that happens?"

"Oh ummm....Well normally three or four unicorns must work together to break through anothers mind. At that point the unicorn could pretty much take what they wish."

"What about controlling them?"

Gaze shook his head.

"Oh no, that would be too difficult. It would require a constant connection and would drain energy constantly. The mind is self correcting, any attempt at permanent control would be shrugged off."

"What of memories?"

"Lock them behind a wall and I won’t see them."

Mordane thought back the the first necromancer he had defeated and nodded his head. Even after breaking through the best he had been able to do was hold him.

"Very well... Let’s proceed."

With a mental twist Mordane pulled back on his memories, locking them away. Mordane felt as the stallion reached out and made contact. At first he almost panicked but soon he could feel Gaze’s mind reaching out like an open hand.

Mordane reached out in return and contact was made.

Gaze gasped and pulled back his mind before shaking his head. Stumbling from his chair Gaze darted to the other side of his tent and sat gasping.

The old unicorn did not know what to think of the mind behind those eyes. It was like he had been smacked. What confused him even more was that he felt no ill will from it. That extreme turmoil was just the normal state.

"By the old gods, boy. Where did you get a mental shield like that?"

"I'm sorry?" Mordane confusion and worry welling up inside of him.

"That mental wall you have around your mind. Its like a torrent of emotion." The old stallion came back close and floated over a quill and paper. "How do you function with such turmoil?"

"...Uhh."

Mordane did not understand what could this stallion be talking about his mind was a calm sea.

I mean I don't feel agitated. In fact I'm rather calm.

"Err, it’s just the way I think. I mean, I don't really feel all of that. It just goes on."

"Fascinating. Your mind is similar to predators if what you say is true. The normal pony mind would have to have a strong will in order to touch your mind. I wonder what would have caused this?"

Gaze started pacing around the tent leaving Mordane to sit.

"Umm, Sir? What does this mean for my working with the other unicorns."

"Hmm? Oh yes. It means you will not. Quiet a gift you have there. I will assign you to the aggressive team."

"Thank you, sir."

"No problem. Now report to your tent, we march tomorrow."

"Where are we going?" Mordane asked curiously.

Gave paused as a stern look came over his face.

"That is not your concern," Gaze's voice said with a tone that could cut air. "Just follow orders and we will get out alive."

Mordane bit back a retort at the sudden harsh rebuttal and saluted before leaving.

Just think about the money. It is worth it for that.

**********************************************************

The bitter taste in Mordane’s mouth from the uncalled-for rebuke still lingered on the tongue as he neared his tent.

The sound of Boulder and Child Stalker arguing came out from the tent causing his to frown. Walking in he sat down and waited for the time to butt in and end the argument.

"The reality of war is violence. To strike without the intent to kill is to do nothing," said Stalker with a cold tone and he laid on his back looking at the top of the tent.

Boulder was standing with his eyes ablaze. He was practically spitting fire.

"The point of violence is not to kill! Its to protect those who cannot protect themselves!"

"Any who cannot protect themselves will inevitably fall to those who are strong. All who oppose a nation’s safety should be destroyed."

"At some point or another every nation becomes a threat! Your interpretation would lead to constant war! Violence is a necessity of familiar. It is with the threat of violence that a nation can have peace."

Stalker stood up, the calm expression falling from his face to reveal ager every much as hot as Boulders.

"By your own admission peace is but a delusion! The time before inevitable combat! Violence begets violence and only with destruction of all but one people will it end!"

"You sico-"

"Both of you are wrong," Mordane cut in.

"What would you know about it?" snapped Boulder

"Enough. Violence is the base of civilization. It is only through force that order is established. To put it simply; Violence is control."

"We were talking about war! Not control."

"War is violence. Nothing more than violence on a massive scale. The extension of control through force in its most base form. Everything that holds society together is only an extension of that basic form of control and could not have come into existence without it."

Boulder was frowning at the statement, trying to understand what he was saying.

"Do you mean that violence is neither evil nor good?" asked Stalker with surprise coming over him.

"Yes. It is simply put a tool. Something to be used with caution. Too much and you risk destruction. Too little and you leave the world’s fate in the hooves of others."

A smile broke on his face.

"I would not of guessed you understood philosophy, Stalker."

"Oh yes I do. It helps in my line of work."

"Stalking children?" cut in Boulder.

A knowing smile met his.

"Not necessarily. Though I must admit, that particular interpretation I've never heard before, Mordane. Where did you hear it?" The curiosity evident on his face.

"Nowhere. Now go to sleep. We have a lot of marching tomorrow."

Actually I came up with it as a human. One of my many useless hobbies back then.

With that all three laid down and went to sleep one by one.

Only to be woken by drums at six in the morning.

**********************************************

Marching and camping and camping and marching and eating and camping and marching and sleeping. Just how far away is this job anyway?

The army had been moving for days. In the evening they would set up camp wherever they happened to stop. Normally there would be no water or flat, clear ground. Mordane would use his sword to go cut wood. This was not good for the blade, which pleased the alicorn. His distaste of that clan was still strong.

Mordane and the other two had taken to filling a barrel with water and carrying it with them in a cart they had found.

Well, found in the supply train...with bags of salt in it. They simply threw the bags into another cart and pulled it away. No one had complained yet. Sharing it had helped to make them popular among the others.

Mordane himself had gone to High Rise about the problem. His exact words were, ‘A little thirst will make you lot march faster’

Idiot.

The army had stopped for the day and Mordane had decided to take a crack at repairing Kindle.

Sitting her on the water barrel in front of him, Mordane assessed the damage.

The spine was cracked and a large part of the side was burned by the lightning. It had even made its way through the book cover.

This is way over my head. At the very least I would need another vessel and several ponies help. Plus weeks of preparation. Even then, there is no guarantee that all the knowledge would survive.

"Hey, Mordane"

"Hello, Stalker. Where have you been?"

The pony came walking in and looked at Mordane’s book.

"Oh not much. Yourself?"

"I'm considering Kindle’s injuries." He lifted her up and began rotating it around.

"Kindle is her name? I was wondering, never caught it before you moved into that blasted hidden room." Mordane glared at him. "Sorry."

He sighed.

"Its alright, Stalker. I forgive you. For all of it. I'm sure you had your reasons."

"Wow, Mordane," he said raising his eyebrows. "That’s generous of you. What's it been, two months since Ponyville?"

"Aye... two months."

"How much could be in that book anyway? You must be running out of things to learn from it."

"Well, it’s magical...and made by Star Swirl. The information could be... well, everything he learned. Though I must admit I was nearing the edge of useful info. It seems he only put in the stuff that was difficult for him. Most of it is useless to anyone else but him."

"Then why do you want to repair it?"

"...Just seems like a waste."

A smile slowly dawned on Stalker’s lips. He laughed out loud.

"You miss her, don't yah?"

"What? Nah, she is just a construct. A creation of magic and logic puzzles....She could not really be alive."

"That’s not really the question here."

Mordane hung his head as Stalker laughed.

"Look, Stalker...I just wanted something I'm use to. New land, destroyed life, I don't even know where the army is going!"

The angry stallion threw down Kindle with a smack against the barrel in anger as Stalker paused and considered what he said.

"Well we are headed into Cabistien. West of Tietus."

"Cabistien? Why is it called that?"

"No idea. All the cities down here have random names. Anyway, Cabistien is a kingdom with three cities under its control. The leader ruling from the capital with a dozen lords I think?"

"Is it a queen or king?"

"Not sure currently. Changes from time to time... How much do you know about the south?"

Mordane took a seat and made himself a cup of water. At the same time stalker moved over and picked up his saddle bags before sitting across from him.

"Nothing really. ‘Sept what you just told me."

"Hmm, give me a moment."

Stalker sat rubbing his chin with the ankle just before the hoof. Seemingly thinking on what he wanted to tell Mordane.

A growing apprehension started up in the younger stallion.

What could be making him think about it so hard?

"Look, Mordane. I am no good a drawing maps and the captain would not like it if his disappeared. So I'm just going to show you my way. Keep your fancy unicorn magic out of it. Ok?"

"Sure?" Mordane didn't know what to make of Stalker’s statement. It did not seem to make sense, but the pony/human would obey.

With a nod of his head Stalker rummaged around his sack. Taking out various bottles and books. Soon a small pile was around him leaving Mordane to conclude that the pony’s bag had to be smaller on the outside than it was inside. Soon however he pulled out a large gem. As Stalker packed his things back into the bag Mordane examined the crystal with his eyes.

It has a large reddish gem that was mostly clear. Oddly enough, it was shaped like a small bowl even though Mordane could not see any cut marks. To his eye it seemed to have simply grown that way.

Excitement came rushing back to Mordane as his mind started jumping for solutions to what could make such a thing. It had to be something magical, but It did not use unicorn magic and can be used by an earth pony?

It was said that only unicorn horns could cast spells, and this was true but there was plenty of evidence to suggest that it was not the only form of castable magic. Pinkie Pie had been enough evidence to that. There was also the crystal heart that Twilight talked of. In her mind, it had to have been unicorns who made it, but Mordane was not so sure. Especially since the Crystal Empire was an earth pony state.

Stalker reached out with one hoof and tapped on the crystal. At that moment Mordane felt a rush in his mind.

The crystal began pulse. Growing darker and lighter shades of red repeatedly. After a moment a sphere of light floated up out of the cut and took shape before his eyes.

Mordane gasped.

Before him was a map but no still image. No, it had moving seas and oceans. Clouds moved over its surface as strange shapes took form on the land mass.

"This is the land south of the great divide. What the southern nations call the mountain range between Equestria and here. About 400 miles from that mountain range to the peninsula with six kingdoms and five city states."

Stalker stopped looking at Mordane and rubbed the side of his head.

"Sorry. Maintaining this mental image is difficult."

"...I can imagine so without a spell. Did you make this thing?"

Stalker smiled.

"Aye...I suppose you would want me to teach you. Should be possible with your earth pony side."

"Well I have noticed I can't sense you. Is that part of this ability as well?"

"Well that would be telling. Now look at this map. You see how it looks like two letter U's with the left one flipped over and the whole thing rotated to the right? The place where the two meet is usually were these ponies call the divide between north and south."

"Do they not know of Equestria?"

"They know of it but not much beyond that. It took many years for my people to move north of the wall." Stalker grew gloomy and thoughtful before shaking his head.

"In the north is Toe, Derrena and Frozi. Derrena being the largest."

"Why does the Frozi name have a griffin behind it?" The half bird half lion was cast in shadow behind the name. Glaring in anger.

"That land use to belong to the griffin empire before the pony revolution five hundred years ago. As to why you can see that on the map...Well the image comes from on my own mind so my… thoughts on the different places will probably leak through."

"Okay."

Looking at Derrena he saw a bunch of ponies walking around whispering to one another. Occasionally one would pick up a crown. Soon however he would be stabbed in the back. Toe showed ponies in rags next to ponies covered in diamonds on the coast as ships were moving around in the water.

"Cabistien rests on the north side of the divide between north and south. While Dimier is on the southern half. Irona is south of that."

Cabistien seemed to consist mostly of ruined forts and ponies building forts, on both the north and south frontier. Dimier was the same on its north while the south was covered in ponies with spy glasses and ponies standing around eyeing the nations to the south.

"Then there are the city states. Tartus we left two weeks ago in the regions center. On the opposite side of Cabistien than Ike. Which as you can sees hugs the west coast bellow Toe. Both are port cities."

Mordane looked at Tartus and could only see what seemed like ponies crawling over one anouther. They would change position and looks so quickly he could not trace any pattern. While Ikes border with Cabistien seemed shabby, almost non existent. Ponies could be seen crossing all the time.

"Fae, NIe and Heridon line the southern peninsula with Herdon being on the very tip."

The three city states seemed to consist of children throwing rocks at each other. occasionally they would charge over each others border and grab whatever they could. Fae seemed to be made of pegasi while Nle had earth ponies. Heridon was the only city with both earth ponies and unicorns. Though the unicorns were covered in fine dress while the earth ponies were covered in mud.

"Now listen. Toe, Derrena, Dimier, and Irona are all ran by kings and queens who rule absolutely. Cabistien and Fazi are republics. Of the city states all are ran by a council save for Tartus and Herdon. Tartus is ran by a collection of wealthy merchants hold up in the castle. The leadership goes to whoever is the richest at the time. Heridon is a kingdom. Though considering how it lacks control of more than one city and cannot even maintain control of the local towns around it that title is a bit inaccurate."

Mordane stood there trying to take it all in. Before shaking his head and mumbling the nations names. After a time he gained a grasp on it and went on to examine the magic itself.

"Stalker...Where did you learn this earth pony magic?"

"Earth pony magic?" Stalkers eyebrows raised. "It usually takes me days to get the unicorns to admit I'm doing this."

"Well... I can feel you doing it. I have the power of an earth pony remember?"

Stalker smiled.

"Ha! That's right. Most believe earth ponies are the least magically inclined of the races. In reality it's just more subtle. Pegasi move clouds, unicorns move the stars and earth ponies, well earth ponies move the earth."

Mordane frowned at that.

"I've never seen an earth pony do anything besides move incredibly heavy loads before. I mean the crystal heart was something strange, but I was not certain."

Laughter rang through the tent as the image floating above the crystal faded.

"Oh look," Stalker said picking up and putting the crystal away. "You made me lose focus. Listen, Mordane. Unicorns generally feel very self important. They have the showiest kind of magic. The kind that none can doubt. Many of them specialize in finding gems and shaping theme for magic purposes. Despite this most quality gems come from earth pony farms. Rock farms, their called. Most unicorns say the earth ponies just find the gems but in reality they grow them."

"Grow? Earth ponies can grow gems!?" He was in shock. Most gems were near worthless save for the few rare kinds. "If gems can be grown then how can there be ones of any value?"

"That's simple," he smiled. "It ain't easy to grow ‘em. Very few earth pony families have the strength. Even with them, very few have the skill or patience. Now this one here," -he said tapping his bag- "is one I made and it's been tuned with a very specific purpose. "

It clicked in Mordane’s head.

"Oh. I get it. You use the crystal as a plate a sort of...directing element. Then you pour power into it with concentration...or if you're a unicorn, raw magic."

"Unicorn? No this is-"

"Cadence is the crystal princess...she might not know how it was made but her power is compatible with the crystal heart. So she can power it... Most of these kinds though wouldn't work with-"

Stalker shoved his hoof into Mordane face frowning.

"Look. The Crystal heart is one reason I was in Equestria to begin with. I know how it works and you’re right, that is exactly the case. However it was just random alignment. Making one of these that is compatible with unicorn magic is like... keeping sharks and fish alive together in the same tank. Unicorn magic is just too aggressive."

Mordane nodded in agreement and understanding. He kept silent before speaking up again.

"I would like you to teach me this magic."

Stalker smiled and after a moment considering he spoke up again.

"I'll do it for a lap dance."

************************************************

Stalker began teaching Mordane two days later. That is after waking from his injuries after Mordane used his forehead to break a few rocks. He found the entire thing hilarious.

Three weeks after leaving Tietus, Mordane was called to commander High Rise’s tent. Though he had been meeting Steady Gaze every few days to learn the magical side to battle he had not spent much time with the other two leaders.

Walking in to the commander’s tent, Mordane repressed the urge to wrinkle his nose. The tent was excessively large for one pony. The full size bed seemed excessive for a commander who would put up to four ponies into a single tent. The glass cups and wine bottles did not help. He almost did not notice the bit of white powder on the table.

"Sir, Mordane Stronghoof reporting."

The pegasus turned to Mordane after pouring himself a drink. The serious look on his face cracked at Mordane’s statement and laughed. He looked a bit ragged with bloodshot eyes.

"Oh, I cannot believe it. Steady Gaze told me you used sir all the time. Such respect is not needed. After all, we’re only mercenaries."

That is when you need respect most of all.

"Of course, sir...Though it would make me more comfortable to continue to do so."

He chuckled.

"Very well. Have you seen Cloud Charmer yet?"

"Your second in command? No, I haven't."

"And why not?" High Rise’s voice took on a dangerous tone.

Mordane’s mental alarms started to go off.

"I have had no reason to, sir."

"NO REASON! What about your scouting mission!" High Rise yelled.

"Scouting mission? I am not aware of any-"

Mordane stumbled back in shock as the glass of wine impacted his face. Only his flinching and quick reactions prevented him from getting glass in his eye. Three cuts bleed as Mordane pulled off the glass bits on his face.

High Rise yelled the entire time.

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT! STOP CALLING ME SIR AND NOT EVEN GETTING YOUR THINGS TOGETHER WHEN I SENT YOU A MESSAGE! GET OUT!"

Mordane walked out using his mind sight and finished pulling off the glass shortly after leaving.

Well... that happened.

The alicorn did not even know how to feel about the assault. It had just come so out of right field.

What kind of moron would throw glass at somepony’s face, even if they’re high? I swear if he keeps that up I'm going to end up killing the guy...Come to think of it, he never even told me what it was that he wanted.

Stalker and Boulder were on latrine duty. Walking into his tent, Mordane found a mirror and did repair work on his face, careful to make sure the skin healed together without scarring.

Five minutes later a runner appeared carrying a message telling him to report to Cloud Charmer... before noon.

Mordane looked up in the sky and saw there was not much time.

He quickly put together that they were about to go on some scouting mission so he quickly wrote a note and left it were the other two could find it. At the same time he collected his gear, preparing to travel light.

I'll probably be out for only a few days.

Finding Cloud Charmer was easy enough. The mild mannered stallion simply nodded at his explanation for arriving so close to the time to leave. He told Mordane to meet him and the others of the scout mission at a location he described

"Don't forget to bring enough supplies for two days of flight."

****************************************************

Mordane had walked out of the camp range of sight before taking off.

The scouting party was to meet in an open valley to the west of the armies position. As Mordane flew he worked to settle the irritation he felt toward High Rise. Even if he was acting like a fool, Mordane knew questioning his orders or showing doubt in his leadership would only result in the army almost certainly dying.

In battle hesitation would mean death.

I just have to believe he knows what he is doing...despite the evidence otherwise.

The pegasi waiting in the grassy clearing did not even turn to look as he approached on wing. Landing he did not bother to tuck his wings away or hide his horn.

You know, this will be the first time I'm open about my nature here. I wonder how they will react.

"What the buck...?"

One of the pegasi had looked at him as he approached. Seeing Mordane wings and horn he had muttered under his breath. Quickly all the others stopped what they were doing and turned to see what he had been talking about.

"Cool it, ya'll. You should recognize me."

The army itself had only just over a thousand ponies but Mordane and his group had started gaining a bit of notoriety.

"I did not know that unicorns could make themselves wings!"

"They can't," Cloud Charmer said as he glided in over Mordane's head. Landing softly he stretched a bit before continuing. "This here is an entirely different species. Half unicorn and half pegasi."

I'll just let him keep thinking that.

"Mordane, have you ever flown in formation?"

"No, sir."

"Storm Cloud will tell you the basic flying patterns. Let's move out!"

************************************

Over the next few days the ponies flew in a V formation over a large area.

Basically they would have to zig-zag across the land while looking with their eyes.

Formation wise there was only a circle, A, box, and V. The party leader was one of the most uncharismatic ponies he had ever met. He would give orders in simple phrases without smile then go off to sleep alone.

This was the first time he noticed the... relational habits of many of his fellow soldiers. The mares and stallions would pare off almost at random. This was in direct violation of Cloud Charmer’s orders but it was obvious to Mordane that the pegasi had no respect.

It was on the third day however that the party was attacked, though Mordane would have used that word while rolling his eyes.

The ponies below fired arrows from tree cover up into the air but the pegasi were far too high to be hit. His fellow soldiers laughed. Mordane waited for his orders.

"Mordane, Storm. Keep an eye on them. We will go back to the army and report."

That's exactly what happened. Without anypony of interest around or any events causing even the slightest fear, Mordane was left his to thoughts.

Mordane found the entire experience incredibly boring. They would take shifts flying to a nearby mountaintop to both sleep and eat before trading up. One week after leaving camp the army caught up with them.

***************************************

Mordane stretched his hooves as he made his way to the army encampment. Five days on the wing completely bored out of his mind.

Even those soldiers firing arrows at us in the air barely raised my heart beat.

He sighed.

I bet High Rise is preparing to seize their homes and families. That would likely force their surrender.

Walking up to the meeting place Mordane was surprised to see the army preparing to march. He quickly saw that most of the ponies had put on their full armor.

This is insane! We should be resting. The army has been marching for days.

As he contemplated this, Steady Gaze walked out from behind a preparing column to meet him giving his orders.

"The army is splitting into two groups. It seems the other scouting party found another group of these farmers. You will command the unicorns in group A since you're the only aggressor in that group. We are to put them down. You’re with B go talk to Cloud Charmer."

With no time to rest the pony found Cloud Charmer as soon as he could. Only to be ordered to find the other two mages who would be acting as defense.

After searching for them he finally found that they had left with the other group already.

God I'm glad we are only fighting farmers or this would be a disaster.

Finally Mordane had a chance to meet his comrades... Only to find that they had been sent with group A as well.

Sighing Mordane went prepared himself for battle. Yet, he noticed so was everypony else.

Who is staying to hold our supplies?

Mordane just assumed no one would and brought his essentials with him.

Finally an hour late, the force of three hundred left the now empty camp to march unstopping through the forest.

The human forced himself to stay near the front of the column. His moral at a low though he refused to show it.

Every action of this armies leadership made him angrier and angrier. With such weak commanders he feared for the lives of his men and those of his enemy.

Victory was a must, but any killed life was a waste.

With such a weak command they will likely drive us straight into combat. With that, we will both take casualties. With our superior equipment we should be able to force their surrender if they actually stand to fight.

The stallion scanned the woods hoping that Cloud Charmer would prove to be an excellent field commander even if his charisma was lacking.

About four kilometers from the last known position Mordane spoke up to his commander.

"Sir, ...we are getting close. Should we not send out scouts or get off the road? They may have moved or there may be an ambush."

The stallion laughed for the first time since Mordane had met him.

"Look, colt. I have seen how you go about things over the last few days. You’re too uptight." Smiling, he continued, "Look, there is no danger of them ambushing us they are just-"

As Mordane registered the arrow that had suddenly grown out of his commander’s eyeball and fired up his shield. Only two thoughts came up in his mind.

Oh the irony. I will save them.

"AMBUSH!"

With a roar he fellow mercenaries charged. With a breath Mordane willed a force shield into be in front of him. The drain on his available energy was immense. He was grabbing as much as he could and yet it was not coming fast enough to keep up with the energy expending from the arrow attacks.

A true master of shield spells could make one that would only activate when another spell detected incoming missiles. That was beyond him though.

At about one second they were half the way down the road to where the ambushers were when the critical point was reached.

That was when Mordane reached for his spare power in the bracelet he had made a few weeks earlier.

Smiling he laughed as the shield that was near breaking resolidified. Protecting them all the way up to the enemies.

The earth pony archers fell quickly. Most surrendering before physical contact was made.

Mordane pinned one to the ground and turned to wait for orders. However none came. Even as the other mercenaries fell on the other archers.

The stallion looked down at his prisoner expecting to see a shoulder. However what meet his eyes was a colt with tears in his eyes and trembling hooves. Instead of armor he saw only a sack cloth.

These ponies are only farmers...oh shit. Are we putting down a rebellion?

Looking around he saw that all the other archers had been captured. The mercenaries had tied them up and were laughing as they kicked them on the ground and poked them with knives. Some were obviously preparing to execute them.

Where is our leadership? Who was second in command!?

Then it hit him. Cloud Charmer must have never appointed one. The pony had always seemed... off. Maybe he did not consider that it was a possibility.

Mordane however knew what he had to do.

"STAY YOUR SWORD SOLDIERS! TAKE THEM PRISONER!"

There was many different reactions to his order.

As he indicated to another mercenary the pony he had been pinning. Most of the ponies who had been standing around watching moved to obey without thought.

Some continued until him or others made them stop.

One pony however ignored him entirely.

*Thunk*

Mordane swiveled his head and saw a rather large earth pony with an axe. On the other side of the group. He had started to give orders as well. Mostly ones involving lining up the prisoners as he chopped their heads off one by one.

"What do you think you're doing! Stay your axe."

The stallion looked at him smiled and swung anyway.

*Thunk*

Another head rolled as Mordane failed to yank the axe out of the would be executioner’s hooves.

"I said stay you axe, soldier."

"Who are you to order me?"

Suddenly Mordane’s eyes opened and he took in his position.

The place where the earth pony had been executing others was on a small rise of earth. Without realizing it, Mordane had run up on that and directly challenged another. All around them ponies of the army were getting quiet during their quick exchange. It was the quiet that he had noticed.

Mordane knew how minds worked. If he backed down now, this one would be in command and looking into his eyes he saw only bloodthirst.

I need to establish authority...There is only one way to do that so quickly.

"My name is Stronghoof and I am in command."

The pony laughed and leaned on his axe.

" You? A unicorn? You don't have the guts to lead. Step down, little colt."

Mordane stopped up to the towering pony emanating disgust. A simple spell of fear could have helped him but he was alone and a glowing horn could provoke an attack.

"No I will not step down. I was content to rest under the hoof of a pony who was paying me, but not a bloodthirsty fool like you."

The earth ponies smile grew into a full grin as he swung the large axe up onto his back. He walked up the stallion before him.

"You are within my kill range, unicorn, if your horn glows I'll kill you. Now tell me which of us is stronger. Tell me who leads."

Damn he is not backing down...I would have preferred to avoid this.

Mordane fell back on his War magic and pulled at the earth beneath the large earth pony’s hooves. Since War magic does not use the horn, he never had a chance to react before suddenly losing his footing and falling to the ground.

Mordane did not hesitate. He wrapped magic around his swords handle and quickly moved the blade over to the pony’s throat.

It was over in a second. The blade was on his throat before the others even gasped.

Now to gain their respect....through fear.

"Listen here you lumbering ulf. I have killed more ponies than I care to count." I think three? " In my studies I have ripped out the souls and made slaves of ponies stronger than you." Total lie... or at least it was. I'm so sorry.

Suddenly Mordane’s horn began to glow black. Even though he had never cast the spell before memories of doing so came back to his mind.

There was curses and girly screams as ponies once dead shuddered and stood up. He only could raise five for a short time but it would be enough.

Cloud Charmer and two other mercenary ponies walked toward the small hill as a crowd parted for them. The two headless ponies rose up from where they had been left after the axe pony left them. One casually walking over to pick up his now served head and hold it.

The pony beneath his sword had stopped grinning as he hit the ground. At the gasps he had frowned and when the headless pony came into view he looked.

"As you can see, I am far from just a regular unicorn. Do you acknowledge my leadership? If not I could always use your corpse."

Fear blossomed in the ponies all around him as he looked at the pony below him, now covered in his own piss and shaking.

"I... I will obey."

"Good."

Mordane withdrew his sword. "Then see to it that all the prisoners are collected and kept alive. Remember: Alive. If they are harmed... well I'm sure you know already."

The pony ran off to do as he commanded. Turning, Mordane addressed the crowd.

"Does anypony else challenge my authority?!"

Silence.

"Then regroup. We march in the hour. Scouts report to me for you orders."

*************************************************

Mordane bundled up his disgust over using both the sword and necromancy until later. For now he had an engagement to plan.

The ponies around him parted wherever he walked and obeyed without question. Soon the fifty captured farmers were in a wooden cell constructing between the trees.

Mordane left ten soldiers to guard them and mentioned something near them about how he had been ordered to keep them alive unless they tried to run. Then he could eat their souls.

The scouts reported back good news. The remaining farmers were held up on a single hill only a mile away.

Mordane smiled as they described the ponies position

"I have a plan."

***************************************************************

Ground Berry was a Cabistien earth pony who grew grapes.

He and his father were serfs under the local pegasi lord who hated earth ponies.

Needless to say, life was not good for the ponies under his rule. Food was scarce as fully four fifths of what they grew was taken by the lord. He would sell the food to other lords and merchants. Then instead of using the money on his subjects he would pocket or spend it on his castle.

Bandits were common as the lord only hired enough guards to protect his castle and the main road of trade. Towns were left to fend for themselves.

That is why the townsfolk had finally had enough. They rose up and refused to pay their taxes. When the few guards showed up they were quickly driven away by the larger force as the colt had proven to be a competent leader.

After that Berry had set his sight higher than before. Generations ago this region had been independent. Why not take the keep and make himself lord?

He could make sure the other ponies were treated right and live in comfort as a loved lord.

Now however, the lord had hired some mercenaries. Young Ground frowned as one of his scouts reported the forward group captured.

Their numbers were larger than I imagined... How did he take them so easily? Do they have magic?

"Sir!" shouted and older mare running up to his table with a rough map on it. "Thompson just spotted the mercenaries, they’re here!" She was shaking him her boots as the colt stood up and stepped onto the table, a bow emblazoned on his flank.

"Calm down, Cherry, we are okay. This high ground will give us an advantage. We have all the food and if they attack, then we will win. Even with three hundred, that is still only half our number."

The mare blushed at the bravery and calm in the colt before her. He was only fifteen years of age and already a leader.

The colt did not notice this however. Instead he started telling his older brother orders who would then yell them out for all to hear. At first others had teased him for taking orders from one so young but not anymore. Soon they had weapons and a goal.

"Prepare the defenses! Archers at the ready!"

The earth ponies were well dug in. Their hill had a chest high mound of dirt in two levels around it. The first line being melee and second archers.

Looking between two spikes the colt squinted at the forest edge enemy. There he could see a few dozen ponies moving around just out of bow range.

What are they planning...?

Soon however he saw five ponies break away. He saw they each carried a great sword and moved with a shuffle. Each one was wearing a full body cloak with their hoods pulled up.

The buck? Do they want these ones to die?

Looking around he tried to think of a way this could help them. There was nothing he could think of however. He was not going to move his troops to meet this side until they had already attacked...so were they surrendering?

"Ponies!" he yelled. "Mercenaries! Throw down your weapons and surrender! Do not waste your lives in such a way!"

The five ponies ignored the command. A feeling of unease came to the boy’s stomach. Looking around he saw it reflected in his troop’s eyes.

They’re trying to unnerve me...

"Archers! Fire!"

Over the next few seconds the archers let loose. The arrows sailed through the air and impacted the ponies. To their horror they did not fall even with six or more arrows in them

"Again!"

The archers let loose a second time. This time however the arrows made enough damage to the garments that they simply started to fall off. Even as they let loose a third salvo the farmers were met with a horrifying sight.

Carmel, Biscuit. Oh sweet maker what have they done to you?

The two ponies he recognized had swords sticking in their eyes that were pushed all the way through and down out the neck and into the body bellow. The arrowes plunged into the flesh where stuck in deep. Even as he turned back from throwing up he saw the head of one dislodged and fall off. Its mouth still opening and closing as his eyes shifted around.

Screams rang out as they saw fifty ponies stepped out of the forest with the same dead eyed look of their face.

"BRING THE PONIES FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT!"

The farmers all moved around and stared as the five ponies finally stopped at the lines edge, so full of arrows that their bodies could not move.

They stared as the fifty odd ponies started to move forward.

Suddenly Ground Berry heard shouting behind him. Turning he was met with the sight of a large pony, with blue eyes, dark brown coat and off white mane, staring into eyes with a spear pointing at his throat. As he watched the horn on his head started to glow black as his eyes turned green and shadows played out in tendrils.

"I saw you giving orders...give one now and tell your ponies to surrender."

The farmers fell with barely a fight. Mordane was able to take them from behind as they were distracted from the front. The farmers had left two ponies to watch however Mordane had encased their heads in a sound proof shield. The fifty ponies from the front had been faking their state of undead.

Casualties were non existent on both sides as Mordane had ordered his troops to refrain from lethal force and the mercenaries hit far too quickly for the farmers to react. There were plenty of injuries on both sides, however.

As he gave out the orders, he reflected on the differences of real command to books.

Really it just comes down to people. Who they are, how they think. Sun Tzu lead me true today.

Walking over to the children section. Mordane grinned. After talking to the older brother he had a promise to keep.

God I hope he gets this. I'd hate to have some twerp try and kill me a few years from now.

"Ground Berry. Where is Ground Berry?"

The colt stood tall in the middle of the mass of children. Comforting those older and younger than himself. Mordane was impressed. He felt sorry for these people but letting them go would do no good. It would only prolong the inevitable.

The colt walked forward like a martyr to be killed. Mordane motioned for the boy to follow eventually finding a tent to go in that was empty.

"So, young one. I don't want you to say anything. Nothing you could say would matter. I will tell you only this. Your brother has arranged with the other villagers to take the claim for being the leader of the rebellion instead of you."

Shock played across the boys face followed quickly by rage. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Quiet! Now listen. You want self rule, yes? I'll tell you how to get it. When your older, after years of preparing, after this village appears to be nothing but loyal to the lord and he lowers his guard, attack his keep. Do not wait out by a village for a few months, be prepared and move in one fluid strike. Take out his throne and kill him before he can leave. Then take all that gold your brother says is in that keep and send half to the ruler of this land."

"That is our bits!"

"Then use it to buy your ponies happiness! Send a letter telling about how terrible he was at using the land. Tell him how he stole money from the king or whatever is head of this nation. Then tell him you have reclaimed what is his and that the people have asked you to be there lord and that you said only if the ruler or whatever says yes. Then you will have your freedom."

The child stared at the pony who had so resoundingly beat him then told him how to win next time. How according to those loyal to him had prevented the massacre of his fellow villagers and forced their surrender without blood.

He did not know what to think.

"What is your name?"

"I am Mordane Stronghoof."

"You won an amazing victory today."

"I broke the heart of farmers and preserved its most important piece. This was nothing."

With that he pulled the colt back the children and moved to prepare for his commander. This would be just the beginning. He would fight her one day.

I'll fight her, for others.

*************************************

High Rise was not having a good day.

These farmers had lead him on a goose chase. Somehow fooling the scouts into believing that the main part of the army was farther south. Now it was likely that he would go to find his three hundred ponies killed. Oh he would make those farmers pay.

At least that's what he told his men. In truth he did not mind the loss. It would mean less ponies to pay at the end of the exposition. They even took a bit to pack up the camp before coming.

However as his troops approached the enemies position, his scouts reported his mercenary flag flying over some fortifications on a hill. As well as neatly rowed tents and a huge number of ponies sitting in large groups under guard.

High Rise did not know what they think until a pony scout from group B landed and reported on the events up to the battle.

High Rise then felt a pit of sadness open in his chest.

Cloud Charmer had been his friend. This emotion however was quickly replaced with horror and rage when he heard how Mordane had taken command and desecrated his body.

That bastard!

The commander barely registered how the pony said there was no casualties. He did not care that the farmers had been put down without a major fight.

Storming into camp, he did not even pause. He marched up the path and hill strait to the main tent. Once inside he saw Mordane turn and start to salute but the commander did not give him a chance.

With a flap of his wings the commander picked up speed and punched the upstart in the jaw. The stallion stumbled back onto his rear as High Rise began to yell.

When he tried to stand the commander kicked him in the stomach and yelled even louder.

The ponies who had served under Mordane at first had feared him. Then respect him with the victory. The time after had only heightened their opinion of the new leader.

To have this pony then treated like this left them stunned.

High Rise pulled out his sword when the hilt glowed and was slammed back into its scabbard. Spinning around he was confronted by Steady Gaze.

"Calm yourself, High Rise! Look where you stand!"

It was an old phrase between them and the commander took it seriously.

Looking around he saw the confused look on the ponies faces. Some even angry. It was then that it clicked that Mordane had won without casualties...Without them getting hurt. They may feel some loyalty for that.

"Stand up!"

Mordane did not even attempt to conceal the contempt on his face. The pegasi had expected him to be shaking, yet he stood with only a bleeding nose and piercing eyes.

Does this punk have an earth pony’s strength as well?

"Look, Mordane. I don't like you. I don't care for what you did to my friend of ten years... but I know you were able to hold this together... So I'm not going to kill you."

The sigh from one of the guards made him even angrier.

"Instead I'm going to punish you.Lightning! Bring the straps, both of them!"

A metal brace and collar was brought out by Lightning and another pony. Mordane saw them and could tell that they were meant to bind his magic and wings. His options were limited having naturally released all the energy in the area to Steady Gaze when he came in as a curtsy.

The commander glared at the stallion before him and gave a curt order.

"If there is anyone who want to share in his punishment step forward."

"I do," said Child Stalker having come in with the brace. " I assume it will be some sort of physical challenge?"

Furrowing his brow, the commander replied. "Yes. For disrespecting an officer, I fine you four hundred bits and bind your abilities for a week."

"Sir," said Mordane, glaring knives at him. "That is my only crime?"

"Yes, yes," he said without thinking

Mordane smiled.

"Then you have acknowledged that my orders were just that. Orders...from a superior officer."

High Rise was about to shout him down before catching himself.

I've punished him for what happened to Cloud Charmer. That was done under his orders...If they weren't his orders then the ones who did it would be responsible. The guild would hold me in contempt. I can't acknowledge a command rank for him though! Unless...

"...Fine, yes. Though in addition to the fine and straps I have another punishment. Mordane Stronghoof. We have another mission in the nation of Drena after this. You are to go there and scout from the top of Merrygold mountain."

High Rise knew that such a mission would be death for the stallion. He lacked the skills. His friend seemed to not have them as well.

"On your return with your straps to our army I will of course acknowledge you as my second...all according to the guild laws."

With that he turned and laughed sure the pony would give up before being killed and forfeit his money. Either was he won.

"I accept."

The laughter behind the commanders eyes was evident. Yet Mordane was not thinking about that. He had only the future. In his mind. One day he would save Equestria. He was a good pony. A strong pony.

It's the truth.

A jaunt into enemy territory.

"Stalker, I will end up killing you one of these days." Mordane and the earth pony stallion were climbing over a pile of rocks three days after leaving the mercenary camp. The plateau had stood before them as both an obstacle and a short cut.

Mordane’s muscles burned and sweat poured out of his body as it endeavored to carry the camping equipment up the steep embankment. The straps on his wings and horn were constantly rubbing against him, surely leaving red marks beneath his fur. The binding ring at the base of his horn itched and occasionally emitted a spark. His wings burned as they sat strapped to his body. He had tried to find a way to remove them safely, but they had proven to be far too strong of an enchantment for the young stallion to remake after breaking it. That was if breaking it did not backfire somehow. Because of that, he would have to leave them on.

"You knew that this bucking rise was going to be here. That's why you took the first shift for the first two days." Stalker's laughter only caused Mordane to growl some more at him.

“You know Mordane,” Stalker said while jumping lower down the mountain to push him up, ”as much as I love touching your hot flank, I would have expected you to last longer. You have only been carrying it, what, one day? That is hardly commendable after having such a victory.”

With his legs shaking, Mordane lacked the energy to really complain about Stalkers touch. Even though he seriously considered cutting off the pony's hooves.

“That victory, as you call it,” Mordane grunted as he finally pulled himself over the last rock and onto the top of the plateau, “Was something any half competent commander could’ve done with half a leg being gnawed off by a flaming bear.”

Stalker snorted as Mordane turned around and reached down to help him up as well.

“If I’m not mistaken, Stalker,” he continued, “you also seem to be breathing a little deeper than before.”

It was Mordane’s turn to laugh at the glare from his traveling companion. Sitting down, they both looked over the other side to the area beyond. Their panting slowed as they fully took in the scene.

Stretching out before them were rolling hills with trees hugging the side of the mountain chain that they sat upon. They could see birds flying overhead. In the far distance one could just make out the shimmer of a river.

“Why are we climbing up the side of a mountain again?” Mordane asked, after recovering from the climb.

“This plateau was once a pegasi outpost, and much larger than it is now. Earth pony slaves would be forced to grow food here. Eventually the place was abandoned, and the few buildings made of wood turned to dust eventually. With erosion crumbling its edges, This is the only place you can cross the mountains this far west. It’s far faster than going around the long way and you did say ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ to Boulder that you’d be back as soon as you could . Why, I could have sworn you were about to kiss.” Stalker was already standing. Pulling out a spyglass, he began to scan the area before them. “Plus, I can teach you to move without being seen on the way. Much too hard for you on the road.”

“Teach me to sneak? Why?”

“You do not know?” Stalker sighed and put up his spyglass. “Of course you don’t. Recently, Cabistien and Derrena are at each other's throats. The various lords of Derrena have even toned down their infighting. Cabistien is moving its troops west. That's why that rebellion happened. There is going to be a war.”

“War? What for?” Mordane asked as he started looking for a place to climb down from.

“Derrena is looking to annex the city state Ike. It will give them access to both sides of the peninsula.” Stalker pointed to a spot on the opposite side of the plateau a hundred meters away. “Cabistien won’t allow that as Ike is a vassal state to it.”

“Who will win?” Mordane asked curiously.

“Cabistien has more money but Derrena has more soldiers. Either way, neither side currently has the resources to hold the other. It would take all Derrena has to take Ike.”

“So which direction we headed?”

“To the north east. By the way, how did Boulder take the news of where we are going react when you told him where we’re going?”

“Well, if I remember correctly, he told me to kiss my ass goodbye.”

Reaching the plateau edge, they began the long climb down and into the forest before heading north northeast towards their destination.

A few hours later as the sun began to set the two ponies found a small clearing to camp in.

“Isn’t this too exposed?” asked Mordane as he drew his sword with his mouth, using it to shift through the brush in order to find some kindling, only dropping it twice.

“No, it should be fine. We're way too far off to be noticed at this point. Tomorrow though, we’ll be getting close.” Stalker rubbed his hooves against the ground, pushing the twigs and leaves to the side as he cleared a place for the tent.

After coming back with another load of wood on his back, Mordane saw that Stalker had already set up the tent and was mixing water into a bowl with hardened wheat porridge. Mordane went on to set up the fire and get water from a nearby stream.

He returned to find Stalker sitting next to the fire eating from a bowl with a spoon. A small pot of food hung over the fire.

"Come over and take some porridge Mordane."

"Sure." Picking up the bowl, Mordane sat down and began to eat, knowing it would likely be their only warm meal for some time.

Stalker stared at him from across the fire, slowly spooning the goo into his mouth.

"So… How was your childhood Mordane?"

What? Why would he care?

"It was nice. My family was isolated, so I could just wear a hat when company came over. Nopony would show up unannounced. I would help in the fields and play with my brothers and sisters… they’re probably dead now. Or imprisoned. Just like my parents."

A somber tone settled over the camp, allowing the depressing nature of the area to crowd to the forefront of Stalkers mind.

"Why didn’t you try to free them?"

"Because I would have failed," Mordane snapped. "I loved my parents, but that will not make me a fool. If I surrendered then my family would be slaves. Held to keep me in line. Them and their seed for time untold. Even if I knew where they would be taken I would have no chance to capture the place alone. Not to mention its likely right under that castle of hers.” Mordane set aside his bowl and stared into the fire. His eyes turning a slight red and a little watery as sadness welled up in him. "I need help, loyal help. It will take time to get it but… Well, I will find their bodies and take my revenge."

"But couldn't they be alive? She may be keeping them prisoner."

"I considered that. My parents are old. They would not survive any kind of harsh imprisonment. My older brother would break as well… The stronger they are. My sisters would take the longest, but in the end only shells would remain. At most two or so years… Already been over a half. By the time I get back...."

Rage burned in Mordane’s eyes. The fire that he stared into was reflected in them, and for a moment, Stalker felt a chill. The pony’s usual mask had been pulled back and he could see clearly.

Stalker did not know if his companion was insane, but he could almost feel the heat of Mordane's anger.

"What if she keeps them well Mordane?"

"Then I will kill her for the years of my life lost and for imprisoning them. It matters not."

The coldness of his statement confused Stalker. Was this not the same pony who would spend money to free a pony and go out of his way to avoid causing pain and death of the innocent? Who could command undead but chose not to? Where was his kindness? It was things like this that made him wonder if Mordane really was insane.

"That voice… Talk like that again."

"What? why?"

"It turns me on."

Mordane’s glare could have curled milk.

"Don't you think that you’ve made enough innuendos, Stalker?"

Stalker took note of the manipulation in the statement, and briefly wondered how he could at one moment be capable of it and another blind to the most obvious thing.

"Oh, please Mordane," Stalker said smiling coyly" It relatives tension between us. After all it is what you expect of me."

"True, but that fact does not take away from how annoying it is." Mordane paused " I see where you picked up such a social defense mechanism… probably sexual childhood abuse."

Stalker snorted.

"Wrong, oh wise one. I was raised in a loving family."

"Yeah, right," he said rolling his eyes. "what loving parents name their colt Child Stalker?"

The stallion in question waved his hoof in a dismissive gesture.

"It was tradition. My parents were named similarly and you've met my brothers. Why, I remember carrying rocks up to the top of the mountain. Then we had to drop them on the top or stare at a tree until I made it grow a foot in one day. Or mine for crystal in aforementioned mountain. Now that one was downright cruel. I mean, there were no gems in that...." Stalker paused mid sentence, shocked at how much he had said.

Regaining his composure, he tried to divert the conversation. In the back of his mind, however, he once again wondered about Mordane and how his maturity and personality seemed in flux all the time.

"Umm...Why did you decide to go to Ponyville anyway?"

Darn. Caught himself.

"Oh, well it had the best library outside of Canterlot. I wanted to learn as much as I could without being under Celestia's rule."

Stalker snorted.

"Bullcrap. You like the danger, the chaos."

"I'm sorry?" Mordane raised his eyebrow "What do you mean?"

"Nopony hides from the thing they fear under its nose. Certainly, they don't apprentice themselves to the pony who is third closest to them. At the least they don't speak to them! I mean come on. How close did you come to being caught?!"

" Well...at least five I can think of."

"You see. You like danger. keeps you sharp." Stalker laughed and took the dishes to the camps edge to clean." Even though I had to save you a few times."

Mordane did not concern himself if what Stalker said is true.

Besides, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

********************************************************

Mordane held a jewel in his hands. Calm filling his being. With a tendril from his mind the crystal flared to life.

"You bastard."

His normal calloused shell was not here to protect him. The words cut deep.

"Star Charmer I'm so-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses you stupid ape." Tears were going down his face his eyes "Why did you do it, Mordane? Why did you stop being a pony?"

Mordane looked down . For the first time noticing that he really did have hands and a feet. As part of him flashed shame another rejoiced at his returned humanity. Then both was filled with dread at the thought of eventual death came to him.

All was swept away by Star Charmers wards as her hoof played across his face.

"Did we not mean anything, Mordane? Or should I call you by your human name?"

"I've always been human, Star Charmer. I always will be."

"Can you even remember your name?"

The question cut like a knife.

My...name? What but...How could I forget

"How could you forget me, Mordane?"

Star Charmer was gone, replaced instead with his grandfather from before he came to Equestria. Setting his jaw, Mordane fought to gain control of himself.

"This is a dream."

"Does it matter? You can't deny the question Mordane."

The dread that had been building in the background started to twist the dark fog beyond his immediate thoughts. Dark shapes formed.

I will not be consumed

"Perhaps you already are."

His heart hammered in his chest even as he apparition stepped closer to his now tiny pony form.

"Tell me Mordane: what are you? A pony with a human soul or a human soul with a pony body?"

"I will not give into such madness. That question has no mean-"

"My boy" he said touching his shoulder with dark lines growing deeper on his face." Its all that matters."

"Begone. I will have nothing more to do with you. This is a new world. A new life! It is mine to take!"

"New world old patterns. War...war never changes. Death....It stays the same as well. Don't forget taxes....or did you forget."

"War, death, taxes. These three are one and the same, but the greatest of these is taxes."

"Aye. Never forget that."

"...I was the one to say that to you. Not the other way around. No you said there is no state more desired than peace and none more valuable. That once violence is done for oneself it will only begat more violence. What you just said makes no sense to that.... BECAUSE THIS IS A DREAM!" Mordane screamed in anger "YOU WILL BE GONE!"

and he was gone..

Mordane was alone.

In the dark.

Voices spoke in the abyss.

His mother’s...father’s...brother’s..sister’s...Star Charmer’s...

"Why did you kill us Mordane?"

On the edge of his troubled mind a hoof began to try and push into his dream.

********************************************************

Mordane snapped his eyes open and repressed the urge to scream.

I am the stone next to the ocean. The unchanging nature of the wind. I am the truth of water. Silence is my peace. Quiet my refuge....

He struggled back. Trying to remember everything he could.

I..I was called...JOHN! Yes yes what was my last name? Uh, I was called John Running? No John Triston, Yes John Triston. I was twenty five...Now I am forty three....Then why don't I feel like it.

Sitting in his cot Mordane contemplated when he started noticing the disconnect. It had to have been in the womb....then He grew use to it and for a while it disappeared. Now he was calling back old memories again.

That must be it...I'm using knowledge from then and its causing me to come back...but I never left?

It did not take long for him to crush that little voice of confusion. He was Mordane...and John they are the same person. Just different points in time in a life. He had not thought about some things for a while....that was fine. Old memories do tend to fade with disuse.

"Yes...yes that is what happened. Just some old memories resurfacing. I know there deaths were not my fault."

"Bad dreams?"

Mordane snapped his head to stare at Stalker for a second. The question of sharing a single tent had not even crossed Mordane’s mind. Now it seemed more important for some reason.

"It happens to me sometimes my friend" He said quietly before standing up. "So how are we going to travel today?"

"Well as I said" Stalker replied with a raised eyebrow " We travel in secret. Now help me pack up the camp" Mordane nodded and headed out of the tent He did not hear Stalkers whispered finish to his sentence"..friend."

__________________________________________________________

High Rise snorted in disgust and with a mighty flap of his wings literally blew his spy out of the tent.

Oh the stallion had his uses to keeping the group together but his report filled him with rage and disgust.

That mutated half-bred, spawn of a necromancer. How the buck did he do it?

Despite the stallion being gone somepony was still going around following his orders. The tents were in line and number. He had been receiving scout reports constantly despite not ordering them.

What am I going to do? Tell them to not do the work?

He certainly wasn't going to pay them more for it. For that matter he would not be paying whoever was doing extra work for Mordane. Just the name set his teeth on edge.

I know that punk is looking to take my place...Probably some of his goons are already planning to kill me when my back is turned.

It seemed wherever he went in the camp the topic was always the same. Mordane this Mordane that.

The informant had been snooping around. According to him the entire camp was already referring to Mordane as "the second".

How long till that is commander I wonder...I won't have my band taken by some snot nose colt from the north!

There was not much he could do about it though. If the stallion did not return in two weeks then...

"Now there is an idea....There is nothing saying I have to wait for him. It may be customary but...Yes. I think I'll do just that. By the time he gets here well be gone and he will have no idea how to find us" With a chuckle at his cleverness High Rise called for another one of those farm mares to be brought to him.

______________________________________

"So Mordane...how do you know High Rise will wait for us back at where we left him."

"Doubt he would. The guy is only concerned about his bottom line.. Good thing he planed where they would march and marked it on a map. Pretty funny how he left it out for all to see."

"Huh. Well that could have been bad."

"Indeed."

*******************

Hours later Mordane was moving carefully through the forest. Trying to avoid twigs and leaving prints while at the same time moving silently from cover to cover.

His mind just kept playing back what Stalker had said.

"Listen Mordane. We are going into enemy territory. With the war up and coming they will likely have random patrols going around the cities. I would rather avoid having to hurry due to your clumsiness. Now here is the first thing to being sneaky."

Mordane carefully stepped over a log and winced as the sound of a large stick breaking rang out.

Looking back he judged how well he had done.

There was at least five hoof prints he could see, broken twigs everywhere and his favorite quill was laying on the ground which he promptly went back to pick up.

"Wow...you really suck at this." Looking up Mordane was confronted with the puzzling sight of Stalker standing on a tree limb

How did he get up there?

"Well...Ummm"

"I mean a blind, deaf old man with a cane could follow that trail Mordane!"

"Err it is my first time"

Stalker smiled" Well I guess I'll have to be more gentle."

"...walked right into that one."

"Yes yes you did. Now head straight and do try to be more careful"

Mordane turned and headed on. It confused him how Stalker would disapear as soon as his back was turned. Looking back he knew that just like the other five times he would be met with empty forest.

Eventually Stalker dropped out of the trees to talk again.

"I mean really Mordane. I thought you were good at everything?"

"Common misconception. I just only use my strengths and move before It becomes a problem."

"There! There is the problem. Your too much of a leader to sneak."

Mordane furrowed his eyebrow.

"Well I seem to remember launching a surprise attack not two weeks ago."

"That was an army. you only had to distract them. This is different. We have to get through without gaining their attention." Stalker said patently.

The constant putting down of his sneaking skills had put Mordane in a bad mood.

"Do not patronize me Stalker." he growled.

"I shouldn't have to tell you this stuff Mordane but with your sneaking..."

"I'm not a child, Stalker. I am trying to follow your advice to the best of my ability. Repeating it won't help in that regard."

The veiled annoyance of Stalker turned to downright anger.

"Maybe if you weren't acting like one I wouldn't have to." he whispered, turning away.

"What did you say?" Mordane responded threateningly. " I don't much like the idea of you thinking that of me. If we have a problem just say it."

Stalker opened his mouth to make another innuendo but stopped midway before closed his mouth. A second later his brow furrowed to match Mordane as his voice took on a quality of steel.

"I said that if you did not act like a child I would not have to treat you like one. I mean come on Mordane!" He walked right up and stood in the stallions face. "Advice? I did not just give advice. I gave you instructions on how we both can get out of this. I did not have to come on this you know."

"Bullshit."

"What!?"

Mordane had already lowered his horn at stalker as he glared.

"I am no fool, Stalker. Your family has been watching me for a long time."

"No you idiot!" he shouted " It's just me who has been watching you!"

Whatever Mordane was going to respond with was lost as Stalker suddenly tackled Mordane to the ground. At first Mordane thought that the stallion was trying to kill him but his eyes fell on the arrow shaking as it stuck out of a tree.

"Were under attack!" he shouted.

"I know! Get to cover!" yelled Stalker as he bolted.

Mordane did the same and dived behind a outcropping of rock. Reaching out with his mind he felt the seven ponies on the hill.

There is no way we can take on that many.

He searched for a way out but soon he realized that they were just too close. A grim determination to not die hiding filled him. Once one stallion was close enough he pulled out his sword and jumped him.

With the first blow Mordane and the pegasi pony guard both had their swords knocked out of their mouths. His look of shock at Mordane’s strength flashed across his face. Quickly they turned to hooves.

There was no rhyme or reason to Mordane's attack. He jabbed left and right before bucking at the ponies face. The pony at first barely dodged but within a few second he began to weave with ease around Mordane’s strikes. There is however only so much one untrained can do against a trained soldier.

With a single thrust and a flap of his wings the stallion threw Mordane against a tree. In a daze he watched the stallion pick up his sword and start walking toward him. For a few moments he considered his options before realizing that it was impossible. His soul was anchored to this flesh and even if he had all the proper rituals he was just too weak. With careful resignation he accepted the inevitable. With an odd calm his thoughts and the life that he had lived.

So… this is the end. I probably should of taken the binds off. Then maybe I'd of won. Well hindsight is twenty twenty... It's odd how I don't feel any fear. Well it's the time. I wonder if ponies and humans go to the same heaven… or hell.

The stallion raised his sword for the killing blow

Two hooves suddenly snaked around his neck. With a twist, there was a loud crack and he fell to the ground.

"You know saving you like this was not in the job description." Stalker smirked

"I was not aware there was one."

"True." he laughed.

"What happened to the rest of them?"

"Take a look" He turned a gestured around.

One mare sat tied to a tree as the rest of the attack party lay fallen in bushes and open ground.

"...Remind me to not piss you off again, at least until I have my magic back."

"Will do… and I am sorry. It's just I was afraid something like this would happen."

"How did you take them out" Mordane asked as he stood up.

" Family tradition. Now… what to do with her?" He said gesturing to the mare tied to the tree.

"...Well there is the obvious thing. We are on a spying mission." he looked stalker in the eyes " I don't know about you Stalker but I dislike the idea of torture."

"True. It's not very effective anyway." he replied casually " They just tell you whatever you want to hear."

"So psychological?"

"Do you know anything about it?" Stalker asked curiously.

"Torture? Yes, both physical and mental. Though I've never practice it."

"Well I suppose we can go mental. First let's find a place to take her, then we'll talk."

An hour later they found a small cave in the side of a cliff. Stalker secured her inside before returning.

"She's awake. You ready?"

"Yes. What's the plan?"

"I'll go in and rough her up. Look like I'm ready to really ramp it up. Threaten her with the usual, rape , more punching and such. I'll avoid really hurting her though."

"Ok...then I come in and play good Stallion."

" Well no" Stalker replied sheepishly " you play the worse guy. Then I'll come in and try to look like I'm desperate. That I'm the good Stallion."

"Ah...so what I be as evil as I can and you'll act all scared? Didn't she see me beaten?"

" I'll say something about how your letting me do this because of training or something."

"Ok....got it. I'll have to be the most evil bastard you have ever known."

Stalker nodded before rolling his eyes and heading back into the cave.

Mordane took a seat and started thinking back. He had covered nearly every aspect of war as John...

I will have to be convincing.

Carefully he selected his words and outlook that would have the desired effect. As he worked the back of his mind took note of the sound of impacts and gasps of pain.

Standing he started walking toward the cave. His eyes were glazed over seemingly uncaring about anything. Walking in one could almost taste the blood he must spilt as it was marked clearly in his trot and breathing.

Looking at the mare he did not let a flicker of emotion touch his face at her bloody nose. He instead turned to Stalker and put a disgusted look on his face.

"Stalker!"

The stallion jumped into the air at his shout. He turned playing out the part of a fearful subordinate.

"S-sir I was just interrogating he prisoner. As per your orders."

Mordane glared at him letting the disgust leak into his voice.

"I said to torture her. Not to give her a few broken bones."

"Oh no sir! No sir! Steady hoof has broken none of her bones!"

Mordane shouted and projected pure rage.

"Then you have failed even more! If I was not training with restriction s I would do this myself!"

"But sir...What else is there to do without magic?"

Mordane sneered.

"I suppose I will have to show you how to conduct such things. Very well. I will explain carefully."

Walking up Mordane looked around the cave before beginning to speak.

"Step one: Either lay down some sheeting to keep from making a mess, take the subject to a location where it doesn't matter if you make a mess, or prepare a tip and an apology for the maid. *sigh* I go through so many maids. Anyway, step one - check."

Mordane calmly recounted to the much confused Stalker and prisoner. He taped the stone behind the prisoners head.

"Step two: Impress upon the subject that it is in their best interest to divulge any and all information that is asked of them. There are several ways of doing this, some folks like the old 'surprise knife to the knee' but my personally my favourite is to give them a rundown of the planned itinerary. "

A small smile crossed his lips as the mares eyes grew wider.

"This would be where you tell them about all the horrible things you're going to do. You know, shatter their hooves , flay their tail, boil their legs one by one, all that good stuff. I saw some centipedes back there and I'm interested to see if they'll be able to dig their way out if I sew them into someone's gut, so that'll be fun to look forward to. You'd also be surprised at how many ribs you can take out while keeping the subject conscious. I'll give you a hint; it's all of them." She groaned and shook at his words. Her eyes unable to look away from his.

"Heh, that reminds me of this one time I was working on a griffon, a real tough nut, and her kid was in the next room. I was going at it for most of the day so, needless to say, he ended up pretty bored. I swear his whining was even louder than his mum's. Anyway, what I did , right, was I gave him a pile of his mum's ribs and he spent the rest of the day in there on his own using them to make little teepees and stuff. It was downright adorable. Of course I did end up plucking the little chicken in front of his mum, but it was cute while it lasted."

Stalker gaged.

"Ahem, anyway, I thinks that's check and check. Next comes step three: ask the subject if they're willing to talk. This step's really more of a courtesy, but I like to do it anyway. We're all busy people after all, and the sooner we get things wrapped up the sooner we can all go about our business. If they don't want to play along then that's when we go to step four: the Fun Part."

He paused to let that sink in. Already the mare was staring wide eyed at him.

"Since it seems unwilling to surrender the information." he said with a smile" Start with the tail. Cut it off...then the mane. "

"Ummm." Stalker spoke up swallowing his surprisingly dry mouth. "What do we do if she talks without a fuss?"

"Oh, then we give her some food and knock her out for a day."

"I'LL TALK! I'LL TALK!"

"Yes, yes you will."

********************************************

Mordane walked out of the cave with Stalker who had stayed silent throughout the rest of the conversation. The information had been of no real value as the mare had not known anything.

"She will be ok right?"

"Yes Mordane, but where did you learn about things like that? I thought you disliked torture." He seemed put off by what Mordane had said.

"I learned it a long time ago. Disliked it myself. Can't think of many times I would actually have to do it and certainly never to that extreme. In the end though she told us everything with no fuss."

"Aye but what will she say about us."

"No idea....So where are we headed?"

"North still. I gave the impression we were headed east to the ocean for pickup....Look Mordane, I shouldn't of called you a child."

Mordane rolled his eyes.

"Apologizing does not become you Stalker."

"That's certainly true."

They both smiled and continued north.

______________________________________________

Celestia damn Mordane and his brilliance!

Boulder walked toward the mess hall. It was much easier now that the tents were in alignment. Though they had yet to moved Mordane had already set ponies in command when they did.

For Bolder arriving at camp was one of the biggest surprises of his life, tents in a row, the locals pacified, and who had done it.

To Boulder Mordane was still a child. Only eighteen. How could he have gained control so quickly? Then maintained it? Not to mention actually commanding well.

The maneuver was not something taught in any military training he saw. Attacking a superior position with lower numbers...It sounded like suicide. Even if they were just farmers.

It just did not fit into Boulders world view.

I have got to see what the others think of him.

Boulder ,on the first day, had set out to gain 'friends' throughout the army. It was an old instinct from before he had been forced to retire at the age of twenty five. That was ten years ago but habits die hard. Plus it was good to hear were they were going.

Not to mention what that Stalker fellow was up to.

Walking into the mess area, something else Mordane had set up, Boulder was not supriced to see his friends waiting for him.

"Welp gentlemen" he said sitting around a fire with them and seeting down two wine sacks he had traded extra guard duty for. " Its good to see ya."

"Good to see you to Boulder." said a pegasi scout.

"hello my friend." returned an earth pony engineer.

"Fine night to you." Spoke up a smug unicorn.

The pony rummaging through the utensil chest just grunted in response.

"So...I know yall haven't met each other. I'm just pulliong yall her because It accrued to me we might be able to figure something about this Mordane fellow." Boulder said picking up his fake drawl. Most ponies would be more open around someone they perceived as stupider than themselves.

None of them knew he shared a tent with the guy and so they did not question how they would know more than him.

"Well" spoke the Unicorn " I don't know him that well... all I know is that he seems to of straightened out the camp. Quite respectable."

"Eh, an officer's an officer; met one, you've met 'em all. Damn it, where's that damn can opener? I traded my picture of Steamy Buns for these damn beans."

"Respectable my ass!" growled the Pegasi " I mean the dumb one I got back home. I'll tell you about Mordane. He's a brute! A monster from the old tails! One of those damb necromancers."

"Don't say that about him!" fumed the Earth pony " He is an incredible commander! Look at how he was able to win the battle so soundly."

"Bah! They were farmers." the pegasi said picking up the wink flask " Any pony who has seen any REAL fighting could of done the same."

"Ah hell with it." grunted the pony looking for a fork "Hand me that rock would you? This thing wants to play games then I'll make it a game of rock-paper-smashed can."

"Without any casualties?" smiled the Unicorn." I do wonder about the quality of leadership but his command is without question ."

"Exactly! and I don't know about yall but the best quality a commander can have in my book is to keep his ponies alive and feed."

"figures an earth pony would only care about his stomach."

"Ah shut it. You just mad because a unicorn turned out to be a better commander than you could ever be."

Clang-clang-clang-SPLAT

"Aw damn it."

The pegasi sputtered as the Unicorn and earth pony laughed.

"Well any" said the unicorn wiping a tear from his eye" All I know is that some are enamored with him. Some are afraid or hate him. Most however don't care. Like me."

"I see...." Boulder whispered." That's interesting."

"Well you can at least say that" agreed the Unicorn.

Boulder continued to talk for a while before leaving. His frustration noted like a rope inside of him.

Walking away from camp Boulder found a secluded spot.

Sitting down on his flank Boulder prepared to do something he had not done in years.

Commune with the sun.

For uncountable generations his family had worshiped Celestia. She was powerful. Immortal. Wise. All that any stallion or mare could wish to be. So of course they had called he a god. Yet this title had always seemed wrong to those first ones. That was until they realized that the alicorns were not gods but spirits. Of the moon or sun, love or hate, kindness or fear. They could embody anything. Even Discord was not god. A sprit yes but not a god. They were not omnipresent or all knowing. They did not have all the answers or hear prayers.

Boulder knew his beliefs were considered outdated by most ponies. Only a few families like his practiced it anymore with any devotion or fever. There was his problem however. One that lead to his downfall from grace. The sun was cleansing fire, unbending light, fearless and Celestia was the ponification of these qualities. She was glorious to behold....and yet.

He had always felt she burned to brightly. That she demanded too much.

Is Celestia blinded by her own light?

Celestia was wise. The bringer of dawn and order to the world. She was the shining sun.....and he believed that she was wrong. He struggled with this and soon it became obvious to others. When he confessed what was troubling him to his father.....he had been thrown out. Twelve years ago he had thought that. Eleven he began drinking.

He tried to follow the other alicorn finding them to feel even worse.

Years had been spent traveling around from one life to the next. Meeting dangers and trying to evoke that burning spirit of the sun.

Yet it never came.

It had been years since his last attempt to commune. In fact it had been a long time since he had thought about his religion. One that had pushed him away from harmony.

Ah this is the place. Her sun in my face and the life she feeds below. Power and giving all in one. My father might of even insisted we rebuild our family chapel here.

So he drew his sword and stabbed it into the ground before removing his helmet. He stood in silence. Listening to the wind as it rustled through the leaves.

Breathing deeply he tried to draw the suns strength and warmth into him. Pushing away the sickening taste in his mouth. He became a nothing.

Yet he did not feel peace. Only rage.

How could she of done that to me.

_____________________________________________________

"Where are you taking us Stalker."

"Hmm?"

Mordane gave him an incredulous look.

" Stalker we have been at this for days. Where is this Merrygold mountain? "

"Just about a day's travel to the north. First however I'm got somewhere I have to stop."

"...So more walking through this rocky wilderness?"

"Yep."

**********************

Stalker lead Mordane around ever changing wilderness. Later that day however he pointed to a seemingly random white boulder.

"There it is. Ok just one second."

Trotting over he moved a smaller rock next to it revealing a small hole and a envelope.

Opening it stalker read it then quickly ate it whole. He was still chowing as Mordane walked up.

"Wasn't sure I'd find anything but It seems m brother has gotten himself into a jam."

"Smut peddler?"

"No Shop Lifter."

"...ah...I don't remember much about him."

Stalker motioned for him to follow.

"It just means we'll have to make a stop on the way back."

"Thats fine...what about getting caught?"

"Well...we can't go in without looking like soldiers. We'll need a disguise."

"What kind?"

"...Well a lot of merchants travel the road leading into the city...We're going to need to sneak him out by the way."

"Of course we do." Mordane had stopped trying to figure out about Stalker and his ilk. They had some kind of spy/perverts thing going on and in truth it really did not seem to be that important. Then he thought about how the fact that there was a spy/pervert in his life seemed completely normal."Lead on."

The trip to Merrygold was easy. Going up the mountain slightly more difficult. The place was an abandoned gold mining location from the time of the griffin empires occupation centuries ago. It had been mined dry.

The only value in it was that from the top one could get a view of a large area and see if there was any troop movements going on...Ultimately useless work since they knew the Rina military was moving south and west toward Ike.

After confirming that there was no massive army to be seen the two headed west to gain access to the main road.

There plan was simple.

Stalkers brother Shop Lifter was held up in the small city of Arius. S small city north of Tietus. They would have to hold up beside a major road and attack a wagon carrying goods

It would have to be a lightly guarded one as well...

*********************************************

Calm heart and Smooth corn were riding toward Rina in there single wagon. The old couple had been farmers for years but to their misfortune no children had come to them.

Now in their old age they were getting to the point that growing crops was too difficult.

The couple had been through worse though and had acted quickly instead of waiting till they could not do anything.

Selling the farm they had made a bold move and bought iron for an incredibly cheap price. It would sell well in the city near Tietus. Most would of balked at such a risk and journey without protection. They did not worry much however. After all who would attack two ponies who were pulling a rickety cart and were dressed in rags. To all the world carrying bags of turnips.

If they could get a good price in the city they might even be able to settle down there and open a small shop.

Yes no pony would guess that they were carrying raw iron ore.

"It's such a nice day Heart. We'll likely make good time." said the old mare to her husband who smiled back at her.

"Yes... I dare say that nothing will get in our way."

*Wham*

Both of the smiling old couples slid to the ground unconscious .

Mordane strapped himself into the front of the cart and waited for Stalker to finish with the old couple. He winced hopping he did not hit them to hard.

"Well I slipped them some sleeping powder. Wouldn't believe what I found back here though."

"Hmm?"

"three bags full of Iron ore."

Mordane deadpanned

"Are you being true with me?"

"Yeah...We can get a good price for it in the city." His eyes were shinning and a dreamy look was in his eyes.

"We are not stealing from an elderly couple Stalker." Mordane glared

"Well he did just assault them. Stealing is really a step down."

Mordane ignored him.

Stalker sighed. "Fine we will not steal a fortune from the old couple. Happy now?"

"I suppose." Mordane nodded toward the city in the distance" I will be the puller and merchant while you are the guard."

"Of course."

The trip to the city only lasted hours as they moved through the same land they had for days. Only now there progress was much better.

Before he knew it Mordane was pulling the cart up to the gate.

"Halt traveler. What are your goods." The guard glared at Mordane.

"I'm moving turnips...that's all."

"Not a real demand for turnips."

"Well...you take what you can get."

The guards eyes narrowed and glared at the merchant before him before shrugging.

"True. Go on in."

Mordane nodded and pulled the cart through.

Once inside Stalker showed him were to take the Iron and turnips to sell as Mordane insisted they could get a better price for them as repayment.

The stallion waiting seemed bored at the sight of the Iron and pretend to be more interested in the turnips. Even giving a good price.

"That iron ore though...We don't have the forges to handle it really. Only the major cities can afford to manage refineries. All of the iron must be collected to go there. I mean I can give you thirty bits a pound."

"Sixty bits or I go to tietus."

"Sixty! That's outrageous!"

"Not with a war coming."

The outrage on the stallions face fell away and he nodded.

"Well can't blame me for trying. Sixty is fine. This stuff is in very high demand right now."

"Of course."

The two of them too the money and left. Gladely offering to unload the items themselves.

"So how are we going to find this guy?" Mordane asked as they headed away

"Should be easy enough. He is just in the local prison. All we have to do is post bail and he is free to go."

"... Then why would we have to sneak him out of town?" Mordane asked frowning.

"Because of all the stuff he is going to steal." Stalker replied with a straight face.

"..."

"..."

"Don't you think he might refrain for a day?"

"No."

"..."

"..."

"Ok then. Lets go get him then."

Stalker looked at him blankly.

"Uhh....what about the old couple?"

"Well we have to free them somewhere."

"Well...I was going to wake up him up and tell him where the bits are. Then disappear but that plan involved realizing them outside the city."

"They probably won't mind too much if you give them all the money. Then say it was to save a lover's life."

Stalker raised an eyebrow.

"Thats cold of you Mordane."

Mordane glared at him.

"Really? You don't say. I was thinking it would be better to spend five hours explaining something that would probably be over their heads anyway."

"You better." Stalker laughed " Go find the prison then. I'll take care of the couple you bleeding heart."

"Ah shut it. Only a fool is unnecessarily cruel."

Stalker pulled off the cart and took off with it leaving Mordane to figure out where the prison was alone. A task that proved to be easier than one might think.

"Hey do you know where the prison is?" He asked a random passerby.

"Yeah just go two blocks down and take a right. Its at the end of the street. "

"Thanks.".

The guard at the front simply stared at him though when he told him who he wanted. He wore a blue hat and uniform cut to not interfere with is wings movement.

"...Are you sure? I mean. We could keep him here a long time if you want."

Mordane gave him a questioning look.

"I'm going to ignore that. Look were friends. I have to get him out. How much is the fine?"

The stallion sighed.

"Your loss. It will be fifty bits."

"Fifty!?"

"Aye. Fifty. Stealing a ponies dentures while there in his mouth is tantamount to assault."

"Dentures?"

"Dentures."

Mordane stared at the stallion wondering what the heck would drive Lifter to steal something like that.

"... fine I'll pay. Now take me to get him."

There was little paperwork before the pony lead Mordane through to the back. Cells lined the wall filled with prisoners. All of the hooting and hollering at the glaring Mordane. The guard led him to a cell with only one occupant.

"Lifter! Your fine has been paid!"

"Is that so my good friend!"

The pony in the cell sat smiling as the guard nodded at him.

"Yes this pony paid it for you. Now if I could just find my keys."

The guard started patting in pouches and checking his mane.

"Have I met you before?"

"Yes I'm Mordane, we met many years ago in a small town with your other brother...The one you warned by about."

"Stalker? Yeah I remember. He's still stalking you?"

"No not really. More like following me."

"Uhh Is this what you dropped?" asked Lifter pulling a ring of keys out of his mane." I urr picked them up off the ground in front of my cell."

The guards mouth hung his mouth open before clamping it shut and growling.

"...Just give them to me."

"Sure thing officer."

Mordane left the prison only a few minutes later with Lifter following him. He felt sure that with a little work and careful planning he could keep the pony out of trouble. After all how hard could it be to convince one pony to not steal anything for awhile.

"So Shop Lifter, Dentures?" he asked without turning around

"No I don't have any...do you?" Lifters eyes shined with greed.

"Yeah that's right. Now listen Stalker, err Lifter" he said turning to look him in the eyes. " you cannot steal anything until were at lea... Lifter"

"Yes Mordane?"

"Where did you get that police hat?"

"Hmmm" he scratched his chin thoughtfully " I have no idea."

Knocking the hat off his head Mordane pulled him through the street toward the main gate without pause.

Soon Lifter started keeping up with him as his hoof was hurting from the pull. Stalker walked up and motioned them into an alley. Mordane stood watch. Not looking back at the two brothers but listening.

"They are fine now."

"Hey brother! Long time no see. Hows the hip?"

"Still twitchy and if you touch my things it will still make be buck you in the jaw."

"Ahhh no need for such hostility." Lifter gave Stalker a hug and backed off. His goofy grin gave way to the serious one Mordane remembered from all the years before.

"Is the air clear?" he asked straight faced

"Yes all ears are at peace with the way." Stalker replied rolling his eyes.

"Do you still follow the path?"

Stalkers face twisted with rage and shock. He stomped up to Lifter angrily glaring into his eyes. It was at this time that Mordane noticed how much smaller Stalker was than the normal pony as he had to look up at Lifter.

"The path is my life and my binding. Without it I have no color. Without it the world is like a sea of gray. I am of the way."

"This one wonders." Lifter looked over at Mordane who was standing blank faced as they spoke suddenly in a archaic form.

"Why have you shadowed this one beyond the allotted time. How could that be with the path?"

"It is of the path because I say it is leveler"

Lifter bowed his head " Of course pathfinder"

The Two stared at each other until Mordane regained his composure at their surprisingly strait conversation and coughed.

"Can we go now? I would like to leave before Lifter steals more things."

"Too late for that." Stalker said while Mordane turned around.

Shop Lifter was covered head to hoof in Two hats, three cuffs, three jackets and four pouches. How he had not noticed the insane outfit or the bags literally jingling as random items shifted was a mystery.

"..."

"..."

"...problem?" Lifter said smiling.

Mordanes face turned red with rage.

"...just drop it Mordane." Stalker asked while touching his shoulder.

He exhaled letting the anger go.

"Fine Lets go. Now. The sooner I'm out of these bindings the better."

"Yeah you should tell me about that Stalker. I did not know you were into H&M."

After getting Lifter to dump the goods the three of them walked calmly out the front gate and quickly parted ways after a parting ritual between the two brothers.

Stalker and Mordane headed over the mountains the way they came. The time going smoothly.

Ultimately it was a very boring and uneventful trip.

An army marches on its stomach

Two weeks after leaving Shoplitfer, Stalkers brother, behind Mordane and Child Stalker near the army camp. It was high noon and clear skies all around. In the distance Mordane could hear the animals as they scurried around the woods looking for food to survive. The trees were sparse and throughout you could see stumps from where some had been cut down. A deep soreness had settled into his hooves despite the hard layer set there to protect them.

Figuring out the camps location had not proven difficult as High Rise's terrible management skills predictably forced him to move directly from water source to water source. Just do the same but in opposite order and finding them was inevitable.

Coming into range of the camp, Mordane kept an eye on the sky and saw a scout come gliding over them, riding a hot current, before banking and nodding his head toward Mordane.

Turning from them he headed in what Stalker and Mordane assumed was the direction of the army walking for about an hour through brush, thorns and streams before a stallion in light armor stepped out of the brush. He wore a scowl that quickly turned into a smile once he recognised him.

"Mordane! The scout thought it was you sir. Just making sure." he seemed nervous to Mordane. Something was off.

"At ease. What is the state of our forces?" Mordane replied with a smile.

"Moving just a mile south of here. If you will follow me sir." He said smiling enthusiastically. Looking into his eyes, Mordane tried to judge if this was a trap. His smile seemed genuine enough though Mordane could feel something else as well

Ah, respect. If I remember he wielded that sword of his like a mad pony and followed me around most of the time afterward.

"You should not state openly the direction our forces to one you don’t know is the enemy or not soldier. I could be a different pony than I appear they appear."

The pony paused a moment before smiling again.

"That makes sense. I'll try to remember that."

"I'm sure that you will." Mordane said returning the smile." Please lead us through the brush."

"Of course sir."

With him leading on, Mordane turned and looked at Stalker who raised a single eyebrow. The unspoken question about their escort came across clear. Mordane nodded his head in the direction after the pony as Stalker raised his hoof and traced a little circle. Mordane nodded his head yes in return.

During their excursion the two had learned each other's little signals for subtle meaning. Well, at least Mordane tried to learn Stalker’s. That pony seemed to know what he meant all the time.

That little hoof movement meant Stalker wanted to sneak around and make sure it was safe.

To Mordane it was a simple question of being safe instead of being foolish. He watched the guard intently ready to react at the slightest indication of a trap. However, within ten minutes, the guard had lead him to a valley the army was moving through and seemed completely oblivious to the fact that there had been another with Mordane.

"You did well, go take a break before getting back on your patrol."

"Yes sir." he nodded vigorously.

Mordane walked out into the open smiling to himself about what was to come before putting on a blank expression.

High Rise was leading the army when he gave a momentary look of shock at the sight of Mordane. This quickly through fury before a neutral expression slammed down.

Hmmm he does not like to show weakness.

"Sir High Rise, I have returned." Mordane said as soon as he was close enough.

The commander stopped and raised his hoof before shouting.

"Set up camp!"

The ponies moved to obey even as Mordane grabbed one and ordered him to bring Steady Gaze, the head magic user. Being so close to having his freedom made his wings itch and horn burn; It took nearly all of his will to not show this to High Rise who was staring at him. They looked into each other's eyes, Judging.

Mordane could practically see the gears turning in High Rise’s head as his thoughts turned over calculating what he could and should do to him. Mordane himself was making predictions as well, trying to think how he would react to whatever choice he made. Would he have to attack? Rip the binding himself and crush the commander? Could he hope to do it fast enough?

"Mordane?" said steady Gaze walking up from the rear of the line "Well hmmm let me check these bindings." His horn glowed for a moment before the restricting binds popped off "Yes...yes he kept them on. Otherwise they'd would not have done that."

"I see," said Rise flatly "Well...second. It is good that you have returned unharmed. I'll leave the unpacking to you then."

Mordane broke the eye contact smiling at the old necromancer.

“Thank you for releasing them so cleanly.”

The old stallion smiled in return. “ It is of no consequence.”

"That pony has a grudge against you." spoke up Steady Gaze " I'd be careful."

You don't say?

"Thanks for the advice. If you'll excuse me."

"Sure, sure...got to wonder what kind of army this is now though." He asked while scratching his chin.

"Excuse me?" Mordane said while raising an eyebrow.

"You know with you being one half of pegasi and unicorn. We have the same amount of each race in leadership."

Mordane nodded before walking off to locate the ponies he had made responsible earlier for the setting up of camp. Even as he walked away he saw ponies beginning to set up wherever they pleased. He went about ordering them to fix it and whenever he saw one of the ponies he was looking for, only a short reminder was enough to get them working.

What really surprised him was that nopony questioned his orders. It seemed news had spread before him or perhaps it was just the air he carried. Mordane did not know nor care. Heading about he searched out Boulder who he found setting up his tent in the correct spot for it.

"Hey Boulder."

"Mordane! Good to see ya. So are you..."

"Yes, High Rise acknowledged that I'm second."

Boulder smiled and stepped closer while raising his eyebrows.

"Hey I guess that means you’ll earn more money ehh?"

With a chuckle Mordane put his arm over Boulder.

"I suppose...The real thing I worry about though is convincing High Rise to not get us killed."

"Do you think that is a possibility?" Boulder said shifting to a serious tone.

"Yes, though I'm sure we can manage. I'm surprised that the scouts are still going though."

"Oh that." Boulder rolled his eyes before replying sheepishly " It was simple as most of them were under you. I might have also… said a few things."

"Really? good. Well I have to go Boulder. Come by my tent tomorrow evening."

"Sure."

Mordane left Boulder to set up his tent. Looking around he went to work.

*************************

After organizing dinner, food storage, wood supply, water supply and a system of reporting what the scouts observed to Mordane’s personal tent he took a stroll around the camp taking mental note of the lack of ...well anything. Calling up a nearby guard he had them bring in a regular cot and a writing table before dismissing them and laying down to think.

High Rise is probably the worst commander I've ever seen. Err, the only commander I've ever actually seen, but that's not the point. I find it hard to believe he would just leave food and such up to his men ...ponies. I'll have to talk about that tomorrow.

Well at least I won't have to put up with him forever. All I need to do is make sure High Rise isn't going to kill me.

*********************************

The following day Mordane woke and prepared himself before heading out. His body odor was starting to become noticeable after a month without a bath.

I'll need to fix that the next time I have a chance.

Heading out he went to High Rises tent. Trying to project a way to find peace with him and setting up a strategy , as well as learning what exactly the mercenaries had been hired to do. One of the two guards, seeing him coming, leaned his head into the tent before pulling it back out and nodding to the other guard. When he got to them they simply let him pass through.

"Mordane! Good to see you up this early." Said High Rise sitting at a table and drinking a glass of water, a fake smile plastered across his face.

Mordane took note of the cleanness of his suit and how he seemed clearer than before.

...Must be worried about what I’ve been doing.

"Good morning to you as well sir. Its fine weather we're having today. Did you sleep well?" Mordane replied with a smile that seemed genuine.

"Oh dreadful. Yet that is not really the issue." He leaned forward." The real question is why you want to see me."

Now Mordane took extra notes; There were no cracks in the commander's eyes and his gaze was not only clear, it was piercing.

He seems to be clean. Odd. Best to be frank and friendly, act like I respect...or fear him if needed.

"Oh" Mordane began taking a seat across from him. "I'm just seeing what you want me to do and tell you what has already done with the tents and the scouts."

"Really, been busy?" he said in a tone that very well knew he had been and was not entirely happy with it.

"A bit. The tent organization had to be reinforced and I've set individuals responsible to see that it's done. The scouts have not been organized and some have not even been reporting. I made sure to set a pony to that as well. Besides, it's just been reinforcing my new authority and making it clear that I was your second....not your equal."

High Rise raised a single eyebrow as if to say isn't that obvious. His eyes however showed confusion at Mordane’s bluntness until an understanding sparked in his eyes.

"I see you clever pony. I was wondering how you were able to command such respect so easily." He laughed as Mordane joined him.

Damn...He has to know that's not true. Maybe he thinks I don't know I can make others follow?

My mark…

It dawned on him that even if High Rise saw his mark its meaning might not come across as it was culturally linked to Equestrian history. In fact most in the south would not be able to understand its deeper meaning.

"Well of course. I mean I'm a little young for them to follow.... You don't mind,do you?"

"No no not at all. You aren't bad at command Mordane you just, uhh, what is it again?"

"Charisma?" Mordane asked perplexed.

"Err...the stuff. The thing that makes others follow you."

Or the effect of understanding a crowd and using that along with confidence to manipulate them.

"Ah,that makes sense. Anyway, there is a few things I would like to ask you about."

"Ask away." High Rise said leaning back in his chair.

"We are low on food. Taking it from the locals is cheap but the ponies hiring us might not appreciate us causing mass starvation among their farmers if we run out....Most ponies are on their last week's worth. We were able to restock from those peasants we defeated but that was about three weeks ago....as you know most soldiers carry a month's worth with them."

"Your point?"

"We should make all haste to our destination. In order to do this one of us will have two options. Either we hop water to water source and still be within the nation that hired us when food runs out or we head straight there at haste."

"If we do that then ponies will have to go onto half rations." he frowned. “ Pillaging our employers land though….”

"Aye, If we did not send a group ahead to secure food for us from the enemy's farms and from several sources in order to prevent starvation."

"...good plan but why worry about peasants starving?"

Thought you would think that.

"Leaving a path of starving farmers once we attack their land does not sound exactly covert to me sir. I was planning on putting us off as bandits and striking at several places along the border."

"...You?" he said with a frown

"Yes. I thought I would take the riskier command."

High Rise stared at Mordane rubbing his chin seemingly trying to understand his motivation for doing this.

He still thinks I'm up to something...at least he'll think I'm nice.

"Fine we'll do it your way."

"Thank you sir....If I may ask, what is our overall objective?"

"Capture the town of Trans and build a bridge across the river there. Then we hold it until the Cabistien forces show up."

"Sounds simple enough. They want to flank the enemy?"

"Yes, It’s good work I'll need you to take the town and secure its resources for the construction." He glared into Mordanes eyes "That includes the native population. We will need them to build the bridge."

"...Of course sir." Mordane felt a wrenching in his gut. "Should I prepare my force and leave sir?"

"Yes. Take about a hundred it should be enough."

"Of course."

Mordane saluted and quickly pulled out of the tent. His pace quickened after he left the tent. Rushing to behind another he spewed his breakfast on the ground and shivered.

He remembered reading of ancient warfare and he had now seen the battle half firsthand. Yet he knew that was not the real toll of death. Usually civilian casualties would outnumber soldiers three to one. That was not even considering those that died from starvation. To feed an army without causing such destruction would take an immense effort. He sighed thinking how humans could avoid such things now because of trucks that could follow the army.

Now he was receiving orders to enslave a population. Was he willing to do this?

It only made him feel sicker when the answer came back yes, yes he was.

It will happen with our without me. All I can do is make sure it's as light as possible. Just like George Duckwitz. Some things I cannot change but I cannot allow that to prevent what I can.

High Rise will be moving north. He will need food. He will take it. All I can do is make sure it's as clean as possible.

The mind always rationalizes what it must.

Trotting quickly he made his preparations and sent some ponies to go and ask for volunteers. Then one of the ponies over the tents to reorganize so that he could take thirty five tents with him.

Then there was the lack of wagons and some food needed taking with them. He decided to take the twenty empty ones and they would take some more once there.

After sending different ponies off to the various tasks he went to his old tent. Inside Mordane was met with Boulder and Stalker both sitting idly.

"Boulder, Stalker, get up were moving out."

"So late?" asked Boulder jumping up and looking at the sun that was past noon.

"Yes, We’re going on a foraging mission."

"The Cabistien won't like that." Stalker said while picking his teeth with a knife

"That's why we're moving ahead to Derrena territory for our foraging."

"Foraging!" Boulder shouted "You mean scouring the land?" A sick look came across his face.

"Calm down Boulder I intend to make it as undestructive as possible. Why do you care anyway?"

"The land must always be protected."Boulder snorted " It is the way of harmony."

"Right.. Gather your things and prepare to move out."

Mordane left to prepare his things as well.

Within two hours the foraging party was prepared to moving out. Double checking everything he saw Boulder and Stalker coming up to him.

"Ready?"

"Aye."

With that they moved out.

*************************************************

With an internal shudder Mordane watched as a pegasus came flying toward their position.

The army set within the crux of the mountain in the forest in the south of Derrena and its mountain range.

He sat outside of a cave they planned to use for storage. Inside was a network of caverns that would provide plenty of space. Even now his army of a hundred was hiding in there quite comfortably.

The trip back into Derrena had gone by without incident save for some difficulty in going undetected.

As the pegasus neared Boulder trotted up and stood beside him.

"So what's the plan?"

"Small groups. Multiple locations. I'll be putting you over another group." Mordane replied without feeling.

"...I'm worried about this Mordane. In the guard we never had to do such things." he said frowning.

"Well down here they don't have trains and war is a constant."

"Does that mean we should give up what makes us civilized?"

"...yes. If we want victory."

The six Pegasi landed softly and the leader walked over to him.

" They’re three villages in the area you talked about sir."

"Good" Mordane stood up at the mouth of the cave. "Listen up! Prepare to move out ponies! Three Groups! Bring only your battle gear!"

The ponies in the large cave collected themselves even as Stalker trotted up to him and nodded.

Once they were ready, he assigned Boulder and Stalker a group then shouted his orders.

"I will only say this once so pay attention! You will obey your group leader. You will not steal anything save food. You will not rape, burn or murder the farmers unless they attack you. Do you understand!"

"What I a load of pig shit!"

Many of the ponies turned stunned toward the individual who had spoken up before anypony could respond.

He was a grizzly large earth pony stallion and the face seemed familiar to Mordane.

Ah that's right he was the one who was executing those prisoners.

"Are you challenging me."

He angry look was replaced with a bit of fear but he answered anyway.

"Err no. I'm just saying taking loot is one of the reasons I joined this shindig."

Many of the ponies around him grumbled In agreement.

Darn it I forgot these weren't soldiers for a minute.

A few moments of consideration, and remembering they were suppose to appear as bandits, he made a decision.

"Fine, You all may loot what you can carry yourselves. Leaders make sure no pony takes to much. Also we will not be taking all the food. Leave enough for them to survive. If you understand say aye!"

"AYE!"

Mordane nodded to the other two leaders and the groups headed out.

***************************************

The attack on Tripton, one of the villages, was swift and bloodless.

Only a few of the residents were able to run off into the woods before being caught.

Though it was called a village the reality of it was a collection of homes around a trading post with fields all around.

Many times homes were a mile out from the town which made collection difficult. After six hours they had found most of the residents and taken their food storage of apples and grain.

Both of which would provide the large amount of calories needed to conduct a war.

"Take the wagons to the town center."

"Yes sir!"

Walking around Mordane checked that the farmers were not being abused. Walking into the town hall. He looked at the dozen odd families crowded into the small area. Several of the Stallions and mares glared at him with accusing eyes.

Making a mental effort he resisted the urge to apologies. Instead glared all the harder in return. His eyes locking with each one in turn devoid of pity or remorse. They seemed to dare the ponies before him to resist. That he would enjoy putting them down.

Many of the farmers shuddered and averted their eyes.

"Beat any who try to leave."

"Yes sir."

God, I hope none try.

Surprising the sickening sensation was becoming easier to suppress

Mordane left the building and walked around the town again.

Something was bugging him though.

This is taking far longer than it should. The ponies are dragging their feet with the raiding. If we don't hurry. One of the ponies could’ve gotten-

"Enemy! I see the enemy!"

A pony soldier ran out from behind a building and spotted Mordane.

"Sir! The enemy is nearing!"

If the ponies voice had been loud Mordane’s was deafening as he yelled as loud as he could.

"EVERYPONY FRONT AND CENTER. INTO THE MAIN SQUARE! ENEMY HAS BEEN SIGHTED"

Doors burst open and ponies ran from all over the village. With Mordane’s quick orders he made them prepare a defensive line even as he listened to the ponies report on the enemy.

"It was about fifty ponies I saw." He said gasping." I was standing up on a nearby hill watching the road. You know, because I had already gotten all I could and thought we should watch the road. Then I saw them marching."

"That's good." he said absentmindedly as he drew on the local energy in the area. Too late he found himself reaching into an empty amulet for more.

Damn it, I forgot to fill it. From what he said they will be here in a minute.

"Archers. Hold your fire until I say!"

He took one more moment and prepared.

With a deep breath he listened to the world around him.

The earth beneath my hooves. Burning at its core

The air above it. Swirling continuously.

The moisture that flies collects and runs through it all.

This is mine to comm-

The unexpected blow caused him to shake his head before instinctively pushing back.

Mordane did not know who but there was a magic user in the approaching force.

Already he or she had taken nearly half of the energy in the area. Mentally slapping himself Mordane fought back. Gaining ground inches at a time. Surprise emanated from the other side at his sought resistance. Even as Mordane’s physical eyes saw the first of the enemy come into view.

"Prepare to fire!" he shouted.

The magical war now shifted to the other pony as he took away some of his attention to command his ponies.

Once in range Mordane let out a shout.

"Fire!"

The arrows flew through the air piercing the enemy. A dozen fell to them.

Shock emanated from the pony on the other end at the ponies fallen.

As the local energy was split near fifty both began pulling in the energy preparing to cast their spells.

Mordane began muttering the verbal formula for his shield. It was a trick he had learned from Twilight.

"Charge!" Bellowed a unicorn commander. Paying attention Mordane saw his horn was glowing.

There he is.

"Charge!" Mordane yelled "Archers fire again!"

As arrows pierced their enemies flesh Mordane's troops charged to meet them.

Ponies screamed out in agony as bones were broken and armor was twisted from the impact.

Throughout it all Mordane prepared. Then struck.

His enemy was still preparing his aggressive spell when rock shards began striking his shield.

He panicked and began rushing to cast.

Mordane continued to batter on the unicorns mental and physical defenses as the distance between them became smaller and smaller.

Why is he using verbal spells for something so small?

The pony was untrained or improperly trained. Mordane didn't know, but he was sure it would be his undoing.

As the barriers fell the stones began to rip him to pieces. The look of fear barely had time to form before Mordane summoned a spike and pierced his throat.

The gurgling as the pony drowned in his own blood did not reach Mordane's ears.

I must end this quickly. What is the fastest way to kill them?

He thought of boiling their blood but knew that affecting them directly would be too difficult with their natural magic field. Next he considered a wave of sound but that would affect his men as well. Then he Considered spikes, ice blades, mental attacks and fire.

Dang it they are just too intermingled by this point.

He looked around seeing his men and the enemy fighting to exhaustion. Already some of his had fallen and soon there would be far more.

Then it hit him.

He took all the energy he could and channeled

The strength of a magic user was determined by how much energy they could move at a time, the number of bindings they could manage and how much energy those bindings could handle.

Like the water input valve to many faucets. Too small a input with many valves would result in only a trickle coming out each. Too few faucets and the size of the valve would not matter. Then there was those who could pull on a lot of water, had plenty of faucets, but they were too small. They could not handle the water pushing through them. This could change as the caster grew older. Mordane was of the latter category.

Whenever he reached for the power it was easy to hold but his body always felt too small to handle it. Much of the power was splashed back as he pushed.. Except when he was angry of course..

That is why this was so difficult as it would require many bindings of high power.

Looking at each enemy in turn he made and individual binding to a button, scabbard or something on their body.

At six he began to feel the strain on his will and spirit.  

Ten his legs began to tremble.

Twenty his sight began to dim.

All he had was his mind's eye once he finally got the last one at thirty four. He could not breath as all of the bindings pierced like hooks into his mind.

This is far more than I should have pulled on....The strain is killing me.'

He felt fire and ice role like waves through his veins as his mind expanded like a balloon from the force it was moving. His horn was an inferno.

Yet he did not allow himself to pop and break his mind even as he pushed more than he thought possible.

Even as he stretched to his max Mordane cast the spell.

At first there was no effect then in a few seconds the enemy began to stumble and fall. The objects he had bound to caught fire as they pulled heat from his enemies flesh. Steam began to emit from their bodies even as they began to freeze.

The effort was tremendous butt he knew that only a drop of ten degrees could prove fatal.

He did not even have to wait that long as the sudden chills caused his enemies to stumble which allowed his men to strike home.

As each opponent fell he cut the binding to them down to the last.

Gasping as his hooves were planted firmly into the ground his growing horn slowly faded.

When the last enemy fell his will and physical strength was nearly spent.

Feeling like a deflated balloon he turned and ordered his soldiers to take what loot they wanted from the fallen foes and to bring their dead back with them as they prepared to move out.

Going back he saw that the guards over the villagers had been able to hold them back.

"...Were pulling out." he said addressing the villagers." There is enough food left for the winter and seeds for crops. We may be bandits but were not savages. Stay inside for the next few hours and we will be gone.."

*****************************

The march back to the cave was grueling for Mordane even as his men jarred the whole way. Enjoying their spoils.

Taking what little gold and money they had left a bad taste in his mouth but if that is the only way to maintain control then he would have to let it be.

Arriving at the cave he saw Stalker coming out and nodding at him. Mordane grunted a reply before taking a trail near the caves to a spring some ponies had told him about.

He kept on his cloak. Not knowing if any pony was around.

The water was cool and he had no soap but even so he sighed as his body slid in and rested on the rocks.

Soft currents left him dozing even as his wings stayed open to the sun stretching and clinching as the bones popped.

Peace entered him for a time and he let down his guard.

***********************************

Boulders expedition had gone by without a hitch. He had even snagged a bag of gold coins from the mayor's office before leaving.

Stalker had made it back before him and was staring out over the forest.

Over the time that he had known him Boulder had come to grudgingly accept the skills of Stalker and his growing closeness with Mordane. Even the way he seemed to calm the stallion sometimes or focus his thoughts. If Boulder did not know better he would say the stallion was molding Mordane.

The exact reason why such a character would put so much time into this young stallion was barely understandable to him.

From what he had overheard Stalker had been following Mordane for years. What would drive some pony to that? Then there was his enslavement at the hooves of highway robbers. He was sworn to defend the weak! Yet he had taken from them.

...I just don't know anymore... Ever since I left Celestia's service things have just gone wrong. About the only good things that happen are when Mordane is around. What do I do with my life?

He went around the back of the cave entrance and found a small clearing.

This time I will try Luna... Her and I at least have more in common. That will behind there. Not to mention Nightmare Moon.

She at least had honor

He winced as memories long sealed away came back to him... Pushing past all his attempts to block them.

*****************************************

Boulder trotted up the steps in Canterlot castle onto a platform reserved for the princess and her guests. Its garden seemed the picture of serenity as it hung high above the land below.

"Princess Celestia!"

"Captain Boulder. It is so good to see you this beautiful evening."

Celestia sat on her favorite chair in the castle gardens. Hair waiving despite the lack of wind. Beside her a small filly and even younger dragon sat reading among balls and measuring tools. She could not of been older than ten.

"Celesia I don't understand this..."

"Hush now, Twilight. I need to talk with the Captain of the Guard."

His heart still beat so hard whenever he saw her. The glory of the sun filling him.

"Why have you come to visit Captain?" She said in a motherly tone.

"I'm sorry to bother you Princess but it came to my attention that my request to move some troops to the changeling border has not been approved. I intended to construct outposts along it to prevent further incursions. Surely there is no problem with protecting the nation?"

"Of course not."

Boulder smiled and sighed with relief.

"I understand princess, these things do happen. I'll move my troops at the end of the week. It will be good to know that the changeling menace will not go unanswered."

"...I see." she replied before placing down her cup. "There has been a misunderstanding."

She stood up and motioned for Boulder to follow.

"Come. We have much to discuss my little pony."

Boulder felt confusion but his face remained passive. The two of them walked away from the central clearing over to a balcony.

"I love the view from here. It's so peaceful. Serene. The hills bending slightly into the distance. A river flowing unending to the sea. Through my feet I can feel the mountain behind and beneath me. When I spread my wings I can sense the direction of the wind..."

"Princess-"

"Over a thousand years ago this was a plain. Flat as far as the eye could see. The great divide was called the Diamond hold. Home of the Diamond Dog empire. To the north a vast crystal pony civilization stood. On the west along some of the few mountains was a colony to the griffin kingdom. The western ocean was impassable as the sea ponies would drag any ship to the bottom....This was the state of things when me and my sister came to power."

She had spoken in a kind and controlled tone but Boulder felt as if she had slapped him across the face.

"Discord had no inclination to expand his borders and the power he held could of turned any invading army to ash. After overthrowing him however our enemies began to prepare...."

Her eyes grew distant.

"My sister and I gathered our magic. We pulled this mountain from the earth and set the hills in place. The land bends like a giant fortress. The mountain is the keep. For the next two years we prepared and reinforced it's base with crystal. This mountain would have to hold the entire pony race and all they would need to live."

Boulder stood with his mouth hanging open. Listening about a time before recorded history.

"They came. In their tens of thousands. For Thirty long years we fought them. Pushing the griffins to the sea. The dogs came in such number and greed that not enough where left to hold their civilization together. We pushed them back and back. Over the great divide. Down through the peninsula. We Broke the crystal ponies backs. At the height of our power all of the lands form the frozen north to the southern tip belonged to my sister and I."

"I'm sorry princess, but your sister?"

"Yes...my sister. Luna but you would know her by another name. Nightmare moon."

He gasped. Shock and awe filling him. That such an old legend had been based on truth.

"But princess...what happened to that kingdom?"

"... My sisters rebellion happened." A single tear fell freely form the monarchs face. Dripping down onto the ground." I was blind to her pain that over the centuries had turned to madness. She claimed I was a tyrant. That I sought to rule all the world. For many years we fought and our armies spilled their blood against one another. In the struggle the southern land were cut off. They formed their own nations. In the end I was able to win but only after banishing my sister to the moon...her madness had begun to show on her physical form. Fangs and reptilian eyes stared at me....I had no choice."

"Princess...Why tell me all this?" Boulder whispered.

" I tell you this because of what happened next. In the ashes of war I rebuilt our nation and in an effort to stave off their invasions I forced dialog with our neighbors. It was with words not swords that I achieved the peace we enjoy today. Now another threat has arisen... and you want me to build up defenses again? Close off dialog? I'm sorry Boulder but I won't."

He stood there stunned. Unable to comprehend what she had said.

"But...my princess. The changelings cannot be reasoned with. To them we are but food. The peace you have made like a juicy apple. They will come in mass as they are starving. They cannot resist the temptation."

"And we will turn them back." She replied resolutely.

"Yet they will come and thousands could die. More if we should loose. They will continue to grow from feeding off the agents they send among us."

"They are far too weak to attack. Building those bases would be expensive. Also the dry desert air would make it very difficult on the average guard. My ponies do not know of the threat and telling them so could cause panic. Destroying the very peace you wish to protect." She paused before nodding her head "We must endure until dialog can be established"

"There will be no dialog with the changelings whether we want it or not...My princess they will invade. We MUST prepare a defense. For our nations honor and glory if nothing else."

The princess paused and looked at him. Raising a single eyebrow.

"I will not send ponies to bake out in the desert to defend against something that can never attack and would likely just sneak past if it wanted to."

"I'm sorry princess I meant-"

"Your desire for glory on the battlefield is well known to me Boulder. However I would of thought that you would not let your judgment be clouded it." she said curtly.

Boulder stood there looking her in the eye before saluting.

"Princess...I have not let my desires for glory cloud my judgment. If this is your final decision that we not act... then I must ask to step down as captain of the royal guard."

Celestia blinked. Confusion evident.

"Step down! Why would you-"

"You and I know that there are ponies clamoring for my demotion...the Canterlot nobles prefer a unicorn." He coughed and rubbed his head "If you will not listen... Then all I can do is command the troops after they attack and report to you when the kingdom has fallen. It would be better to have a captain that could use strong defensive magic in such a case. He may provide the leverage you will need to survive when they catch you off guard."

"That won't be-" Boulder cut her off.

"I advice promoting Shinning armor to my place. He is a good commander and is strong with defensive magic. You will need him when the invasion comes."

Boulder turned and walked away from the stunned monarch. His face hidden it took on the rage that he had felt boiling inside.

"Boulder... I'm sorry."

He turned around for a moment. A calm expression on his face lying about what he truly felt inside.

"Don't be... You are the avatar of the sun. Spirit of Day. Keeper of the eternal flame." Celestia's mouth opened in shock as she had not heard those honorifics in centuries. "I am just a mortal who was once blessed by your flame."

"Boulder... I had no Idea that you followed that religion. Yet you must know I did not give you your strength and will. I did not give your natural war magic. The flame is simply part of your nature."

"Oh Celestia, you are wrong." He said quietly walking away. "Faith is everything."

****************************************

Boulder snapped back to the present and sighed. That had been the point where his life had turned for the worst. Seven years later and the invasion he had predicted occurred. By then he was a drunk guard in a backward town.

He was never able to use his natural war magic since that day.

"Remembering your past Boulder?"

He snapped his head around glaring at Stalker who was standing in a tree.

"Not intentionally. I intend to commune instead."

"Commune? I did not know anyone else followed that old religion."

Boulder raised an eyebrow as his comrade jumped down and sat across from him.

"You don't mind if I join you?"

"Not at all."

At that moment however both of them heard a splash.

They could both see Mordane clearly from their position, standing firmly on a small stone sticking out of a pound. He saw Mordane close is eyes. A moment later Boulders ears tweaked as the wind in the area slowed noticeably. Then his mouth opened as the water began freezing all around the stallions rock.

...War magic. He has learned it well. Such knowledge is hidden in Equestria. Few have it naturally occurring and never is it this strong unless a spell is involved. Wonder what his focus is...

Boulder reflected slightly on how his loss in faith caused him to lose one of his best advantages even as he continued to watch.

The ice grew for about eight feet before Mordane started gasping. The only thing Boulder saw was how the amulet jewel had looked pale pink before but was now blood red.

Boulder watched as Mordane left the pound. A frown on his face as he noticed something odd.

"Why does Mordane never take off his cloak?" he asked Stalker suddenly

"The same reason you keep on your armor perhaps. Some ponies just don't want to give away that much information about themselves. Some ponies have secrets." Stalker replied curtly.

"What is Mordane's I wonder?"

"What is yours Boulder....I still have not seen your cutie Mark."

"Nor I yours."

Stalker and Boulder stared at each other before Stalker turned his flank to him and lifted his saddlebag.

A blank flank cause Boulder to raise his eyebrow.

"I can't say that I've ever seen a blank flank on one as old as you. "

"My family does not get Cutie marks but I showed you my flank. Now you must show me yours." he smiled.

Boulder shrugged and reached behind himself to unbuckle a strap. His flank armor slid off revealing his cutie mark.

A circle of fire surrounding a sword stood in stark relief on his pale coat. Its meaning was clear.

"A fire mage? But..."

"War magic. I'm sure you heard of it?"

Stalker nodded.

"I was immune to fire. In a way I felt I was the fire so it just seemed like it shouldn't hurt me. Useful war magic."

"Did you ever get it supported by a spell?"

"No. Then I lost it after leaving her service. Now...there is no way I could afford it."

"So you left." Stalker said. "I was not sure. Why not ask Mordane?"

"I would only accept the blessing of a spirit."

"...It is a spell, not a blessing."

Boulder glared at Stalker.

"You know that in our beliefs there is no difference."

With that they grew silent as Boulder reattached his armor.

"Your strong for such an old drunk."

"Aye...that's what a life in the army will give you. A strong body and scars."

"Ha... I was wondering Boulder. Why have you not asked me which spirit I commune with."

"Because I'm not sure I want to know."

The two of them sat down smiling as they prepared to commune with their respective spirits.

The town.

Rain spattered down upon Mordane’s head. His breathing calm and serene. This engagement would go smoothly, he was sure of it. As always, a few innocent may die, but that was necessary. He needed the money and if this did not get done he did not get paid. He took a moment to remind himself that he would be making something that would happen anyway less bloody.

Beyond the edge of the unnamed cut back forest was a river called the Rine. A small lumber town was settled along its river banks acting as a hub of food transportation in the region and had a population of about two thousand, more of a tiny city than town really. It was night, but with Luna's full moon overhead he could see the faint silver outlines of the town’s defenders and their perimeter.

He was in a perfect position to take control of the town, yet commands from High Rise held him back until the screaming started.

Mordane pulled up his hood and sat down to wait, taking a moment he let himself smile a bit when no one could see. Part of him truly enjoyed standing on the edge before the storm. His men standing behind him waiting like drawn bow to strike down his foe...It was the nature of that foe which left a sour taste in his mouth.

As he waited for the opportune time with his sword clamped to his side he could almost feel as those around examined him waiting for his order.

To them it seemed as if a tension permeated his being, as if his will was ready to become reality. This feeling filled them too as they dug into the earth with their hooves, fidgeting, waiting to let loose.

Boulder stood like stone unmoving beside him looking down on the town with a slight look of disgust as if the entire affair was beneath him. Stalker stayed on the other side seeming board save for the occasional smile when he looked back at the soldiers.

"You do realise that it would be far easier to attack the town at dawn, Mordane. The sun would be at our backs," suggested Boulder offhandedly as he frowned. "It would blind them and give us another advantage."

"Aye. I suggested such to High Rise, but he did not seem to agree." Mordane replied resolutely as he scratched behind his ear. A part of him regretted he would not be charging with the army but he had remembered the lesson from the ants all those years ago in another life.

A commander must lead from the rear.

High Rise had insisted on an assault during the night, saying that the surprise would give them an advantage. This of course was foolish as their food collection efforts would’ve put all towns on alert.

"You are going to have to deal with him if this goes on," Stalker spoke in a grim tone. “We can’t take stupid risks like this, even if he demands it.” A few ponies muttered agreement behind Mordane, his popularity with the mercenaries had been on the rise after he had reportedly defeated a trained battle mage during the scavenging mission. Mordane was not sure if that was true, since he could not tell just by looking, but he would certainly not be the one to take away from the image of his men.

Cries rang up from the small town as a trumpet blew from the other side of the field. High Rise lead the charge himself across the meadow with nine hundred ponies at his back. Mordane groaned at the sight, already figuring that forty would die in the assault.

"Steady Aim!" he yelled for one of his soldiers.

"Yes, sir?" The pony Steady said, running up quickly.

"Schedule the digging of graves for the morning. About a hundred and fifty should cover the defenders and our losses," Mordane said calmly.

"...Yes, sir," he replied with a slight wince before leaving to obey.

"Do you think that horn qualifies as a signal, Boulder?" Mordane asked his friend with a smile.

"Of course." he replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Well then!” He yelled “CHARGE!"

Fifty ponies stayed behind to guard the carts of food as hundred and fifty barreled down the hill at his command to hit the enemy line. As they barreled down the hill they say that only a few of the local guards were there to meet them the rest had moved their forces to intercept High Rise’s force.

The human souled alicorn walked calmly toward the town while ordering the carts to start moving as well. He would have a place for them in a barn or storage room when they finally got moving.

His forces poured down the hill sweeping away the defenders in a complete route. By the time he caught up to his forces they were accepting the surrender of the entrenched enemy. Indeed one of Mordane’s men brought him the town flag, but instead of taking it he ordered him to give it to High Rise as soon as that side of the battle was over.

Sending others to round up the locals, he took a hundred of his men and moved to hit the guard High Rise was attacking.

At that moment High Rise’s troops came running up the street and bursting into houses. The unrestrained glee on his commander’s face disgusted Mordane, but he moved to address him anyway. The commander was in his light metal armor. His lungs pulled at the air with only a slight strain. His back left flank had a deep  spear wound that was bleeding profusely.

"The town is yours, Commander. Should I take care of the trivial matters?" High Rise’s smile faded a bit at the sight of Mordane.

"Yes, yes, Mordane. Get to it." He snapped.

"Of course, sir. The mayor’s house has been secured, I'll have Smooth Stone show you where it is." Mordane replied calmly indicating another pony.

High Rise limped off to take care of his wound and most likely communicate with their employers, while Mordane organized the mercenaries and issued disciplinary actions.

Two ponies had to be whipped after setting fire to a few buildings despite orders not to. Three others had gotten into a fight over loot and were sentenced to latrine duty. Mordane stood rubbing the space between his eyes trying to understand what was going through their heads to forget his orders. What if the town had burned down? In that respect he thought the punishment was incredibly light.

Mordane turned to Stalker and with a pained smile. Both had found him shortly after the initial push of the battle.

“Stalker I need you to go find the best place to store food. Boulder, get Steady Gaze and check the town water supply for poison. I’m going to make sure the rest of these fools don’t destroy everything.”

The two of them nodded before trotting off to fill their tasks. Mordane continued to walk around giving orders to those clearing the buildings.

“Sir, Most of the buildings are empty.” said on of his ponies running up “ We can’t find the locals anywhere.”

“Did they take the valuables?” Mordane asked wondering if they had escaped.

“No and they have food as well I don't-”

“Sir!” shouted a pegasus landing beside him. “ You're needed at the town hall. The locals seem to be hold up there in mass.”

“Lets go then!” Mordane shouted. He had the pony lead him toward the building in question.

A few minutes later he trotted up to a rather large building in the town center. The wood planks covering the windows reminded him of Ponyville. Even if this town hall was five times the size.

The thought of home gave him pause for a moment as the strangeness of the situation settled on him. Merely four months ago he had defended a town against an attack by a superior force. Now he was leading one.

That's life I suppose.

Shaking his head he examined the situation. Before him five ponies in armor were standing in front of the town hall, bucking the door over and over again. With each hit the door creaked but did not budge leading him to think it may be reinforced.

Despite his outward calm he was fighting a losing battle. His gut felt like a pit as he watched pony's homes being robbed of what little wealth they had and a growing disquiet at what he was about to do. The cold logical mind however continued to examine the situation.

He had read of similar events back when he was human. It was still strange to him how they came back so easily. Perhaps the ease of access was because of how his mind was reaching the maturity to handle his old thoughts. Ideas and feelings that had plagued him since the start of his pony puberty were settling around his mind.

Yet that only made it more clear what could go wrong. Forced labor was dangerous, for both the pony doing the labor and the one forcing it. Their position however would not allow for much else. The river beyond only had two crossings, both of which were heavily guarded. Cabistien would need to approach from the other side to take them on, as the defenses were designed to defend against the south, therefore, a bridge would have to be built, and these civilians; these...ponies, would have to build it.

Fear would be needed, and perhaps some stark truth, Mordane would have to make them believe that he was being as kind as he could be. Because he was...

Cracks began to form on the doors hinges as Mordane cast his mind beyond. There were two earth pony stallions shaking as they held pitchforks toward the door. Mares, foals, the old and fearful hung into the corners comforting each other. He could feel the fear emanating from them. Suddenly, another mind met his.

A familiar feeling of Stalker was on the air. Exchanging thoughts was impossible, but he could feel Stalker reached out toward the ponies and began to work on their fear. Nurturing it. Magnifying the paralyzing effect. Mordane pulled back and cast a spell to project the same.

"Stop bucking ponies, I'll take it from here."

His men looked confused for a moment, but obeyed.

Mordane needed to move quickly so he pulled on his war magic; eyes slightly glowing he reached into the earth and formed two solid pillars. With a thrust he rammed them through the doors before quickly turning them into dust. To the ponies inside it was as if a sudden blast of dust had broken down their front door.

He walked through the broken door, and before they could stop coughing he drew on the wind and moved all the dust out of the building. At the same time he rammed the ponies holding pitchforks against the wall. Then rammed the pitchforks into the wall above their heads.

"My name is Mordane, and you are our prisoners."

The two went for their pitchforks again, but Mordane simply pushed them harder.

"Our organization is a mercenary group tasked with securing this town and constructing a bridge," He said calmly. "A task that will require your cooperation. Either willingly or after we have...persuaded you. Be assured, if I must then I will kill, but if you obey then your families will not be harmed."

"What of my wife!" A stallion stood up in the back. Next to him sat a mare who was shaking. He practically spat his words at Mordane. "She was raped by one of your ponies.Why should we bend to you if you're just going to violate all that we have?"

The stallion in question stood tall and stared Mordane in the eyes, both remaining still. They assessed each other, one seeing a moderately well-off business pony. The other seeing a hard powerful mercenary who might just be kind enough to guilt into behaving with slight restraint.

Mordane felt disgust at what the stallion had said. Rape in his opinion was one of the few things that absolutely could never be justified. On top of that he had ordered against it before the battle. He made a mental note to have the pony tracked down later.

However he could not show weakness to these ponies. If he did then he would have to make examples of some of them down the line. That was something he wanted to avoid desperately.

"I respect a pony who can stand and question. I will listen to any who do the same so that this can be done as easily as possible for both our sides. I will look into this myself as rape would have gone against my orders. Talk to me again later."

Mordane walked around the room looking the ponies in the eyes.

“Under our occupation I will expect you to obey any order given to you by one of my soldiers. I expect you to work as we tell you and not to make trouble. Failure to do so will result in punishment. However do not worry, If you do these things I will make sure that your lives will not be further violated and that when we leave you will be no more worse for it then you are now.”

He stopped and walked back to the room entrance before continuing.

"Now.” he said calmly “who among you is the leader?"

"I am," said the unicorn stallion from before. " You talk of work. What do you expect from us?"

Mordane didn’t even pause. "I expect you to build a bridge."

Murmurs ran through the crowd, all the different voices giving shocked claims and others paranoid thoughts. Mordane continued.

"Now, in the morning you will go back to your homes. Be warned, no pony is allowed to leave the town. At ten the next day, half of you will report to the river edge." Mordane turned and started to walk out. "I advise you to comply, as forcing you to do so will only result in a more uncomfortable situation."

The awkwardness of the situation was not lost on Mordane. His armor itched, but even now he could see some of them were planning his death in their eyes.

"I have things to do, so good evening."

Mordane turned around , walked out of the town hall and moved briskly through the village. After making sure that the last of the fighting had stopped and the locals were being escorted to their homes he went back to the now empty town hall. Found a room with a bed and went to sleep with his heart heavy.

*********************************************

"It's better than a pile of gold my friend." High Rise smiled at Mordane as he sat in a chair with his forehooves resting on a desk. "A warehouse full of iron. I never thought that I'd see the day."

"How did it get there?" Mordane asked, glad that his commander was in a good mood. He still hated the guy, but at least like this he was bearable.

"Well, according to their old mayor, there are three reasons. One is the old tools, owned by the nearby city pony funding this place, the next is the new tools, while the last is a mixture of weapons and utensils being sent out to nearby towns. It was pure luck that we arrived when we did." High Rise smiled viciously. Eyes gleaming with greed.

Mordane nodded glad that he had been woken up in the morning without incident after the town had been secured. He would have never guessed that all of that iron had been found in a basement under a warehouse.

"So we are going to take it."

"Of course," said High Rise as he lit a cigar. "That stuff is worth five times what we are being paid for this entire expedition. I got a friend over in Tietus with a warehouse, that would be the best place to sell it."

Mordane paused a bit to consider the situation. The goods would take weeks to drag back across the border. Even then it would likely be under attack. Minimally they would need two hundred ponies to pull the carts and protect them...

"High Rise...we can't spare the ponies to drag that across the country." Mordane said with a frown and heavy sigh.

"What are you talking about?" he snapped.

"The bridge is going to be built by the four thousand residents of this town. We have just under one thousand troops. That's four ponies we need to guard each. Why, we’re still pulling them out of basements even now. Cabstien is going to be expecting the workers as well when they arrive and will be angry if we sell them to Tietus."

High Rise’s face grew thoughtful at Mordane’s words. As he stood up and walked to the window.

"...Well it seems we have too many prisoners." The stallion shifted around uncomfortably before quietly making a suggestion. "What if we were to lose some of them?"

Mordane’s stomach flipped as the mind of High Rise turned where he feared. Part of him could acknowledge the dark reasoning behind the statement. There was no way Tietus would accept Drena slaves until after this war was over. He would have to choose his words carefully and hope that some part of this stallion would not want to do this.

"Sir...Killing or enslaving-" High Rise winced "-any of the locals en masse would likely cause the ones we are keeping alive to be harder to control." Mordane walked over to the window to stand beside him keeping his cool.

"And I am unwilling to leave that bridge undone. I want all the money I can get. Just like you." High Rise nodded in response. "We have enough time. Just let me put the iron in the carts and we will wait until our employers, the Cabistien military, shows up to cross the bridge here. Then we'll high tail it out of here before they even think about what we might have stolen."

"Yes...yes, of course, you're right," said High Rise as he walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle to drink. "Don't know what I was thinking. Drink?"

"Yes of course. Just a shot though."

It'll help with my stomach at least. I can't say no anyway. He might take offense.

Downing the single glass Mordane turned to walk out, but stopped before leaving. He sighed releasing the tension that had built up in him during the day.

"I believe one of the stallions disobeyed my order. What should I do with him?" Mordane said offhandedly.

"How against it was he?" High Rise asked quickly without looking at him.

"Directly...I was going to order his whipping." he said flatly.

"Kill him if it's true." High Rise’s tone became cold as he said those words. His eyes left no question before turning back to the window.

"...Yes sir," Mordane responded with resignation.

Walking out Mordane wondered if he should really put effort into finding who had raped that mare. His face remained blank because in truth he did not know what to think.

*************************************************************

"When can you get your ponies out to rope the river?"

"Well, we've never done anything like this before, sir." the pony before Mordane said uncertainly.

"That river is gonna be a doozy to cross, aye, I can say that to you ere’ now."

Mordane stood with the unicorn mayor and another mercenary just off from the river. It was just about three hundred meters across and clear. The water came

down off the mountain and into the plain pretty much untainted. At the center it was about thirty meters deep.

"How do you plan to bridge it Mr...Bob.” Mordane said hesitantly. “Bob the Builder?”

“Yes it is!” The pony said with an unnaturally large smile on his face.

“Riiight” Mordane said awkwardly ”Can we build it? The bridge I mean."

"Yes we can!" he said enthusiastically. "I can get em’ to place the supports about five feet apart in three rows. Should do fine."

"How long do you think it will take?" Mordane asked as ponies continued to move, cut and sort logs behind him.

"Uhh, not sure. Whatcha think, Lofty?" asked Bob to a nearby pony.

"Ahh, I don't know..." said a pony passing by timidly.

"Well, I'm sure you can-." Mordane began.

"Come here you!" came a shout from behind him.

Two ponies were approaching dragging a large third one between them. Mordane recognized him. He was the stallion who had been causing trouble for a while. First executing those prisoners. Then yelling out in the crowd. Now, according to two witnesses and another mercenary, he had raped the mayor's wife.

"Here he is, sir. We found him hiding in one of the cellars."

"Thank you," Mordane said before addressing the prisoner. "Do you know why I've ordered you to be brought to me?"

The stallion stopped resisting and swallowed. "...yes."

"Did you do it?" he growled.

The stallion frowned. "Look she was as much my right to take as any gold I found. This is war! The spoils to the vic-"

Mordane back hoofed him as the two stallion held him in place.

"I don't care what you say about rights and such. I gave you an order." he shouted.

"Yeah?" The rapist said spitting at Mordane’s hooves. “Well, then put me in the brig for a week or something. I admitted. I'll do my time."

"...I'm sorry, but I can't do that." Mordane said staring the pony dead in the eye.

"What?" he grunted.

"Take him to the edge of the river and hang him from something where the workers can see. Don't leave until he is dead."Mordane told his holders coldly.

"Y-you can't do this!" the stallion cried desperately as they dragged him away. "No! STOP!"

Mordane ignored his howling till he was dragged far enough away. He then reached over to a nearby stand and made a glass of beer he then offered to the mayor who looked sick.

"Drink."

The visibly shaken unicorn obeyed. Downing the drink in one gulp before giving Mordane a suspicious eye.

"You would do that to one of your own men for rape?" He asked with a shaking voice.

"No," Mordane replied coldly. "I did that because he disobeyed me. Keep that in mind."

**************************************

The ice spears flew through the air directly into the space where Mordane’s throat use to be as he stumbled to the right. A blast of wind acted as a distraction for Steady Gaze who stood against him with a smirk on his face. The old stallion dissipated the spell with little effort.

Mordane intentionally avoided using his war magic to confront the pony as it would make the old stallion pull on his war magic of fire and death. The speed of which usually overwhelmed Mordane. Plus it had started to be dangerous for the both of them.

A wall of flame came to Mordane’s attention as he looked back toward the old stallion.

He must of cast it right after the first one crafty bastard. There is no time to dodge or counteract.

However Mordane did not die that day as the flame wall dissipated before touching him drawing a laugh from his competitor.

"My, my, Mordane, you always seem to be focused on the task at hoof, but in this case it would seem that failed you." His eyes were dancing with laughter.

"As you have said many times before, sir Steady Gaze," Mordane replied sullenly.

"You should’ve noticed the flame then poured its heat into my ice converting the mass to water that my spell would not have been able to continue to affect."

"Unless you cast a second spell to affect water alone." Mordane rolled his eyes.

"While casting a fire wall? Hardly."  Steady Gaze replied with a wave of his hoof.

It was nearly a week after they had taken the town and the bridge was half way done. Which would mean it's a little behind. Mordane had just yesterday convinced High Rise it would only hurt to employ whips. Still he was certain something would happen soon.

"You know, Mordane," said the old stallion, "You waste a lot of energy in your spells."

"Yes, sir, you have said so many times." Mordane said exasperated.

"I have? Well you should’ve fixed it then." he said raising an eyebrow.

Mordane sighed. "How?"

"Why the nerve you, young one. I went to the academy you know. You should be honored to be taught by me." He said raising his chin.

Mordane nodded and resisted the urge to sigh again. Steady Gaze had talked about the academy at Heridan nearly every session.

"Why did you leave then?" Mordane asked again.

Normally the stallion would snort at this point and say the lesson was over, but this time he didn't.

"Well...Mostly it was the racism. I did not agree with the other unicorns over the subject of magic making us superior. So I was exiled." He said bluntly.

"Exiled? Huh… Are they that bad to non unicorns?"

"Oh yes.” Steady Gaze nodded vigorously “The city is split in two with an upper and lower district. I lived with the other unicorns in luxury until my fall from grace...they are abhorrently racist. Even you would be considered a lower life form. Or worse. An abomination."

"...sounds terrible." Mordane whispered.

"Oh it is, but… there is no better magic school in all the world. Save maybe Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns."

"You know of Celestia?" Mordane’s voice dropped down. A bitter taste entering his mouth.

"Yes. I visited Equestria long ago. Peaceful land, but a bit boring. Save for their wondrous technologies." His eyes glazed over and looked into the distance. “ I remember when I got off a train for the last time.”

"Yes... it is." Mordane whispered feeling only a tad homesick.

Mordane left his session with Steady Gaze an hour later tied to the bone. The stallion had valuable combat experience, much to his surprise. To think he once thought he was untrained. That pony was a crafty one alright.

He had taken residence in a library room in the main hall. Most of the few books in there were useless to him but a few were an interesting distraction.

He was reading one such book when Stalker unceremoniously came through his locked door.

"Hey, Mordane. I'm bored. Come drinking with me." He said pleadingly. His lower lip bulging as he pouted.

Mordane floated the book out of his way so he could look Stalker in the eye.

"No. You know what happens when I drink." Mordane said.

Stalker rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Mordane, I'll see to it you don't make a fool of yourself." He asked again. This time pushing the book all the way down.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

Mordane sighed before asking exasperatedly.

"Are you a child?"

"Yes.” Stalker said firmly “Now are you coming or not?"

"FINE. I'll come have one drink with you."

Stalker lead Mordane down the street to a large bar that was reserved for the mercenaries as having them drinking with the locals seemed like asking for trouble.

"How long has this thing been running?" asked Mordane.

"Since day two. High Rise approved it himself. Set up a drinking shift as well. Yours, mine, and Boulder’s just so happens to fall on the same evening." Stalker winked.

"I see..." Mordane sighed while facehoofing. "I suppose it's needed, though I wish he had informed me."

"Well don't worry about it," Stalker said while slapping him on the back. "You should relax. Hey, look, there's Boulder."

The stallion walked up to meet them with glazed over eyes. It was obvious by his shining breastplate that the pony had been cleaning it all day.

"Do you ever take that off, Boulder?" Stalker asked with a smirk.

"Of course not," cut in Mordane. "He wouldn't want to be caught unaware."

Boulder huffed. "You two are going to be the death of me one of these days. Especially if I listened to y’all and we are called to battle soon."

"True, though I doubt they would get through our scouts." Mordane said rubbing his chin.

"Where did you get the idea to put them out constantly anyway?" Boulder asked rubbing his forehead.

"...Why wouldn't I want to know what's going on around me?" He replied raising and eyebrow.

"...Guess so."

The three walked into the bar quickly stepping over the large lip at the entrance

********************************

Stalker made note of the bar around him, examining entrance and exit points. Noting where troubled mercenary ponies were settling. With a nudge he lead Mordane to the bar itself where a local pony served drinks. It had been a good move by Boulder to organize how much could be given at any time after he found out about the bar.

Looking over at the younger stallion, Stalker’s mind flashed through why he had gotten Mordane to come drink with them.

That morning he had explained to Boulder something he had found out about Mordane a while back. That the stallion was, in fact, the party king.

Finding out had been quite a shock to him at the time and Boulder was unsurprisingly skeptical to the idea. After all, Mordane was just so...collected. Both of them found it hard to believe that he had it in him. Sure he could make others do things where it mattered, but he just didn't seem to have the raw charisma needed to pull off the party associated with that name. Over years that event had become infamous in Equestria. Ponies would still talk about what it had been like under his short lived "eternal party".

Stalker had been willing to let it lay until word reached him of a small town that had nearly imploded with a similar character… this time however his fur had been brown and the body was not full grown.

The two had agreed that seeing what could possibly make this happen was worth any real risk that it would get out of hoof. They would simply have to turn him from trouble. Should be easy enough.

"What will you have, Commander?" asked the bartender smiling hesitantly.

"I'd like a beer please." Mordane said bluntly.

"I as well." Boulder grinned.

"Me too." Quipped Stalker .

"So, Boulder," asked Stalker as they got their drinks. "What made you leave Equestria?"

"Disagreements not worth discussing." He glared.

"Shesh, Boulder, you nearly have as large of a stick up your flank as Mordane here."

"Excuse me?" Mordane replied with a raised eyebrow. Cheeks tinted red from the alcohol. "I will tell you that the stick is quite comfortable where it is."

Boulder and Stalker burst out laughing. Quickly Mordane joined them as he continued to drink.

Usual to his semi-methodical nature, Mordane drank at a steady pace. However it was one far faster than his two compatriots.

Why is he always so careless with his life? Stalker thought while playing with his drink.

Sometimes I think he is trying to manipulate everyone then things like this happen where he is so uncareful. Afraid of Celestia or anyone knowing who he is but not me. I honestly thought he would try to kill me as soon as I let him know I knew about him being an alicorn...Yet he did nothing. Not even seeming surprised.

Oh all bringer why did I tell him?

"You know what I think?" said Boulder still quite sober. "I think that we should actually pay this stallion bartender."

"Oh no charge… sir," the stallion in question stammered.

"Nonsense!" cut in Stalker. "We should. He has been such a good host. What do you think Mordane?"

The stallion in question was not talking. Instead staring sullen faced into his glass.

"Mordane?"

"Hmm?" he replied.

"Do you think we should pay the bartender?"

"...no."

"Why?" Stalker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Sir, if any of my servi-"

"Shut up." Mordane glared at him. "Give me a refill, this glass is empty."

"...Yes, sir."

"Are you ok, Mor-" began Boulder.

"Stupid."

"I'm sorry?"

"It was stupid of you to think we should pay him."

Stalker looked confused at Boulder who eventually answered.

"Well, I don't really see-"

"I mean we are going to leaving eventually and High Rise will just take everything from here then. Any money would only cause him trouble."

The two stood awkwardly as Mordane’s glare softened.

"I apologize… Alcohol doesn't sit well with me sometimes."

"You don't say," Stalker said sarcastically.

"You're not stupid, Boulder… I'm just tired. The drink lowers my impulse control."

"Its fine, Mordane. Happens to everyone."

Stalker watched as Mordane continued to drink. He grew quieter and quieter as time went on. Pulled deep into a sullen mood. By the beginning of drink three Stalker had enough.

"Come on, Mordane, that's enough."

"Hmm?" he replied lifting his head eyes foggy with the stupor from his drink.

"You've had enough."

"Aye, you are just getting gloomier," Boulder replied.

Stalker reached to pull away the younger stallions drink, Intent on not letting him make a fool of himself.

"You know, Stalker...You really should just sleep with the bartender."

His hoof froze in shock mimicking both Boulder and the bartender himself. Mordane did not look up from his glass however even as he continued to speak.

"I mean… Both of ya are that way. I'd let you get rid of some of your tension… Really you shouldn't be worrying about me that much." He seemed completely serious.

"...Mordane," whispered Boulder. "I don't think that is something you should say. The drink-"

"And you one to talk?" Mordane questioned calmly looking into Boulder’s eyes. "I know about that flask you keep in your mane... Don't know exactly why, but something Celestia did caused you to be unable to live with yourself." He drank deeply again emptying the glass, apparently unconcerned by his own words.

"Bartender, another beer. No ice this time." The stallion hesitated. "Do it… before I tell High Rise about that quality wine you got hidden in the cellar."

He stumbled away. Hoping to return with a pitcher and leave before the commander ordered his bar burned down.

Mordane gulped down the rest of his glass in silence. Then a fourth. Then his fifth before laying his face down on the table. Mumbling about food limitations.

"...what the buck," Boulder whispered.

"Come on, Boulder, lets-"

"PARTY TIME!" His shout nearly broke glass as Mordane snapped back up. His face covered in a gigantic smile. The dull look was gone from his eyes and instead it was as if he had been set alight.

"Say, barkeep!" Mordane yelled in a raspy voice.

"Y-yes?"

"Give these ponies another round. Such strong working soldiers need another drink!" He said banging his hoof on the bar.

A small cheer of agreement met Mordane’s declaration, though most still ignored him.

"Mordane, I-" His comrade began.

"Stalker!" he said suddenly. Grabbing the side of his face. "You magnificent shadow warrior slash assassin slash thief slash cult leader… whatever you are. I need you to help the bartender pass out drinks. Ok?"

"Uh," he replied. "Sure."

"Boulder!" He flipped around. "You got to know a few good drinking songs."

"Well… yeah, but-"

Mordane grabbed the pitcher of beer and chugged half of it down. The grin on his face only getting wider.

"God this bar is boring. Hey you! Barkeep! Hurry up with those drinks!" Mordane said floating a dozen glasses over to the bar.

"What's gotten into him?" asked one of the ponies across the bar to Boulder.

"Oh, nothing has, really," Mordane said stepping up onto a random table, knocking ponies drinks over as he did. There cries of anger turning to laughter at the look on the stallions face.

"Nothing that has not affected you as well. The dread of this towns ponies and the long march through the wilderness has touched us all. Oh, to the cutting wind as it comes down the mountain and we are forced to sit while idle glory and riches could yet be won." Stunned the bar was silent as they all listened. "Though more so the gold I think."

A few laughed and nodded their heads. This job had been a long march with little to do. Many were getting bored. Stalker passed out pitchers watching as Mordane seemed to take a moment before continuing.

"What are we, but fickle coils upon which all life that will come must tread. Well, I do not say we set idly by and wait for time that has yet to finish its slow climb. While we wait for glory let them hear our call, our shout. From the roofs of this small town all the way to the heart of Tietus… LETS PARTY!"

The roar of approval met his words. Stalker listened in on a table as he put down a pitcher.

"What the buck did he say?"

"Don't know. Something about glory and riches."

"I can drink to that."

Ponies moved out from their tables and began milling around. Mordane almost bounced between groups his words drawing them out and closer to each other. Many ponies began to drink more than they would normally.

Soon the party was in full swing. Instruments appeared from somewhere being played by smiling ponies.

Enough of this.

Stalker grabbed a beer glass and added a large dose of sleeping agent. Walking over he gave it to Mordane who promptly drank it.

Mordane swayed for a while before slowly getting quieter and sinking to the ground.

No pony noticed as Boulder and Stalker flanked him and walked out of the bar, his eyes already closing.

The two ponies stepped out into the cold air. Behind them to party continued, oblivious to the fact that the one who started it was gone.

"Stalker?" Boulder asked. "What the buck just happened in there?"

The two of them pulled Mordane’s limp body toward his room.

"Madness, I'd say normally, but since it’s Mordane… I think we just saw something important."

"Stalker, Mordane just made us balk and before we recovered he had the entire place ready to party all night long… That does not happen by accident. I'm just wondering why?"

"Because he wanted to party."

"But why?"

"...I don't think there was a reason. Alcohol tends to bring out the most base in ponies. Perhaps Mordane at his core just wants to have some fun, but his mind won't let him."

"...You know he controlled us like we were little colts."

"Yes. That worries more than anything. If he is that skilled while drunk, what is he doing to us while he’s sober? ...I just keep thinking back to what I've done for him. Why did I do it?"

"...He saved me from slavery. I could have ran."

"But you didn't because you wouldn't. He knew how to get your loyalty and did it. Me? I've followed after him for years. At first I thought I was imposing but now I wonder if he really intended for me to be there… He was just so enticing."

"..."

A few minutes later they arrived at his room. Heaving Mordane onto the bed Boulder turned to Stalker and lifted an eyebrow.

"Now what did you say you were going to get?"

"Water. I need to make a cure. That sleeping pill is more of a poison. Should be fine, if I give him the antidote."

Boulder glared at the smiling Stalker who walked out of the room. His angry glare however turned to confusion as he looked at the sprawled out Mordane.

He had felt something while caring him. Something he just could not believe.

Mordane speaks with authority… It seems impossible. How can I not believe my own senses though?

His hoof trembled as he walked over to Mordane’s prone form. Reaching down he pulled back his ever present coat.

Two wings met his gaze.

A small gasp escaped his lips as he stood there staring at the feathered appendages. Disgust and fear twisting at his heart.

How… For all this time. How long?

He thought back and back. Never could he remember a time the pony did not wear his cloak.

Suddenly his issue with Celestia was clear.

"So, now you know."

Boulder turned to look at Stalker. A blank look on his face.

"You might as well remove the cloak. He sleeps better that way."

"You knew?"

"Of course," he said with a laugh. “I’ve seen him sleep that way before.”

He walked over and propped up Mordane's head. He shoved a long tube down his throat before pouring the medicine.

"Can you really see me not learning of it. I've known for years. Why do you think I follow him."

"Is he your spirit?"

Stalker paused.

"No."

Standing Stalker pulled off Mordane’s cloak and pushed him onto the bed before climbing in beside him.

"What are you doing?"

"Sleeping with him, of course."

"What!? No you're not!"

"And why not? I've done it before," he said seductively.

"There is no way in all that is holy that I am letting you sleep with Mordane while he is passed out."

"Well, you're welcome to join us."

"THE BUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!"

"Fine, don't."

Stalker curled up next to Mordane on the bed leaving Boulder to stand there gasping and grunting at the indignity of it all.

"Fine. I will sit in that chair over there and at least then I can prevent you from doing any-uhh."

Boulder fell face first onto the bed and immediately began snoring.

"Sure you can." Stalker laughed then reached over Mordane to pat him on the head. "Must’ve had too much to drink during your singing number."

Stalker threw the cover over the three of them. Soon their steady breathing was all to be heard.

*******************************************************

The dull cloud of alcohol faded away to shadows and lightless sleep, but in time the mind of Mordane began to turn up strange and fearful images.

Mordane gazed up at Celestia’s rear in the sky, basking in the glory of the sun. Behind the rather bloated glory of Celestia, Luna’s own glory peeked out from behind. Mordane was surprised to see a solar eclipse, but it was Celestia so he paid it no heed. Pinkie Pies were galloping through the candy cane fields, and it was obvious to all but Mordane there was something seriously wrong with this scene.

In the bright pink sky, various humasus’ could be seen, flying at high speeds completely nude, their wings and… such flapping in the wind. humacorns froliced below, using various magiks to ensure throughout the… breeze their hair stayed pristine and clear. The earth humans tended to the fields, some working at the markets selling various… illicit materials. And nothing else.

“Mordane! My son!” Mordane turned his head at the voice calling out to him.

“Grandpa?”

“I’m here Mordane.” he said, dangling in the air by a rope around his neck.

“What are you doing up there?”

“Oh nothing... Just the trains, Mordane. Oh, and this pit of Celestia’s is about to eat me.”

It was then that he noticed the rather large hole beneath his grandfather filled with white alicorns. Their eyes flamed with the brilliance of the sun in the sky. Snapping their teeth at his grandfather, they tried desperately to eat him.

“Do you mind getting me down from here?” he asked calmly.

“Well, I would, but the ice cream shop is about to close,” Mordane replied sadly indicating the pizza shop behind him.

“Are you sure? It would only take a moment of your time.” He seemed suddenly desperate. “I don't know how much longer I can hold on!”

Mordane looked at the Celestia pit and gumdrop trees of beer before looking back at the taco joint, where he would get his ice cream. His glorious, illicit ice cream.

“But its closing in a minute, and this is the last day they have my ‘favorite flavor!” he pleaded. A group of humansi flew between them.

“Wait! Tell me how long you can hold on?”

“I don’t know, umm, three minutes? After that point I will have passed the singularity, and will have no chance of going back.”

“Oh, good then,” he sighed with relief. ”I’ll just go and get me some ice cream then save you afterwards. “Oh, do you want anything?”

“You know I like sardine pickled ice cream.”

“Sure, sure.”

Mordane hopped down the road for a few minutes before another Mordane suddenly approached Mordane.

“Hi, I’m your conscience.” And then the second Mordane launched a kick in between the legs. “YOU WILL NOT GIVE A TIP!”

Ignoring the fact that he should be feeling unimaginable pain, Mordane had a brilliant idea.

“Hey why don't you go save Grandfather and I’ll order us tacos, pizza and ice cream. Illicitly.”

“YAY, ICE CREAM!”

Suddenly his clone kissed him, but then became Pinkie who then bounced down the street.

“Stop that,” he said to the army of Stalkers wiggling their eyebrows.

Suddenly Celestia walked down the road, riding on Twilight as she cantered down the street, stopping near Mordane.

“MORDANE, how did you become so devilishly handsome?” said Celestia steamily.

“He works out. I know. I watched him. It’s not creepy,” Twilight whispered while chewing on her mane.

Mordane chuckled before lying to get away. “Ladies, I’m Gay.”

“LIES!” shouted his subconscious.

“Yeah, he slept with me,” confirmed Pinkie Pie.

Celestia transformed into Mordane. “Then explain all your hard-ons!”

“...bacon?”

“Nooo, how will I ever have smexy children now?!” After speaking, Twilight also turned into Mordane.

“No, it’s true. I’m so Gay that it’s capitalised. And look: that lamp, with those curtains? Atrocious. See?”

“It’s the truth, I lost my virginity to Stalker at the candy store.”

“Um… hi?”

“GET OUT OF HERE, FLUTTERSHY. NO ONE WANTS YOUR SHIT!”

“Eep. ”And then she turned super saiyan and knocked out Twidane and Celestdane.

“Subconscious, what does it say about her power level!”

“IT’S OVER NINE SUNSETS!!” And then Super Saiyan Fluttershy turned into Super Saiyan Mordanershy, and exploded.

*******************************************************

Mordane laid on the bed a smile on his face. Warm fur pressing up to him as he hugged some warm body front of him. Taking note of the warmth from behind as well.

He was content.

His eyes snapped open. In a flash he was in the air hovering, eyes contracted into tiny specks as he looked down at the two stallions below him. Drawing one inevitable conclusion as the smell of alcohol permeated the air and the fact that his prized cloak was casually thrown over a nearby chair.

"NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" He cried out in anguish.

Boulder and Stalker’s eyes opened slowly. They sat up and stretched trying to awaken.

"Oh, hey there, Mordane. Feeling better this morning?" Boulder said a small smile on his lips.

"Hello, beautiful," Stalker said while lighting a cigar. "You both were great"

Boulder glared at him.

"He don't have any memories likely, Stalker. Don't scare the poor bastard even more."

"WHAT THE BUCK ARE THE TWO OF YOU DOING IN MY BED!" Mordane yelled eyes burning with rage.

"There is no need to yell, Mordane." Stalker frowned. "This is the second time we have woken up together."

"You know I think he might have a good reason in this case. Oh," he said turning to Mordane. "And I just did not want to leave you alone with him. I must’ve fallen asleep while trying to convince him."

Landing, Mordane floated his cloak over with magic holding it with his hoof before looking at Boulder.

"Thanks, Boulder, but it's not something to worry about." He said relieved. “That would've been the worst thing ever.”

"So, Mordane," Boulder coughed covering his mouth. "Wings?"

"Wings?" Mordane deadpanned.

"Yeah, those ones that you are currently flying with." he laughed.

Mordane’s eyes nearly plopped out of his eyes and onto the ground. With a thump he landed unblinking as he replied."Uhh. Oh, you mean these wings. They’re um, a… spell. Yeah, a spell."

"Yeah," Boulder said while pulling a feather from his mane. "Totally fake."

"..."

"So how long have you been an alicorn?" Boulder said raising an eyebrow.

Mordane sighed in exasperation. "All my life."

"A natural born alicorn." Boulder said placing the feather on a nightstand. "I did not even think that it was possible for stallions to be alicorns. Plus, I can see your cutie mark. The commander’s rife. Can't say I'm too surprised save for the color. What does that mean?"

"Earth, water and air… or liquid, solid and gas. The states of matter depending on your perspective. Maybe the world… You've seen my war magic?" Mordane inquired.

"Yes."

"But you did not react to it so I assumed you knew about it… I chose how I see the world as my focus and I cast the spell well before I got my mark. So..." He trailed off

"You have no idea how it affected your mark." Finished solemnly.

"Aye… Does make me wonder though," Mordane said, smiling. "Can I really trust you two?"

"Trust us?" said Stalker before frowning and letting out a small growl. " I think the better question is can we trust you?"

"Aye," agreed Boulder darkly. "You have some explaining to do."

"Trust me?" Mordane asked as his face twisted a bit with worry. "Why not? I've been there for you. I've even helped you Boulder," he started quickly looking back and forth between the two.

"We know you better than most, Mordane… You're a bit of a liar." Stalker said awkwardly.

"I never lie," he said firmly. His eyes getting a little wider. "What would make you say such a thing?"

"Well, a bender of the truth then," Boulder rephrased ignoring Mordane’s question.

"Yes, we noticed some… patterns after last night Mordane," Stalker said calmly.

"You're always putting up a front. Even now. Who are you really Mordane? Behind the mask," Boulder asked, eyes filled with genuine concern. "Nopony should be alone."

His two comrades had stood up from the bed and were moving toward him. Closing the gap.

"I don't know wh-"

"Come now, Mordane," Stalker patronised while standing up and stretching. "As Boulder said, we know you better than that. Can't you be true with us for a while? We’re your comrades."

"Get away from me," Mordane yelled his mouth was dry his mind running a mile a minute. He started stepping back, trying to put space between them and him.

What did I say last night? What did I do?

"I'm just a reg- ...I am a comman- ...I am an alicorn. Things are bound to be strange."

"Please tell us Mordane," Stalker said, ignoring his explanation. "We have been asking the question too long."

Mordane sat down against the wall. His comrades sat in front of him. A calm descended over his face.

"Why does it matter who I am behind the mask? Perhaps all I am is that mask. That barrier between you and others."

"Ponies that have known each other as long as we have lower that mask for each other, Mordane," Boulder whispered.

"Aye… What am I? I don't know how to answer that. I'm a commander, an alicorn, a pony... No label I have ever put on feels right. They just seem too small."

"Then who are you?" Stalker whispered.

"I am what I am. I'm Mordane… we all are something underneath, you know."

He looked at Boulder.

"Like you. A warrior at heart. You searched for glory long ago and it was denied...that's why you drank. But what is your name? Is it Boulder, Warrior? No… I think you are Soldier. Even if you have lost your way a bit."

"You, Stalker. Such deception. You think the few slips are not noticed… Or that it would distract me.  I can feel the weight that you carry but I cannot tell what your purpose is. "

The three sat there as Mordane closed his eyes and leaned back his head. The silence stretched on as Boulder and Stalker reassessed the younger stallion before he spoke up.

"You know… life is short. At least, I thought it was. This life though its eternal. Who am I if I last forever? My kind is meant to burn out. To flash in a brilliant light. To die young… Yet, I am given the means to live on? Is it a joke of God? A cruel irony? I don't know. I was something else before this life. Before I kicked in my mothers womb. I remember it well and at the same time barely at all..."

He opened his eyes and looked at them with a half smile and tired eyes.

"What I do know is that I have a purpose. One that I cannot abandon.”

They stood up.

"How can we trust you if we know you're manipulating us?"

"I guess it will require a little faith” Mordane laughed “Not that I can firmly say I deserve it. Yes, I will manipulate you, but it will always be for a purpose. Consider if that purpose is one you wish to share."

Mordane walked over to where he had dropped his cloak and put it on. He smiled at them walked toward the door.

"You're still keeping secrets Mordane," Stalker said with a frown.

Mordane turned to him, frowned, and said, "Of course. That is my nature, you are just going to have to live with the mystery."

Walking out the room door he left them to get back to managing the occupation.

Stronghoof's (bonus chapter)

Mr. and Mrs. Stronghoof  where standing in the Canterlot castles guest rooms. Rough sacks, worn and torn from long use, sat atop ornately carved desks and cupboards. The room itself was designed to be lively and vibrant.

Sunny Fields, was crying as her husband sat stroking her hair.

"I'm sorry… Mordane was a brilliant student and a brave hero. Without his efforts it is likely that the town of Ponyville would have been overrun. I cannot express my sorrow at his lose…I can only ask for your forgiveness.”

Stone Stronghoof nodded solemnly with tears in his eyes and Celestia lowered her head. He swallowed and answered though with some strain.

“That is all right your highness. We appreciate you coming and telling us yourself. There is no way that you could have known what he was planning when he went toward that storm…” He nodded her head “You did what you could. Being the benevolent ruler you are.”

Celestia hung her head and rubbing her foreleg awkwardly at the complement.

“Well… Yes, thank you. “She perked up when remembering something. “Oh yes. Here you go. She floated over a bag of bits. “These were in Mordane’s bank accounts. He had gathered a small fortune.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Stone said nodding.

“I’d like you to stay here under my protection… there are many ponies that would not treat you kindly if it got out who you were.”

“Yes of course. Thank you for declaring us dead. We know it was the only way.” Stone said. Still nodding.

“...of course. Have a peaceful evening.” Celestia walked out of the room resisting the urge to shake her head.

“...”

“...”

“Is she gone?” asked Sunny Fields quietly to her husband.

“...I think so.”

“Oh, dear,” she said quietly,”what are we going to do? Mordane is gone and… and she wants us to stay here!”

The stallion nodded his head.

“ I always knew she was evil, but to kill our son then come in here and just… look us in the eye like that. We have to leave.”

“Oh, Stone… what should we do?”

The old stallion stood stone faced as his namesake would imply. With a calm demeanor he rubbed his chin and considered their situation with a wisdom born of tilling the earth for untold years before sighing as if letting go of something he had never thought he would have to. Looking at his wife he answered simply.

“Take everything not nailed to the floor.”

Over the next hour they did just that; stripping the place of anything of value. They took the silverware, paintings, and mats and wrapped them in sheets.

As they were arguing on whether to stuff some of the toiletries into one of the antique vases, the door to their room burst open. Both of them froze and an armor clad Pegasus guard walked into the room.

The pony reached up and pulled off his helmet drawing a smile from the two older ponies.

“Flashwing, my son, is that you?”

Mordane’s older Pegasus brother embraced his parents smiling enthusiastically.

“Mother, Father! I’m so glad you're still here. Getting into this place unseen has been a nightmare.”

“I imagine so! What are you doing here?”

“Getting you! Come on, I’ve got a way out planned… we can take your loot as well.” He said rubbing the back of his head and turning to show his saddle bag with a few candle sticks poking out.

“Where are your sisters?” Sunny asked fearfully.

“The entire family is waiting!”

The three Stonghoof’s ran out of the room. Since one appeared to be a guard, no one even tried to stop them as they took the back entrance out of the castle and disappeared into the Canterlot underbelly.

A Month After (bonus chapter)

In the land of Equestria, the sun reached the apex of its path. Birds flew on the western wind as it rustled the trees and flowers of the garden below Celestia.

Two months since Mordane’s death. No, I must not show favoritism to any of my subjects.

Celestia shook her head trying to look at the broader picture. At the thousands that had been captured and killed in the Diamond dog attacks.

The Sun Princess stood, outwardly relaxed, on her favorite balcony in Canterlot castle. Breathing in the brisk morning air she attempted to relax before the evening war meetings. Taking a moment in her day to eat a small meal and sit down.

However, the calming technique did not work and she found her eyes staring down at the town of Ponyville in the distance with her mouth drawn into a thin line. Alone she found it difficult to find peace since the events that started this war were so unexpected. To the public she must appear calm and only saddened by the loss of life. After all, strength is needed at the top.

Privately though, she had to admit that regret was still rearing its ugly head as every moment she was met with stark thoughts on what could have been. Pushing it away had proved impossible so she faced it. This was not a number on a page nor a pony she had never met. This was somepony that she knew personally, had eaten at her table and was a friend of her near son Spike. Above all though, he had been a fellow alicorn.

And I killed him.

Part of her knew that was not true, that Mordane had killed himself, that there was no foreseeable outcome where she did not chase him or where that storm could have been handled before hoof.

When she had met Mordane for the first time he had been terrified of her but despite this he stood his ground and spoke with a calm voice. It spoke to her of a strong will. That had made her so happy for Twilight. She praised both his magic and how friendly he was with other ponies. He was the second male to ever have the strength to become an alicorn and the first to have the spirit.

Oh Twilight how could you have found him so easily?

Now though she had gained a new perspective on just how rare he had been.

An alicorn... born like me? Yes, I have Luna and the others but they are all raised by me...not just coming to be. How tall would he have been? What would have been his nature? What would the presence of a male taller than me be like? A new pony to get to know. A friend for eternity...Now I will never understand.

Celestia swallowed her sorrow, resisting the tightening of her throat muscles and water in her eyes. A princess must be strong.

Just like the changelings, the Diamond dogs and my sister, I could not see what was at my hooves. Am I cursed to never truly see? Am I so high up that I cannot see the trees of the forest? Only the green overall?

Celestia gasped as a cold bucket of water emptied onto her head, soaking into her mane. She glared upward as roarous laughter rang out over the city from above her.

"Really, Discord? I have a meeting in a few minutes."

"Oh, you're no fun Celestia, "Discord harrumphed, as he sat crossing his arms on a cloud slowly shifting into a throne like chair."One would wonder what you think about all the time; that makes you so dull." He slithered off the cloud to stand beside her grabbing an ear and summing a magnifying glass to look down the ear canal.

"That's enough, Discord...I'm thinking about Mordane."

"Ah," Discord said sadly dispelling the cloud and glass, summoning a pair of glasses and notepad. "Mordane Stronghoof, Race/alicorn, age eighteen, blood type O negative, harmony level negative five. Loved sitting by fires in the moonlight telling ghost stories. His fear of what you would do was only overmatched by his lack of understanding."

"Were you watching him?"

"Of course, the chaos coming off of him was delightfully delicious,” he said, licking his fingers. “At least I if I remember from that time we met. Not to even speak of his potential chaos," he said fondly. "I only really learned about his personality after asking Fluttershy about him."

"So he had a personality that was disharmonic and chaotic. That could have been troublesome. I wonder why he was an alicorn then."

"Well, he was only chaotic not disharmonic." Discord corrected her pointlessly "In fact, one of his major features was order. He just did not trust you."

"Now my student sits alone in a library, with her friends isolated from each other." She turned and smiled knowingly at Discord. "Planning on spreading chaos with the Elements out of commission?"

"O ho ho, Celestia,” he said placing his hand over his chest, “you know me to well, though nothing too destructive." He laughed before coughing and speaking seriously. "I've realized my mistake, Celestia. Chaos only has value if there is," he gagged, "Harmony to conflict it."

"Yes, yes. I can agree with you that chaos is interesting in small amounts, but the problems and evils it creates," she said awkwardly before Discord interrupted

"No, no, you misunderstand ,Celestia,” Discord stressed, as a monocle and, jacket with leather patches wrapped around him and a blackboard appeared, floating in mid-air “Chaos is not disharmony and disorder since if all was that way it would be uniform. In synch. Chaos is part order and disorder; the opposite of harmony, but not evil."

Celestia shook her head and furrowed her brow. "I still do not understand."

Discord sighed. "Oh, Celestia, Celestia, Celestia. There really is no hope for you, is there?" Discord tutted. "Hmm," he muttered contemplatively, "maybe he could have understood."

"Perhaps." Celestia admitted.

They both gazed down at the city below them as a sad silence washed over them.

"So,” Celestia started changing the subject”Have you spoken to Luna yet?"

"No, I have not." Discord responded with a strained voice.

"You've been free for almost ten years now. You can't just keep avoiding her forever."

"On the contrary, my dear. I'm immortal; I can do anything forever," he said, before snapping his fingers and disappearing.

Celestia blinked then sighed. A small smile played across her lips before she chuckled. With a deep breath she set aside her feelings and went back to work.

__________________________________________________________________

The ceremony was simple and stood as a reminder and homage to that day when dozens of ponies lost their lives. The attack had shaken the small town to its core. Twilight was absent from the proceedings, which was the subject of hushed murmurs and curious gossiping throughout the crowd, that was until it was reminded that she had lost someone close.

Spike stood solemn next to Rarity staring out into nothing without out any sign of and emotion behind his stony exterior; his mare friend of five years. She was just as static and unmoving as her drake friend, looking down at the statue. Her black cowl hid the tell-tale twin tracks of sorrow quite well.

Written among the names were her mother and father.

She trembled in place as Spike hugged her. She slowly pushed herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. A small whine barely able to be heard by even him.

There they stood among dozens. In sorrow. All there to pay homage to those they loved and lost.

_____________________________________________________________

Spike trailed silently beside Rarity with eyes low and claws behind his back. The two of them were hauling back a large amount of gems back to town, the most valuable of which would help to pay for damages. Their trip might have gone well financially but an uneasy quiet had followed them the entire time.

Sometimes, what is not said weighs on us most of all, burdening and dragging us down into the depths of despair. At first Spike had been willing to deal with the quiet by giving space, allowing his marefriend to grieve. Over the last month, however, that space had changed into distance, then silence. It made every beat of his heart ache to see her suffer by her own hoof. To see the pain she was keeping bottled inside, when others talked of the battle she would comment normally, but once the death came up she would try to change the subject. Spike suspected the trouble with sales was eating at her as well.

But what do I do? Whenever I try to talk to her all I get is the run around. 'I'm fine Spike. It's ok dear, I'll get over it.' Can't she see that she is not fine, that she is not dealing with this?

Through the town they walked, the same old routine, the same old silence filling the space between them. Long ago their relationship had stopped causing a buzz among the town ponies. Though there were still a few glances.

Now, however, ponies did not even look up. A gray had seemed to descend upon the town.

"Pinkie has not been throwing any parties lately," Spike said aloud softly, trying to not disturb the town’s quiet.

"Really?" Rarity replied disinterestedly.

"Yeah, she has been locked up in Sugar Cube Corner. Perhaps we should go visit her?"

"Leave it alone Spike," she said sadly. "Pinkie will be back to her usual self eventually."

Spike however was not so sure; the Pink mare had been alone since shortly after the cleanup from the attack. Her

“I'm sorry your love ones are dead” party did not go over very well.

It might have been in a bit of bad taste, but her heart was in the right place.

"Fine, Rarity,” Spike whispered his eyes still downcast and face seeming older than he already was. ”Have you seen any of our friends lately?"

"No, not really, I've just been so busy," She dismissed quickly.

His brow crinkled as he looked around the complete mess he remembered back at the shop. Next to no clothes had gone out. She just seemed to work on the same dresses over and over, insisting that something must be wrong with her designs, but Spike suspected it was the feeling of sadness nearly coming off of her in waves.

Her dresses have all been low key as well; He hadn't seen anything but dull colors.

They filed unceremoniously inside the boutique before unloading the gems onto a table and sorting them.

"Spike?" Rarity asked softly after they had done their work in silence. "Could you take these over to the donations?"

"Of course, dear."

Spike raised the bag of gems to his shoulder and headed out the door. Pausing he looked back. His Rarity stood staring at her designing desk. No humming could be heard. No tune to make the work easier.

He trudged out of the library and dropped off the gems, drawing a smile from the mayor sitting next to the drop box. Then he sighed before heading over to Twilight’s. He knew that if he did not hurry over there he would find only a larger pile of dishes. Twilight had been slipping in her tidiness of late. He had still come over to visit and clean for her before the attack, but it was getting worse. All of her focus only seemed to be on one question;

How did Mordane die?

The answer may at first glance seem obvious and, indeed it was. Twelve lightning bolts diverging on a unicorn intentionally drawing in all the power he could would be enough to reduce anypony to ash. It had been foolish of him really; Controlling weather with unicorn magic was delicate work and near impossible without a talent in it, and was even above age spells in difficulty. All that raw power balanced on tiny threads, like sewing strings of fire. Mordane likely never even realized what hit him.

“Twilight, what are you even researching?” Spike asked her three days before.

“I’m looking at how Mordane died, Spike. Manaburn,” she recited, “is a phenomenon that takes place when a unicorn trying to manipulate the weather loses control of the vast energy, causing it to rapidly turn mundanatural in nature, typically in the form of heat and light. The lost of spell cohesion results in the energy paling directing into the casters body.

“Before the unification of the three pony races, weather manipulation was an extremely hazardous occupation for unicorns. The level and speed of energy buildup needed for advanced spell casting was notorious for acting like a lightning rod and causing instant vaporization in victims when detonated by lightning strikes. Historical cases of unicorn warriors specializing in lightning magic have also tended to be both rare and feared for this same reason.

“This is one of the first things I taught Mordane. I’ve just got to know; what was he thinking?”

Spike tried to get her up but she just kept up the research, calculating every angle, all the factors that were included in that moment of his death and the patterns of decisions that had lead up to it.

Mordane's last words seemed to be burning behind her eyes.

I didn't want to do this, Twilight, but I won't be a slave to Celestia. I'm so sorry... I thought of you as my second mother.

Spike was not paying attention as he was walking down the road so it came as quite a surprise when Rainbow Dash rammed into him yelling ‘look out’.

He took the blow pretty well, only sliding four feet with his mouth scooping up dirt.

"Oops sorry, Spike."

"It's ok, Rainbow. I'm fine," he said, standing up and walking back to her. "Where are you headed so fast?"

"Oh yeah, I'm going to patrol south of Ponyville. There may still be a few mutts around there." A look of disgust flashed across her face.

"Didn't the military go through there?"

"Yeah! But, uh, the military misses things; after all they are just fresh recruits." Rainbow snorted. "Not like us Wonderbolts. We're the real military." Her voice dropped to a grumble. "At least I would be if they would let me actually fight."

"What? They won't let you fight? Why?" Spike asked, startling her. He had just thought she was on vacation or something.

"Apparently as an Element of Harmony I'm too much of a military asset to fight on the front lines. What a load of poppycock. I should be out there. As Equestria's fastest flyer I could be all over those mountains." She slumped to the ground. "I could actually be doing something."

Spike frowned upon seeing the depressed look on Rainbow’s face.

"Is that why you haven't been seeing Twilight or Rarity lately?"

She looked up with hits of tears in her eyes. "I am the soldier. The Wonderbolt. I should've been the one to save the village, not him... All I did was fly around and be useless. Even Scootaloo got hurt. I'm her big sister!"

"Didn't you hit them with a sonic rainboom. That must have gotten tons of them and even then. Mordane is one pony he didn’t save the town he only helped."

"I know I know! It's just... I remember flying high above them. Thinking I could turn them all back. I'd be the hero, but I was only able to make one pass. It barely fazed them. I nearly died from the hundreds of arrows they fired at me. Then I had to fly back and just...report to Twilight. I did nothing then Mordane steps up to save the day." Spike placed his claw around her giving a hug. She fought back the tears after only a few gasps. "But I'm not going to be useless this time. NO Diamond dog is getting close to this town without a face full of Rainbow!" She blasted off, leaving a coughing Spike behind. Looking at the trail she left at her wake he could only shrug before going on.

Rainbow seems to be just focused on doing something, anything to help. It’s better than what Rarity and Twilight are doing at least… I wonder how the others are.

He continued to go through the town, but this time he noticed little things. A piece of debris. A crushed picture frame. A pony sitting at a cafe staring at the ground not eating the sandwich before her. He found himself picking up those things and acting on them. Throwing the debris into a bin. Paying for the down ponies bill and ordering a dessert for her without saying. It felt nice.

Arriving at Twilight’s adobe, he walked in with grimness on his face.

The entire first room was immaculate save for one corner around Twilights desk. Dishes were set next to, and on, books as they reached to the ceiling. A quiet mumbling could be heard.

"If he moved twenty thaums of energy to the wind and an electrical field it could have acted as a buffer and diverted the path of ash to quadrant sector nine A. Or he could have activated a short range teleport but at his level he couldn't have been able to maintain above a level three cohesion-”

On and on like that she mumbled.

Spike picked up the dishes and took them to the kitchen and cleaned them. As he sat there an idea began to form. Twilight was already doing like Rainbow but it wasn't getting anywhere. Maybe if he asked the other element bearers what they thought then he could find something that worked for Twilight.

He finished the dishes as fast as he could then and left with only a courtesy goodbye to Twilight, who only grunted in return.

************************************************************************************

Spike approached Sweet Apple Acres at a steady walk. It still was weird to him that he had grown this much larger before learning to control his size.

He chuckled and walked through the gate spotting Applejack way off bucking apples. She was moving at leisurely pace as it was in the slow season of apple growing. Spike noticed something strange, however.

What's with all these stallions going around Sweet Apple Acres?

They seemed to be everywhere and working as well. In fact, Spike could see Applejack giving a group of them pointers with Big Mac on how to buck apple trees.

They were watching her intently, VERY intently. One of them was even wearing sunglasses and biting his lower lip.

"Howdy, Spike, you coming over for a strong cider? You know that they don't go on sale till next week, right?" Applejack said with a bright smile turning from her smiling students.

"Sure thing, Applejack, though I suspect you will have even more demand this year… Also, what's with the stallions?"

"Them? I’ll tell you in a bit," she sighed before turning to buck one last tree. "Why don't we take a break?" she said to the group near her.

They headed off in various directions to do as they wished.

Spike nodded his head while looking off into the distance with his hands gripped behind his back. A slight frown rested lightly below his questioning eyes.

"On second thought,” Applejack said looking at the drake. “Come on, Spike. I suppose one glass won't hurt too much."

Spike perked up at that. The two of them were setting in the cellar a few minutes later sipping from the apple store.

"I tell you, Applejack, the cider is ready."

"Eyup," Applejack said before burping. "It's ready all right, but the ponies ain't."

"What?" Spike asked with confusion "With how everyone has been feeling they would be even more desperate for some of it."

Applejack nodded. "True, true, but it ain't what they need. Not really."

Spike nodded, guessing that she was kind of right.

"Applejack..." he asked, "How do you deal with grief?"

The farm pony grew still before swishing her jug and downing the rest of its contents.

"Is this about your friend Mordane?"

"Some friend," Spike whispered.

"Now you don't mean that."

"But I do...I was supposedly his closest friend but I had no idea that he was an alicorn." Spike downed his drink. "We talked nearly every other day. I've spent my whole life around alicorn. Yet I did not notice the way he seemed to speak to others. How he pushed them back not with words but with a force of will. An air like Celestia but...twisted.'

"Ah don't right know about that, Spike, but I know he thought you a friend." She paused and seemed to think back before smiling "Don't you remember how yeh got together with Rarity?"

"Oh how could I forget, though it was terribly cliché?"

"Cliché true," she laughed, "but Rarity likes the cliché."

"Where did he even get that armor?" Spike chuckled back, "I wouldn't’ve even thought to use a saddle."

"That stallion had strange ideas about fashion."

"Isn't that true. Using a cloak all the time. I remember when Rarity turned to get him to take it off and he ran through the village nearly getting caught as we laughing tried to catch-" Spikes smile faded as comprehension dawned, "but I guess that was part of his cover up too." Spike reached down and poured himself another mug.

"Aye sugarcube… it was, but he laughed in the end and that memory is still with us. We can keep it locked up, like a treasure."

"But it hurts so much..."

"That's because it’s precious. All things precious to us hurt." She stood up, reaching and pulling off her hat to stare at something underneath. "All things."

She shook her head before putting back on her hat.

"Keep him locked up inside Spike, then they never are really gone. That will be your last glass, ok?"

"Yes ma’am," Spike said with a half smirk.

"Good." Applejack smiled.

“Now,” Spike said with a smile, “Tell me about all of those stallions up there.”

“Oh them?” Applejack said with a sigh. “All of our family from all over Equestria sent them to be trained here for some reason.”

“They’re family then?”

“No no. The letter made it very clear they weren't part of the family. Had absolutely no relation…” Applejack started rubbing her chin and cocking her head. “Come to think of it, each of the letters went to great lengths to tell me just how unrelated they were… and how they had absolutely no attachments in their home towns.” Spike felt a little put off by the silence that followed, like an atmosphere of something horrible discovered. “I need to go talk to Big Mac.”

Spike felt the need to laugh as the mare rushed out of the house. His small smile stayed with him though, even as he drank the mug dry and licked his lips wishing for more. Standing up, he left the cup and walked up out of the cellar.

That was actually pretty good… I wonder how Pinkie Pie is.

From what he had heard the mare had been running all over town trying to cheer ponies up.

On his walk he picked up some more debris bits and straightened a sign post before buying some candy from a sour faced pony to pass out to some of the sadder children he saw.

Passing by the restaurant at the town center next, to the small pond, his mind threw up a small flag that hadn't been activated in years.

Is that the old Cutie Mark Crusaders huddled over a table what could they be talking about. Sitting down he ordered some hay extra crispy french fries before eavesdropping on them.

"I tell ya, Scootaloo, this last month has been hard on my hooves. Not only do we have the mayor ordering the entire town rebuilt to a more ordered structure I have to help build new homes and barrels for cider season. It's a mess." The bags under Applebloom's eyes stood as testament to her claim. The pony was still wearing her construction gear as well.

"At least you can do your talent. My wings and neck still haven't healed." Her half body cast holding the neck and wings still was covered in pony names.

"I still can't believe they declared you dead!"

"Me neither, but that's what happens when they find you with your head twisted around." Applebloom winced.

"How can you talk about that so easily?"

"Hey, I wanted to be a Wonderbolt as a kid! You need to be ready for death at any time as a stunt artist...Though I will admit. When that Diamond dog grabbed me around the neck and head I ...I was sad I'd never see you girls again."

"We would have missed you so much," Applebloom shouted before reaching to give her a big hug. "What about you, Sweetie Belle?"

The mare looked up from the table only long enough to mumble something.

"That would have been terrible..."

Her two friends glance at each other before Scootaloo spoke up with her concern evident.

"Sweetie Belle... I'm sorry about your parents but they wouldn't want you to be this way… Mordane wouldn't either."

"I… I know." Sweetie whispered tears welling up.

"Come on," Applebloom said as the two of them moved to her side, "we're here for you..."

Sweetie burst into tears.

As her friends comforted her Spike walked scratching her head made his way out and up the road toward Sugarcube corner.

I really need some cheering up after that… and I think I know just the pony to do that!

Heading out Spike headed for Sugarcube corner he moved quickly looking forward to seeing her smiling face and getting a crystal cup cake.

However once he came around the bend he stopped and blinked several times.

Is Sugarcube corner... drooping?

The entire building had a dark air around it. Ponies were not even making eye contact with it as they walked around depressed.

With great apprehension Spike walked up and opened the front door, his heart giving off a little quiver of fear.

"Pinkie Pie?"

From the entrance Spike could see Pinkie Pie sitting in the near dark surrounded by black balloons and gray sweets with a few banners laid about saying things like 'Things will get better' ' Sorry your husband died' 'Don't feel bad, life goes on'. The mare herself was staring at a single cupcake. Her hair was flat and she seemed totally consumed in her sadness.

"No one wants me around... I guess that a party can't fix everything," she mumbled.

"Pinkie are you ok?" he asked hesitantly.

"Oh, hi, Spike… Yes I'm fine." She did not look fine to him.

"You don’t look fine."

"It's just the ponies. They don't want my parties for now… I'm just waiting until it’s over."

"It's the parties that you miss?" he asked incredulously. "Not the ponies?"

"I miss them!" she said, shocked. "I just don't understand. We should be celebrating them. Not trying to forget..."

Pinkie went back to staring at her cupcake.

Spike shook his head and let her be.

****************************

Spike walked sullenly from Sugarcube corner. His eyes were staring at the ground as his heart felt like a lead weight had descended.

Maybe Fluttershy can help me... she cares for those animals all the time. She might know how to help Rarity and Twilight.

Making his way out of the town spike walked briskly toward the forest edge to where Fluttershy lived. He arrived before even noticing. Look up he saw Fluttershy and Discord outside making tea.

"I still don't understand why you insist that I let you make the tea Fluttershy it would be so much easier if you just let me create it from nothing," Discord said as he sat on the chair with two clones of himself massaging both of their shoulders."It would be so much easier than waiting."

"I've told you before, Discord; it's the doing of things that matter, not what you get out of it."

"Yes, yes," he said with an exasperated sigh before summoning a carrot to give the rabbit who till that moment had been kicking his leg. "I've heard that before. I just worry you'll burn yourself on the hot pot again."

"Discord," she said with a small laughter, "that was three years ago."

"Three years. Three minutes. Three seconds it's all the same thing really." He laughed as his clones disappeared. "Oh I wish I could see you as a little filly I bet you were adorable."

Fluttershy blushed as Discord laughed.

"Why don't you just look and see like you did with Twilight that time?" asked Spike as he walked up. "Hey, Fluttershy."

"Hello Spike," greeted Fluttershy with a warm smile.

"What a good idea!" Discord shouted nearly causing Fluttershy to drop her tea "I'll just go back and see!"

"Discord, isn't that dangerous?" Fluttershy quickly asked.

"Oh, I can't change the past or anything like that. It's impossible. Paradox you know.” He said wincing and crossing his legs “I'll just go look from outside the time. It will be like I was never there. Because I wasn't!" He snapped his fingers producing a flash of light but appearing to not have moved. "OH you were cuter than I imagined. Those long legs."

"Hey! I was really bullied about those," Fluttershy said tucking her hooves close to her heart as her eyes began to water.

"I'm sorry, Fluttershy, I didn't mean it," he said nervously.

"That's ok," she said smiling, the fake tears being released. "Got ya."

As Discord rolled on the ground laughing Fluttershy turned to Spike and rolled her eyes.

"So, Spike, why are you visiting today?"

"Uhh, yeah, well, umm," he said rubbing the back of his neck and kicking a stone. "I was wondering if you could help me with something. A question that is..."

"Sure," she said looking concerned, "ask away."

"How do you deal with ponies… passing on."

Discord sat up and looked at Fluttershy as he blinked twice and put her cup down on the table.'

"Well...That's a difficult question, Spike. Everypony really has their own way of dealing with it. I could tell you mine though?"

"I would like that." he said with a small smile and sad eyes.

"Oh, um, where to begin," she said rubbing her hooves together with frustration "Ah. Well, Spike... Many animals that come to my cottage are hurt and even though I try to heal them many don't make it. At first this would upset me for days afterward and only Pinkie could cheer me up but then I realized something. The end is not really the point. All those animals and ponies I help will go on and make little themes that wouldn't have been if I didn't. So in a way I'll always be here in this forest or at least what I do will be. Like I said to Discord, it’s what you do now that matters. That's why it matters so much all we have is the now. What do you think, Discord?"

"Well," he said scratching his head, "I disagree, Fluttershy. In the grand scheme of things all of us will die. Even I who am immortal cannot go on forever. In time all that I am all that we are will cease. Change is ever present and what is will never be again. I say live for the now because nothing we do really matters."

"Discord!" Fluttershy shouted in shock.

"What? It's true! Take it from me, kid, in the end it doesn't matter what you do, so live as you wish. Without regret!"

"Wait?" Spike cut in. "Are you saying that we sort of… live on because of what we do?"

"And those we know," Fluttershy nodded.

"And you, Discord, say that what we do in the end is forgotten so we should just try to be happy… Can both be true?"

"I suppose so," said Discord. "Though I do not see it myself. What does it matter that the effects of what you do cascade through time if no one knows you did it? If that makes you happy though, you should do it."

Fluttershy nodded. "That’s one way of saying it."

Spike thanked them for their advice before leaving.

He walked out from her house along the forest line. He passed near some places but soon he saw something he had not even intentionally meant to find again.

Mordane's shack.

Regret filled him and threatened to burst into tears as he walked up to the burned wreckage. It had nearly been as much of a shock to hear that Mordane had burned it down intentionally as to learn that he was an alicorn. He went into the rubble and sat against a segment of wall.

Mordane… why did you do it? Why did you run? Where we not your friends? Were those times I traded secrets as you smiled meaningless? What about all those times I saved you from the crusaders and there disasters? Who was there when those very same crusaders found their marks and you did not? Who stayed by your side even as you grew slowly bitter at the odd looks, denying you even cared about getting a mark so much so that many believed you? Though I saw the pain. I tried to get close to you, Mordane. Celestia knows I tried.

As Spike sat there, a pony suddenly walked through the space where the door used to be, on his right. She walked to the rooms' center before dropping a single rose and standing there. Spike recognized her as Bon Bon and was about to speak up when she pulled out a piece of paper and began to read.

"Hi, Mordane… You don't really know me and I did not know you. That was until the day those Diamond dogs attacked, many ponies died fighting them. Obeying your orders and plan. Most call you are hero, but I can't." she began to shake tears dripping down off her face onto the ground. "How could I call you a hero when you killed my Lyra? When you impaled her on a spike to kill those dogs that were about to kill her as well. How am I supposed to feel about surviving that by pure chance…? Did you even hesitate? Would you be stuck up in the night thinking about it? I would like to say I think you would be but I remember the look in your eyes just afterward. Even as my sight had begun to grow dark. I remember seeing you look on to your next target. You didn't even stop to watch her die. Pawn to rook four, and Lyra was dead… my Lyra." She cried then. Openly sobbing uncontrolled as Spike sat frozen.

"I-I can't lie and say I'm sad you're dead. I feel you deserved it, even knowing that the town was saved by what you did. I know with my mind that you saved live, but you did not save the life I really cared about." She lowered her head "Rest in peace Mordane, because I cannot." Bon Bon turned and ran out of the ruble with her eyes screwed shut. The sobs being held in as she ran from that place.

Shaking, Spike stood up. His arms hugging his body tightly.

He ran out of there, following the tree line all the way to the Diamond fields. He ran up to a small ridge and sat down, his gasps nearly turning into sobs.

Bon Bon’s stark confession had opened up the floodgates in Spike to the real problem he faced. The question he really wanted answers to.

I'm a dragon… I will outlive Rarity and the others. All the ponies I know save Twilight will grow old and die while I grow bigger and bigger until I can't even live in pony homes anymore then where will I be? What will I do?

He cried

What will I do when Rarity dies?

He cried and cried. He cried like he never had before. Over time though, he calmed down and thought about what he had learned that day. Going down a checklist just like Twilight had taught him.

Rarity threw herself into her work so that she wouldn't have to face the pain of the loss. Twilight grew obsessed with it, studying it over and over. Applejack took the lost ones into her heart so that they would never really leave her. Pinkie tried to make others feel better, only falling into sadness once she could not. Fluttershy could accept it because they live on through their children and friends. Discord said it didn't matter so do what made me happy… What should I do though? I want Rarity, Twilight and Pinkie to feel better as well as come out of their cocoons what can me-

Then it clicked. The pieces fell into place and he jumped into action.

He went up to a secluded stone and pushed it aside. Beneath it laid a small bag with a magical insignia on it.

It’s time.

Taking the bag with him, he ran to get ready.

_____________________________________________________________

Twilight was still sitting where he left her when Spike kicked open the door. In his hands were streamers, a bag of chips and various other things needed for the party.

"Spike?" Twilight said eyes wide. “What is all that for?”

"The party that’s happening here tonight. All of our friends are coming here."

"But-" Twilight began looking around the library. Books, dishes and random papers laid everywhere as Twilight stood in the center with a messed up mane. "Spike! How could you!? This place is a mess! I'M a mess! Why-"

Spike had cleared off a table with his tail before setting down the party supplies. He then walked over to Twilight and cut her off, placing a finger over her mouth.

"Shhh, Twilight. We don't have time to argue. This place needs to be cleaned. You go take a shower then come help me."

"But-"

"GO!" Spike shouted, already rushing around and cleaning with a big smile on his face. Twilight obeyed and ran up the stairs. As she cleaned herself thoughts ran through her head.

What is he thinking no one wants a party! It’s only been a month...Oh no, what if my friends take this the wrong way! I mean, I haven't seen them much, but...

After finishing she rushed back down the steps to find Spike coming back from the kitchen with clean plates and setting them next to the stuff he had brought in on the table.

"Come on, Twilight, let’s get this done!"

The two of them had no time to talk as they rushed about. Twilight putting up the books and papers while Spike sweeped.

Within the hour the place was clean. Spike was making snacks when Pinkie Pie burst through the front door and ran up to him giving one of her signature back crushing hugs.

"Oh, thank you, thank you! I just got your message from Ms. Cake! I did what you asked and they said YES!"

Spike smiled and hugged her back.

"That's great, Pinkie! Why don't you help finish the decorations?"

"Already on it," he heard from behind him. Looking back he saw Pinkie already putting up more streamers on the other side of the library. Looking at his now empty hands he took only a moment to remind himself to not question it.

The rest of the guests arrived shortly. Fluttershy and Discord came together. The later only pausing to snap a chocolate statue into existence. Then came Rainbow, tired but giving a weak smile none the less. Then there was Applejack who brought a barrel of Apple cider. Finally Rarity came in. She however was not smiling and only looked inquiringly at Spike.

"Try and enjoy yourself," Spike told her, softly taking off her coat. "Trust me."

Rarity looked him in the eyes and gave the weakest of smiles and nods before going in to talk to her friends.

The night would later be a blur to Spike. At first the guests had talked to each other quietly, then with more fervor.

There was laughter.

There were tears.

And, as that special kind of magic that always does to those who let it, their friendship was renewed.

As the night wore on, Rarity slowing came out of her shell. Her tears were shared and Spike comforted her. At the turning of the clock Spike got her away from her friends and up the stairs. To the sound of drunken whistling by Discord but up the stairs none the less.

Once there he took his love out onto the balcony nestled in the tree branches.

"Spike." Rarity said as they leaned on the rail "I have to thank you for setting up this party. I know I've been...reclusive lately."

"It's ok, Rarity. I understand."

"No, it’s simply dreadful. I-" Spike put a finger over her mouth.

"No, Rarity, it’s ok. All I want is for you to be happy."

"Oh, Spike," she said, putting her hoof over where her heart would be. "I simply must think of a way to repay you."

Spike blushed before whispering.

"There is..." He reached behind one of the limbs and pulled out the small bag from before.

"Spike..."

"Rarity," he said, pulling out a ring with a perfect diamond, "will you marry me?"

"I-I don't know what to say." She stepped, back eyes growing large.

Spike felt his hops get crushed at the fearful look on his loves face. Perhaps it had been too early. Maybe she wasn't ready.

He gulped. Trying to hold back tears as he stood up.

"It’s ok, Rarity I-"

"Yes."

"What?" Spike gulped his eyes bugging out.

"YES!"

Magic grabbed both of Spike’s ears and tugged him down as Rarity wrapped her hooves around his head, kissing him.

Firecrackers went off in Spike’s mind as he filled with warmth.

Going downstairs, Rarity told everyone the good news and showed off her beautiful hoof cuff.

There was even more cheering and rejoicing as the news filled up the other ponies with warmth.

"Say, Spike," Rainbow asked with the biggest smile you had ever seen on any pony besides Pinkie, "what made you decide to pop the question?"

Spike smiled before answering to the waiting crowd.

"I talked to all of you today and to be honest… I was rather down. We all were, but as I sat on that hill I realized something. What are important are our futures, not the past. Sure we need to remember those that have passed on, but we must also remember to honor them with our future. And I know that there is only one pony whose future I want to share."

Spike kissed Rarity then who still had tears in her eyes.

Twilight watched her son/brother/assistant kiss her friend and realized something herself. Walking over to the table she pulled out a piece of paper.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned something from my not so little anymore assistant… Those dear to us may be gone but in truth they live on. The magic of friendship is so strong that even death cannot make it truly fade. I can't live in the past anymore. It's not what we could have done that matters but what we do.

           Your faithful student with love

             Twilight Sparkle.

P.S No matter what you say, I will ALWAYS be your student, Celestia.

Twilight wrapped it up and cast the spell to send it to Celestia herself rather than asking Spike to send it. After all… he was really into that kiss.

__________________________________________________________________

Celestia awoke as a letter popped into existence beside her on the bed.

Opening it, she paused before smiling.

Dimond Dog Mountain (bonus chapter)

In the southern reaches of Equestria, beyond the badlands and near the end of the western coast, Luna stood tall and proud in her new royal battle armor.

She had commissioned it at the beginning of the war a month before. It was designed to guard all her vital spots; under the wings, her back and belly. There she had only the finest blue colored steel. Over her joints laid black chainmail allowing for easy movement. The apex of the design was a helmet which bared many similarities to her one as Nightmare Moon.

“Tonight, brave soldiers of Equestria, we push home our victory over the dog scorn that so wrongly pushed into our land and enslaved your innocent pony brethren. Go now and know that you have your princess blessing. “

The crowed of reporter ponies dashed about eagerly as the crowed of guards burst into a roar. The army itself numbered nearly fifty thousand. Only about half of Equestrians forces but it were all they could bring to the battlefield so far from Equestrians center. The dogs numbered forty thousand. Luna had insisted that the Diamond dog Mountain be put under siege even with their only slight numerical advantage. Most of the time ponies only attacked when outnumbered two to one but Luna believed that to be cowardly.

Walking but to her guard Luna perked up upon hearing their comments about her speech.

“Well done, Princess.”

“It was a rousing speech.”

“Thank you” She said with a smile.” I was wondering if I might have been too loud.”

The shadowbolt laughed merrily “Not at all princess. When talking to the army nothing is too loud.”

“Yes.” came a snooty voice from behind Luna “Such a speech is needed by the ponies if we are to settle the fears of comment folk over this Diamond dog debacle.”

Prince Blueblood was wearing a shirt that many in the Trottinghoof area would have described as fabulous. It was blue with white trimming and an excess of ruffles under his chin. On his hip hung a thin rapier. And plain leather boots donned his hooves.

“If I may console you for a moment princess?”

Luna smiled. It was always a pleasure to talk to Blueblood. His regal manner put her at ease ad seemed much more normal than the jovial tone that most took nowadays. Even if his rudeness to those of a lower station did irritate her slightly.

“Ah! Commander Blueblood. Tis a pleasure I’m sure. What canst I help thee with?”

“Oh boy.” whispered one of her guard “she's doing that old style talk again.”

Blueblood smiled at Luan's slip. Matching her tone he continued with his explanation.

“Tis a fine day for glory and honor my liege. Twas fate that brought us upon thine enemies at this time my majesty. Yea even the winds seem to fall favorably upon us. Striking our foes harbor so as to prevent their escape by sea. Indeed if we had not been head up for water before crossing that accursed disaster we would have arrived to likely find naught but abandoned caves. Enough of my dilly dally though let us instead speak of this coming battle.”

Floating three maps out of his bag Blueblood set out to explain his strategy. His accent slipping back into a normal speech pattern.

“Our west flank is strong as it has been held up resting here for the last two weeks. I intend to have them strike at the main force here, on the western side of the mountain near their main entrance. Forty percent of them reside closes to our position to the north that we will have to match in number and send a mere eight thousand to wipe out the ten percent reside on the eastern side. You may watch from here your majesty.” The stallion pointed at a nearby hill.

“Nay Blueblood we shall engage the enemy.”

Several of the news ponies nearby began to murmur and take out their pens. Blueblood coughed awkwardly before stepping closer to Luna. His face having a plastered smile as he waved at the news ponies. Whispering intently he tried to make her understand before the worst happened.

“My princess. I’m sorry but...well princess don't actually go into battle anymore. With the number of ponies involved- They just don’t do it.”

“We do not understand” Luna said frowning. “We- I am fully capable of fighting in battle. Do you believe me weak?”

“Well there was how Celestia-” spoke up a nearby newspony. Turning to him Luna addressed him.

“Would you rather the entire wedding party be ash upon the wall?”

The newspony’s gasped and began scribbling onto their pads.

“Princess! You just can’t-”

“Why not?”

“Because.” He reached for something anything that would let him prevent her from attacking the enemy front and dying. Then he was struck on it. “It’s just not refined. It's...brutish.”

Luna paused as her face softened and turned contemplative.

“I see. I still have trouble understanding many of these new...obligations. If I understand if I fight it makes me seem brutal? Aggressive?”

“Yes.” Blueblood sighed

“Very well we will kill them with as little pain for them as possible. It may be a bit of an overuse of power but I shall do what is needed in this new age.”

“Wait no!”

But then he had to brace himself.  

Normally when a winged pony takes off their magic does most of the lifting with the wings providing fine control. This magic is focused evenly around the body however; a skilled pegasus can actually manipulate the field itself with their wings. Taking it a step further they could create wind. Even using it in combat.

__________________________________

Luna flapped her wings willing the air around her to move and bend to her will as she loosened the mental restraints on her war magic.

Taking a moment she addressed the commander wide eyes below her.

“We shall take the western front. Send the troops you would have there to the northern side. Guard. You may follow but stand back.”

Not waiting for a response she rocketed off toward the enemy front. Ready to engage. Very quickly she found herself flying high above them and taking a minute to prepare. The Diamond dog rune carver's magic could be felt even this high as a shield covered the dogs. At her best guess about four thousand troops stood beneath its dark blue sheen.

Reaching out she began to struggle for some of the local energy. Raising an eyebrow she was surprised by how strongly the Dogs held on. Dozens of them must be down there holding the energy in tow.

She however was able to resell a four away by the time her guard showed up.

“My lady.” Said the panting bat pony guard “Be reasonable-”

“I am being reasonable. These dogs have taken the lives of my citizens and I will not let that pass without exacting my toll. I will warn you only once. Do not follow me into battle. You will only get in the way.”

It was then that the attack trumpets sounded across the valley. With nary a farewell Luna began her descent.

As she flew down the smell of smoke greeted her and she could make out details. The earth which had appeared a light brown from above now revealed itself to be trampled ground. Churned by the passing of thousands of paws.

Above her dark clouds began to form and spread over the sky. Even as arrows reached up to meet her. A blast of wind tossed them off course to fall to the ground harmlessly. She landed with barely a whisper not a hundred yards in front of the Diamond Dog line.

“Pony Princess!” shouted a voice from behind the line. “Surrender to us. You die if not.”

Luna frowned and inwardly groaned.

Diamond dogs could never pull of Equestrian speech very well.

Breathing deep she poured energy into the vibrations of her voice using the Canterlot royal voice.

“WE WILL NOT SURRENDER. INSTEAD WE ASK YOU TO SURRENDER INSTEAD. IF YOU DO NOT THEN I WILL BRING THE FINAL END.”

“Prepare to charge!”

Luna sighed. These dogs were just so young. Truly thinking that they could match Equestrians might. That was foolishness...Just like her little ponies forgetting the truth. That the princesses did not rise to power with kind words. That a nation was not built on cooperation alone. That with their magic alone, Equestria was forged after Discords fall. That they had to wrest control of the sun and moon from its traditional unicorn controllers.

But they would remember.

As the last ray of light began to wink out on her face calm entered her being. She could see now what Blueblood had meant. These children where not to be hated...but pitied. Yes. She would bring the end, but softly. With a lullaby.

Dark shadows poured from her body as she raised her hoof and performed a summoning spell. A great scythe appeared. Its long black and blue length ended in a blade that was wide and silver.

As the troops closed the last bit of distance the heavens opened up.

And she began to sing.

In the rain she danced

bathed in shadow used to crush her foes

Lightning tore from her being

Wind forced down her foes

Her blade cut deep and true

Sewing her enemies in two

as from her lips passed a song that was truth.

The fragility of mortals was learned that day

_____________________________________________________________________

Blueblood waked the western battlefield followed silently by newsponies. All around them lay the dead dogs. Their bodies soaked in water, sweat and blood. Many seemed to of died from the lightning strikes and the blade of his princess. Others had broken necks that seemed to of been crushed by some powerful dragon hand squeezing it alone.

The devastation was total. None had survived.

He remembered the somber demeanor of Luna and her insistence that the dogs had died near painlessly. Then her laughter saying that Celestia was even stronger than her. There had always been legends about their strength...but he had never believed. Always thinking they were exaggerated.

Now though. He knew the truth.

There is none more powerful than the princesses, save Discord.

Two friends and a sudden drop

Boulder hung by a thin woolen strap that wrapped firmly around his flank. Its itchy texture did not reach through the thick fur to touch the skin underneath so there was no distraction as his forehooves braced against the post in front of him. He barely grunted as the shock rippling through his teeth from hammer blows driving in the wooden wedge. Dropping the hammer into a bag hung from his side he began to tie the rope around a support to further secure it. His movement caused him to swing from side to side, with the wind complicating the motion by buffeted him.

The bridge, still under construction, stretched outward from the town edge. Workers moved to and fro along its length, moving there loads at a slow and steady pace. Boulder continued to work until a loud boom reverberated over him, drawing his widening eyes to the horizon. Despite his training, and years of service to the sun, Boulder could not help but let out a gasp at the awe inspiring sight.

A large black cloud was blowing northward in the distance. Lightning playing across the surface. A chill ran down his spine as he considered what it could possibly be made for.

Weather warfare was something studied but rarely seen in Equestria. In pre-Equstrian times it was the preferred method of warfare by the pegasi as they would send tornadoes, hail or thunderstorms to bombard the enemy daily. This gave them an advantage in prolonged warfare but the use ,even limited, resulted in massive devastation to the land.

His focus, however, was drawn away from the wall of black death but the sound of two ponies talking above him on the bridge.

“Hey, have you heard?” asked one stallion.

“Huh, about what?” replied a mare walking with him.

“Three locals broke into the armory and killed a guard.”

“Seriously?” She grunted stopping above Boulder “ How did they get him alone?”

The stallion waved the question off.

“That's not the interesting bit though. Mordane and Stalker are biting each other's heads off over it. I’ve never even-”

Boulders ears twitched at what he just heard. Sighing he started to tie the rope again but a twist in his gut stopped him. After all they were his comrades. With a growl he forced himself up over the railing

“Where are they?” Boulder grunted once he was on top. “Where is Mordane and Stalker?”

“In the town hall where they always are.” Answered the mare quickly.

Boulder took off galloping, his heart beating hard. His eyes were arched in a frown as he ground his teeth.

Stalker and Mordane never argued; Not in the entire time he had known them had he ever seen the two yell at each other over a disagreement. The two seemed to have some kind of mutual understanding that was beyond Boulder, but if that was not holding up anymore...

"What could they be arguing about?" , boulder shuddered as the unthinkable entered his thoughts.

Boulder’s right forehoof slipped on a rock, but he quickly recovered and kept running. Dodging some local residents he turned the corner and saw the town hall in sight. He picked up speed again and ran all the way up to and through the open front door, of which several mercenaries were coming out.

Stepping to the side Boulder ground his teeth until he noticed what the mercenaries were leading. Two young stallions and a mare were shaking as they were lead out of the building. One fought hard to hold back the waves of sadness and fear that came of them in droves. The second near colts eyes were watering as he scooted along with his tail between his legs. The mare seemed dead eyed as if she could not accept what she was seeing.

Boulder waited until they had passed before going inside and bolting to the right, making his way to Mordane’s office. Before arriving however he slowed down, to both catch his breath and walk the last dozen feet listening to the conversation.

“Mordane! We can’t just ignore the obvious. This was an attack against our forces. These locals are hard enough to control. If we let something like this slide-” Stalkers voice was higher pitched than normal. Its piercing cry almost seemed manic.

“Don’t tell me about the difficulties should we lose control of them, Stalker. What I suggest is that we not approach this so barbarically.”

Boulder sighed, glad that Mordane was speaking so calmly. Perhaps there was nothing wrong after all.

“We must only execute those who actually performed the murder. These two young stallions and mare . Not their parents or siblings.” Boulder inhaled sharply as his eyes widened. Did he hear right? Did Mordane just say that they would kill the children?

“That's half measures Mordane!” Stalker snapped. “It won’t prevent the others from trying the same; Worse, it will make enemies of their families. They will stir up resistance. And we, cannot, allow, that. None can remain. They must all be killed. Mother, father, brother, sister and foal.”

Boulder rounded the corner and stared into the room with his heart beating frantically in his chest.

Mordane slumped behind his desk with papers laid out before him. Wearing a simple brown cloak he had taken from a local tailor that seemed to complement the blank faced slightly angry stare he gave to the only other pony in the room. It was obvious that he was making a conscious effort to not show an emotion of any kind. Stalker stood off to the side with his hair in a mess as he leaned against the open window seal. In one foohoof hoof he held a tabaco pipe, which he puffed again and again in Rhythm with the nearly frantic tapping of his other forehoof.. He was in a loose white shirt with slight frills around the color. His usual array of knives and satchels were on the outside today but what made Boulder inhale quickly was the knife stuck blade first into the desk.

The two of them were alone in the room which had a distinct smell of piss to Boulder. Looking down he could see a puddle of it on the floor. Putting two and two together he realized Mordane must have told the foals their sentence right here not twenty minutes ago.

Disgust mixed with indignant rage filled his stomach. Who were these two who would so casually throw away three foals lives? He growled face contorted in rage.

“What the buck is wrong with you two?”

Mordane looked over at him a raised a single eyebrow. Stalker stepped to the side rolling his eyes.

“Oh look, here comes the white knight.”

“Be quiet, Stalker,” Mordane growled before turning to give a weak smile to his other comrade. “Boulder, if we have a problem then say it; I’m tired of trading quips.”

“Is it true that three foals killed a guard?” he asked quickly

Mordane frowned. “ I would certainly not call them foals.”

“They didn’t know what they were doing.” Snapped Boulder crossing the distance to the desk.

“Oh yes I’m sure they had no idea what it meant when the red goo started comming out of the ponies skull after they started hitting it with the shovel they brought allong.” Stalker sneered.

Mordane glared at Stalker who raised his hooves and turned back to the window and his pipe.

“Four hours ago a guard saw three go into the armory after knocking out a guard and dragging him inside. He told someone and ran in. By the time the others got there that second guard was dead. His head caved in by a shovel brought by one of the young stallions. They subdued the youngster and caught his comrades before bringing them here. I had to deal with them after shoring up our supply numbers.” Mordane laughed depressingly”We need more bowstrings.”

“And what?” Boulder asked. “Did you sentence them?”

“Yes, I did,“ Mordane sighed. “They armed themselves and killed one of my men, so I sentenced them to death.”

”Mordane, please reconsider. They are foals,” Boulder pleaded ignoring the strange word. “Don't be rash. Death is to much for-  ”

“Death is the only thing I can give them!” Mordane snarled, his eyes flashing with rage. “What else am I to do? They killed a guard and if I do not punish them severely than others will rebel against our oppression.”

“These are children, Mordane. You can’t seriously just want me to walk away and let you do this.”

Mordane paused and reconsidered. Boulder had been trained by the Royal guard and Executions were banned in Equestria. They preferred rewriting minds.

“Boulder” Mordane said sitting down. “I know that this feels wrong to you and I understand that, but we are here. Why do you have an issue with this?”

Boulder sputtered before answering

“Because they are children.”

“And therefore innocent?” Mordane replied while shuffling some papers.

“Yes.”

“Tell me Boulder,” Mordane said pouring himself a glass of water. ”what is a soldier.”

“What?” He asked with his head tilting questioningly.

“I said what is a soldier.”

Boulder paused and thought for a moment before answering

“A trained fighter who will fight for a country and follows a code. ”

Mordane nodded

“So you would say that a tribal community does not have warriors or soldiers?”

“Well...no.”

“Then we can take a country off our list. Then tell me; Where the men fighting under king sombra soldiers?”

“...Yes.”Boulder replied uneasily at the unexpected lecturing.

“Then we can take a code of ethics off the list. Training is an interesting word. Training in what? Bow, sword, shield, javelin, dancing, pot making, what?”

“In the use of a weapon.”

“So we can say that a soldier is someone who has a weapon and knows how to use it.”

“...”

Mordane dropped his papers and glared into Stalkers eyes.

“There is a stallion dead Boulder.” Mordane whispered rubbing his temples “His brains now stain a stone floor. So don’t try to push arbitrary ideal onto me. If somepony is armed they are a combatant. If they fight for a cause. ANY cause. Then they are a soldier.”

Boulder stood still absorbing what Mordane had said. A part of him knew it was true, yet...

Mordane walked around the desk and up to Boulder his angry look being replaced with a sad but comforting look.

“I understand Boulder I really do “ He patted him on the shoulder and pushed him toward the door. “Take the rest of the day off. You really need it.”

Boulder nodded his head with a stricken look on his face as he walked out the door.

___________________________________________________

Mordane watched as Boulder walked out. As a commander he knew that there was no other choice it was the fault of the children. This was bound to happen eventually though he may of avoided the entire situation if he had not left too little of a guard on the weapons storage. The thought caused him to grind his teeth in frustration.

Turning back to Stalker, he frowned.

I can understand Boulder’s reaction, but Stalker's sounds nuts.Is the stress of this situation geting to him?

“Stalker, this is crazy. You can’t expect me to order the death of twenty-odd people on the sword thrust of one colt. It's just not right.”

Stalker sighed and pulled up a chair before perching on it.

“Mordane, this place is a powder keg waiting to go off. If we show any mercy, any restraint at all, it will blow on us. We will die, and, to be honest, I don’t think I can save you this time.”

“Save me? We don’t need saving, Stalker. I agree we can’t show mercy here but what you are suggesting is a wholesale slaughter. I won’t-”

“You made that choice when you became a mercenary,” Stalker yelled, enraged. “Why must you always take half measures?”

“I don’t!” he yelled in return. “I take the best solution available.”

“Best one available my flank! If you don't do this-”

“Stalker! I have made my decision. This discussion is over.”

Stalker stepped back, his face stricken. Mordane had never just ignored him before. Certainly not to the point of telling him that they were done talking. His hurt turned to rage as he slammed his hooves against Mordane's desk.

“This is just like you! Always jumping into danger! Somepony would think you had a death wish. How many times have I pulled your flank out of the fire? There was that necromancer and you living under Celesitas nose. Not to mention the times you get drunk or a dozen other times your reckless.”

“And what do you stand for, Stalker? NOTHING! You're just an empty glass,” Mordane spat back.

“This empty glass is the only reason you're sitting behind that chair.” Stalker growled.

“With you or not, Stalker, I would've made it this far. It's in my nature.”

“You couldn’t make it out of a bakery without having someone try to kill you.”

“That robber had nothing to do with me!” Mordane shouted. “I don’t have to listen to this trite.”

“Oh yes you do. After all that I’ve done? YOU OWE me Mordane!”

“Owe... You?” Mordane whispered with his eyes downcast. He growled his eyes coming alive with true rage. “I OWE YOU?!”  Mordane roared, his eyes burning a hole into him. “Who is the stallion that trailed a small colt for five years? Who would pull pranks and whisper in my ear just to see him squirm. WHO has ran and hidden every aspect of himself from him for the YEARS?”

Mordane paused. His wings were unfurled and his eyes were glowing as he advanced on Stalker who was staring wide eyed at him.

Mordane released his magic and tucked his wings back inside his cloak before continuing in a much quieter and seething tone as he tried to pull back in his anger.

“Who are you, Stalker?”

“What?” Stalker said in a squeaky voice.

“Who are you? I don't know anything about you…”

“Anything about me...Who are you?” Stalker accused, “An alicorn with military knowledge seemingly from nowhere. I’ve seen you not so much as look at a mare unless drunk and never at stallions. A pony your age should of at least gone through three or four special someponies but you just seemed focused on some unseeable path. You look at some of the wonders of Canterlot and laugh. LAUGH, at flying vehicles and one of the largest cities in the world! Then you have the gall to-”

“Get out.” Mordane spat with his ears swept back.

Stalker froze

“I’m sorry?”

Mordane was standing but Stalker felt as if he was growing larger. Tightly controlled fury poured from him through every word.

“You want to question me? I won’t give you any answers. I won’t answer to anyone! Not you, and sure as hell not Celestia!” Mordane rose from his relaxed sitting position. His wings slowly unfurling. He Leaned further and further over the desk before stepping up onto the top. As his voice grew louder by the word. “I am the master of my own destiny! FUCK you! FUCK your questions! NO! YOU WILL ANSWER TO ME! EITHER YOU TELL ME WHO THE HELL YOU ARE-” Mordane stopped.

From atop the desk he glared down at the now truly afraid stallion.All around them a maelstrom of wind was flinging around papers and loose supplies.

Slowly, as if the air was let out of a balloon Mordane forced his face to relax. Followed quickly by his wings. He calmly stepped down from the desk to beside Stalker before he continuing in his usual calm tone. The wind finally drawing to a close as he began. “Either tell me who you are or just leave. I don't want someone I can’t trust near me. Just...Get out.”

Stalker continued to stare at him blinking a few times before Mordane sighed heavily and gave a weak smile.

“You have till the end of the day to make up your mind.”

He pushed past Stalker and walked out the door leaving his former comrade still standing with his mouth open.

___________________________________________________________

Mordane stomped through the halls, eyes burning with rage that he fought bitterly for control.

Taking a hard right through a closed door, mordane slammed it shut and glared around as his eyes cracked red. The room was full of random pieces furniture staked with care against the wall and atop each other filled with cobwebs and the smell of mold. With a growl he stomped over to a chair and raised his hooves into the air.

Then stopped.

Breathing deeply he let out a long sigh and allowed the rage to fall away as well.

Behind him familiar hoofsteps walking slowly down the hall toward the exit from the office he had been using.

“Its been a long time since that happened...” Mordane said to no one looking down at his hoof as he turned around and sat in the chair. “The last time was before I even came to this world…”

He thought back to his rage at the time. It came back in sharp relief. Then even further back to the first time it happened. In his minds eye he saw the boy. His words had long since been lost, but the anger at them was not. Then more words. The fire of anger that had let up inside of him. What he said was lost to the fog of time as well but their effect was not.

He looked at the boy. He understood the boy. Then he said the words to unmake the boy.

Mordane remembered how happy he had been at the pain in the boys eye. At how he had laughed when the boy did not come back to school.

How it had felt to hear of the boys funeral and the gun that had been put between his lips.

He remembered to other times when he would fight. How he would be hit and it would cause not a cry of pain but of laughter. How he would push and crush those that opposed him. After all, it wasn’t his, right?

But news of that boy brought about a change in him.

That anger, that… Madness had to be locked away.

“Why am I here.” He asked to no one. "Chasing after power for a revenge I don't really feel but know I should. Why did I just not submit to her will? Being under another's hoof could not be as bad as this. Maybe then my parents would still be free to do as they wished. Why do I just want to run away?”

He knew the answer to that question. He had felt that tyrants force a thousand times. The twisting of the collar around his neck and the kind words meant to endear him to her. What did it matter if she acted with such grace in person when at the same time projecting an undisputable wave of power.

Raw unyielding power. A power that would make him give up himself. To become a piece in whatever game she played.

So here he was. Down in the south playing games for tiny scraps of coin. Throwing himself under the first banner shown and reaching for the top.

Power is what he needed. Power in either coin or an army. He needed to control others...

He could have no real control with someone so secretive around him.

For years that pony has tailed me. Followed me and watched. Whatever force moves him it is certainly not one deigning to control my choices like that bitch up north… No, they want to move around or with me. To use me for some purpose I cannot divine. I have been lax and calm under such direction. Who knows how much they have twisted. Examined from two sides. The tyrant wanting my head or soul and this bastard wanting my destiny to be determined by his own.

Stalker… what can I do with you?

Standing up, Mordane walked out of the room and toward the bar where he knew Boulder would be.

__________________________________________________________

Stalker walked out of the building and absently mindedly broke into a run. His hooves found easy purchase on boxes, poles and ropes hanging from the wall as he moved smoothly to the rooftops. To one watching, it would not seem right to say that he was running so much as walking, yet he cleared gaps and moved from building to building at great speed.

As the stallion moved toward the town center he thought back.

Years...It’s been ten years since I first saw him. First rolled my eyes when Smut Peddler had told me excitedly that he had found an alicorn. I nearly hit him upside the head for such a stupid joke. Some horned colt randomly coming up to his shop bearing a pair of wings. I didn’t even believe he was being serious until he talked about giving away the Clandestien bracelet for near dirt prices. A relic of such importance that a permanent locator charm had been placed upon it. Discarded like so much trash and yet finding him was the easy part. Then I watched, expecting him to fall under Celestias sway. Then to move about perpetuating the rite of harmony and gladly falling under Celestia’s sway…

Yet he didn’t.

For years I have watched him…

Stalker came back to himself covered in a ragged cloak and speaking with a wheeze. A quick thought back made him remember snagging it off a clothing line as he dashed through an alleyway.

He was haggling with a merchant still operating under the watchful eye of High Rises troops. Dried fruit was apparently in high demand since the occupation and his efforts were proving pointless in trying to talk him down.

Why am I buying fruit? Wait, I’m not thinking of actually obeying him and just leaving...am I?

The shock of such a ridiculous impulse caused something his sensei would have whipped him for.

He dropped character and stood there, mouth open.

Turning he caught sight of Mordane himself moving through the market. His glare easily caused a path to open in front of him which brought a smile to Stalker’s face.

Even when he is walking along that pony seems to push and pull on those around him. Why go through here? Why have such a look of utter carelessness about yourself.

Stalker took a step to follow Mordane, already planning on surprising him once again… perhaps some cake or-

But then he stopped again… Mordane did not want him there.

What does that matter. I’m a shadow. A flicker on the edge of his vision. I could probably take his cloak without the lout noticing.

He chuckled at that

“Sir? Sir, are you alright?” asked the storekeeper, brow furrowed with worry. “I do have… some dried fruit left.”

“No, thank you, kind sir.” Stalker said, still looking at Mordane. His voice was clear and level. “I no longer need your food.”

He slipped out of the cloak then and left it lying in front of the confused vendor as he walked in the opposite direction that Mordane went.

The vender sighed “ Not again”

Stalker moved normally now, simply putting one step in front of another as he looked at the sites around him, lost in his own thoughts.

Can I really just leave? After all this time...

“Excuse me… Stalker?”

Stalker looked with a start at the two guards he had not noticed before. Both he recognised as part of High Rise’s more trusted inner circle of troops.

“Yes? May I help you?” He said nervously.

How did they sneak up on me? Was I really that out of it?

“Sir, we would...ask that you come with us. High Rise wishes to speak with you. He has a business proposition.”

Stalker looked around before sighing.

“Why not. Take me to him.”

________________________________________________________

Mordane stepped into the bar and immediately spotted his comrade, Boulder, sitting in a booth alone. Getting a glass of water he walked over and joined him.

“You know its rude to sit down without asking,” growled Boulder.

“Yes, it is, but I did not think you would let me sit if I asked… Look, Boulder, I know I seem cold but I really care that those children are going to die. Thats the way it must be though. Our situation forces my hoof,” Mordane replied sternly but quieter and in a sad tone. “In the end, everything I seem to do is one effect followed by another’

“Bull,” Boulder said, pushing over a shot of brandy. “You brought this on yourself. That armory should have been better guarded and we should not be in this band… I suppose I’ve got myself to blame for that one.”

“No, I wouldn’t say so.” Mordane groaned. “Look, Boulder, I’m sorry.”

“Its alright… I know you're right. It just seems.” His brow furrowed as he looked for the right word. “Wrong.”

“Well, I’m not always right… Boulder, I need some advice.” The old stallion raised an eyebrow and motioned for him to continue.

“It’s about Stalker-”

Mordane explained their argument and the final demand he had leveled at their companion as Boulder listened grunting occasionally in reply.

“-Well after that… I came here. Now I’ve got to decide what to do if he says no.”

“I say do it.” Boulder said quickly as he motioned for the bartender to change him to water.

“...Perhaps you're right. My gut has kept me alive this long. What’s the point of stopping now. Stalker has helped me over the last year but I never really did like him following me.” Mordane leaned back and stretched. It had been a long day.

“I’m just surprised that it took you this long. Why did you let him stay around anyway?”

Mordane rubbed his chin and looked up at the ceiling.

“Not really sure. I resisted at first, but after I realized he knew I was an alicorn, well… It just seemed pointless to try and push him away with what little strength I had. Celestia breathing down my neck plus my studies with Twilight-”

“You studied with a Princess?” Boulder said with raised eyebrows. “How did that happen?”

“Oh, it was before that ‘being chase by Celestia through a storm’ bit happened. Anyway, I was too busy, and after a time… I just got used to him being around. There was that one time though. I was walking over a bridge reading a book when he came and pushed me to the other side of it. That stupid grin on his face as he pointed down at the hole still sticks with me. Heh, he said ‘I don’t think that’s the kind of hole you want to be plunging into face first’. He always did have a perverted sense of humor.”

Mordane chuckled and waved the bartender away from the shot glass in front of him. It was definitely not time to bring out that guy.

“Well, sound to me like Stalkhounds syndrome.” Boulder said nodding to the barkeeper for a refill.

“What?”

“Stalkhounds...The Diamond dog-, oh never mind... It is the effect where the captured will sympathise with their captors.”

“Ah... That.”

“Yeah. I mean, he’s been around you for years.” Boulder took a shot. “Ever since you were a colt. That can… have an effect on your judgement.”

“...I suppose that is possible.”

Mordane stood up, patting Boulder on the shoulder and headed out of the door. Looking at Mordane as with his ears lowered and head low, Boulder stopped mid drink his face scrunching as he frowned.

____________________________________________________

Stalker finished off the shot of wine pushed to him by High Rise.

The two stallions from before had lead him to just outside of town and into High Rises tent to where the company leader was waiting.

He wore an odd smile and Stalker could’ve sworn that his glass of wine was a lighter color then it should have been. Perhaps watered down?

“I asked you here today, Stalker, to make a proposal.” His eyes were dancing as he stared intently at him. “Is it true you and Mordane have had a… Falling out?”

“Well, that’s one way of putting it,” Stalker began while walking around the room “Why do you care?” Stalker looked at the various tables, flags and trappings with vague boredom, his attention still focused on the conversation.

“That’s simple,” High Rise said while leaning back in his chair. “Mordane is obviously planning something.”

“What do you care?” Stalker looked sideways.

“No matter their, skills a mercenary band leader does not stay one unless he is quick to pick up threats to his position.”

“Get to the chase, High Rise.”

“All right then,” he said standing up. “I want you to go back and get his forgiveness or say whatever you need to in order to get into his good side again. Then tell me when he plans to move against me… Unless you already know that.”

Stalker stopped moving and stared straight ahead.

“And if I do this?”

“I’ll double your cut.”

“You won’t kill him?”

High Rise chuckled. “He's just a foal. Dangerously skilled at getting others to do as he says, but a foal none the less. I won’t kill him unless he gives me no choice.”

Stalker’s heart beat hard. His desire to rush out of the tent was against every bit of his training. This was logical. If Mordane could not be controlled then by his family rules, Stalker was to limit him and if needed take a large sample… See what it would take to really get rid of him.

Then why did his chest hurt, and why was he waiting so long to ask the next question?

“If he were to be suddenly… Deceased, would you allow me to take his corpse and leave?”

High Rised frowned not expecting such a question. Perhaps their disagreement was worse than he had been lead to believe. He thought about questioning this request but ended up deciding that he was happier not knowing what Stalker's intentions were.

“Yes. Not only that, but I would pay you as I said before,” High Rise said with a smile before sitting behind his desk. “If that is what you want to do, that’s your decision. So, do we have a deal?”

Stalker continued to stare at the slightly dented silver cup sitting on High Rise’s table, years still flashing before his eyes. It seemed simple but in the end he had to go with his gut. He thought hard about the troubles that he had gone through...The jokes they had shared.

Turning he tipped his head and spoke simply before leaving.

“No thank you, High Rise. Have a nice day.”

__________________________________________________________

The sorry of the locals over the unfinished bridge provided a chaotic rythem that Mordane found an odd joy from. Boulder said nothing, his eyes focused on the covered form.

It was rather strange sight for Boulder. Before him was a paradox of what he had been taught through his whole life.

Alicorn were strong beings, and the apex of harmony. They worked for the good of all ponykind from a pedestal which few could ever even dream to climb. They were kind, generous, loyal and powerful. Anypony should bend and bow to their greater wisdom, but yet…

Here was an alicorn who did not have the answers. Who was normal pony sized and made mistakes.

Perhaps… he needs to grow into who he will be. Just like anypony else.

Boulder’s eyes flicked over to a figure approaching them.

Stalker walked straight for Mordane. His face stern and eyes determined. The alicorn looked back with nothing that could be called an expression. His eyes flicking to every corner of Stalker’s form.

“Have you decided? Will you tell me everything?” he asked in a strangly monotone voice that Boulder recognized as his defence mechanism.

“Mordane…” Stalker began in a soft tone with downcast eyes. “I’ve put far too much into you to leave now. But I cannot tell you secrets that are not mine to give.”

Mordane’s face flashed into a glare as he stepped up to the older pony. “I may be a young pony, Stalker-”

“You are anything but that,” Stalker cut in. “I have seen you for years, Mordane. I know that you are no foal.”

Mordane blinked before continuing unabated.

“But I am not that young anymore. I’m stronger now and so can deny you.”

Mordane stomped his hooves and a stone flashed out of the nearby river and the the space between Stalker and Mordane.

Stalker jumped back even as Mordane charged his horn and struck Stalker in the chest with a spell.

He landed undisturbed and looked piercingly at Mordane before quickly checking himself for something wrong.

“You're wondering what I did?” Mordane said with a tired smile “A proximity spell. If you are within a dozen feet or so I will know.”He scratched behind his ear at the odd ringing only he could hear.

Stalker stared at Mordane blinking rapidly as he tried to understand.

“I’ve had it for a year, Stalker.” Mordane said answering Stalkers unspoken question. “I was just trying to think of was way to deliver it without you realizing. Then the Diamond dog attack happened. I guess sometimes you just need to rush ahead. Perhaps I overthink things.”

Stalker was trembling his face contorted in fury. In a moment he closed the distance between him and Mordane. Boulder heard a rush of wind as Stalker backhoofed the younger pony and sent him flying.

Mordane slid across the dirt and ground to a halt. His look wasn’t angry but stern as he stood up spitting out one of his rear teeth.

“Kind of hard, don’t you think, Stalker?”

“I think you deserve more. I came with good intent.”

“Perhaps,” agreed Mordane. “But all is fair in love and war, hmm?”

They stared each other down, measuring and guessing at what the other would do.

Boulder stepped back. He knew Mordane would need to be able to fling spells without him getting in the way if this actually went down. As he watch a stream of blood start coming out of Mordane’s nose it really sunk in.

By Celestia, they are going to kill each other. Why did I not stop this when I had the chance?

“Tonight,” Mordane said suddenly breaking the uneasy silence.  ”No, tomorrow after we sleep and you have time to think. We settle this. You know that high hill with the single tree on the other side of town?”

“Yes,” Stalker said, coming out of his fighting stance.

“We meet there tomorrow at noon, come rain or shine. Is that fine with you?”

“Of course.”

They both left still glaring at each other leaving a confused and conflicted Boulder behind.

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

That night Mordane did all he could to not appear weakened as he walked back to the room. Wincing at the pain in his jaw. That spell had way too much of a drain on his body. Plus he could only manage one at a time. At least in reality it gave a fifty foot sensing parameter if the target should enter that range.

Both him and Stalker tossed and turned all night as something unsettled them both. They had there reasons to fight, logical and unyielding, yet in the wee hours of the morning they rolled the day over and over in their heads.

One bound by family to stay by his side or bring death if he could not. Silence ingrained into him from birth.

The other facing cold bards of reason and knowing that it would be on something he could not...would not yield. Celestia flashing through his mind with the rattle of chains… oh no, he would not risk Stalker any longer!

With time the two of them settled down and slept.

________________________________________________

Mordane walked slowly toward the tall hill wearing his armored cloak. He had, of course, prepared for the coming conflict. His battered sword was sharpened and he had just enough sleep to not have it hamper his ability to fight.

Boulder stepped up beside him as they walked through the groups running back and forth.

“Mordane, are you planning to go through with this?” he said with true concern “You’re a magic user, but Stalker….”

“I know what I’m doing,” Mordane replied with a frown. “Stalker has been an issue I’ve had to ignore for years.”

“Yes, Mordane, years. I might not like the guy, but the fact remains. He is by far your senior and knows pretty much all that you know and more. Magic or no, he will be able to outmaneuver you.”

Mordane raised an eyebrow and gave a weak smile to reassure Boulder.

“I know it won’t be easy, no matter how you slice it. Something about the idea bothers me though.”

“There is no shame in listening to fear when it has a reason,” Boulder assured him.

“I know, but this is not fear… I think it’s regret,” Mordane continued as he turned to stare blankly forward. “But my logic tells me I must do this. Emotions only weaken a person.”

“Person?”

“Sorry, pony,” Mordane mumbled.

They left the village behind.

Mordane looked up to the hill where stalker stood waiting. His former comrade was oddly unclothed. Instead his knives and other weapons sat openly strapped to his side. Turning he spoke to Boulder. Telling him to wait at the hills bottom. Birds chirped upon the western wind as Mordane tread carefully up the incline. As he ascended the doubts from the night before were pushed aside. He knew that this was going to occur. His angry expression slowly softened then fell away leaving a blank stare at the one who had followed him for years without his consent.

Mordane kept moving until he stood across from Stalker before speaking.

“I don’t want to have to do this.”

“...I know, Mordane,” he replied with ears drooping.

“I cannot have you... near me and serving another. You will have to choose between us and I know that you will choose your family.”

Stalker wilted under Mordane’s hard glare and pulled back ears.

“I wouldn’t expect less from you, Mordane,” Stalker said softly pawing at the ground. “Its taken me a long time, but I think I understand you.”

“I doubt that,” Mordare replied, anger leaking back into his voice

“ I do...” Stalker said, closing his eyes. “It was just something I could not accept easily. For years I’ve thought you a child. An idea I now see as a foolish assumption. After all, you are an alicorn. Your kind are always wrapped up in strange forces…”

“What are you getting at?”

“I’m saying that I’ll be able to name you soon, Mordane. Just like you did to me. Warrior, Strider, Destroyer, Maker.  You know just how important such things are.”

“The most important in the world,” Mordane said, his coat bristling at hearing of such thoughts from Stalker. “Names give you power over others. It tells you who and what they are...I told you once I did not know my name.”

“Yes…” Stalker grimaced. “I don’t know how, Mordane, but you know more than you should. You’re older than your flesh, I can feel it and see it. It’s like you gave up your name. Gave up your desires and will to rise above. Everything is just a means to an end with you. I sometimes swear I can hear the gears clinking as you walk. Sometimes wonder what kind of life you came from that filled you with such emptiness.”

“It was my life,” Mordane said looking down. “The life I chose.” He looked back at Stalker with his ears drooping and his eyes tired. “I am old Stalker. As you say, I am older than my flesh.”

“How old are you?” Stalker whispered

“Depends, sometimes I’m young and naive. I fall back and let myself rest. Other times I open my inner eyes and come out in force only to go back again. It’s the only way I found to calm myself. To hold in that which I refuse to let go. If you want actual years I'd experienced that would be around fifty.”

“I can understand that,” Stalker said nodding slowly. “I’m forty myself. What I can't understand is how you can care for others but treat them so coldly. Allow them to be hurt with such surety. I’ve seen you kill… what was her name? Ah yes; Lyra. I saw you kill her with your own spell as she fought following your plan.”

“I had no choice. She was about to die anyway. It was either kill her and the dogs or let the dogs kill her and many others… the choice was obvious.”

“Yes, I can see that…”

They stared at each other as Boulder looked on from the hill’s bottom. His ears stuck back and hooves ready to charge.

“He will follow you,” Stalker said, indicating Boulder. “He does not know it yet but he is loyal to you.”

Mordane looked back down at Boulder, his eyes thoughtful.

“Not just yet… But soon, I suppose. Part of me wonders if it is my right to pull on him for my own purpose.”

“What if you took a greater one?”

Mordane scrunched to a frown.

“What would you have of me, Stalker. To ride out and form a nation? To bring law to this lawless land.”

“No, I would have you choose your own purpose.”

They stood silent for a few minutes longer as the wind rustled the grassy hilltop. the silence was broken when Mordane spoke solum.

“Will you tell me your family’s purpose, Stalker?”

“I cannot.”

“Will you leave and never follow me again?”

“I cannot.”

Mordanes eyes hardened. He raised his sword.

“So be it.”

A blast of wind ripped from Mordane horn toward Stalker but before it made contact he suddenly rocketed into the air at a forty five degree angle. In mid jump he drew an threw three knives in quick succession.

Mordane stormed the earth and a mass of dirt rose up to block. Stalker reached out and grabbed a protruding stone and flung himself at Mordane. He came screeching in hoof, ready to plow into Mordane’s throat but his target pumped his wings quickly, leaving Stalker’s hoof to imbed in the earth.

“You cannot defeat me, Stalker. I’m an alicorn. Magic and flight are on my side as well as strength.”

“You know that matters little in a fight when I’m the one who is trained. Perhaps it’s time to teach you humility.”

Mordane was thirty feet in the air as he pulled on his war magic. Reaching out, he commanded the water and the air to obey him. Focusing, he formed the air into a spear and then used the earth below as the tip. The water he flung high into the air and formed thin blades of ice. As soon as he could, Mordane rammed the spear of earth and air at Stalker.

Stalker frowned then snarled before ramming his forehooves into the ground.

A cloud of dust covered the hill top as Mordane blinked while having twenty feet up.

What the-

Stalker came down from above and gave Mordane a left hook to the jaw. His plummeted to the round and crashed hard.

Mordane had no time to react Before Stalker landed on top of him with his hooves plowing into the ground either side of his head.

Stalker hit with a left then right, again and again before a blast of wind blew him into the air.

Mordane scrambled to his feet and growled at Stalker already standing at ease. He held a knife with a bit of blood on it. A stream of crimson liquid flowed down from a cut above Mordane’s left eye. Mordane panted, staring intently at his foe.

“That was not possible., Mordane said. “I have only seen one mare as fast and strong as you.”

Stalker blinked and broke out into a full smile.

“What, already noticed? I was wondering if you could see through me. As for Pinkie, I am not exactly sure how she moves so fast...”

“I’m not sure exactly what aspect it is but you are using war magic.”

“Right again. So what do-”

Stalker was cut off as the shards of ice from before rained down where he stood giving him a dozen thin paper cuts.

“I think I’ll adapt though.”

Mordane flapped his wings and rocked towards Stalker, connecting with his chest. A beam of energy ripped from his horn and cut for Stalker’s neck. The stallion however spun and moved out from him, slashing at his leg and drawing some blood.

Flipping around they both locked hooves pushed trying to knock the other down. Mordane’s wings were flapping full force but even so Stalker’s strength started to overcome him.

Thinking fast, Mordane levitated his sword from where it had fallen, drawing toward his scabbard. Stalker jumped out of the way as the blade flew past Mordae.

On and on they fought. Mordane would gain some ground with his magic but Stalker always kept him off balance and stuck where he could. As the battle wore on the both of them began to tire.

Stalker threw his last knife, barely scratching Mordane before dodging the smatter of stones haphazardly thrown at him. There were few words or thoughts now as they slowly and surly ground each other down.

“God, you're stubborn, Stalker. Why won’t you just leave?” Mordane said while panting as he and Stalker circled each other.

“I can’t do that Mordane…” Stalker replied quietly looking down at the ground. “No matter how much you piss me off.”

Mordane charged but Stalker dodged leaving him to circle again.

“I won’t let up on this, Stalker. I won’t risk my parents. Now tell me, who are you?”

Stalker lazily threw a rock that Mordane easily dodged and responded by flinging a stone and then tackled Stalker to the ground, but Stalker tackled him causing them both to go rolling down the hill and into a briar patch. Both of them kept fighting however but soon they found themselves unable to move.

“Who are you? Why wont you leave!?”

“ I -!”

“WHO?!” Mordane yelled in fury.

“YOUR FRIEND!” Stalker cried out glaring at Mordane through watery eye. “I’m your friend… The only one you got.” Stalker suppressed a sob as his heart ached.

“ Stalker…” But Stalker cut him off while shaking his head.

“For all these years I followed you. At first it was for the family. Honor and obligation, but then it changed.” Stalker said panting. He lowered his nose into the ground as he tried to gain the stregth to express what was eating him up inside.

“I started to enjoy your exploits.” Stalker choked out. Tears turning to mud on the ground.

“The dodges in speech” He began hitting the ground with his hoof drawing water into Mordanes eyes as well “your interactions with those around you, how you pretended to be normal. Then something changed. “ He sniffed and regained control of himself before continuing. “ I grew angry when you failed… I was happy when things went your way. In time, I started to even… Help you. How many times did I save you in these last few decades? How often where you going to be caught when I would save you from that?”

Stalker shook as Mordane stared wide eyed and teary at him. The briars kept him from moving as they stuck into them both.

“I was taught from a young age that friendship is a weakness. That in time everypony will betray you. That only blood mattered.” He looked up with streams of tears freshly flowing from his eyes. “Have I not shared your blood? Your pain? Have I not always been there for you? Can you not call me friend?”

“I-” But Stalker cut Mordane off again.

“Thats what I wanted… But I know that you don’t think that way. To you, friends are tools to be used… Like pieces on a board. You care for everyone the same. Valuable, but to be put for a purpose. I can never really be your-”

“Hey” Mordane said placing his hoof under Stalkers chin. His voice nearly cracking as he struggled to contain his emotion and smile. “cheer up, Even in that past life I was… Alone and abnormal, I-” Mordanes face twisted as the word caught on his tongue looking for the right words. “I’ve never had a friend. Even if others called them mine. To be a friend I think you need to be honest, kind, loyal and those are the most difficult things for me.”

Stalker looked up with a hesitant grin while raising an eyebrow.

“But,” Mordane continued with his own smile. “I think I would like to have one… as crazy as he would have to be, to know me and actually stay.”

Stalker and Mordane awkwardly laughed as Boulder came running to cut them out of the briar patch.

“So you two found common ground? Can’t say I’m not surprised,” he grinned as his knife cut them out.

“Oh cut it out, Boulder,” Mordane said, laughing as the two of them struggled up and out of the patch.

“Mordane,” Stalker said rubbing the back of his head. “I can’t tell you about my family… Or my past because I swore I never would… And for all that, I do my word matters to me more than anything.”

“You have honor?” asked Boulder before being smacked in the back of the head.

Mordae nodded his head and adjusted his thought patterns trying to find a solution. Then he hit upon an idea.

“Does your oath demand that you obey any order?”

“...No.”

“Then I will ask you to give a promise to me.”

Boulder and Stalker looked at each other then back at Mordane with raised eyebrows.

“What kind of promise?” Boulder asked rubbing his chin.

Mordane smiled. “ Promise me that if your family calls you away or to hurt me. That you will warn me so I can run.”

Stalker looked at his former target. A warmth settled into his stomach as he smiled.

“I promise.”

_____________________________________________

Laughter rang through the bar as Stalker and Mordane both downed root beer after root beer. It was ultimately pointless, but Mordane smiled anyway. After all, even if it was a waste, he was still having fun with his… Friends.

His mouth’s corners turned up at the idea as the jokingly threw a glass of the drink at Boulder who burst out laughing.

“Seriously, Stalker what's with having no cutie mark? Did you have to sacrifice a virgin?”

“Phfft, oh yes, Mordane, you caught me. You see that’s why I’ve been following you.”

“You’re one to talk,” cut in Boulder. “What the heck is your mark again? A commander’s reef? Yet colorful. What does that mean.”

“Its like change… Or war,” Mordane said, scratching his chin. “It’s tied to the elements as well-”

Suddenly Mordane was tackled. It took him a fraction of a second to realize it was Stalker and a full second more to register the sight of Boulder struggling with a pegasus. In his gray wing was gripped a knife.

Stalker slapped him nearly dislodging some teeth as he yelled into Mordane's ear.

“WHAT THE HELL, STALKER?!”

“Shut up, you fool. I asked you three times, ARE YOU HURT!”

“NO!” Mordane yelled back furious.

“DAMN it, Mordane, focus!” he said, grabbing both sides of the alicorn’s head. Even as Boulder successfully knocked the blade from the attacker's wing. “That blade has poison, I can see the sheen. NOW. Did. He. Cut. You?”

Mordane blinked rapidly before turning to check himself all over. At his gasp Stalker’s ears drooped. On his right thigh was a long narrow gash.

Immediately Stalker bends down and began licking the wound.

“What the hell?!” Mordane yelled

Stalker spat onto the ground

“This might help get the poison out. Hold still.”

Using his magic, Mordane floated over the blade and looked at its liquidity sheen. His brow furrowed as Boulder finished subduing the foe.

Panting, he sat atop of the other stallion, mumbling curses and his desire for a drink.

Mordane thought quickly before falling on a solution. There was no guarantee Stalker could make a cure it would be best to get it from the source.

“Boulder, drag that bucking bastard over here,” he said with a cold growl.

Boulder nodded and forced the pegasus across the floor to beside Mordane. Stalker stopped licking the wound to look curiously at his friend.

With a growl Mordane grabbed the stallion's foreleg and stabbed it through with the knife.

He screamed bloody murder and began thrashing against Boulder who quickly worked to calm him down as Mordane pulled out the knife.

Stepping up he walked over to the stallion, his right flank already going numb.

“Listen close, you bastard. Where is the antidote? Tell me now or we’ll die together.”

The gray pegasus groaned, his eyes watery.

“I bought it off a seller in Titus. I don’t have an antidote.”

“What was it called.” Stalker cut in.

“Uhh, I’m not sure.” He said through a pained grimmice. ”Dandy something?”

“Dandy extracts? I can make an antidote for that,” spoke up Stalker excitedly. Pulling out his poison bag and getting to work. “Give me two minutes.”

“Oh thank G-” Mordane cut the stallion off with a stomp to the gut, drawing out cries of pain.

“Don't thank God just yet, little pony. I’m not done with you. Who sent you?” Mordane's heart was pumping as his fear came to pass. Would he have to run and abandon all that he had gained? Had Celestia found him? Would he have to run the breadth of the land dodging her assassins till he could fake his own death?

“High Rise… It was High Rise. Now please, I have a wife. Fo-” Mordane cut him off one more time but with a kick to the head. He rolled to lay on the floor, unconscious.

“All is forgiven. Perhaps you will wake soon enough to take a cure. Stalker, Boulder… I think it's time for a change of management.”

His friends smiled. Knowing it was time. Ready to hear his orders.

“Boulder, get on the vine. Do whatever you can but make sure I have at LEAST the same number of troops as him once we meet. Get all the rest busy. I don't want ponies standing around undecided. Make sure that the armory is secure and get your loyal tabs reporting and talking.” He turned and grinned at his new friend. “

“Stalker, I want you to find High Rise. Do. Not. Kill. Him. I have to be the one. Instead, I want you to find him and find fuel to justify my take over. Something tangible. Give it to Boulder. He will have it spread in an hour. I’m going to go and secure the townsfolk. Have them finishing that bridge double time. That should keep them busy.”

His friends nodded and made mental preparations to perform his task. During this he sauntered over to the bar and made them three shots of whisky.

“Take one,” he said solemnly and waited till they complied. “Paths have to start somewhere… In the end, I know where I will end up. Maybe you’ll follow me there, maybe you won't. Maybe some of us will make it. But I know that we will return to Equestria, not as the destitute, but strong. We will find a way though and gain my family again, but we will need wealth. Then who knows what we will do? It starts here, however. I don't know why High Rise has decided to kill me now, but such things are bound to happen along our path.” He looked them both in the eye. “To glory and victory!” They drank and threw the glasses against the ground, shattering them. Running out the front door, they stopped outside, nodded, then headed off in different directions.

_________________________________________________________________

Boulder ran full out, panting desperately for air, the shot of alcohol dulling his senses and pushing him on faster and stronger.

What the buck is High Rise thinking? This is madness.

A chill ran through him as he remembered his contact’s words from earlier.

That bastard. He thinks that he won't need him after that battle is over. We will be out of here… Come to think of it he has been asking around a lot, wondering what Mordane has been doing. Could he think Mordane? No that would be… Could Mordane have planned a coup?

He thought for a second before shaking his head.

No, doesn't matter. Mordane should be in command anyway. That bastard is just greedy and fears Mordane will do what he would.

Assured he was working for the right side, Boulder ran onward to the barracks and bucked in the door. He ignored the gasps of surprise and ran to his command table.

“Well, lookie here, if it isn’t old Boulder. Done bending over for our prestigious Mo-”

Boulder crashed into him and stamped him against the wall unceremoniously. He pushed hard and held him up pinned even as his other poker buddies mouth’s hung open.

“Why in Celestia’s sweet sun did you not tell me, Sunny Disposition?” he growled.

The stallion spat in Boulder’s face.

“Why did you think? I know you were in the same tent with that Mordane fellow. You would be working for him. You can’t trust Unicorns you bastard. YOU CAN'T TRUST EM!”

Boulder threw him against the wall growling, which drove him into unconsciousness.

“You four, listen here and listen well. Mordane is the leader of this here band by right. That High Rise fellow has nearly gotten us killed four times! Who pulled us out of the fire? Mordane.

“Now I ain't telling you to pick our side, but I am telling you that if you don't, then don’t be there when it's decided. Understand!”

They nodded their heads vigorously. Boulder snorted and ran out, looking for those he knew he could trust.

__________________________________________

Stalker jumped from roof to roof, moving like the shadow of a cloud and being nearly as visible. Despite his years of training in art of stealth he let out an involuntary growl. After so many years of being alone, he had finally admitted how he felt to Mordane and been accepted. Then some two bit with a sword and vial nearly kill him. Worst of all, he was forbidden from killing the stallion. Mordane would need to drive in the blade himself.

Oh what I would do to you, High Rise. What vile twisted atrocities would I commit?

The thought brought a smile to his lips that was immediately torn away after he remembered his grandfather's words.

No… He does not weaken me... He makes me stronger, faster. I can do more than ever. You were wrong, grandfather. The magic of friendship really does have strength… More than you would ever know...

Stalker pushed himself even harder and reached for his magic.

He was no longer a shadow flying across the roof tops.

He was simply not there.

___________________________________________________

Mordane teleported to a roof moving in the opposite direction from Stalker. Then he teleported again before untangling his wings and taking to the sky. Plans flashed through his mind and were discarded with ease.

He knew one thing, however. No matter what, he would need all the power he could get. Yet already he could feel another working. Using telekinesis, he opened his window before teleporting inside.

Once there, he quickly pulled on his sword and other gear before floating his amulet over and slipping it on. He smiled at how it was half way full before jumping out his window and galloping for the worker camp.

_____________________________________

High Rise sat in a chair with a glass of hard cider, his eyes surprisingly clear and sharp. Even more strange was his wearing of battle armor. He waited patiently, glaring over the field to the construction site.

The right side of his lip twitched as he went over what had happened earlier that day.

First I get information that says Stalker and Mordane are at each other’s throats, followed shortly by them apparently ready to kill each other, stalker is then seen alone and Mordane took something from him. At the same time, he has his friend Boulder talking to his friends… Then after I talk to this Stalker, suddenly they are friends again!? Oh, it’s obvious what is going on here, preparing for takeover, getting me to reveal my hoof.

A pegasus landed in a flash. He was an old friend and had volunteered to watch this young upstart Mordane die.

“High Rise! Mordane lives. He was indeed cut, but that Stalker pony made an antidote. The three of them separated and ran off. From what I saw they are gathering allies…”

“By the gates of Tartarus… Send word to have most of the normal soldiers busy. Get our friends, I don't want to have trouble with him. If we have to fight, let's make this quick and clean. If we can cause fear in his allies they may abandon them.”

________________________________________________________________

Mordane nodded to Bob who then ran off. According to him, the work would be done in about an hour at the rate it was now going.

Dashing off, he ran the coming conflict through his mind.

Most of the band would not know about the takeover until after it was done. If he could estimate, their numbers would be about the same. No matter what, though, the battle would come down to him and High Rise.

I can handle him easily, but it’s the take over afterwards I need to worry about.

After Mordane made it back to the village, Stalker dropped in beside him and began talking.

“Boulder has found a few ponies he thinks will help us. The rest of the army is with the citizens at the bridge and woods. Our numbers are comparable to theirs. It should be about even.”

“Then I can call that High Rise bastard out to fight me one on one. When he cowers, it will do well for me.”

Stalker couldn’t help but grin evilly as Mordane unfurled his plans in front of him.

“Boulder and the group are around this corner. What do you plan to do if he says yes?”

“I suppose I will have to beat him down.”

The both of lips were curled into a laugh as they rounded the corner, arriving just in time.

“Why have you gathered these ponies here?” High Rise asked Boulder. Behind him ten or so ponies stood glaring with their various weapons ranging from knives to a greatsword.

“I think you know why we are here,” Boulder replied calmly.

High Rise snorted in anger, his body shelled in strong armor.

“I would’ve thought that Mordane himself would be here.”

“As I am, High Rise,” shouted Mordane as he galloped up to the group front. “It would seem your… compatriot failed in his task to kill me.”

Several ponies shifted uncomfortably at his statement but High Rise barely even blinked.

“What of it? You and I both know that this game between us has been a long time coming. Only one of us is going to walk away the leader.”

Mordane nodded his head and acted at ease. Inside, though, he was ready to spring into action if the need arose.

Both sides now stood in a line about twenty feet apart. From his eye even if the fight broke out his side would have the advantage.

“Look, High Rise, this is between you and me. Lets leave the others out of it and settle this like stallions.”

High Rise snorted again but this time with a smile as he stalked forwards towards Mordane.Seeing this Mordane moved to meet him.

“And here I thought I was going to have to drag you out from behind those lackies. I suppose you're braver than I thought.”

"I thought the same."

Mordane was not sure what Made High Rise think he could defeat him but he would not back down now.

“Let’s en-”

Mordane was cut off as a pegasus came screeching in from the north. He landed, panting, between them before trotting up to High Rise.

“SIR! The Cabistien forces, they were routed! The enemy is headed this way! They will be here by tomorrow!”

All of the ponies froze where they were. For a moment High Rise and Mordane locked eyes. A simple understanding passed between them.

I don’t have time for you now, little brat.

The army comes first, we don’t have time for this.

The party dispersed as High Rise shouted orders. Over the next hour his verbal lashings and loud voice got the ponies up and moving. Two hour later the mercenary band was moving quickly away from the town.

As Mordane crossed over the first mountain ridge he stopped and turned back. Behind him a line of wagons and ponies stumbled up the mountainside. The sun had fallen over the horizon an hour ago but it might as well of been day. Screams drifted up from the village below as guards withdrew from homes taking what they willed. On the river he could see the black outline of soldiers against the flames of the burning bridge. They threw their torches on the inferno before turning to return to the army.

Something felt odd to Mordane something he could not place.

He turned and continued his trek over the mountain as in the distance thunder roared.

The enemy would be occupied putting out the fire. They however would be gone.

Treacherous Ground

The trek away from the village was more of a mad dash than a military withdraw. Sheets of rain battered the disordered and strung out forces under High Rise's and Mordane's command. Who were continuously pushing them on with near frantic speed with wagons full of iron in tow. Those carts forced the mercenary bands to stay on the road. Armies are supposed to be able to move quickly and efficiently over terrain, but such a thing proved impossible for them.

For starters, the ponies couldn’t march in formation really. Oh, they might stay in rows for a while but soon they were in clumps and traveling with their friends. Secondly, the narrow roads were made of loosely packed dust. Even in the driest of weather such paths are terrible for armies. The number of wagons and individuals involved soon destroyed the path with divots and sudden turns choking the movement. This was compounded by the rain. Cabistien’s military assault via a storm cell had been countered by the north somehow. Despite this the weather in the region was in chaos. A full blow downpour with high winds was upon them.

Normally an army would stop in these conditions, but the band knew that would mean certain death now. So onward they pushed with whole groups of pegasi flew overhead trying to lessen the storm  by throwing it back at their pursuers. At the same time earth ponies kept felling trees to lay over the worse parts of the road, as well as making temporary stream crossings.

It was tough going, and Mordane could see it weighing heavily on the fighters. What was he to do?  High Rise and him had not spoken directly since leaving the town.

Soon they pressed on, only stopping for short rests and to sleep.

A day and a half after leaving the town, Mordane sat down by a pile of sticks with Stalker. They had just finished putting together a lean-to next to a tree. It would keep the water off of them at least.

Focusing, Mordane poured heat into the damp logs and soon the water began to steam forming whips as the rain fell. After a few minutes of waiting the wood burst into flame.

Looking around, he watched as all around him different magic users set the fires alight for their comrades.

The last traces of the sun were disappearing over the horizon. Part of him feared that this would be the last night for many a mercenary as they succumbed to the cold ,but the rational part said that these ponies were used to roughing it alone with no structure to support them.

"Celestia damn, its cold," said Boulder, coming in to sit beside them. On his back was a pile of relatively dry wood which he threw on the fire. "Found this under some logs and bushes. Isn't it supposed to be summer?"

"Yes," said Stalker, using a spare shirt to dry off before passing it to Mordane. "But the weather down here is not so tightly regulated as in Equestria. It just sort of happens as it will. One year, I remember it snowing in spring, but the next day you could boil an egg by placing it on a stone outside."

Boulder sneezed without warning, causing the other two to laugh.

"I remember this one time," Mordane began. "I was staying in this lighthouse, and it was long ago, but I went out to stand on the beach because in the distance, out at sea, I could see a hurricane."

"Hurricane?" asked Boulder

“It’s basically a wild storm at sea... Equestrian sailors sometimes run into them. Anyway, I was looking at this storm coming in. Lighting played across its surface as the waves rose higher and higher. In the distance I saw a... rather large vessel.” Mordane’s eyes seemed to flash and a small smile came onto his lips, as he remembered the feel of sea salt against his bare skin. The awesome power of the ocean made real and present before him.

“It was tossing in the waves, barely able to stay upright in the storm. However, as it kept fighting, the wind drove it closer and closer to the shore. Imagine my surprise when I saw that ship turn toward the shore. I thought their rudder had broken or something, but I was wrong. They turned and picked up speed before completing the turn and pointing directly into the way the storm was coming in." Mordane's eyes looked off into the distance to days long past. "I remember thinking that the only way to really take on something larger than yourself is to face it head on."

The fire crackled against the cold as the three stared into the fire.

“And you went out to look at one of these thing?" asked Stalker. ”Are you nuts?"

"Not really... Just foolhardy, I suppose."

“You’ve always been that way Mordane," Boulder gruffed.

"Perhaps… Then I suppose it's in my nature to find myself in trouble and danger. This is why I prefer quiet isolation." Mordane stretched, popping his back. “You get entangled in things out here in the world. Better to stay still and in control in a place you know. Strangely, Ponyville was like that to me near the end. Hard to think it's been less than a year since I left. What about you two? Is there anywhere you call home?"

"Yes," Boulder replied, reaching into his pack and pulling out some mixing bowls. "I grew up in a fishing village, just south of Manhattan. I've never been much for fishing though. Growing up, playing with sticks and such was my hobby as a colt. For work, I'd dig holes for different ponies. My life in the village was defined by my mother, high priestess of the Divine Light. Under her instructions I was taught history, geography, the basics of magic, and most importantly, how to recite the Path of the Sun and the Book of Roads."

"The book of roads, what are you talking about?" Mordane said through chattering teeth, horn illuminated as he prepared to magically pull the water from his coat.

"He is referring to the sacred text of the guiding light which refers to the three chosen paths," Stalker cut in.

"Five now," Boulder remarked, before lowering his voice and looking at Mordane. “, or six."

"Huh. I'll have to find a reference for that at some point," Mordane said, filing away the info for later. "What about you, Stalker… I mean, whatever you can tell us."

Stalker shifted uncomfortably, as Boulder ground three blocks of gray grainy patties into dust in the bowls before adding boiling water from the pot in the fire.

"Telling anypony about myself feels strange, but here it goes. I grew up on the side of a mountain in a rather… strict clan. We followed the book of roads as well."

“Sounds fun,” Mordane replied sarcastically.

“Oh it was.” He rolled his eyes. “I was forced to carry- Oh thank you, Boulder,” he said as the dinner was passed out. ”I was forced to carry rocks to the top of a mountain every day from the cave where we mined them.”

“Mine? For what?”

“Rocks.”

"...You lost me,” Boulder deadpanned.

“We were told that we could stop digging once we found a diamond in the mountain.”

“How long did it take you?” Mordane asked curiously. Stalker laughed.

“I never did. No one did. There was only three ways out of that cave; dead, temporarily under armed guard, or to sneak out.” Stalker finished off his bowl and sat it out in the rain to collect water. “I found the last way.”

“Did young ponies really die?” Boulder asked nervously.

“What? Oh, no. The work just seemed very hard at a young age, and we did not know it, but our guards were there to actually give us strength and make the rock softer. Funny actually, if they were really trying, there would be no way in Tartarus for anypony to escape.”

“What of you?” Boulder asked Mordane as he passed his bowl to be sat beside Stalker’s.

“My youth was spent on a farm… Growing corn, apples, berries. Whatever we would want really.” Mordane reached up to scratch his nose, but stopped once he saw the state his hoof was in after trekking through the rain and mud all day. “I learned magic from a book with no help before leaving to go to Ponyville. On the way though, I... Well, I ran into your brother, Stalker. Then overheard you kicking that slaver in the gut, Boulder.”

Mordane gave them a quick smile before stretching and looking around.

“This weather is terrible.”

“I’ll say.” Boulder grunted, cracking his neck in a few places. “How far back do you think the enemy is?”

“I don’t know,” Mordane said as he winced to the sound. “The pegasi won’t talk to me anymore since what happened with High Rise.”

“About twenty hours,” Stalker spoke up, rubbing his temples. “I— eh, overheard it from High Rise’s tent. Which is closer than yesterday by six hours, almost?”

“Damnit,” Mordane growled lowly. “These carts of iron will be the death of us.”

Stalker and Boulder simply nodded. They had already discussed the problem the day before. Money is no good when you're dead.

“I don’t see another way through, Mordane. High Rise is set on getting that iron to the city.” Boulder said solemnly with a nod.

“I think he would use the broken bodies of other ponies to harden up the path if he thought he could get away with it,” Stalker said with a snort and then a grin.

Mordane drew his sword and analyzed its length. Parts were chipped and broken. Rust flanked the edges.

"Tartarus, Mordane” Boulder hissed “have you been cleaning that thing?"

"No," Mordane said simply as Boulder snatched the blade out of his hooves. “Don’t see the point. A blade seems redundant with my magic."

Boulder pulled out his whetstone and set upon the blade with vigor.

"Don't think like that, Mordane." Boulder said glaring at him. “My master said that your blade is the last friend you touch before the end. Have you even given it a name?"

"Naming a blade only attaches you to it," Stalker said, drawing one of his knives. “Makes it harder to leave behind."

"A blade is supposed to be hard to leave behind," Boulder grunted as he sharpened the sword’s edge as much as he could.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Mordane said suddenly, before standing up.

"Talk to whom… High Rise? He'll have you chopped up and left for the wolves," Stalker said, pointing his knife at Mordane. “You can't just go talk to him."

"Why not? Maybe with this new information I can get him to see what he obviously doesn't want to."

"Mordane," Boulder said, sliding the blade back into its sheath. “High Rise will kill you as soon as you walk in there."

"No... I don't think he will," Mordane said with a smile.

"And why is that?" Stalker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Because I'm just that charming."

Mordane laughed as he walked out into the rain, leaving his friends behind shaking their heads.

Setting a frown on his face, Mordane headed off to look for High Rise.

As he moved through the crowd ponies looked at him curiously. Some glared, others gave him a smile. To be honest, he did not care too much what they thought of him by this point. They had never really been his men or anyone’s really. Mercenaries served only one master, and that was the bit.

Any semblance of order that he had brought before was not to be seen, as tents and lean-tos laid strewn along the path which was basically a running mud pit. The provision wagons had been abandoned about thirty miles back, set alight as to not provide the enemy with supplies. Mordane thought it would have been better to have someone drag them down another road to draw some of the enemy off, but he was cut out off any decision making process. No, this company was set on outrunning the enemy at any cost.

Mordane found High Rise further down the path. His grand tent had been left behind with the supplies and his furniture. The only thing he had kept was a chest full of papers.

As Mordane approached, several glaring ponies moved to block his way.

“High Rise, I need to speak with you," Mordane spoke loudly, stopping just beyond the line that had formed.

"Go away, Mordane. I don't have time to deal with your mutiny." High Rise burst out of the tent with a sneer on his face. “What would I have to say to a traitorous dog like you anyway?"

"You can say why you’re leading all of these good ponies to their death," Mordane shouted at the surrounding ponies, many of whom were murmuring in agreement. "Everypony knows that you tried to have me killed. That made my challenge fair game."

High Rise glanced around at the ponies that were cold and wet from long marching.

"We are making good progress. Soon we will outrun those-"

"Cut the bullshit, High Rise. I know that the enemy is catching up. They are a six hour march closer than yesterday and gaining."

"No," High Rise said fearfully. “They will be slowed down like we were."

"They don't have to cut their way through, High Rise. They have battle mages - REAL battle mages. Do you really think we could hope to outrun them while dragging along this dead weight?" Mordane shouted, waving his hoof at the six or so carts. “We must abandon the iron!"

Many of the stallions began to mumble in agreement. Already they were looking to a week or so of eating grass before they reached the city. What was the iron worth if they all died trying to get it there?

“I didn’t fight my way out of those moon forsaken pits just to wind up with nothing again.” One pony grumbled.

At that moment a pegasus in strange armor burst through the canopy. Mordane recognized the armor of Cabistien soldiers just before the stallion called out in a booming voice.

"I have a message for High Rise or whoever is in command of these mercenary forces."

"I am here," spoke up High Rise, trotting up to the stallion and retrieving the message.

He quickly broke its seal and flipped it open before reading through it quickly. His sneer turning into a smile.

“It's a letter from Cabistien. They have a plan for a counter attack! Reinforcements are headed our way."

"Reinforcements from where?"

"Yes," High Rise said, ignoring Mordane’s question. “It says-"

Mordane snatched the letter with his magic and examined the letter before reading it aloud. The seal of Cabistien marked the front and the paper seemed worn, muddy and ripped from a long travel.

"It says that they will pay us double if we can hold the enemy at a place called... The Castle of the Moon for four days until reinforcements arrive to catch the enemy off guard," Mordane said, feeling caught off guard himself.

"You see?" High Rise beamed. “Now we will be even better off. All of us could retire with the money from this adventure.” He turned to the surrounding ponies. “And I will see to it that the extra money is split evenly between all of us!"

Most ponies were grinning and hooting at the news. However a few dozen looked as if they had been slapped. Almost as if they had seen a ghost.

"We must make sure that the place is defendable..."

"By the time we get there we will have plenty of time to make repairs and collect supplies to wait out the siege."

Mordane simply nodded and gave the letter back to High Rise before turning to leave.

"Mordane."

"Yes?" he replied as he stopped walking.

"I will leave you alone, if you do the same until the end of this venture. Then we can go separate ways. Neither of us has to die," High Rise said solemnly.

"We do this, go to Tietus, and then you pay me. Then we go separate ways."Mordane said firmly.

"Agreed."

"Very well." Mordane started walking again, keeping his head high.

Mordane frowned the entire way back to his friends. They were as surprised as he was at the news of High Rise's offer and the letter. Perhaps things would go well.

___________________________________________________

The ponies of the mercenary band pushed all the harder, as they looked for a road that had long ago been left to the decay of time. It was only by luck that several pegasi noticed it, while flying, and found where it connected to the main road.

It was overrun with bushes and grass, but the path was still there and useable. Soon, however, they were pleasantly surprised, as the dirt gave way to crumbled stone and then to cobblestone. Trees hung so low, on some parts of the path, that they had to be cut down.

It seemed odd to Mordane that the road had survived so well, but he shrugged as they pushed on before finally breaking through to a large field.

Mordane, Stalker and Boulder all looked at the strange fortress with mixed reactions, ranging from intrigue to surprise.

From the hill at the edge of the clearing they could see four short towers with the two in the middle being closer, and one tall tower that seemed to be in the center of the space that the fortress occupied.

It looked like the stronghold was there before the mountain even existed. And then the earth just swallowed the structure whole, as it grew like a tree.

But in reality the entire structure must have been cut from the very mountain it rested on, materials added along its outer walls, and from what it looked, inner walls. Strangely curved bases and ramparts caught the observant eye. The entire thing flowed with the mountain as if some great force had carved it with a mighty blast and another had come later to straighten and carve out the details.

The fortress seemed open to the elements, unlike most military structures in Equestria, as the face broke with the mountainside.

"Nothing appears to be too broken," Boulder commented before frowning. “There's something about this that is bugging me.”

"That place could withstand any storm thrown at it or any siege if properly stocked," Mordane whispered in awe. “Why was it abandoned?"

"Eh, something about a curse,” Stalker shrugged “I could get in and out of it. That open top is a major weakness. Wonder why they built it that way," Stalker said with a raised eyebrow and tilted head.

“The curse!” Boulder spat. “How could I have forgotten? The castle of the Lunar princess.”

“What are you talking about?” Mordane asked while still staring at the impressive structure.

“About a year ago I heard somepony talking about this place in the capital of Irona. Said that it was haunted or cursed. Hearing about it though I would have expected mold and a giant cloud of doom.”

“Yes I’ve heard the same rumors, but never from a first hoof source,” said Stalker. ”It’s always: 'but I had a friend this' or 'my grandfather one fall before winter that.' ”

“It’s probably just a reputation then. I would guess they expected it to be well stocked and supplied with soldiers, not a ragtag mercenary group. With proper numbers this valley would be a killing field," Boulder said quickly as his eyes scanned the structure. “See those patterns on the top? Those look like the remains of enchantment symbols eroded with time. Maybe six unicorns could have created a near impregnable shield."

"I don't think that was from erosion…” said Mordane. “It looks more like the seals were overwhelmed. Look at how far the cracks go down the wall. That fortress was punctured by... by..."

He gulped. There was only one pony he knew of in history that could have broken such wards, only one time in history that this land was held by a monarch strong powerful enough to hewn such a place from the very rock.

"This must have been the heart of the Lunar Republic," he whispered.

"The lunar what?" Boulder asked.

“The Lunar Republic. Equestria use to be far larger than it is now. All this land belonged to it as the two sisters reigned from the Everfree. Their power was unmatched and a time of prosperity poured across these lands." Mordane started walking, still staring at a remnant of a time long forgotten, only hinted at old tales and a dusty book... Reaching deep into his satchel he pulled out and looked at the long set aside book of Star Swirl. “Then came the Lunar Rebellion. Luna grew angry and bitter with her sister. With the way she ran things, with how she raised herself above others. So she revolted and all of the region south of the great divide came with her. For decades they fought back and forth. Luna gained ground and pushed the tyrant out of the Everfree Forest,but then Celestia used powerful magic and raised the great divide."

"Impossible!" shouted Boulder, much to Mordane and Stalker’s surprise. “Well umm... I mean, Even Celestia is not that strong."

"True," Mordane continued, flashing a grin. “She did only raise one mountain to seal the passes between the north and south. Even that was probably done with a lot of help. That's not important though, what is important is that it cut Luna off from her kingdom and reinforcements. Within weeks Celestia cornered her in the palace of the two pony sisters. From there she was finally consumed by darkness. She became Nightmare Moon."

A chill ran up the three ponies’ spines. So few associated Luna with that name, but these three had been around enough to know the truth of it.

“I have a bad feeling about this place, Mordane," Stalker spoke up, the fortress obviously wrecking his nerves. “It could very well become our coffin if we are not careful."

"What choice do we have?" Mordane said quietly.

"We could run. Drop everything and run. Anypony with half a brain would follow you out of here."

“I won't do that. It would make everything I've done down here pointless. I can save them, Stalker," Mordane said as his eyes hardened and jaw set. “I will save them.”

___________________________________________

The ponies scurried about like ants cutting down trees for repairs and barrels to store grass. Luckily a well was found deep in the fortress, so water would not be a problem. The old and broken enchantments had proven impossible to repurpose or repair, so Mordane found himself without much to do.

Once inside, the full scope of the fortress had been revealed. It was in the shape of a hexagon with a short tower at each corner. The four towers they had seen formed half of the structure. The two outer towers had a wall between them with a tower in the exact center. Behind that wall was a place Mordane had mentally labeled the inner sanctum.

The inside caught Mordane off guard.

The walls were covered with carvings of bat winged ponies and celestial guards attacking each other forever in stark relief. They were carved in intricate detail with a style and care meant to stand the test of time.

He moved from picture to picture until finding the oldest one.

It showed Luna standing upon a rampart in a city next to the ocean, her hoof pointing to two ponies raising a flag atop a stone tower that seemed familiar. It took a moment before realizing that it was the Corner tower of this very fortress. Below stood a sea of ponies in obvious jubilation. A small inscription read: "On the beginning of this glorious night, the old tyrant’s mask is stripped away. Down with her burdening sun. Down with her Solar imperious. All hail the Lunar Republic!"

Chills ran up his spine as he moved to the next one depicting a battle. Bat pony soldiers clashes with Solar guards as the princess stood above them, Luna's face pouring out hatred and righteous fury as she wielded a wickedly curved scythe and her hoof pointing emphatically at her enemy with lightning flowing all around her. Celestia stood tall and balanced, her chin high and eye glaring from under a battle helm. At her side rested a massive hammer. She seemed to burn with a great inner light and heat that even her own soldiers shied away from.

So she was more open with her nature in the past.

Scene after scene, battle after battle. Soon the war seemed to shift into Luna's favor with Celestia depicted as on the run.

Then the last two walls. The first showed Celestia, destroying the defences of this very fortress. Then Luna casting some kind of spell over the place before giving pursuit.

The last image seemed haphazardly cut, as if it was done by more than one artist. It depicted a furious Celestia reaching into the very earth to call forth a mountain. With a council of military ponies standing over a map with a cleaver.

The inscription read. “The Sun Tyrant has taken our Princess from us by casting the southern lands aside. One day though the tyrant will return. One day she will come to reclaim these lands. Let us split them and govern in true harmony, until that day when we shall rise together as one to cast her down."

"Hello." Mordane gasped and spun around at the sudden voice.

"Oh, Steady Gaze, you startled me." He let out a chuckle

"I did? Well that's your fault I suppose... Now, what do we have here."

Steady Gaze began looking over the reliefs.

"This represents the ancient war between-"

"The sun tyrant and Lunar princess. Yes, I can tell." Steady frowned at Mordane before looking back at the stone work.

"You know what this is?"

"Of course. Who among the southern lands does not know the legend of the sun tyrant? Of her army of gleaming guards or her supposed dominion of the sky." Steady laughed. “It’s just an old mare’s tale, though quite fantastical. I mean, really, one nation holding sway over all of these lands and more? It’s ridiculous."

Steady Gaze's words were difficult for Mordane to wrap his head around.

“You’re saying-" He paused, deciding to approach the question differently. “Have you heard of the name Celestia?"

"...Isn't that the name of a school up north, beyond the great divide or something?" he asked, scratching his head. “What does that have to do with these?"

"Have you ever heard of the Lunar Republic?"

"No. What are you getting at?"

Mordane found it difficult to accept, but he was starting to see something.

"Tell me about this legend, Steady gaze. Tell me about this... Sun Tyrant."

Steady Gaze raised an eyebrow at Mordane’s line of questions but then shrugged and tapped his chin.

"I don't care much for such silly tales, but here it goes. A thousand years ago all the land from the southern tip to the great divide was one nation. When the sun tyrant descended, the Lunar princes fought against her, in the end laying down her life as she was broken by the mountain. I mean, when the sun queen threw a mountain on top of her or so the story goes."

"That's... interesting."

"Indeed. It goes on to say that the current nobles of the land are descended from the bloodline of her council of generals. All of this, of course, is ridiculous "

"Then who raises the sun?"

The stallion looked at Mordane like he was crazy.

"Nopony. The sun moves on its own by the great pulse."

Mordane could no longer resist the urge to allow his mouth to hang open.

"Great pulse?"

The pony nodded wisely.

"I suppose it's understandable that you have not been properly taught. Look, the great pulse is the surge of magic in the umbra every evening and morning that fuels its rotation. It comes from the natural magic of the world. Honestly, I don't know why ponies insist that everything...” He sighed at Mordane's increasingly confused face. “The umbra I assume?" Mordane nodded “The umbra is the top of the world. You know… the sky?"

The alicorn stood there with his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, his face slipping between laughter to confusion as he processed the shift in thought.

“Surely you've heard of Equestria’s princess."

"That she raises the sun? Hardly. The sun has risen for time untold. I do not know how long she has ruled whatever land that survives north of the mountain... Equestria you called it?" The stallion grew thoughtful. “Equestria, Equestria. Now where have I heard that before...? Ah! That's where you’re from isn't it?" He laughed heartily, causing his robes to shake. “That princess must have pulled the wool right over your eyes."

Steady Gaze continued to chatter on about kings and their lies as Mordane pretended to listen.

He knew of this great pulse. Everypony did, kind of, but it was seen for what it was in the north: Celestia’s spell in the morning to raise the sun. He had felt her magic and seen her cast it. Yet, here was a stallion mistaking the actions of an individual for a natural product of nature.

Mordane shook his head to dispel the thoughts.

“So why is this place abandoned?" Mordane said, wincing.

"It's too far out from any villages is my guess. Simply would cost too much to support it. According to the locals though, it is cursed. It’s not though. We once slept here a day before because of the weather, and had no trouble."

"You and High Rise have been here before?"

"Oh, yes. We escorted some archaeologist from Herridon. It was quite boring."

Mordane nodded and turned to leave, but then stopped. Something about that statement seemed to set off a bell in his head. However the concerns of the defences called to him. Shrugging he left.

He trotted out to the first inner courtyard, just inside the first walls. There he found Boulder shouting at a bunch of other stallions while standing next to a pile of trees.

"No, NO! A trebuchet is not that difficult to make. It’s simply a counterweight moving a short distance to make something a lot smaller move a longer distance faster. Then it releases and flies at the enemy."

"Why don't you use the bigger weight? Won't it cause more damage?" asked one soldier scratching her head. “And what do you mean the smaller one will go a farther distance? Isn't the pole in the middle? Why don't we just have the pegasi drop the rocks on them?"

Boulder face hoofed before groaning loudly.

“Look, we are going to be fighting for a long time. The pegasi would all be killed off if we sent them out to do that."

"So? Less of those bug teeth to waste the money splitting on the iron. Am I right, earth ponies?"

Their laughter echoed across the courtyard. Boulder’s face turned from white to red as he trembled from undiluted rage.

"YOU PIECES OF-"

"Boulder!" Mordane shouted, cutting the stallion off. “I’m sure that... this pony was only making a joke." Mordane turned to them and gave a smile. “We need those pegasi to act as arrow collectors, messengers and food transporters. Without them we will have to draw away from the few ponies we have to defend such large outer walls. The unicorns will be busy resisting magical spells. That leaves you earth ponies to do the bulk of the fighting."

“Earth ponies doing the bulk of the hard work. What a shocker," the mare said, rolling her eyes.

Mordane simply blinked before charging his horn and hitting her with a sudden rush of wind.

The ponies stumbled back before recovering and reaching for their swords.

"That could have very well been a blast of fire," Mordane said coldly, staying their hooves. “Or perhaps even spikes to impale you where you stand? Maybe I would have animated your corpses and have them turn on your fellow fighters? Perhaps I'd have simply crushed you and let the ensuing shower of blood cool off your friends. Who knows? It could have been almost anything. None of you are wearing enchanted armor to protect your bodies and minds. I could have ripped out your soul."

The earth ponies turned stock still at the list of ways Mordane could have killed them, a chill settling into their bones. Mordane continued to frown and stare as he waited for the idea to sink in before continuing.

"Now, I'm a half decent magic user. These ponies though? They are skilled, battle hardened unicorns with a deep military training. They will kill you every chance they get, and what is going to stop them? Pegasi with disruptive weather to make it difficult to cast and unicorns to fight them off. We can't even hope to attack. The only advantage we have is that we can prepare. They will bring their own, so when I say you will be doing most of the fighting, Realize that I mean the hoof to hoof because the rest of us will be trying our best to prevent your ass-holes from being pulled out through your throat."

Mordane turned and gave a curt nod to Boulder, who saluted in return, before turning to continue trying to get the ponies to successfully make something he had learned to do in basic.

Mordane watched Boulder for a time before leaving to go to the outer wall.

Standing just outside the corner tower, Stalker stared out over the open field. The sun was beginning to set even as birds flocked and flowers waved, unknowing of what was about to come.

"I said it before and I'll say it again: We should run, Mordane," he said as his eye twitched. "Every instinct I have says run."

"Sometimes you can't run, Stalker,” Mordane said, taking a seat beside him. “I won't abandon them and all the money we have earned. It would be a waste."

"A waste? Maybe. Delaying though would be much worse," Stalker said bitterly, looking at his hooves before sighing. “I’m getting older Mordane. I'm not blessed with your youth."

"What? You can't be older than like thirty max," Mordane said with a snort. “I’ve seen ponies carrying couches your age."

Stalker looked at him incredulously, mock horror on his face.

"I'm forty."

"Forty?" Mordane said surprised. “I’m just learning all kinds of things today. Doesn’t that mean you were-"

"Twenty eight when I started following you." He snorted. “Still, I miss delivering papers."

“Well, I was just in the deeper part of this place. Did you know that the ponies down here think that the war between Nightmare Moon and Celestia was fake?" Mordane questioned as he began to examine the stonework.

"Yeah, that was quite a shocker as a small colt, I admit. Learning that The Sun Tyrant was a real thing gave me nightmares for weeks."

Mordane stopped what he was doing and looked at Stalker with an open mouth and raised eyebrows.

“Oh don't look at me like that, Mordane. I was a child and it was a different time."

“What do you mean?" Mordane asked.

"Well," Stalker replied, looking over to the setting sun. "Do you remember Luna's return?"

"Yes," Mordane snorted.”I was… ten? I think? My father was the first to notice. I remember him gasping and telling us to go inside. Did not know until years later what it had meant."

"Well down here it meant something else... The moon was our protector. The pony whose seal on the moon guarded us from the burning tyrant of the north. Yet one day, in a flash, she was gone. Towns following the old religion panicked. Villages burned."

He paused as if remembering some terrible sight before continuing.

"History is history, I suppose. The various kings claimed the right to rule. Pulling on rank over a thousand years old passed down and only kept in ledgers and spoken of at parties. Disagreements arose. Bloodlines split, and after two years the strain grew too large. War came. Nations fell. My family sought answers. They sent me and many more to the north to bring back proof that the sun tyrant was not real... We found the opposite."

Mordane nodded his head. It did not surprise him.

"War has a way of begetting war, while reason seems to only bring anger. To everypony it seems the same."

Stalker nodded.

“That uh… come from your other life? It’s kind of dark.”

"Yes, yes it is. Remind me to tell you about it sometime," Mordane said with a smile that turned to a frown as he turned to squint at the horizon, before turning and running to the opposite side of the wall. “SCOUTS! ENEMY SCOUTS SIGHTED! PEGASI FRONT AND CENTER!"

His call was echoed through the fortress. Quickly three dozen pegasi came to stand in front of him, followed shortly by High Rise.

"What is it, Mordane?"

"I see an enemy pegasus patrol on the wind."

"And?"

"We must destroy them if we wish to avoid being found for awhile longer."

High Rise looked confused for a moment before the reality of the situation seemed to dawn on him.

"Of course! The others and I will take care of this. You go and... organize the barrels of grass or something."

High Rise signaled to his fellow pegasi who took off and quickly headed for the dots on the horizon. Mordane swallowed his pride and watched them go before saying one last thing to High Rise.

"Good luck."

Another awkward pause and a smile slowly spread across the mercenary captain’s face.

"Luck has nothing to do with anything, Mordane."

With a blast of air he took to the sky, leaving Mordane to consider what happened and why he felt so strange about it.

Hours passed, there was no sign of High Rise or the other pegasi. Mordane soon found himself tired, deciding to head straight for bed.

______________________________________________________________

The sun shone brightly over Ponyville, its rays piercing his eye. He was not keen to meeting the sun. Not only for its wielder, but for what it seemed to hold against him. After all even if he did not like it the sun still brought warmth and was necessary for life.

That thought brought the taste of ash to his mouth.

Thirsty, so thirsty.

Stepping into a diner he ordered a sunday from the kindly old seller, the sight of him filling him with warmth. It was good to see business and construction in the world; a world where ponies seemed content to meander along without fear or care, even as they had faced death a thousand times.

How contemptible they seemed.

Mordane slurped down the soda/ice cream mix. A town favorite. He tasted ash again.

Paying the pony and leaving a tip, Mordane waved as he left promising to return and bring friends. He might even do it if he had time.

Ponies seemed to be going about their ordinary day, bouncing, running and traveling by a variety of personally accented ways. Oh how he hated that. Why wouldn't they just walk? Pegasi flying he could understand; it was in their nature. But why did some of the earth ponies bounce?

Mordane came up to the tree house, mentally going down a checklist. He was in a dark mood today and so would need to take extra precautions against acting strange around Twilight. A few mental blocks shifted. Actions he would not consider before were allowed to be there. Some others were tightened. It took only a moment but he had to pause. Why had he not done this before? Here he was standing in front of the door like an idiot.

Pushing open the door, he gave a quick smile to Spike who gave him a wide grin in return. The two of them had hit if off a while ago. The scaly creature had even started calling him friend weirdly. Mordane, of course, accepted it; There was no reason to make Twilight upset.

The conversation was banal and simple enough. Mordane allowed most of his thoughts to wander as he discussed going swimming later and how Spike should not work so much. A simple recall of past events told him Twilight was likely still upstairs getting up from bed or other such things to occupy herself. None of his business.

The number of books though brought back that ash taste again. Why did Twilight live here? In a library meant for research. He had deduced shortly after arrival that this structure was meant to be a research library. Open to students and researchers studying the Everfree but that is not what happened anymore. No, taxpayer money went to house a unicorn from a noble family. Celestia’s personal student.

Quickly he chided himself. Twilight had saved Equestria several times at least. She was entitled to compensation from society. Perhaps that's why he felt upset. He had done nothing to deserve special treatment.

Once again he considered just telling her. Perhaps there was a way to convince her to not tell Celestia. Then again, perhaps not. Already in his mind he could see the chains. They wrapped all around her. All around Spike. These chains of his mind stretched all the way to Canterlot and a pony with a benign smile.

Oh, he knew what would happen. Someone that old, that wise, would FEEL the change in Twilight’s approach. Would investigate.

Then she would know.

It would start with a visit and a sad smile wondering why he did not trust her. Then it would be compliments and comments on the wisdom of his caution. With guile and words, soon all his secrets would be bare. Her eyes would pierce his soul and then he would be hers. Go there do this.

A puppet.

Just like Twilight.

Just like FUCKING Twilight.

And he was no puppet. He was no fool.

Twilight came down the stairs and smiled at him as well.

"Hello, master," he said with a grin.

He had no master.

__________________________________________________________

Mordane shuddered and awoke from his sleep with the dream’s dark edges still clinging to him.

He remembered that day. He remembered getting the ice cream and the warm smiles. Those thoughts though. That feeling of hate. Had that been his own?

It had been a lifetime ago when he did away with his anger and fear. Why then did he feel them so strong in his memory?

Mordane pondered these questions sitting in the dark room ignoring the clatter outside. Soon though, the door slammed open.

Mordane reacted instantly and pretended to be asleep before the door even hit the wall.

"Mordane! Get up!" Stalker shouted as he rushed in.

"Eh?" He said, rubbing the crust from his eyes. "What is it?"

"It’s- It’s, uhh, just come. See for yourself!"

Mordane jumped up and nodded for Stalker to lead the way. They moved quickly through the halls.

Ponies ran about confused and shouting for somepony to tell them what was going on. Had the enemy attacked? The three friends galloped out to the fortress gate, then through the second wall gate before skidding to a halt. Mordane made his way past the twenty or so ponies, milling about and quietly mumbling, to find a dozen or so dead or dying guards.

The earth ponies laid broken against the wall. Blood poured and pooled from great wounds in their sides. He quickly noted which ones were dead and unconscious before trotting over and checking a pony breathing heavily while leaning against the wall.

“Where did they go?” he asked the ponies. They only looked around nervously until one of the bodies gurgled. A spear was stuck into his stomach allowing the internal pressure of his body to begin pushing blood out of him through the gaping wound. Such an injury was a promise of lingering death if not for magic. A quick spell told him however, that the damage was even worse even than that. His liver was punctured and the poisons within had spread throughout his insides. Even if they could stop the bleeding, there was no helping this pony.

Mordane kneeled in the blood and whispered into the pony’s ear.

“Tell me what happened.”

"Kill me," the pony gurgled, barely able to draw breath. "I would rather have a quick death."

Mordane nodded, a frown hanging on his face.

"I will soon. Give me an answer first. Where did the enemy go?”

"No, not the enemy… High Rise."

Mordane blinked and pulled back his head. The pony was trembling, his eyes glazing over. "High Rise did this. Now please end-"

With no hesitation Mordane drew his sword and stabbed the pony through the heart. He gurgled and with a sigh passed from the world.

Mordane stood there, absentmindedly wiping his sword on the pony’s shirt. High Rise had done this?

The idea made sense, but something so horrible he just could not accept. It did not feel real that someone would so easily and simply betray those that he commanded. His head snapped to the wall and closed front gate before he took to the air and landed on its walkway.

At the edge were the carts with several teams latching themselves to them. They were just finishing and he saw them quickly take to the air. Teams of six to pull the heavy iron. From where he stood he saw Steady Gaze casting a spell of protection. The old unicorn spotted him and gave a shrug before saying something over his shoulder.

Then came High Rise, out of the now consolidating mass of pegasi. He signaled to the rest and soon the carts were in the air.

Mordane began to tremble and seethe at the sight. Already his mind knew that there was no way for High Rise to have done this and still have captured those enemy pegasi. That they had, without doubt, already informed their superiors of his position. That there was no escape for the other ground based ponies. High Rise had lead them to this place and turned it into a trap.

Mordane felt a terrible pressure building in the back of his head.

_____________________________________

Boulder watched as Mordane spoke to the dying pony and drew back in shock at his sudden killing of him. Then he ran after Mordane up to the top of the wall arriving just in time to see High Rise and the other pegasi lifting off.

Mordane stood stock still trembling. His eyes wide at the sight. His sword laid forgotten at his feet. Boulder stepped closer to the stallion.

That was when the ground began to tremble.

Slowly - jerkingly - Mordane's face twitched, morphing into one of utter fury. His brow furrowed. Mouth twitching as he bared his teeth. Boulder could no longer tell if Mordane was shaking or if the ground was. Darkness fell over him. Boulder looked up and his mouth opened in awe.

Gray clouds begun to spin into being. Gusts that seemed to expand in power billowed Mordane's coat. Boulder could’ve sworn that a light was shining from the alicorn eyes.

A growl escaped Mordane lips before he drew a deep breath.

"HIIIIIIGGHHHHHH RRRIIISSSSEEEE!!!!" The shout shook Boulder to his bones and forced him to clap his hooves over his ears. Fear overcame him and Boulder trembled.

"HIGH RISE!"

Boulder cracked an eye to see High Rise in the distance facing them on the far edge of the clearing.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?"

Beyond the range that Mordane could hear, High Rise chuckled as he, and his ponies, prepared to move out.

"Well, Mordane. You wanted my army. So, you can have it. Good luck with the enemy forces. They should be arriving in the hour."

Laughter rang from the wind as High Rise turned and headed to the horizon, his pegasi following.

Mordane snarled. His eyes were glowing, Boulder was certain of it. The ground’s shaking continued and overhead he heard the peal of thunder. He fired bolts of force again and again after the pegasus.

"I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS, HIGH RISE. IN THE NAME OF WHATEVER GOD THERE IS IN THIS WORLD. I. WILL. KILL. YOU!"

Mordane roared at the sky as rain came down.

Boulder stared wide eyed at this pony, no this… alicorn. His heart stuck in his chest. Death seeming a breath away. His eyes, fixated on the image, could not break away from the gritting teeth and scrunched up face, but as he watched it shifted. Pain twisted into his features.

With a strangled cry Mordane slumped to his knees then to the ground. His heavy lidded eyes closed as the ground ceased to shake.

Boulder sat there shaking and staring at Mordane. A few seconds ticked by… then a minute, then five minutes. Stalker came up over the wall and landed in a blur on three hooves. The fourth had a blade drawn and it flicked back and forth as he assessed the situation.

"Boulder."

"..."

"Boulder!"

"Wha-?" Boulder said, shaking his head.

"What happened, Boulder?" Stalker asked through a strained voice.

"I... I do not know. It was..." He paused, looking at his hooves. "Terrifying. High Rise and the other pegasi took the wagons of iron. They abandoned us here."

Stalker blinked. Then blinked again, before snarling and ramming his knife into the stonework.

"THAT BUCKING BASTARD. WHEN I GET MY HOOVES ON HIM I'LL GELD THE SON OF A DONKEY BITCH!" He dropped the now blunt and bent knife before spitting on it. “What did he do to Mordane?”

“Nothing! He… expended a lot of will. It must be magical overload.”

Stalker nudged Mordane’s shoulder and groaned as the alicorn reacted less than the stonework. Reaching into his satchel he pulled out a small yellow envelope.

"What’s that?"

"Waking agent. Made from the droppings of a baby dragon I found in Ponyville mixed with manticore piss and a flower called Viridian. It could wake a hydra from a twenty year sleep."

Stalker flipped open the envelope before quickly running it under Mordane's nose.

With a start the young alicorn jumped to his hooves and began to repeatedly sneeze.

"Stalker! -achoo- Boulder!- snort- High Rise! - hack- enemy forces are close. We need to - snort, achoo- Rally the forces. Enemy will be here soon."

Stalker tossed Mordane a flask of water which he promptly began to snort up his nose and sneeze out in order to get the smell away as quickly as possible.

"We can't do that, Mordane! Without the pegasi or Steady Gaze for that matter there is no way we can hold this fort. We should take the army and try to punch through."

"No, we would lose half our forces - achoo-," Mordane said through bloodshot eyes and a runny nose.

"They will all be dead if we don't do something!" Boulder shouted, but Mordane waved off his plight.

"We must hold, for three days. Then we will have - achoo- reinforcements. Then we can get out of this business."

Stalker continued to scan the area, his instincts fully alert. Boulder adjusted his armor. Mordane finally got over his sneezing and looked around.

Already a few dozen ponies could be seen running for the tree line, their tails wagging in the breeze. A part of him might’ve even called them cute. In the inner courtyard ponies were milling about, some preparing to leave, others preparing the defence.

Mordane took a moment to prepare himself, taking note of the situation and tone that would be needed, making a few mental notes and getting into the right state of mind.

"Hear me! Ponies hear me!" The mercenaries down below did not seem to pay attention. Instead more and more began to pour out of the inner keep. Soon the entire place would be in a chaotic mess.

Very well then...

"SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN YOU WORTHLESS PIECES OF SHITS FROM YOUR MOTHERS ASS!"

That got their attention. All conversation in the courtyard stopped as ponies looked at him wide eyed. Mordane decided to continue before their shock wore off.

"High Rise has betrayed us." The crowd began to murmur. "SHUT UP! Now there are a few things that we have to make clear. First off, if we try to punch through now, half of you will die."

The crowd, even with its size, was able to create absolute silence.

"If we surrender then all of us will become slaves. That’s if they don't decide to just kill us outright.”

“Then what would you have us do?” shouted a pony from the crowd.

“I would have you fight! Fear is our greatest enemy here. There is hope. We must hold out for three days. Then we can go find that greedy bastard High Rise and teach him the cost of being a traitorous fool!”

A few cheers echoed through the courtyard but it was obvious most felt unsure. Mordane steeled himself and reached in deep. He needed to be convincing.

“Oh… Oh, I see.” An inquisitive feel seemed to ripple through the crowd to his eyes. Setting his jaw he continued as more and more ponies poured into the courtyard. “You stallions and mares are afraid. Good! You should be. That is a standing army headed our way. With swords sharp and tongues thirsty for blood. My blood! Your blood! Yet I know what it is that stays that twisting fear.”

Mordane smiled and spread his hooves.

“Money.”

A few chuckles echoed through the crowed. More than had cheered before. He continued.

“Yes, money is what stills your quaking hearts. Money and a chance. Let me tell you, if we hold this place then gold and iron will be yours galore! Not only will our allies pay us, we will have the rights to the spoils of battle. Armor, weapons and so much more! High Rise will quake and we will make him pay in both blood and the iron he did unrightfully take.”

“That's right!” Murmurs of agreement now. The clopping of a few hooves against the stone floor echoed as most were nodding their heads in agreement. Mordane began to pace along the rampart in front of them. Most of the army was in the courtyard now.

“Yet I know you are no fool. What do my promises mean if there is no hope?” Mordane stopped and stared wide eyed down at the now attentive crowd. “Ah, but have we forgotten our allies. Our friends. They wish more than us to see the enemy fallen. Three days we must hold, maybe four! Then riches will be ours, for every living pony here!”

The crowd cheered and stomped their hooves as Mordane threw his hooves towards the sky.

“Now prepare the defenses! We will hold!”

Inevitable.

The following five hours after High Rise abandoned the mercenaries, and Mordane went berserk, was perhaps the most productive time since the mercenary band’s arrival.  A confident atmosphere had settled over the fortress and Mordane noted a distinct lack of deserters. The final repairs were made and further plans were being discussed . They would try to hold the outer wall as long as possible, before falling back to the secondary, and then finally to the inner sanctum.

Mordane worked hard as well. The magical enchantments might’ve been severely damaged, but Mordane found that they still retained a bit of the original spell’s power. With a lot of effort and time, he shuffled together a few spell matrices and made a functional shield. Loud cheers filled the fortress when the shield finally went up.

Mordane had to be choosy with what he protected against though; with their limited number of unicorns, the shield would have to be focused on magical deflection. Physical attacks would pass right through, but those he could deal with. A couple good shots of siege magic, however, would spell doom to his position. This would also unfortunately prevent his unicorns from launching their own magical attacks beyond the shield, and it did nothing to prevent the enemy from simply walking through and THEN blasting him, but at least he would last long enough for them to get that close.

Careful examination of the battlefield caused Mordane to realize that the main focus of the battle would be at the source of the enchantment, which was located in the central tower of the second wall.

The first sight Mordane caught of the enemy army was a few pegasi darting in. Soon after, a division appeared on the road.

They moved their soldiers in just beyond bow range. Marching scouts quickly ran through the woods to confirm that there was no ambush waiting for them.

Mordane took note of their uniform armor and the discipline that was maintained throughout the ranks. He could see captains spread around the enemy force, giving orders and keeping the ponies in line. Soon though he focused on a large golden armored pegasus coming down the road, surrounded by what appeared to be elite soldiers.

That must be their commander.

He could almost feel the stallion glaring at the fortifications. Then he turned to his aid and barked a few orders which were quickly resounded across the field.

"Form skirmishing lines. Raise the siege equipment."

Armored ponies spread out in a parabola just outside of trebuchet range. Mordane noted that there was no firing of bows or any sign of a pony unsure of what to do.

Over the next few hours Mordane watched in fascination as they cut down trees and raised tents. Rows of recruit tents sprung up effortlessly in their wake. Pits for waste disposal were dug and siege equipment started up, the design of which was of particular interest to Mordane. As the last rays of light began to fade to dark, Boulder spoke up.

“Those aren't trebuchets." Boulder grinned. "They look more like catapults."

"Not as effective for assaulting a structure like this," Mordane commented. "Could buy us more time. Has the gate been reinforced?"

"Aye. With stout trees and stone. It won't fall easily."

"Hmm...I believe they are without the range of our trebuchets, wouldn't you agree, Boulder? I mean look at them, those tents seem mighty flammable."

His friend grinned.

"Indeed I would." Turning, Boulder yelled down at the seven trebuchets. "Load hot shots!"

Twisted twigs and cloth smothered in oil were loaded slowly into the trebuchets before being set alight. Raising his hoof, Mordane waited only a moment before letting his hoof drop forward.

Dozens of the flaming spheres flew over their heads and into the startled enemy ranks. Almost immediately the cotton white tents came alight.

The mercenaries cheered as panic nearly took the enemy ranks, watching as the flames spread. However, their discipline prevented it from getting as bad as Mordane would’ve hoped. Tents were quickly pushed away from the ones already ablaze.

The entire time the trebuchets kept firing stones weighing perhaps a hundred kilograms. Mordane mentally berated himself as he saw the jagged stones simply impact instead of rolling.

Boulder on the other hoof looked on with an odd sense of pride. Perhaps his knowledge would lead to a grand victory this day.

The enemy general watched the flying stones with surprise. The weight and distance they flew was far more than he would’ve thought possible for mercenary siege weapons. Assuming they must have had magical assistance, he considered for a moment before yelling out orders.

“What are they doing?” Boulder asked in surprise.

“I’m not sure.”

The enemy front had fallen back out of the trebuchet range but a secondary force much lighter in armor was getting into formation.

Suddenly, a series of barriers were constructed and the enemy marched out with force. Flocks of pegasi flew up into the sky to prepare a storm before diverting.

“They must have realized we are too deep in for a magical assault… SOLDIERS, PREPARE BOWS!” Mordane’s order resounded through the keep. With the mercenaries lack of discipline a few let loose some arrows only to have them pointlessly impact in front of their foe.

Boulder and Stalker groaned as Mordane snarled.

“Hold fire, you fools! Wait for my order!”

So they waited for two minutes as the foes advanced into bow range.

They never talk about this... these lulls in the battle. I guess saying that soldiers gloriously standing around looking at each other is not so good for songs.

“Fire arrows!”

Seven hundred arrows let loose and arced across the field. As the arrows reached their arch Mordane yelled again.

“Prepare to fire!”

The arrows impacts caused ripples to cascade over the shield, causing cracks that shattered the barriers.

The enemy drew back their bows and prepared to fire.

“Fire!” Mordane shouted. “Take cover!”

The enemy ranks fired. Arrows crossed each other in the air passing unhindered through the barrier. Screams of agony rang out from both sides. Mordane heard three of them from within the fortress. Popping his head up, Mordane saw the enemy line already falling back out of range, leaving dozens of dead behind.

“Damn...” Mordane cursed.

“What? We killed many of them, it was a good exchange,” Stalker said, crouching to his right.

“While allowing them to recover their supplies and reorganize. That was a perfect defence of our surprise attack.” Mordane resisted the urge to grind his teeth in frustration as the glared out from between the stones.

Standing up, Mordane flashed on a huge smile before yelling. “We showed them what we can do, ponies!”

The mercenaries cheered as their confidence was bolstered for the upcoming battle. Mordane resisted the urge to groan as a few ponies fired arrows which impacted uselessly against the ground. They really were little better than rabble.

__________________________________________________

A few hours later Mordane, Boulder and Stalker still found themselves sitting in the same place atop the wall. The enemy forces mulled about just beyond trebuchet range. Even if they weren’t, Mordane was down to four of the wooden siege weapons as the fifth crew had been wiped out. They had to rip that one apart to repair the others.

The fallen was being removed from both sides, even as Mordane watched the enemy camp reassemble. Their siege equipment was well on its way, and Mordane watched his soldiers grow nervous as they neared completion. Troops had finally stopped pouring in only a few minutes before.

He could really get a feel for the forces being brought to bear on them.

And it was daunting.

Rough guesses were: One thousand five hundred heavy infantry, four hundred light or fast infantry. Perhaps twenty battle unicorns, six hundred flyers and about four hundred support staff. Their number of seven hundred seemed to be much less significant but not impossible odds considering their defence.

“What do you think they are planning?” Stalker asked Mordane as he stretched and waited.

“From what I can tell, they are planning a frontal assault, but considering the casualties we could inflict I doubt that would--”

“Sir, look!” shouted an earth pony mercenary.

Out on the field the golden armored pegasi, a unicorn, and two earth ponies proceeded out in a diamond formation. Both earth ponies were carrying white flags. “Is that…? ALL PONIES HOLD FIRE!”

His order was quickly echoed through the army causing those close to him to clamp their hooves over their ears.

Mordane spread his wings and exchanged nods with his friends. Proceeding carefully, Mordane lightly pinched his friend’s clothing and took to the air. They floated down to the waiting delegation each glaring with uncompromising certainty.

They met among the impact zone as Mordane cast a simple shimmering shield. The golden armored enemy stood relaxed with a pleasant smile. A bright yellow mane and black eyes contrasted well with his blue coat. The only thing that seemed to pop out at him though, was his age.

He’s must be near my physical age…

“I am commander Ice Wing the undefeated, of the first division of the Republic of Irona. You may now surrender unconditionally.”

The forwardness of the commander impressed Mordane. His request however was out of the question.

“I think not. We will make our stand here and like the waves you will break against our rocks.”

Ice Wing did not react at first, his cold mask barely twitched. Mordane spent a moment trying to get a read on the Irona commander.

Brutal, loyal, efficient. No viable pressure points. 

“Surely you do not think you can win alone. Perhaps,” he looked at Mordane and raised a questioning eyebrow, “you think that reinforcements are coming?”

“That leap of logic is impressive Ice Wing, but you are wrong. We will hold with our strength alone.”

“Our forces are motivated by your crimes against our republic.” Ice Wing’s face did not so much as twitch during either of their statements.

“Crimes? We were hired by the Cabistien forces-”

“To build a bridge. Yes, I am aware. Did they order you to have your way with the locals? To take their gold? To enslave the local population as your workforce?”

Mordane swallowed.

“Necessary to accomplish our mission.”

Ice Wing frowned.

“Necessary to rape? Murder?”

Mordane sneered.

“The ponies that did such things were punished. Nothing more can be asked of a commander. I attacked those villages for the supplies we would need. We left enough for their survival. Murder, as you call it, is a necessary to the application of war. A war that Cabistien intends to win!”

Ice Wing sighed and shifted his weight before rubbing his forehead. His smile lessening only for a moment before returning to its pleasant state.

“Cabistien signed a peace treaty with Irona not three days ago.” He looked Mordane directly in the eye. “The conditions of the treaty were that we would first be paid in gold. Then they would deliver you unto our waiting hooves.”

Mordane did not blink nor react to the news. Instead he stood there in silence trying to absorb this new information. It was certainly possible.

This was the place they had chosen. The real question is if he is lying. Well he did seem to only now come to the conclusion that we are awaiting reinforcements. It’s obvious. He must be lying.

“I don’t think we will need them. Plus," Mordane stretched his legs and legs, “my ponies are tired of walking. We have plenty of food, place to rest out of the rain. I think we will stay here awhile.”

Ice Wing’s pleasant smile shifted to a frown. His eyes flashed with a hint of malice as his voice took on a cruel slur.

“I’m sorry to hear that. You understand that once this begins - truly begins - restraining the righteous anger of my soldiers would be near impossible. Even in their well-trained state.”

Boulder and Stalker exchanged quick glances with fear in their eyes.

“Your soldiers are a collection of thugs and ingrates.” He continued as his tone of disdain turned to a sneer. “Sickly from improper food. Rowdy from a lack of discipline. They will fall like so much grain before the scythe.”

“Come then, if your soldiers’ lives have such little count. My ponies have been trained by battle. We have plenty of food and water. Most importantly though we are on the defensive in a superior position. I think we are done here.” Mordane turned again and picked up his comrades before taking to the air.

“Don’t be a fool," Ice Wing snarled. "You can’t win this battle. It will be a slaughter!”

Mordane ignored him and flew up to the wall. Shortly afterward Ice Wing moved back to the Irona lines.

“They will attack,“ Mordane said as they landed.

“You can’t ignore what was just said,” Boulder cut in.

“I’m not. It’s obvious that Cabistien has underestimated this commander. He is trying to force our surrender before our reinforcements arrive. It does not make sense for Cabistien to fold so easily.”

Mordane glanced out over the fields to the enemy. The shadow of the mountain darkened the rest of the world as the sun hid behind it; the day neared its end.

“They will attack with first light when the sun is set on our eyes. The shield will need modification to block some of that light.”

“One of the other unicorns can make the changes needed.” Stalker chuckled as he jumped up onto the wall edge and began walking. “You get some sleep.”

Mordane nodded and moved toward a guard barrack on the second wall, leaving Boulder behind to maintain the troops.

_____________________________________

*Sip* “Hmmm, quite delectable.”

Hot, slight grain fell on the edge of his tongue with a taste mixed with a renewed vigor as he became aware of a nose that twitched only slightly at the aroma of coffee being drawn into it. His inner neck vibrated with a hum on his part, which ended in a grin at his good friend next to him.

“I know, right? Twilight always says Joe’s coffee has the strongest kick in Equestria. Pounds the beans with his bare hooves in the back if you can believe it.” No, his best friend, Spike... Why, he had no other friends? Was he too pushy? Not pushy enough? Huh. He should ask Twilight, she always knows the right answer. To everything.

“Oh, I believe it.” Mordane laughed, snorting. Snickering even more as he accidentally spilled some of the drink onto his coat. He didn’t pay it any mind.

Spike was having none of that and cleaned his dirty tux with amazing skill. It made Mordane grin, it felt weird to be helped so smoothly. In normal circumstances he wouldn’t have allowed it, but there was nothing normal of these circumstances.

“So, you ready, man?” Spike asked through a wide and absentminded grin. What was it about grins? Why did he not grin before? Grins were great. He should ask Twilight. Yeah. She knows the right answer.

To everything.

Mordane returned with the smile. Yes this smile was good. He enjoyed it.

“Of course! But... Well, I better make sure it's all in order. Got the check list they gave you?”

“Yep! Right here!” Spike said, reading the paper and pen. “Suit?”

Mordane was wearing a one piece suit. Its silky cloth fitting perfectly to his form. Almost hugging, gripping, no… clinging to it.

“Check.”

“Vows?” Spike asked.

“Right here!” Mordane grinned, picking the letter off of the table; flipping it wildly back and forth. Such reasonable things, after all she was the best mare in Equestria! No other could compare. “I’ve memorized them already.”

“Good, now... Chains?”

Mordane rolled his eyes and turned his lips to smirk. The large, cumbersome and enchanted iron ball was clamped tightly to his back hoof. There was no way he was going to lose that! Honestly he thought he should give it a name... Ponies had pets right?

“Check.”

“Alright,” Spike said, checking off the last item before scratching his chin. “Hmm, I can’t help but feel that we are forgetting something—Oh!” He ran around to Mordane’s stinging back. His worried look becoming a grin again as he saw how barely noticeable the wounds were…

“Are your bandages okay?”

“Freshly applied. Boy, that fight really took them wings right off, huh. I almost got aw—”

A wave of sickness washed over as his color, sending electrical pulses along his spine. No. Of course not. He must be mistaken. Why would he ever leave? He liked it here. No, he loved it here. The current subsided leaving him to look at a chastising Spike.

“Now, Mordane, you know not to think of such things. Now, say it with me.”

“Everything is great. Everything is fine. I’m glad to be here,” they said in unison, both grinning from ear to ear.

“I think that's it!” Spike squeed. “You’re the luckiest stallion in the world, you know that?”

Mordane agreed wholeheartedly. Grinning he walked down the hallway to the throne room, dragging his ball and chain with him. Leaving only a little blood dripping behind.

Stone face guards lined the hallway. As he walked down they all seemed to turn their heads and grin at him. Of course they would grin back. After all everything is great. Everything is fine. At the end of the corridor he came upon two grand doors which swung open, as if of his very presence. All of Ponyville was there, waiting for him. Everypony from his hometown was there as well…

The weather would be cold on their return. He hoped they had a chance to pull in the crops before being brought—coming here. From their glares, though, he suspected not.

And then there was his parents... They looked somehow older, frailer... Bruised in some places and bloodied, but still standing tall. Wearing that cozy grin, which made him grin back.

Everything is great. Everything is fine.

He walked up to the dais. With Princess Luna proceeding. Her glare cutting deep into him.

“Does the newlywed have anything to say before we commence?”

“No, thank you. Everything is great. Everything is fine. I’m glad to be here.”

“Good,” whispered a voice that sent shivers up his spine.

Turning to the left he saw her. He saw his bride grinning. Grinning like all the rest yet unlike them as well. Her eyes boring into him. Her bone white coat reflecting the small nubs coming out of his back where his wings used to be.

He saw Celestia.

And he grinned, screaming as he had been doing since the beginning.

Always screaming.

__________________________________________________

Mordane awoke with a cry of fear, his screaming echoing off the unbroken walls. Covered in sweat, he took haggard breaths and tried to calm down with the relaxation technique that Twilight had taught him years ago. His wings were stiff and a headache like a power-drill into his skull was making him moan in disdain.

He panted heavily in his sweat soaked bed, before nearly hitting his head on the roof as another scream rang out from down the hallway.

Taking to the air, Mordane flew out onto the inner wall then to the outer one. Much to his surprise there was only the night watch, looking concerned and unsure back at the keep.

“Stay at your posts!” he bellowed before, hearing another scream coming from the inner sanctum.

From what he could tell it was near midnight. The hollering did not sound pained however just… afraid.

He arrived at the inner sanctum, where most ponies were sleeping as the hollers got worse. Throughout the corridors, soldiers laid in their beds shivering and sweating before jumping up. Boulder was already awake trying to calm the more frantic ones. His own eyes showing a tired and slightly agitated awakening.

An exchange of nods told Mordane all he needed to know. He could feel the panic setting in twisting at their very core. If this continued, they would break. Gritting his teeth Mordane swallowed his own fear and panic. It wouldn’t last long, so he had to make it quick.

Moving off to search for Stalker, Mordane walked calmly through the corridors. His fellow mercenaries seemed to calm down somewhat as he walked nonchalantly between them, giving glares and stoic stares which calmed the soldiers. It was necessary.

Soon though, Mordane encountered Stalker.

The door was covered in thin wires and beyond them lay a dark room with only two unblinking eyes staring out into the lit corridor. Mordane had no doubt that if his friend was in there then the razor wires would be only the first deterrent in a line of deadly traps designed for unwanted guests.

“Stalker? Is that you?”

No response. The eyes refused to even blink at his question.

Mordane did not know what was in there, but he would not go in blind. With a moment of focus he reached out to feel the room with his mind. Instead though all he found was a blank void of nothing.

Stalker must be blocking me somehow. Damn him for not teaching me faster.

He would have to go in the old fashion way. First casting a light spell, he illuminated the bare room with his friends scrunched up in the corner on a pallet.

Mordane gulped looking the room literally filled with wires. Mordane had no idea how to disarm traps except by setting it off…

Charging his horn, Mordane materialized a shield around Stalker then sent a blast of wind to set off all the traps.

*Twang*twang*snap*ping*slam*bash*bang*BOOM!*

The wall behind him cracked and fell over showing the end of a log sticking out. Mordane stepped into the room carefully and dispelled his shield. Wires were snapped, strewn throughout the room leaving cuts in the stone where they had struck. Knives embedded in the walls slowly fell out of the grainy indents they had made. In the center of the room lay a giant sledgehammer in the cracked flooring that it had left behind.

Stalker still sat in the corner, his eyes unblinking.

“I'm coming over, Stalker. Just stay there.” Carefully, he moved into the room stepping between the broken wires and shards of stone.

Stepping closer, he allowed himself to relax as it seemed he had gotten all the traps.

*Snap*

Before Mordane knew what was happening he was hanging upside down. Pain throbbing in his side as a rod had impacted his thigh. With a grunt he grabbed the rope around his rear hoof and began to untie it.

*Twang*

Mordane swung left to right in front of Stalker grinding his teeth in the giant cocoon of ropes that had formed around him. So close that he could not even burn them away for fear of being hurt. With as much patience as he could muster, Mordane tried to reach his friend.

“Stalker.”

"...” The earth pony did not respond.

“Stalker, I’m stuck.” A little worry worked its way into his voice

"...”

“Stalker, help me. These ropes are too tight.”

"...” Not so much as a twitch. Mordane had enough.

“The rope is starting to ride up my ass. SNAP OUT OF IT!”

“They're coming to get me,” Stalker whispered. “They will find me here.”

Mordane paused to reevaluate his situation before speaking again. He knew what Stalker needed to hear.

“It’s okay, Stalker. I won’t let them take you.”

“You can’t stop them,” he whispered, turning his eyes to focus on the hanging Mordane.

“I can, Stalker. However many there are, however far their power. You are my friend and I will protect you." Mordane's gave a small smile "What kind of man would I be if I couldn't even do that?”

“You don’t know how it is. What they are--”

“Then teach me. You know I get things done when I know what is going on. Right?” Mordane’s tone changed to a jokingly manner since the blood going to his head was starting to make him dizzy.

But Stalker didn’t move. His eyes stuck on the floor. He was Shivering. Mordane didn’t have the simples clue to whatever thing Stalker was talking about. He knew one thing though,

Mordane was going to say something else, whatever he needed to do, to make his friend feel better.

He racked his mind trying to think of something, anything to help his friend.

Luckily though he didn’t have to. Stalker’s eyes lifted from the floor and looked at the Mordane cocoon with analytic eyes.

His lip twitched into a smile for a fraction of a second, Mordane marked that up as a victory.

“You always did take on too much,” Stalker said, slowly breaking into a crooked grin. “So uh… Hangin around?”

“Oh, I just thought I’d drop in.” Mordane smirked. “Now could you let me down?”

“Sure.” Stalker pulled a knife out of his mane and threw it out of Mordane’s vision.

The tension holding him up suddenly gave way as he found himself on top of Stalker’s mat in a pile of ropes.

“You know I always liked to think I’d have you with ropes in bed,” Stalker said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"...I bucking hate you.”

“I suspect that if that was true. You would not have come to find me,” Stalker said, getting up to shake himself off. “That dream was rather… intense.”

Mordane struggled in place as Stalker began to cut the ropes off of him.

“You’re an idiot for coming in here.”

“Well, we do idiotic things. I suspect you will try something similar before our interactions are over.”

“Of no doubt.”

Mordane got to his hooves and shook himself. His mane was disheveled and in need of a good cleaning. Echoes of screams still rang through the keep but were slowing down considerably.

“What is going on?” Stalker said with a raised eyebrow.

“Ponies are having nightmares. If ours were any indication, they are very bad.”

Stalker’s eyes grew wide as he looked around at the suddenly more menacing walls.

“You don’t think the curse is true do you?” he said with the barest hint of fear.

“Curses don’t exist-.”Mordane stopped and remembered who he had heard that from. Twilight might have thought it was true... but was it? “--well, aren't suppose to exist.”

Stalker raised an eyebrow before snorting and grinning.

“Well, what do we do about this curse?”

Mordane started walking toward the door and down the hallway, motioning for Stalker to follow.

“Not much we can do... I have no idea what the nature of this magic is.”

Stalker scratched his chin as they passed another room where ponies were already returning to sleep.

“Well... this is the fortress of The Lunar Princess. It was said that she attacked enemies by using nightmares.”

“That makes a lot of sense. Luna is the guardian of dreams. If she can take away nightmares, who's to say she cannot make them. She may have left an impression here or something like that. Either way I know nothing about dream magic... or even if there is a thing called dream magic.”

“That's fine, but what do we do about it?” Stalker asked while his gaze darted around the hallway. ”With the nightmares our ponies will be less able to fight. We could all die.”

Mordane snorted and gave a grin

“What do you find funny about that?” Stalker growled and frowned.

"...I don’t know,” Mordane said, puzzled. “I suppose it could be the idea of us being defeated by dreams.” He laughed.

Stalker hesitantly laughed as well his brow furrowed up though as they reached the exit to the inner wall.

“The enemy siege weapons will be done soon,” Mordane said suddenly. “I’ll have to work with the other unicorns and dial back the shield. We will just put it over the top of the wall. An added benefit is that we will be able to fire out of it now.”

“Won’t that mean the wall will take the brunt of the attack? I do not know how long it will last…”

“I would guess about a day and a half. It’s rather thin honestly. The second wall should last about two days. By then our reinforcements should have arrived.” Mordane stared out at the bustling ponies his face unreadable. Stalker however could detect a crack in his defences.

“If you asked me, I would call that presumptuous... Mordane, isn’t the point of fighting surprise?”

“At the core, yes.” Mordane nodded. “Doing the unexpected is the first thing you must think about.”

They crossed the second wall and were now on the crosswall to the third. Stalker did not speak for a bit before pointing in the direction of the Irona forces.

“What do they expect you to do?” he said suddenly.

Mordane stopped walking and rubbed his chin. He moved to the side of the walkway and looked down into the first courtyard.

“I image that I’ll negotiate for my forces surrender. Bargaining for my own freedom or something. That or I will fight.”

“And how is what we are doing different from what they expect?”

"...That doesn’t apply here,” he said solidly. “You can’t just apply a principle to every situation. There has to be exceptions.”

“If there are exceptions then it’s not a principle. What was it you called this place? Dying ground? I get it. I really do. You think that our forces will fight harder here. That they will be like some cornered animal. I just don’t see that happening.” Stalker jerked Mordane’s shoulders to face him as he looked him in the eyes. ”We will die here, Mordane. Tomorrow the Irona pegasi knights will fly through that big hole above the shield and surround us in our own fortress. This place cannot be held. We must do the unexpected. We must attack and punch our way through their lines.”

Mordane started to shake his head and tell him about the casualties but Stalker grabbed his jaw and held him still.

“This fight can’t be won! Stop being a fool and listen to me!”

Mordane pushed Stalker away before standing up straight. Anger flashed through his eyes.

“No situation is unwinnable, Stalker. I will save them and then we will all be rich. I understand that you’re scared, but you need to trust me. The ponies will need encouragement. Thank you for your input.”

Mordane took to the air and floated down to the trebuchets, leaving Stalker to grind his teeth. Before leaving, Stalker spat on the ground. Muttering curses, he ran away.

The rest of the night was uneventful as most ponies opted to not sleep the last few hours to daylight. Boulder had been able to quell any major disturbance before it got out of hoof.

Thus their second day at the castle of nightmare moon ended.

One hour before first light the Irona catapults opened fire.

_______________________________

*Thrwp* Thud*

Ripples cascaded through the blue walls as peltings of stones impacted its surface. Larger pieces of rubble were being aimed directly at the now wide opening just right of the central tower. They impacted with thunderous power; one hitting about every minute. Amazing power, but frequency put to shame by the other catapults launching pelting stones, smacking the still up walls of the shield with no sign of letting up.

Beads of sweat were pouring down a unicorn’s face as he slumped away from the spell matrix and fell into a waiting cot. Another came up to take his place. Relatively little skill went into the process and the enchantment structure was strong enough to be maintained by three unicorns, even if it was at a greatly reduced level because of the damage. Despite this the eight unicorns in the army would be able to hold off the twenty or so unicorns in the Irona forces trying to make their jobs a living torture.

________________________________________________

Arrows, and pallets of stone, rushed over the outer wall from both directions, the Irona forces prattled across the line, standing strong. Ice Wing kept his composure far back behind this very line, glaring at the wall.

His assistant, Iron Quill, was motioning toward the map and fortress before them. Its size had stunned him. Such a magnificent fortress was abandoned so readily? It boggled his well disciplined military mind. Why had this place been left abandoned after all these years?

The answer had become obvious after speaking to his unicorn captain and further examining the structure. The place had a major design flaw against air attacks, or at least, it was flawed now. From what his unicorn captain had told him the place bore residue of a massively powerful enchantment, that drew power from some source deep in the mountain, either magma or a river, and made up the shield that appear to laugh at his displeasure.

The structure’s unconventional positioning was designed to assist that shield which was a five point pentagon structure. Each corner tower would act as an amplifier to the central spell matrix. If it had been at full power then the place could withstand the entire Irona army and never give a sign of cracking; however, time and some great force unknown had damaged the structure. Anti-teleportation, illusions, and such magic it was still protected against, but the physical shield had been compromised.

His conclusion was that the shield the mercenaries were using was a spell piggybacking on that old system. It would give their shield a much higher defence than normal.It wouldn't be anything like if the system were fully functional, but it would provide a greater defence than typical standalone shielding

Ice Wing glanced up and the fortress, again. To his magically enchanted right eye, tendrils of power and hazes hung over the fortress. The rune hidden under his fur itched and burned with the amount of power going around. A small price to pay for the ability to see different kinds of spells being used with a glance. It had given him a great secret advantage as he climbed the ranks. All for the glory of Irona of course.        

The tattooed rune had been a gift from his brother, Iron Wing. The very same that had sent him here, to fight a corralled and supposedly weakened army of mercenaries. How smug he would get once this whole ordeal was finished. But of course, he had to finish it first.

And as such, he was now observing the space that was clear above the shield. It was obvious what he had to do. Any decent commander would see it. Send the pegasi over the enemy forces to take the second wall. Then have a special team target the front gate tower. Have it all end.

So why did he have this, nagging feeling; a need to hesitate?

“Swift Wing.” His own voice went unheard by his cousin, another pegasus, who had yet to cease babbling to him. He had listened of course, somewhat, but he always had more important things to think about. “Thank you for your efficient and expedient report. The quality is what I have come to expect of your service.”

“Thank you, sir. What is your command?”

“Prepare the fourth, through sixth, wing divisions. I want you to take them over the wall and open the front gate. This has to end.” He only paused a moment. Just a fraction of a second longer than he normally would have. Just a twitch above the eye.

Stop being so afraid. Commanders only see fear in death, after death.

There had been plenty of rumors passed on to him by his command, going around about this pony named Mordane. Words of necromancy and slavery. Sure him having wings was something to raise an eyebrow, but overall his soldiers just made light of the claims.

That all stopped after last night’s screams of pain.

Soon there were whispers of dark rituals and evil magic. Huddled in fear as they wondered about what poor soul he had stripped the wings from. Unicorns claimed it had to be from a twin with how well they matched to his body’s fur. The worst one yet, was that he had changed the feather color and stitched it on perfectly was too far to even believe.

Some were wondering if he could even be killed.

Those rumors, the screams, they did not scare Ice Wing. Not after growing up in the Irona nobility. Their lives were traded for votes and names. Honor was the price of election.

His older brother was a rising star in the Irona Senate. Ice Wing’s command was a feather in his cap that would help to push him to the renowned counselor position.

Iron Wing was a... demanding head of the household. Always pushing for the greater glory of the Wing family, for himself of course.

He loved his brother despite the harsh words and cruelty hoofed down in his unending pursuit of power. It was right of him to push... to make him strive.

So why did he hesitate?

Ice Wing watched as the stones continued to drain the enemy shield and the pegasi knights hovered into formation.

“Sir? Your orders?”

“Those eyes,” Ice Wing whispered.

“Sir?” his captain asked.

Ice Wing had lived long enough among the conniving elite to recognize patterns from the seemly case of the world. He was used to seeing what ponies were from the inside, at least more than others, from the first glance into their eyes.

But those eyes.

They reminded him of his brother’s, but... different. Less blind by ambition, more certain, older... colder. No... it had nothing to do with his brother, no, it was the same look that his grandfather used to wear. Like an old man looking down on a child playing at the game that was life while he directed it, the child trying to cheat, playing tricks new to him, but for the old man, they were as plain as winter. Without the child ever knowing he ruled the game from the beginning.

He was not going to be the child.

“Your orders are to take the central tower and destroy the magical matrix. If the opportunity presents itself open the main gate. Move into position and wait for my signal.” He turned to his line pony captain. “Prepare to charge the wall and deploy ramps. When that barrier goes down I want you to push them off that wall.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ice Wing waited in anticipation until his forces were in line. Trying to think what that look of Mordane’s meant other than his own thoughts which could drive a stallion to paranoia. What victory could be drawn from such a position? Soon however, his ponies were in position and his captains gave the order to attack.

Trumpets blared and earth ponies roared as they charged the fortresses walls. Their armor glinting at the morning sun stood at their backs. The echoes of pain filled cries became mixed in as the soldiers exited the protection of the shields.

Ice Wing waited until more pony heads started to poke up in greater numbers before signaling for the pegasi to dive.

As his soldiers descended over the wall without losing a pony or coming under attack Ice Wing grinned. Perhaps, he had been too worried.

Then right before his eyes the attack was swept away. Jagged shards of ice flew straight at the pegasi, ripping into their wings and faces, blocking their vision. Immediately following was a storm of arrows fired at point blank range

Almost two hundred Irona knight were dead in an instant as the sharp pointed arrows and ice shards ripped into them. Loud metallic crashes rang out as his soldiers fell out of the sky and impacted something outside of his view.

That angle... It was from above the ground level. Is there an inner wall?

Quickly Ice Wing realized his mistake. Mordane had known of the fortress’s weakness and counted on it, using the wide opening as a trap that he had fallen for.

In his mind’s eye Ice Wing once again saw those two eyes and remembered that calm, assured voice.

“Sir! We must fall back. Sir!”

“No!” Ice Wing hissed at his lieutenant. “That’s exactly what he expects.”

“Sir, our forces are being slaughte-”

“Move the reserve unicorns onto the chariots. Tell the rest of the pegasi knight to suit up. Move our reserve ground forces to the wall,” Ice Wing snapped.

“But, sir. We are at a disadvantage. The enemy has the high ground! Our soldiers will die in mass!”

“I know.” Ice Wing looked down at his shaking hooves. “I know, but this Mordane… He has my tune. He sees my flow. If I give him wiggle room then he will breath and push against me.”

“Sir, I don't understand,” the captain said through a pained look. “He is just a mercenary.”

“Mordane may be a better general then I but this victory will still be mine. Even if it’s on a foundation of blood. Now obey my orders.” He pushed the captain aside and yelled, “We take no prisoners!”

The Irona cheered and moved to obey.

Ice Wing watched for a moment before moving off to one of the sub captains preparing to leave.

“I have a special mission for you.”

___________________________________________

Mordane let himself grin as his men pushed the bodies of the Irona pegasi into a corner. Their arrow riddled bodies having impacted the wall with a sickening chorus of thuds.

That should buy us a few days before that Ice Wing character tries to rush us.

Mordane had thought of various things of what the enemies could make for themselves to give themselves advantages in battle, and he made plans for each possible counter strategy to each.

However the mind is a tricky thing. Sometimes the most obvious implication of something new just slipped by unnoticed. No matter how great one is he cannot consider everything.

“Chariots!” roared Boulder from atop the second wall. “Irona is preparing flying chariots!”

The words did not register at first with Mordane, as his body ran on autopilot up the stairs to the top of the wall.

Once there, he looked out over the outer wall.

At least twice as many pegasi knights as before were moving into formation. What caught his attention though were the ten chariots carrying unicorns.

“Damn!” was all he got to think before all hell broke loose.

Beams of light and lighting swiped across his archers causing them to duck for cover. At the same time the force of over six hundred pegasi descended.

“Get up! Get up and fire, you fools!” Mordane yelled at his troops. Dozens jumped up at a time and let off arrows, causing the spread to be sparse and easily dodged.

“Draw melee weapons!” Mordane yelled as he flung stones at the coming enemy. Earth ponies along the wall dropped their bows and grabbed for their swords, spears and axes. Only to just get prepared as the enemy hit.

“For Irona!” “Kill these bastards!”

Mordane dodged an incoming mare who came right at him, before blasting her with a magic bolt. Boulder and Stalker made it to him a few moments later. Stalker had a long gash down his left side and a slightly swollen eye, while Boulder’s hooves were covered in blood.

"You two protect me, I'm going to take on those chariots."

They nodded and Mordane turned his attention to the ten chariots now hovering over the central courtyard and wreaking havoc. He looked carefully before noticing something. The unicorns barely moved to deflect magical attacks but the arrows were dodged.

Their one layer of defence must be oriented toward magical attacks. If I use physical matter… Too far up to throw stones, not enough moisture in the air after my last couple of spells, pegasi guarding them, so what does that leave me with?

Mordane felt a warm liquid begin to pool under his hooves. Looking down showed an Irona captain trying desperately to keep his blood from streaming out of his neck before ceasing his struggles forever.

Blood... blood is basically water. How do I use it though? Their shields will protect against any magic directed at them. I could direct the spell at the blood but how to use that to hurt them...

Mordane inhaled deeply and focused for a moment before casting a simple enchantment on the blood at his feet. Turing he opened the floodgates of his war magic. The small pools and rivers of blood began to coalesce. Soon it began to rise around him, forming columns that slowly condensed into black. The blood still came, being pulled straight from cuts and wounds as soon as the latent magic dissipated. The columns trembled in place as Mordane strained against the odd material, trying as hard as he could to hold the idea that blood was just water.

Suddenly the blood burst into flames. With a grunt Mordane threw it at the enemy chariots using air to carry it along.

As the flames leaped out at them, the battle mages of Irona felt their magical presence and all concluded independently that this was a flame based spell directed at them which would be protected by their shields.

A fatal mistake.

The burning blood passed right through their protection and splashed all over them. Screaming, four of the ten burned to death, unable to focus and cast a spell. Four more tried to pull the heat away.

That only succeeded in accelerating the cooling spell Mordane had cast on the blood. The spell drew away the bloods heat and used it to combust the air.

Pulling away the heat only caused the blood to freeze.

The last two used force to push the substance away from them and down on the crowd below. Their carrier reacted quickly and dived for the tower. One of them aimed right for Mordane.

Fire sprung up around the Irona unicorn as he jumped off the chariot at Mordane. Mordane frowned and pulled on the wind around him to blast him off the wall. However the wind simply curved around him and fed into his flames which curled into two columns rising twenty feet into the air before descending on him.

Mordane briefly registered that the enemy was using war magic before creating a frozen bearer of blood between them. The fire poured around him as Mordane continually pulled the heat from the ice.

There's nothing I can do. He’s too strong.

Suddenly the stream stopped. Lowering the sheet Mordane could see the unicorn struggling to stand as a spear protruded from his side.

The blood sheet reformed into a spike and Mordane rammed it through the pony’s head.

Stalker and Boulder were taking care of the pegasi that had been pulling the unicorn before he signaled them over.

“There was another unicorn!” Boulder shouted, “He came down on the other side of the tower!

They and a dozen ponies charged down the wall and into the central tower. But Mordane was already too late. Inside was a room filled with slaughtered unicorns and one Irona mage standing in front of the spell matrix. Looking at the mercenaries coming in he made a decision.

“For Irona!” He turned and poured all the power he could into the spell matrix.

*BOOM*

Mordane covered his eyes and threw up a barrier as the central tower top went up in a blaze of glory. The top of the stone tower flew out in all directions crushing dozens, as the last of the enemy pegasi took to the air.

A massive crack resounded from the base of the central tower as the ground caved in. The tower leaned slowly over as the battle slowed, and remove as some ponies stopped to watch as the tall central tower began to fall over.

Ponies ran away from the last three mercenary trebuchets as the tower fell towards the front of the fortress, intersecting with the wall.

A large section of the outer wall fell outward, crushing hundreds that were attempting to scale into the keep.

“Retreat!” Mordane bellowed. “Retreat to the inner keep!”

Outside the fortress Ice Wing looked on in horror as a large part of his army was crushed under the collapsing wall. He roared as loud as he could.

“Regroup! Fall back!”

As the dust began to settle a large hole was left exposed to the outside. Hundreds of ponies lay scattered around the battlefield.

______________________________________

As the red sunset fell, the two armies were licking their wounds. The Irona forces unicorn captain followed procedure and ordered an anti-teleportation field be put up since the one cast by the fortress had been destroyed.

The Irona forces found themselves huddling in the outer courtyard of the fortress trying to sleep. Finding instead that sleep did not come easy.

Mutters ran throughout of the use of some strange Magic by the enemy commander. Some wondered if necromancy was his special talent. Maybe even tied into his war magic.

Ice Wing was seen flying from division to division making sure that his captains were still alive and promoting ponies when they were not. He had ordered them forward to take the outer courtyard after realising how far back Mordane’s ponies had fallen… Only the inner sanctum still remained under Mordane’s control.

All in all, he would find that his forces had suffered thirty five percent. While he did receive a few dirty looks, discipline prevented anything more.

On the Mercenary side it was a different story.

Counting the dead was a task that had not even being considered much less executed. Dozens of ponies were taking it as their time to sneak out with no one to warn them of the Irona teams killing anyone who came out before they even knew they were there.

Mordane himself found that commanding cornered men was more of a case of reminding them that they had nowhere to go and killing each other would only make it worse.

Most of his soldiers settled down to take quickly disturbed naps that would be broken as they woke up screaming.

Stalker and Boulder met each other in the hallway outside of the room Mordane had been sleeping in. Stalker moved to go on to Mordane but stopped as Boulder held up a hoof.

“Stalker, have you seen the outer wall?” Boulder whispered as he looked down. “It’s in pieces.”

“Yes, yes I have. Were you able to reach the outer towers?”

“No," Stalker sat down. "They are covered by the rubble.”

“I’ve done what I can. The enemy may be among us already though,” Boulder said sternly.

A sudden scream caused them to jump before calming down.

“This situation is ridiculous. I’ve spoken to many who are ready to keep fighting. Apparently the Irona are not accepting surrender. Most see no hope, save that maybe Mordane can pull this off,” Boulder said.

“I saw a pony be skewered three different ways by arrows. It’s obvious that the Irona soldiers have written us off.” Stalker drew a knife and began to check it as he continued. “This situation, as you put it, is solidly Mordane’s fault. That bastard never listens when shit hits the fan.”

“It’s a major flaw of his character, I’ll admit.“ Boulder nodded before his soldier mask cracked. Sighing, he sat next to Stalker and reached into his satchel to grab a drink. “Want a swig?”

“I’m good,” Stalker said while still looking at his knife. Suddenly he paused and looked up at Boulder as if he was trying to make some kind of decision. “Buck it.”

Reaching back into his bag, Stalker pulled out his medicine satchel and unfurled it. He took out a small red cube and sat it on the ground before crushing it with his hoof.

Leaning down, he snorted the power up before rubbing the excess away.

“The tarturus was that?”

“Something to make me stay awake no matter what that witch put on this place.” Stalker rubbed his nose. “Now I got about twenty minutes before this stuff kicks in. What do we do?”

“We go talk to Mordane and try to get him to surrender.”

“Good bucking luck. Knowing him there is a rut in the floor where he has been pacing. That pony doesn’t give up… Shop Lifter said this pony would kill me.”

“Either we make it or we don’t.” Boulder sighed. “I learned long ago that when you fight you must be ready to die. This path was set when we followed Mordane.”

“Wise words for a drunk. That doesn’t answer our problem though.”

“We go in and confront him with the truth.”

“That simple?”

“That simple.”

Standing up Stalker put away his knife and both of them went the rest of the way and into Mordane’s room.

The alicorn was pacing the room that was near empty. His bed was the only thing really there.

“What do you two want?” he snarled at them.

“We want you to surrender.”

“Surrender? Haven’t you heard they aren’t taking prisoners. Surrender is death.” Mordane stepped to the wall and slammed his hooves against the wall. “Damn it! Curse you, High Rise! This is all your fault!”

“High Rise?” Stalker’s voice was low and fierce with its edge, like if insulted. “High Rise, Celestia, the beer, me? It’s always something else's fault, Mordane. When are you going to stop running and take responsibility?”

“I didn’t cause this!”Mordane shouted while moving toward Stalker and using a hoof to indicate himself. “This wasn’t me!”

“It’s always you! Now we are all going to die because of your pride; your blindness! What of the deaths you’ve caused? What of your own failures to see what was in front of you? What is it that makes you think you’re so above burden from your own mistakes?” Stalker shouted

“I have taken responsibility for this army. What more could you want from me?”

“We want you to act!” Boulder shouted, coming up beside Stalker. “To make the hard decision that means you pay! You can’t have power without sacrifice, Mordane, no matter what you may think.”

“What, so I’m just to lay down? Put my neck out for the knife? I will not do that, I will not bow to you or anyone! I will not be chained!”

Stalker stared at the pony he called friend, his jaw working as if he was trying to chew something. Then his eyes widened.

“Hahahahahaha.” Stalker laughed and laughed. His eyes started to brim with tears.

“What's funny!?” Mordane yelled, stomping up to the laughing earth pony before Boulder stepped between them.

“I think I finally figured it out,” Stalker said, as his laughter died down. “You're afraid."

"What?" Mordane said, almost laughably. His friend was seriously losing his mind to the sleep. "Stalker, I have fought things bigger than me. I killed a mind raping stallion myself. I'm not crying in a corner for mercy from our enemies. How am I scared?"

"I don't mean your reactions, I mean your actions. The decisions you make are for a bigger reason, that much I can tell, but what is that reason, huh? What are you running from?" Stalker unsettled Mordane. The idea that Stalker could see something about himself that he didn’t understand. "You know, I thought you were that necromancer taking over Mordane’s flesh.”

Mordane’s mouth fell open. Stalker thought the necromancer had taken over his mind?

“I know that is not true by now, yet it leaves a dilemma. You can't just take over someone’s mind who’s so much older than you. You should be dead and gone!” He glared right back into Mordane’s eyes seemingly loving the taste of every word coming out of his mouth. “That is until one remembers your talk of another life. You're too smart for your age! You know things I know you shouldn't know! I checked everything about you, there's no way you could've seen the flaws of things without connections, there's no way you could've found a better way to sleep in those tents, you don't even have the simplest synergy of a pony, or even an Alicorn for that matter!”

Stalker paused and took a breath. “So that leaves only one question. What are you?"

He stared at the unanswering Mordane before snorting and turning to his cot. “I thought so. Grow up quickly Mordane. I don’t think we can survive being dragged through the fire with you for much longer.”

But Mordane, was silent. He continued to stand there, barely blinking.

And frowning.

Thinking.

_______________________________________________

A cold shiver rippled down Mordane’s spine as he laid still and alone on his mat. He tossed and turned as if he was fighting the dream itself.

“No. Please, God, no.”

Sweat broke out across his body as he trembled with every muscle tense. His wings were clamped against his body as the soft inlay of his hooves flexed as if trying to hold onto something.

“Grandpa,” he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

With a gasp Mordane woke up in the dark, liquid sadness flooded his eyes and burned them without his consent. With a quick drag he curled up into a ball against the wall behind his bed. His body trembled from the old wound that had been dragged back to the surface by Luna’s curse.

A sob escaped his lips as tears rolled down his face anew. All he wanted to do was run, but the crushing guilt held him there.

Eventually, Mordane stood and began to inhale deeply as he crushed his fear back down into his personal depths; back down into the deepest pits of his mind where such madness belonged.

But Mordane wasn’t alone in the struggle of his awakening. Stalker arrived with his face in a deep frown, preparing to demand that Mordane would at least speak to the Irona commander. Much to his surprise he found a nude Mordane over a bucket of soapy water, washing his mane and cloak.

"You are washing your cloak?" Stalker said, still frowning.

"If I'm going to go and negotiate I might as well look clean while doing it." Mordane's eyes were downcast and his voice seemed to almost have a growl to it.

Stalker blinked before sighing in relief. "It’s for the best, Mordane. There is no shame in it for you."

"I've not gained victory. In that alone there is shame," he said bluntly.

"Perhaps… do you intend to surrender?"

"Not exactly."

An hour later, now with clean fur, they ran up a white flag and waited for the Irona forces to do the same. Mordane was quite surprised when Ice Wing came all the way to the break in the wall and waited for him. Mordane was tempted to attack, but decided it was not worth the risk. With Boulder and Stalker following him, Mordane made his way to the commander.

"Mordane... You have done well in this battle. Not thrown your ponies’ lives away uselessly." Ice Wing began, subtle eyes searching Mordane for any detail he could use.

"If I remember correctly it was your ponies who slaughtered the ponies abandoning my line yesterday."

"An unfortunate mistake. Now tell me, what is your offer?"

"You let us walk out of Irona. You tell your superiors we all died, and I’ll make sure that seems to be true."

Ice Wing stood silent for a few moments as the sun slowly rose behind him. Minutes passed as he stood there seemingly trying to make a decision.

"How would you propose this to be done?"

Mordane smiled, it looked like he was right.

"I will break my forces into groups of five. They will leave three at a time going in three different directions away from Irona. An hour later I will send three again. One pony from these groups will come back to tell me that they made it out without resistance. By tomorrow we will empty in such groups until we are all gone. You bury the dead and call this a total victory."

Ice Wing hummed, tapping his chin, and then gave a single nod.

"Very well. I need to speak with my captains first of course. May we meet again in three hours?"

"That is acceptable." Mordane said. "I am glad that no more ponies must die today."

"...Agreed."

Ice Wing took to the air and headed back to his line as Mordane and his friends stepped back into the fortress. Grins broke out on each of their faces.

“Well that went better than expected,” Boulder said.

“Indeed.” Stalker agreed.

“Perhaps, but he must be wondering what else I have stored.”

“You don’t have anything else stored.” Stalker deadpanned.

“But he doesn’t know that.” Mordane grinned.

The three of them made their way to the storage area to share a bite to eat. News of the agreement traveled ahead of them, and a few dozen ponies had decided to throw a party in a mess hall.

Ice Wing, however, sat in a tent just outside the outer wall looking at a regional map and a hoof drawn map of the fortress.

Mordane's offer made sense from a military perspective. This operation had cost way more resources than expected. Ponies back home would be glad to hear that the enemy had been so soundly defeated.

But then again, a part of him hesitated. Was this Mordane... trying to bait him into making a mistake?

"Sir," said a guard as he stepped into the tent. "Reinforcements from the capital. They brought Sir Lance Light with them."

"Lance Light. Ugh, what is he doing here?"

"He presented himself as the second chancellor, sir! Says he is here to see what is taking so long with the mission."

Damn! Ice Wing thought. Brother must’ve done worse in the election than I thought.

"Send him in."

Ice Wing stood up off his flank and gave himself a check over just before the chancellor arrived. He went to attention and tried not to show his worry.

The white coated unicorn that entered was holding a handkerchief over his nose.

"Commander," The unicorn said, as if talking to a slime on the ground.

"Chancellor," Ice Wing spoke, as if to a wall.

"I will be frank, commander Wing. The council was not pleased with this state of affairs. Your orders were to surround the captured village then force the mercenaries surrender. They were to be prosecuted as criminals! Not killed in mass."

"Yes sir, I am aware of that. There were complications however as the mercenaries had deployed scouts."

"Of course," the chancellor sneered, cutting him off. "There are always excuses when a pony makes a mess as big as yours. Do you plan to end this battle or are you going to prattle on?"

"The enemy commander has proven to be far more resourceful than was initially anticipated. Our communication with Cabistien was supposed to block their path on the border of their territory, then hold them until we caught up before we forced their surrender."

"Yes, I'm well aware of your modified orders."

"The commander, however, is under the impression that Cabistien forces are going to be coming here to meet up with him. Communications with Cabistien indicate no reason for this. Their forces are barely functioning and have made no move to cross the border as per our treaty with them. Yet it is what he says. I believe it to be a lie he has told his men to motivate them to fight to the last."

"Nothing that we have learned indicates that their commander… High Rise was it? Would be capable of any of this?"

"They have apparently been under the command of a different pony. A colt named Mordane Stronghoof this whole time."

"Ah, that would explain it… and your grievous errors. What would this Mordane gain by this anyway?"

"In short? Our forces have sustained heavy casualties. We will sustain many more if we wish to root him out of there. He has offered to disband his army and send them toward the border in small groups upon hourly intervals. I have decided to accept his proposal."

The counselor nodded his head and seemed to be thinking carefully. Ice Wing was sure that he was trying to find a way to turn this to his advantage.

"No."

Ice Wing didn’t appear confused, because of his training to keep his composure. "Sir?"

"We will not accept his terms of surrender or any surrender at all. The political situation has changed back home. The High Chancellor, your brother, has been elected on a promise of righteous retribution against these mercenary scum."

Ice Wing's heart first leapt with joy at the mention of his brother’s victory. Though it immediately fell again at his brother’s demand. He tasted ash as the chancellor gave his command.

"I order you. No surrender. Destroy his army. Leave none of them to walk free. Take them."

Ice Wing nodded. "At once, my lord."

__________________________________________________

The six hundred odd mercenary ponies were held up in the fortress. Many were already throwing what party they could even though there was very little alcohol to go around. A few dozen mares and stallions were dancing on tables as others hooted and hollered.

Mordane sat near the center tipping a glass of beer back and forth, watching the liquid inside slouch about as he contemplated downing the entire glass and then another. Defeat was a bitter taste to swallow. The mercenary band would be disbanded and he would be none the wealthier for this experience.

All he would have to do was to track down High Rise and get revenge.

Last nights’ dream bubbled back up to his consciousness at that thought. Quickly he downed his beer to get rid of the taste of bile.

So what… two revenge schemes now?

Mordane clutched his head. For some reason his problems just seemed to be growing. How long had it been since he came here? He was not sure. Four or five months max. Dates didn't really seem that important anymore, with all that had been going on.

Should he track down High Rise? He’ll just end up here again. Like he always did.

He held in his tears, swallowing them down for what shares of pride he had left.

The table jostled as Stalker walked up and bumped into it.

"What are you thinking about." He asked.

"You know what I'm thinking about." Stalker put a hoof on his shoulder and smiled.

"Hey, Mordane. It’s ok. We'll make a comeback. Just you wait."

Mordane gave a weak smile to Stalker who dramatically wiggled his eyebrows in response which caused Mordane to almost snort from his genuine but controlled laughter.

“You’re an ass you know that?”

“Hey! I only have one grandparent that was a donkey.”

They burst out laughing as Boulder made his way over balancing three mugs of watered down alcohol with him.

The three sat there, Stalker and Mordane exchanging quips with Boulder laughing along. All around them the atmosphere was approaching party levels.

If one was to pay attention and knew what to look for, they would have noticed a three dozen odd ponies were moving through the crowd looking for something.

They wore cloaks and rusted armor like the rest. Yet, it was the little details that set them apart. Their eyes were not merry, dirt in their manes and the unkempt aspects of their loss was off as if somepony had been trying to appear run ragged instead of being so. As they moved about occasionally they would exchange looks that lingered on for a second too long.

Mordane sat to the right of Boulder as Stalker stood in front and to the left of him, wildly gesturing with his hooves. Boulder was occasionally asking questions and getting answers.

One of the ponies spotted Mordane sitting with a huge grin on his face and pointed him out to another.

“-and I swear, I couldn’t even tell it was in there, it was so loose. Like a cave really.”

Mordane and Boulder where near tears of laughing too hard as the two remaining mercenary unicorns came galloping up. Stopping just short of bumping into the back of Mordane they stopped to gasp for air.

“Sir, the anti-teleportation barrier is down,” one gasped.

“It is? Why would-”

Suddenly two ponies came rushing toward Mordane, drawing knives. With the flash of steel Boulder reacted and broke one of the ponies’ necks with a well placed buck. The second however had closed the distance.

Mordane’s body barely twitched as he tried to dodge from his sitting position as three thoughts flashed through his head.

Knife, heading toward my throat, my body is stiff, in a bent angle. I won’t dodge it.

I’m going to die.

“Nooo!”

A hard tackle threw Mordane out of his chair and onto the floor. Already focused on his attacker he grabbed his sword with magic and sliced his attackers head off.

All around him Mordane saw mercenaries reaching for their swords, while others simply fell to the dozens of ponies throwing

off rags to reveal Irona armor. A loud thud could be heard as the inner sanctum doors were being closed.

"We must move!" he shouted. "Stalk...er."

On the floor clutching his side with his face twisted in pain was Stalker. Mordane rushed to his friend’s side as Boulder stood to defend them.

“B-bloody stone!” Stalker spat through bloody teeth, before reaching down and feeling where the wound was “Buck, they got my kidney.”

“What should I get from your bag?” Mordane said, jumping to the issue at hoof.

“There is nothing… a kidney wound is fatal.”

“No! I can stop the bleeding!”

Mordane pointed his horn directly at the knife wound and reached in to feel around the cut. Trying to pinch and redirect the nerves.

“Mordane,” Stalker whispered painfully. “Lean closer, I got to tell you something. There is not much time left.”

Turning his head, Stalker spat out a tooth that was knocked loose when his face hit the floor. Mordane allowed his horn to stop pulling in power as there was nothing he could do. It was well beyond his level of skill.

“What is it, Stalker?” Mordane whispered as he came to accept that it was inevitable. A tremor was barely detectable in his voice

Stalker gave him a small smile and pulled him into a hug.

“Heh, you crazy bastard… I don’t know how you will make it after I’m gone.”

“Don’t talk like that, Stalker. You’ll make it through. You’re strong. “

Stalker just closed his eyes and shook his head.

“I need to tell you some things if you're going to make it. Promise me, Mordane. Promise you’ll not forget them.”

Mordane looked stricken.

“I will try.”

“...It will have to do,” Stalker said before swallowing. “Just know that I don’t regret this. I don’t regret becoming your friend.”

“Stalker…”

“Shh.” He said while letting Mordane lift himself up. “What I say is the truth, Mordane.”

Stalker spasmed and grit his teeth as blood began to seep out quicker from the sides of the knife.

“Lean in close.”

Mordane did, being careful not to touch the blade. Stalker’s face twisted in pain as he tried again and again to say something. Something he really didn’t want to say.

“Everypony dies around you because you are not strong enough.”

Mordane froze.

A Tear streaked down his cheek as Stalker continued to tell him things that he did not want to hear. Each word burning into Mordane’s mind as if it had been wrote by fire.

Mordane trembled looking at the floor as every muscle was tense. Stalker grabbed his head and forced him to look into his eyes.

“I don’t know who you are Mordane. I don’t know where you came from, but there is a fire in you unlike any I have ever seen or heard of. A fire that you never use, preferring to play it safe. What you have not realised is that fire can make - refine, as well as destroy. A fire that refuses to burn only leaves ashes. You must embrace who you are or… only… death … will follow you.”

Stalker collapsed into unconsciousness leaving a trembling Mordane staring down at his dying friend.

He didn’t know what to do, he didn’t know what to say. He felt nothing. He didn’t know what to feel. Pain, rage, fear, sadness. His grandfather had warned him.

Looking around he saw as a door leading deeper into the castle burst open, and Irona soldiers came bursting in. Part of him said that the lowering of the shield, must have allowed them to teleport troops into the cavern. Of course they would have needed somepony to act as a focal, but sneaking one pony across was a trivial matter during the chaos of yesterday.

His forces were flanked, scattered and unfit for combat. There was only one option.

“Retreat!” Mordane bellowed as he felt the weakening heart of Stalker. “Boulder, find an exit!”

He wanted to stay but logic bound him. Stalker had perhaps a few minutes left and there was no way to carry him. Cold reason demanded that he should save himself and Boulder at least.

Grabbing Boulder, Mordane started to drag him away from Stalker.

“Come on we have to go!”

“What!? b-but Stalker!” Boulder tired to resist but his hooves were slippery from the pool of blood around Stalker

“No, his body is too heavy,” Mordane shouted, “we are going to have to leave him behind.”

“We can’t abandon him! STALKER!”

Mordane spun Boulder around and slapped him full across the face.

“Follow me! You fall behind, you are left behind!” Mordane growled. Boulder only glanced back once before following the two unicorns and a dozen earth ponies rushing for the side door killing any Irona soldiers in their way. Other mercenaries that could, quickly joined them.

Through the door and up the stairs the rushing mob met little resistance as the Irona forces had broken through the inner sanctum’s outer gates.

The hundred or so mercenaries streaming atop, began to be harassed by unicorns, pegasi and earth pony archers stationed on and behind the wall, even as more Irona forces began to give chase from out of the inner sanctum.

Dozens fell every second as they ran full speed to the outer wall, punching through the barrier set up at the central crosswalk intersection.

Once past there they were unhindered as they entered the outer left tower.

“Where do we go!” Several ponies shouted

“The teleportation field’s down. Unicorns, help me!”

The two unicorns and Mordane touched horns, pulling on as much power as they could. Mordane kept his eyes staring out one of the two windows, mentally preparing to blink ponies to the edge of the field with the other magic users.

“When you get to the edge-” A pony slammed the tower door behind him and started to barricade it. “Run. Don’t group together! Find a place to hide!”

The tightly packed room began to quickly empty as he flung ponies to the tree line. Soon there were few enough left that he could take them all out.

Only a small group including him remained at the center of the room. Mordane took a second to switch gears to full teleportation and charged his horn.

A large electric discharge went off as a anti-teleportation field sprung back up.

Mordane was knocked to his rear.

“The storms! We are still here!” Shouted one pegasus.

“The spell failed!” wailed a mare.

“Buck, we have to get out of here.”

“Barricade the door,” shouted somepony.

The few tables and bookcases were quickly pushed in front of the door, to reinforce the wooden plank already blocking it from being opened.

The six of them were left gasping and listening as the Irona forces tried to bash down the door while shouting at them.

“Mercenary bastards!” “You’ll pay for what you’ve done.” “We’re going to boil you alive!”

Struggling with his footing Mordane began to search again, looking for any possible way they could escape. The room however had almost been stripped bare.

Moving along the wall he looked for a loose tile on the floor. Perhaps there was a trap door or something.

Coming up to the window he tried to shake loose the bars but found them set solidly. Before moving on, his eye was drawn to look out the window.

What he saw would live with him forever.

It was a furnace.

Sickness was overcome by horror as he saw mercenaries being dragged to the inferno. The ones still living screamed and begged for the knife before being thrown atop the burning pile. Their screams suddenly cut off as they passed through the magical barrier.

It was hell. An artificial hell to all, with living flesh being wiped away.

As he stared at the monstrosity he acknowledged the inevitable truth. There was no escape and very soon he would be atop that inferno as well.

Stalker’s words echoed back as everybody descended and became a mark against his soul.

I have lost.

Hundreds dead, perhaps a thousand all because of his pride and blindness.

Something inside of Mordane cracked under the realization and he sunk to the floor a broken stallion. A broken man.

He growled as tears for the dead fell from his cheeks.

_______________________________________________

The roar of the Irona infantry crashing against the tower door was muffled by the hardwood it was made of. Dozens of pegasi flew around the tower occasionally trying to get into the locked windows. The six mercenary ponies sat around waiting for the inevitable to descend upon them. Already several had opted to take a knife to their throat rather than wait for the flame. The others sat waiting, not sure of what to do when there was nothing.

“Hey, Snarl,” spoke one earth pony to another. “What ya regret?”

“Regret?” He said, furrowing his eyebrows. “Well, I regret not kissing that girl back in that village we left ‘ere. Me an’ ‘er had a nice thing goin’. Maybe I could’ve put aside my spear and...” He grew quiet. Tears on the corners of his eyes.

“You don’t have to say it, mate… I understand. I wish I had forgiven my mother. Gave her a hug one last time before going out into the world.”

“I wish I had another drink before I died.” A unicorn with a broken horn across the room opened his satchel with a trembling hoof and tossed a canteen to the stallion. “Much obliged.”

“I wish I had a kid,” spoke up the only mare. “Sure, my mom was a cunt, but I think I could’ve done better.”

“What about you, Mordane?” asked the first stallion to the alicorn clutching his head next to the window. “What do you regret?”

Mordane did not move at first, but slowly he raised his head. Turning, he faced his fellow mercenaries. His eyes were red with tears.

“I regret bringing you here. I regret not cutting High Rise’s throat. I regret not surrendering… but that’s not what’s on my mind.” He stood up, walked over and sat down with them. Taking an offered canteen he swallowed a gulp before passing it on. “I keep thinking to my parents… the last I saw of them was in a warzone. The enemy dogs were broken. Later I found a newspaper saying that they had died well before I knew they were alive… So I assumed the mare chasing me killed them. I ran and I ran, until I got to here.”

“Why did you think that mare killed them?” Said the mare.

“You see these wings?” He pointed to the ruffled appendages on his back. “In my home nation my race would be called alicorn. There's only four others and they are royalty. The one I thought killed my parents was the oldest.”

The mercenaries’ eyes widened.

“Seriously? Royalty? Why?”

“Because we are practically immortal and inherently more magically powerful than unicorns.”

They fell into silence and passed around the canteen some more until it was empty. The entire time curses and crunching could be heard as the Irona forces continued to try and break in.

“I don’t get it,” spoke up the mare suddenly “If she wanted you dead then why attack your parents? It makes more sense for her to hold them ransom.”

“Hey yeah, that makes sense. Maybe that article was a way of telling you.”

Mordane stayed silent and continued to look at the floor. Soon tears began to flow from his eyes.

“Sweet Moon goddess,” whispered the mare, “You knew that didn’t you?”

“Knew? No. Suspected, yes. At least on some level I did. I think that’s why I jumped to the murder conclusion. I didn’t want to consider that she was using them to get to me. I’ve thought of a lot of reasons… Heck I don’t even know if that mare wants me dead.”

“Then why run?” grunted a black maned stallion.

“...All alicorn that I know of reside around this mare. She is powerful in both magic and political power. One does not maintain such power without skill in manipulating others. If I stayed I would have been putty in her hooves like all the rest. Tyrant or not.”

“So you ran, because you were scared of being chained to her?” grunted the same stallion. “Been there. A mare would just cramp my style.”

“What style? You look like a half eaten carcass and smell like a sewer,” laughed the mare.

“You just can’t handle my sexiness.”

They all burst out laughing as Mordane shook the canteen to confirm it was empty.

“You know, what I don’t get is why you would run from her to join an army.”

“I guess because at least it was my own choice.” Mordane sighed before standing back up and walking to the window. His hooves still shaking from exhaustion. The corpses of the fallen were still being thrown and rolling down the mound that he had caused.

I’ve brought so much pain to this world… Would they have died if I had stayed under Celestia? I don’t know. I can’t believe this is it. That this is the end… I had so much more I could’ve done. So much more I could still do. Why did I waste it all?

Mordane thought about his past. As a human he had barely done anything save to live a life of solitude. That was his choice. A choice that his grandfather had shown him. So he had promised. He promised to never hate.

But I broke that promise grandpa, I let myself hate Celestia. Because it was easier than discovering the truth. Now I will die here. Alone. Just another life lost among thousands in a land consumed with barbarism and war. A place that will forget me like so much trash before. I will be burned away… What could I have done differently though?

Perhaps, I could have brought radio, engines, trains and not to even mention the social ideas. It could have created a revolution!... Yet the trains would’ve moved armies. The radio would have commanded them and spread ideas of subjugation. Only suppressing whatever social ideas I imparted.

A loud crack resounded through the room accompanied with a thud as the rabble of voices reaching from outside grew gleeful. “We are coming for you, assholes!”

“They will break in soon.” mumbled the mare.

“We all fucking know that. No point saying it.”

Perhaps… If I lead. No, that wouldn’t work. I am a human. These are ponies. I would’ve caused destructi-...

Mordane almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

I do all of this for so long and in the end all I do is destroy. Burn everything to ash...

I have been running away this whole time. Running away from hard choices. Running from Celestia. Running away from the truth. From responsibility, from love, friends, family.

Most of all though… I think I’ve been running away from myself.

Perhaps… being the kind of pony I am is not such a bad thing. Maybe civilization needs individuals like me.

Something deep in Mordane shifted. The one that he had called Madness let loose a grin as reason no longer held so firmly its chains. Pride, hope, desire for more. These things are what makes humans strive beyond the bounds and limits set. What he had locked away so long ago, in a time before this body had drawn breath and came to the surface.

A smile broke on Mordane’s lips as his eyes seemed to grow sharp and hard. The crashing at the door drew his glare away from the burning pile, but only for a moment. A sound that reminded him of the coming fate of his death unavoidable.

So he laughed.

A deep bellowing guffaw as screams of rage could still be heard through the door.

“What in tartarus.” “Has he lost his mind?” “Bastards done lost it,” shouted his fellow mercenaries. Their looks of dread and resignation only pushed on his laughter

“It’s so simple! Yet I never saw it! Laying there in the corner of my mind. A plain truth to be had. You,” He said pointing at the only mare. “What matters in life!?”

“W-what!?” she stuttered

“I will tell you!” Mordane jumped and flapped to get to the center of the room “Life is about what you leave behind! You wanted a child, he wanted to have a mother who thinks he cared, he wanted a wife and children! Don’t you see? It’s what you make that matters. What you build, be it in family or name!”

“What are you getting on about? We are going to die and no one will give a shit about us.”

Mordane jabbed his hoof at the stallion who spoke up, emphatically shouting.

“Yes! Exactly! In the end all ponies die but they live on in the minds and actions of those they touch. That is why I laugh! Now, only when death calls, do I realise! I may die in an hour but they will remember me,” Mordane shouted, beating his chest “They will remember me! Be it by the marks of my will on their bodies or the roar of my voice in their ear. THEY. WILL. REMEMBER. ME!”

Mordane bounded to the door and drew his sword before turning back.

“I go now to death! Who will follow! Who will go roaring to that last breath with me!?”

The ponies stared on in confusion at first but soon the fire lit in Mordane’s eyes began to reflect in theirs as well.

“Might as well teach them who they are dealing with.”

“Those bitches won’t know what hit them.”

“Onward to a date with death then. I wonder if she is pretty?”

“Fuck it.”

Standing up they all drew weapons as Mordane turned and faced the pile of furniture and the shaking door. He made his peace with God.

Then breathed in.

There is only my blade, the wind around me and the blood of my foes. Make them one.

He exhaled and channeled all that he had.

____________________________________________

Ice Wing Crinkled his nose and the smell of burning dead. Lance Light stood with High Rise upon the central wall as ponies continued to throw ponies both living and dead upon the fire.

“Sir, must we burn them?” Ice Wing asked.

“Let the soldiers have their fun. It is good for them to release the tension of their restrictive lives.”

“I follow your command.” Ice Wing’s stony exterior did not change as he continued to hear mares and stallions die in horrendous fashion. It was, after all, the way things had always been done for centuries. He always hated this part, when the aggression over boiled and each ponies anger fueled each other.

But what waste of life and resources. How many of my ponies have died?

“What of that corner tower?” Lance Light asked, indicating the corner tower that many pony mercenaries had rushed to.

“The door will be broken down soon.”

“Send more troops to take that tower. I don’t want you to let MORE of them escape.”

“Our forces are pursuing the ponies that were teleported from the tower. It goes well, many have been captured.”

“Very good. See to it that-”

With a resounding explosion the tower door blew outward. Within moments the structure began to crack and fall onto the walkway killing everypony.

Save for one.

Ice Wing followed this pony with his eye as from the dust he burst into the air and then quickly back down again to the courtyard below.

The force from his impact cracked the stone and knocked his workers off their hooves. For a brief moment he saw the pony and barely recognised him as the calm commander that had negotiated a peaceful resolution to this battle not hours before.

Now he was grinning. That inner strength Ice Wing had felt earlier was apparent in his lightly glowing eyes. Mordane glanced around himself before stomping his foot into the ground.

The crack stone around him exploded again into shards that ripped through the Irona soldiers all around him trying to recover. Even as Ice Wing registered that Mordane jumped out and sliced through the throat of a pony the shards had missed.

“COME FACE ME, LITTLE PONIES!” Mordane bellowed, followed quickly by laughing. “COME FACE DEATH!”

Ponies roared in rage, Mordane however caught them off guard as he jump right into the largest group of them, blade swinging.

Earth ponies were broken against stones, pegasi were cut through and unicorns were ripped asunder.

Ice Wing watched in growing surprise, then awe as the strange race of pony killed his way through soldier after soldier. Magic of a strength unlike any he had seen before flowed out his every pore. Even as he watched, the magic flashed out, flinging stone or wind to distract as he came back to end them with his jagged blade. Dozens were left crippled. More were left dead.

The winged unicorn walked through the courtyard as if he owned it. His head held high looking down on all those around him. Blood soon began to flow out of his enemies’ wounds and into the air forming whips. This was not the same pony he had met before. This one seemed to smile as blood flowed in streams around him, only to strike out and to strangle a pony by the neck before dragging it before him. Then at the touch of his magic the corpse would twitch. And then let out a rasping moan, only to be thrown to cause chaos among the chaff around him.

Wind whipped around him as Mordane’s eyes continued to shine pure and bright like a fire that would never cease

The worst, though, was his grin.

A grin that spoke of an utter lack of mercy

The unicorns that stood up to him found their mental defences under the pressure of a mountain. A will that cracked and scoured their defences until they shattered. Their minds being torn asunder from the madness that was his thoughts.

Of one thing Ice Wing was sure.

This was no pony.

Ice Wing unsheathed his wings and rocketed into the air. Diving at Mordane, he dodged the spike summoned by Mordane while skillfully adding to the wall of air moving with him.

Mordane was not prepared for such a powerful blast of wind. He went flying through the air and impacted the wall before thudding to the ground.

Ice Wing walked up to the struggling form of Mordane while drawing his hoof cuff sword. Mordane came right at him, a strange grin on his face.

This can’t be the same pony. His rage is palpable, but then why is he smiling?

Mordane was stupidly easy to read for Ice Wing as his magic would usually cast before he swung his sword, giving his plan away. An obviously untrained warrior but pure power made up for lack of skill. Ice Wing was forced to stay on the tips of his hooves, constantly changing direction and taking little nicks into the pony. It kept going on and on. Far longer that he expected.

He is full of rage. That is an amateur mistake. But then again it’s almost as if he is directing that emotion. If so then it could be what is giving him this endurance. A great skill for a warrior… but without a teacher he will never learn.

True to Ice Wing’s prediction, Mordane began to slow and pant. His movements and thrusts became inaccurate allowing Ice Wing to dance past his defence and deliver even more strikes.

Ice Wing walked to over Mordane’s trembling form and placed his blade against his foes neck. He could still hear the screaming from what this pony had done. It was above what any of his skill should have been able to. The Irona noble felt a twinge of regret as he raised his sword. Such a pony could have changed this wretched land.

What a waste.

_______________________________

Every bone in Mordane’s body screamed in pain as the Irona commander stood above him. Dozens had fallen to his blade alone. 

Countless nicks and cuts scoured his body. Ice Wing had proven far too strong for him. That pegasus hadn’t been like the wind. He was the wind.

Now Mordane was sitting face down in the dirt trying to stand but finding that he just didn’t have the strength.

The Irona commander… Ice Wing was above him, prepared to end it.

Mordane growled and stripped off another layer of self imposed control. Strength welled up from somewhere deep within himself. It came from his past, the strength, power and will of a human who kept himself in control at all times, who denied his very nature, finally letting go.

Not… enough.

With a grunt Mordane twisted his aching body to buck. The blow connected, sending Ice Wing across the courtyard, a resounding crack of bone rewarded the fatigued Mordane as he stumbled to his hooves.

Mordane gritted his teeth and reached in deep.

________________________________________________

Ice Wing caught himself in the air. A thoughtful expression played across his face as he stared down at Mordane.

The pony stood there unmoving with his eyes closed but something was wrong, Ice wings eye rune burned as Mordanes magic began to twist and change.

Mordane didn’t move until the last moment. His horn deflected the spar as he rushed suddenly toward the soldier. At the last moment his head lowered.

Stabbing him in the heart.

A bold, cocky and cruel chuckle emanated from the Mercenary leader as he lifted the impaled body of his still living victim over his head. The load seemed unnaturally large to Ice Wings eyes, reflecting the greater earth pony strength that he had suspected Mordane possesed.

“Yes,” Mordane said, his voice sounding like gravel and bile, “this one will do nicely”

The Irona solder suddenly screamed as black cracks ripped across his body. All color and vitality seemed to drain down to the stab

Ice Wing nearly threw up right there the horrid whale’s of the soldier echoing like a tormentor for tartarus as the pony died an unnatural death.

Ice Wing hovered a distance away from Mordane. Fear, awe, and confusion swirling in his mind. The pony, no the monster was mad. Shaking himself, he put himself back into general mode, barking orders to surround the monster.

The ponies fell into place cursing as they trotted over bodies and flowing blood of their comrades.

Then silence, the air, and everything else fell silent as the brown beast’s eyes started to glow an eerie dark red. His fur changed colors shrouded in a black-red mist which was flowing up from the ground. Every green glared out at him over a manic grin as blood dripped onto his face.

“Dark magic”, Ice Wing whispered, a sharp wave of fear gliding down his spine.

The world started to darken as the mist enveloped the soldiers. Dead ponies on the ground twitched then got up surrounding Mordane like a barrier. Some took to the air, some on the ground; a shield of flesh for their master. A dozen others rose, starting their mindlessly assault against all those but their master.

NECROMANCER! THIS MUST END, NOW!

The undead moved slowly, but they did not die. Mordane shrugged off the now undead minion as the other ponies were sliced into shreds by their former comrades. Swords merciously cut them into pieces. But they did not stop, with a leg, a wing, or simple force of magic they clobbered the soldiers.

The Irona soldiers roared, fighting the abominations as they came.

But beyond, the beast laughed wickedly, “I have always wanted to try this, but these are rare up north,” as several dozen pony parts fell into place, a soul gem at their core, a pony shaped figure came to life. Another formed into existence as the first met the enemy lines.

The Irona soldiers sunk their blades into its flesh. *BOOM!* The pony exploded killing all the nearby ponies in the shrapnel of bone and magical energy.

Ice Wing bit his lip as he instructed a pegasus squad to charge the weather for a tactical strike, normally used for siege against non-pegasus cities. He also sent for remaining unicorns to get together and start a group siege spell.

If I can’t get to you without fighting the undead, I’ll kill you from afar.

*Boom* Another pony exploded blasting an opening in the circle. Mordane made a move to the opening, but it closed in an instant.

Mordane stomped the earth, sending sharp fissures of earth at the soldiers. Ponies screamed as they were impaled, but the spell had been countered, stopping it halfway through the circle.

The body count increased, more joined Mordane’s legion of undead. The wisps of blood-red smoke now filled the air, a horrid stench filling the area. The smoke funneled into his horn granting him more and more power as his eyes glowed a bright demonic red, fueled by the remains of the dead.

Ice Wing watched anxiously as a half score of unicorns channeled their magic into a siege spell. The orb of magic grew in size and intensity.

Mordane turned from his work tending the dead and grinned. He laughed, staring down the massive attack as it charged. The smoke then rushed inward, pulled into Mordane's horn. The air was clear, save for undead ponies drifting in the air.

Mordane stared at Ice Wing, chuckling to himself, “Let’s see if you can beat the shield of the most powerful bitch I know.”

“FIRE!” Ice Wing ordered the unicorns. The mass of energy and magic flew out just as a large black opaque sphere appeared around Mordane. The black sphere looked like stone, but held several red veins of exposed magic.

The blast hit, shaking the earth and killing the surrounding ponies caught up in the blast. The sound of magic ripping against each other made the air vibrate as the two forces collided.

The dust settled, the ground around Mordane was ripped away, only a small island of dirt remained where he stood. Mordane laughed, “Is that the best you can do?” he scorned continuing to laugh maniacally.

“Fire!” Mordane turned to see who Ice Wing was looking at.

*KSSHE*

A blue streak of lightning bolted down from the sky.

Mordane stood, momentarily eyes glazed over as his fur hissed. He plummeted to the ground, unconscious.

Half a dozen ponies pounced forward to kill him, but encountered a few remaining undead.

Ice Wing rushed in, pushing the few remaining dead to the ground with a blast of wind “I will end him myself. He has earned that much.”

Across the courtyard Lance Light had made his way down from the wall to the courtyard and up to the panting Ice Wing. His disgust at having to walk among the bodies was evident.

"Well, Ice Wing,” he chuckled to himself, “It would appear that this one had some fight in him."

"Indeed." He panted, still standing over Mordane's unconscious form.

"My word," Lance whispered, coming up to stand beside him. "Is that a horn and wings I see?"

"Yes, he has the strength of an earth pony, flight of a pegasus, and magic beyond the abilities of most. This monster is one of a kind, a true warrior who fought till his last breath, sir"

"Incredible!" he exclaimed, raising a hoof to his chin.

Ice Wing rose his blade to strike.

"What are you doing!?"

"I am giving him an honorable death, sir"

"No!" Lance light shouted before quickly glancing around and leaning a bit closer. He whispered intently into Ice Wing’s ear. Oblivious to the fact that perhaps a dozen ponies would still obviously be able to hear him. "A pony like this, in the reflection of the Divine Luna! Ponies would pay through the teeth for him!"

Ice Wing made no move to respond to Lance. It was obvious that he intended to convince him to sell the hybrid Mordane. That however was against the law. He was under strict orders to kill the enemy commander.

"I am under orders sir. The commander of the mercenary army must die."

"Well yes, but think of the money we could gain for one such as him."

Ice Wing did think of it, if only a little. The wealth would be good for both of their houses but not that good. Even if it was, that would not persuade him. His honor was all he had.

"My honor is not for sale, sir"

"Of course it is." Ice Wing began to raise his sword but was stopped by Lance’s magic "Consider this. I can see to it that he fetches at least fifty thousand."

"Fifty thousand? A hundred slaves wouldn't be worth that!"

"Yes, but with a few… merchant tricks I think I can really play him up. We split it in half and you rest well knowing that you have paid for your brother’s next three campaigns."

Ice Wing ground his teeth. This pony disgusted him. Here at their feet lay an enemy of the state and he was talking of making a profit. Truly despicable. He would have no part in it. Ice Wing opened his mouth to say as much when he remembered what he had thought earlier.

What a waste.

A sudden desire to go through with Lance's plan filled him. The highly honorable commander did not understand where this urge came from.

If I sell him then he will live.

But why would he care to let him live? Ice Wing was unsure. This pony had commanded so well. Faught like a warrior, a foolish and powerful one, who could accept death. Perhaps he had come to respect him. Perhaps it just did not seem right to kill him like some common trash.

"Very well. We will do as you suggest." Ice Wing was shocked with himself at this action. It went against everything he had been taught. "I will tell you where to send my bits."

"You will not regret this, Commander Ice Wing."

"Let us hope so."

On the year 1014 of the Age of the Sun. Mordane Stronghoof fought and lost a battle in the Irona wilderness near the border of Cabistien. Many would in later years give testimony to the events of that day. One being a mare who miraculously survived beneath a crumbling tower.

In the annuls of history, this barely marked conflict between two minor nations would have repercussions, that would be felt even in the very corners of Equis, shaking ancient foundations to their very core.

For on this day the emperor was born.

The begginning is where you make it.

Stalker watched as his friend dragged the ever loyal Boulder away from him. He could feel every hard pump of his heart push splashes of blood out of him and onto the ground below. It was a strange sensation. One that he had felt a few times before though never with this much pain.

I’m going to die

The thought did not concern him greatly. He had been raised to prepare for death every day After all their line of work tended to make the years short and few. He had set Mordane on a path toward power.

Maybe he’ll make a statue of me… What the hell would it even look like?

The Irona soldiers quickly devastated the unprepared mercenary forces. Stalker however did not notice that. Instead he focused on his right forehoof. Grunting he forced it into his satchel and pulled out a stone before placing it onto his chest.

Its surface was covered in intricate patterns that few could recognise outside of his clan.

From stone we did come

To earth we will go.

From the fire down below,

to the wi-

With a shudder, Stalker slipped into unconsciousness.

There would of been the end of Stalker ,but fate had other plans.

From the mass of Irona soldiers two wearing medic uniforms made their way straight for the fallen pony.

Shop Lifter checked his brother’s mouth for a breath. Once confirmed he and Smut Peddler where wearing Irona medic uniforms, so nopony paid any attention when they slide the still bleeding Stalker onto a stretcher, an Irona uniform draped over him .

The three brothers navigated through the surging forces, out into the courtyard and then the fortress

Far too many ponies were moving about to take notice of them as they moved out of the camp and into the forest.

As they crossed deeper and deeper into the green overhang, their hooves began to move faster and faster until like a blur the three ponies were racing through the underbrush a frightening speeds only obtainable by a lifetime of hard labor and training.

The Irona gear was stripped off as they moved and soon even the cot was abandoned leaving Stalker riding on Smut Peddler’s back.

Like a leaf landing they came to a stop atop a rock before placing their burden down. A quick glance told them Stalker had already passed out from blood loss.

“Lifter, hoof me that medical satchel of his.” Smut Peddler whispered holding out his hoof.

“Yes, master.” Shoplifter replied snarky.

His brother glared at him before turning back to pay attention to Stalker. His voice lacked the usual joy that permeated its every word.

“Quite. You're my brother and I am no master.”

“Not according to what a little bird told me.” Shop lifter said lying on his back with his back hooves crossed.

Smut Peddler groaned before lifting an eyebrow at Shoplifter. His hooves were already cutting away excess cloth from around Stalkers wound.

“You realise that spying on the council is a crime punishable by death.”

“Just like everything else we do.” Stalker said rolling his eyes.

Shop Lifter opened Stalkers satchel before setting it where Smut peddler could reach it. He then propped up Stalkers head. All while still laying next to him on the ground.

“Is he going to live?” ShopeLifter asked as his lips turned downward slightly.

“It’s a kidney wound… regular medicine won’t do anything.”

“You're the master. Got a soul stone?”

“Stalker does,” he said reaching into the bag and pulling out a gem. “He was always the ambitious one.” Smut Peddler frowned. “Hold him still.”

Smut sat down in front of his younger brother. and began to breath. In and out. With a great heave he rammed the diamond into the stone beneath them embedding it there before beginning his incantation.

"As the river flows, our hearts beat down below. As the wind twists and turns to new patterns. As life breaths in us, and all around reflects in that which abounds. The Fire underneath the earth mother whose seeds we sow. To the Lord of chaos she wed. Grant us this life whose loss your children dread."

The crystal began to glow as SmutPelder pushed it further and further into the stone.Cracks spread to form a circle of intricate patterns around Stalker and Shop Lifter.

As Smut stared intently at the wound dust and water gravitated toward them into it reforming into flesh that stitched his wound nearly closed.

Shop Lifter let out a whistle as his eyes widened. “Now that is something to see.”

“Aye.” grunted Stalker as he came to. “Still hurts… Since when did you progress to that level?”

“Since a month ago, you lout.”

Stalker struggled to his hooves still feeling weak. Smut Peddler, however, pushed him back down.

“You ain’t going nowhere. That spell only made your wound non-life threatening, it didn’t replace your blood.”

“Okay,” Stalker whispered while closing his eyes and letting his head lay against the ground. “What were you doing there.”

“I got a better question,” spoke up Shop Lifter. “What in TARTARUS where YOU doing there?”

“You knew that place was a death trap, Stalker.” Smut Peddler spoke sternly, glaring at Shop Lifter. “We were waiting to see why you were staying.”

“...You were in the Irona forces for days.”

“Ever since they left-” *smack*

Smut Peddler reeled back from Stalker’s backhoof. Shop Lifter wrapped his hooves around the struggling pony.

“You bastard! Why didn’t you help him?”

Smut Peddler stood up whipping the small amount of blood coming out of his nose.

“Why didn’t I help him? Why would I, when he has done so much to pull my brother into his orbit?”

“Let. me. GO!” Stalker broke out of his brother Shop Lifter's hold.

“Why do you give that colt your loyalty, Stalker. You were the best of us. The brightest of us. The strongest of us. Then suddenly you get focused on this alicorn with a death wish?”

“The earth sings to him!” Stalker shouted while positioning the other two earth ponies opposite of him.

Silence, silent as the grave.

Smut Peddler and Shop Lifter froze, letting their fitted muzzles loosed and fall open in utter shock.

“You're wrong! That...that can’t be,” Shop Lifter whispered his voice quivering. “It can’t be true.” He looked into his brother’s eyes looking for any doubt or reason to believe it to not be so.

“It is.” Stalker’s eyes were unflinching.

Smut Peddler shook his head and took a few steps back as Shop Lifter continued to stare.

“No, he can’t be the spirit of the earth. Not after all this time not after--”

“After what!” Growled Stalker “After we sold our soul to him! That we find our light only--”

“Maybe Stalker’s right.” Shop Lifter sputtered while moving to Stalker’s side. “I’ve seen his war magic. If the earth calls to him…”

“NO.” Smut Peddler stomped his hoof and spat as his eyes lashed alight. “We are sworn.”

“We are sworn to the earth!” shouted Stalker.

“WE ARE SWORN TO DISCORD!” Smut Peddler roared.

“Not I. Not anymore.” Stalker whispered in return before rocketing into the air and dashing toward the fortress.

He moved forward through the forest single mindedly. Only taking note of the one or two mercenary soldiers walking through to forest.

How did they escape the fortress?

Stalker had no way to know so he pushed forward even as he saw ponies being shot by the pursuing Irona soldiers.

One of the ponies, however, caught his eye.

________________________________________________________

Boulder was running. His legs burned with the strain and his heart beat like a drum. Behind him three Irona soldiers galloped. One unicorn fired a beam and cracked a tree in half.

He was chased ever since materializing after Mordane cast the teleportation spell. It was only the trees that prevented him from already being hit.

His mad dash however could not be sustained as soon his hoof caught on a root and forced him to fall. Boulder struggled to his hooves as fast as he could but a part of him knew it was too late.

Turning around he faced his death head on.

Meanwhile the three ponies chasing him were slumping to the ground.

Standing over them was a pony he had just written off.

“Stalker?” he panted wide eyed. “Stalker!”

Boulder ran up and clutched his comrade, neither caring nor considering how he had made it out and was still standing.

Stalker winced and shuddered at Boulder’s embrace. Looking down he could see blood trickling out of the stab wound again.

The strain proved to have been far beyond what his body had left. Stalker blacked out into Boulder’s hooves.

Boulder gave Stalker a shake trying to bring him back around. However, shouting ponies coming from the direction of the fortress caught his attention.

Not knowing what had happened to Mordane, Boulder knew what he had to do.

Throwing Stalker over his shoulder he pointed himself toward a town he knew that was not too far away…

As Boulder came over the next of a hundred hills he breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the village beneath him.

Nearly a full day had passed since Stalker had collapsed. Since Mordane…

Boulder shook his head not wanting to think about that.

The town appeared to have two inns so Boulder headed for the nearest one.

Walking inside he wasn’t surprised to see a bar as many inns were both. The inside was a rustic and not exactly clean but it would do

“Hey buddy, you can’t bring that pony in here.” said the bar owner coming up.

“Please, sir. We just need a place to rest. I’ll work to pay for our room and board.”

The barkeeper rubbed his chin and walked around Boulder checking him over. For the life of him Boulder did not know why, but he held his peace.

“Soldier?”

“Something like that.”

“Mercenary then. Even better.” The pony looked at him and gave a grin. “You wouldn’t happen to have been part of the band lead by necromancer that had both wings and a horn would ya?”

Boulder froze in place drawing a bark of laughter from the patron.

“Absolutely perfect. They will come from towns over. If you work here you may get tired but the strain shouldn’t be anything like what you're use to. I will expect you to service at least eight customers a day. You ok with that?”

Only eight? The prices must be ridiculous.

“You have my word. At least eight a day.”

The old patron nodded his head before giving a grin.

“All right. I’ll give ya a room and some food. You work two weeks for me and then you can leave. I’ll even see to it that pony on your back gets care while you're working. Just don’t think I won’t turn you in if you try to swindle me.”

“Thank you,” Boulder sighed, glad to have things finally working fine for once.

The stallion motioned a mare serving drinks over and she led them into the back to a surprisingly comfortable room.

“Uhh… wow. That is a big bed.”

The mare giggled.

“Well you don’t expect us to work without a good bed do ya? Come on let’s go back to the boss, he will be wanting you to work tonight.”

Boulder hardened his gaze at but said nothing. Instead opting to leave Stalker in a comfortable position before turning to follow her.

The oddness of the statement stuck out in his mind however and so he asked innocently.

“Why would we need a good bed for our work?”

She looked him in the eye and giggled again.

“You can’t expect a brothel to have bad beds.”

_______________________________________________

Mordane cringed as stabbing needles of pain pushed inward from every part of his body, trying to drive him to cry out and whimper. Another part that was unnatural reveled in the pain.

Such an impulse was met with a wave of revulsion at even thinking of such a reaction. With but a thought the pain dulled and His mind found solid ground.

The alicorn marveled for a moment at the ease with which he had pushed away the pain and the memories of Blackheart. A part of him shrugged, a part that he had kept locked away for a long time.

Mordane breathed in deeply, resisting the urge to cough as dust tried to enter through his nose. Instead he marveled at the roiling, he felt the pulse beneath his skin and the newly lit fire in his heart.

His ears perked up and his face muscles pulled upward. The smile felt the same as it always had yet different. Everything felt different.

The cuffs on his hooves cut savagely to his flesh, they were not padded but he could feel strong enchantments sapping his strength. Leaving him without earth pony might. His horn was hollow and dead above a container ring and upon his back was enchanted wing restraints as well.

All of his strength and magic was still there, but just beyond his reach, a cruel joke that almost made him chuckle. But Mordane didn’t feel weak. He felt strong. Opening his eyes and sitting up confirmed what his others senses had already told him.

It was high noon and he was in a caged cart being dragged down a dirt road in a slave caravan The crack of whips could be here as ponies, griffins, zebra and minotaur alike were being lead by chains and pushed by their masters.

The sight caused a slight taste of disgust to roll over his tongue. Inefficient, so very inefficient, Slaves were one of the worst kinds of waste. Only fools used them. Fools too weak to get others to follow.

Mordane looked down at his chains. These chains meant to bind him.

And he laughed.

The slave drives faces all furrowed and a few twitched to move and put the slave in his place but stopped suddenly and hesitated before ignoring the rumored monster.

Slaves looked at the insane pony and shuddered thinking about how they may soon follow.

Mordane however did not give any mind to what they thought. He felt like laughing, so he laughed. Such a free and unrestrained expression, it was just right.

It only lasted a few seconds before his graph died to a chuckle then only a grin on his face. His attention now was forced on the only other two occupants of his iron barred carriage.

The first was a stone faced Buffalo. Mordane could easily tell that talking to him was a practice in futility.

She sat in the far corner, fur ragged and it was obvious somepony had done her over with a cane. The welts and bruises could be seen even through her filthy sky blue coat. Her face was tucked under her forehooves pulling her into a ball.

A flush of pity welled up and Mordane did nothing to stop it. He was done with suppressing his feelings. Done with living in fear. For now on he would live every moment. He breathed in sweet air.

“Hello?” He softly cooed. “My name is Mordane...are you able to talk?”

There was no response.

Mordane knew that she was awake. Her body was too tense for sleep.

“You know, we probably have some ways to go before--”

“Why did you laugh?” The pony whimpered.

“I’m sorry?” Mordane said, pretending he did not understand her.

The blue pony stirred and pulled her head out from under her foreleg.

“Why were you laughing?” Her voice whimpered with irritation.

Mordane blinked and tried to touch her shoulder but was reminded of his cuffs.

Instead he settled for a smile. For a moment. He felt the change. For a moment he understood.

This was the point. From this moment on the world would be different. He would be different. When you fall so low the only direction left to go is up.

“I laugh because despite being in chains, I am finally free.”

The next act.