A/N: And welcome to our next chapter.

Disclaimer: We don't own anything we don't own.

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

It had been at least almost three month since the festival and many Stallions and Mares from across Equestria and the Crystal Kingdom had enlisted and were being trained just outside of Pegalopolis. Lightning was talking to Euram in his office about the latest shipment of weapons and armor that was to be delivered.

"So when can we expect them?" Lightning asks.

"Within the week." Earum says.

Lightning nods and looks over to the recruits in the courtyard being drilled. "Let's hope that we can train these guys."

"So what is the progress on training, oh sorry retraining the Royal Guards?" Earum asks.

Lightning grins. "Seeku?" She appears from a nearby tree and lands on his back.

"Yes dear?" She asks teasing him by biting his ear.

"Start the test with the training." Lightning said as he sat down overlooking the courtyard.

Seeku grins. "Sure." She looks over to the trainees and sees a few guards look up at her. She nods and they nod back. They suddenly change into their changeling form and mock attack by hissing. The guards around them stumble back a little before leaping into action.

"Enough!" A voice shouts. Everypony looks to the voice while the changelings get out from under them and goes to deal with another business. "That was terrible! The worst reaction time and type, ever, I have ever seen in my life! You want to protect your land and citizens then work harder! The empire is faster and better than the changelings themselves, no offense, and all they did was protect their species and infiltrate! You really are a disgrace!" Nikolai shouts.

"That's our drill sergeant for the pegasus." Lightning says as a knock on the door is heard.

Lightning goes to it while Seeku just rides on his back a little. "Seeku?"

"Nope."

He opens the door to find Rainbow standing there. "Hey Lightning." She then raises an eyebrow at Seeku. "Can I question that?"

"She is a Changeling representative. It has been kept secret from the public for now." Lightning says.

Rainbow still has an eyebrow raised. "Then why is she acting all lovey dovey to you?" She asks as Seeku nuzzles him.

"That is a part of her nature and I just mostly ignore that, but give a little attention so she can feed off of it." Lightning says.

"Huh." Rainbow sighs. "Anyway, I just saw that drill. Nice work there, but I kinda expected that coming from you."

Lighting smiles. "Seeku's idea actually."

"I see." Rainbow says.

"That is all for now you two we will reconvene later." Lightning says getting up and walking over to Rainbow who he nuzzles a bit when Seeku jumps off of him and starts to leave with Euram. "How have you been?"

"Hungry and feeling a little achy." Rainbow says as her stomach growls.

Lightning smiles. "Then let's get some food."

Rainbow nods and was about to head out, but was stopped by Scootaloo in the doorway. "I'm getting bored."

"Oh, why don't you spend some time with your dad?" Lightning asks.

She looks at him deadpan. "What can we do now? We're basically preparing for war and nothing fun is popping up."

"What about arranging a visit from your friend and your step brother?" Lightning asks.

Scoots sighs. "Fine, anything better than just messing with my scooter."

"Ok Scoots, and I have been told by some of the guards you have been playing with the little Wyvern." Lightning says.

Scootaloo just shrugs. "He's more fun than any other pony I know. Plus he's learning how to fly now and his parents want him to try it with weights and that's me."

"Scoots, can you understand them?" Lightning asks.

Scootaloo just looks confused. "Yeah, I mean they just speak normally unless they roar. I don't know what everypony is talking about when they say they are just mindless beasts. They're actually pretty smart."

"Scoots not everypony can understand what they are saying. You have a gift." Lightning says proud of her.

Scootaloo grows surprised. "Really, cool. But the play time. I'm still bored."

Lightning ruffles her hair and lets her ride on his back. "So Rainbow how has the staff been treating you since they found out?" Lightning asks.

Rainbow looks confused. "Found out what?"

"Wait, the doctor didn't tell you after the checkup you got him to do on me and I turned into him checking the whole family?" Lightning asks.

Rainbow tilts her head. "Yeah and?"

Lightning leans close and whispers something into Rainbow's ear. "I'm what?!" Rainbow yells.

Lightning smiles as calmly as he can. "That's right Rainbow. We're going to have a foal."

Rainbow seems a little woozy and Lightning held her to support her. "Congratulations Rainbow, why don't you rest now?"

Rainbow nods weakly and goes to sleep. While Scootaloo stood still. "You still with me Scoots?" Lightning asks as some servants took Rainbow to their room.

"So does this mean I'm going to have a baby sister or brother?" Scootaloo asks.

Lightning nods and starts to walk to the dining hall. "Too early to tell, but do you have names in mind just in case?"

Scootaloo hummed while thinking.

"Don't have to say it right now. Just think about it. Now while the servants take care of Rainbow let's get some food ourselves." Lightning said as he rubs his hooves together.

As they walked to the dining room they saw Vinyl Scratch and Octavia working on something. "I'm telling you Octy we need to bring in Jephery more on the show." Vinyl says.

Octavia looks deadpan at her. "And how would he be able to help the show?"

"Just think of the reactions of the guests." Vinyl says.

"Vinyl, Octavia." Lightning greeted.

Vinyl smiles widely. "Hey L, where's Nikolai? I've been wondering where he is the whole time. Can't seem to find him."

"Oh he's…" Lightning was cut off when they heard.

"You call that flight speed I've seen snails move faster!"

"Drilling the recruits." Lightning finishes.

Vinyl smile turns into a frown. "Oh, well just tell him that we have to do another show." She asks as she picks up some equipment and walks away.

"So I trust you have made yourselves comfortable? I didn't expect Nikolai to have me let you stay here so he could still work with you and do his duty. You must have really made an impression on him Vinyl." Lightning teases.

Vinyl just looks at him with a glare. "Yeah, yeah. Just remember what I said." She then walks into another room.

"So any talk about their plans Octavia?" Lightning asks.

Octavia fiddles with some wires. "Plans?" She asks as she tries to place some wires into one of the equipment.

"I have never seen Nikolai take anything as seriously as his duties before. I have been thinking about it and the only reason I can think of is he is in love." Lightning says as Scootaloo hops off his back and makes for the kitchen.

Octavia smiles with pain. "Yes, but he's been showing up later and later. It's really hurting her."

"I think I will give Nikolai a little time off." Lightning says remembering Vinyl's emotion.

Octavia nods. "That would be best, but now leave us to our work and I don't think that Vinyl will see anypony else now besides me."

"Should I tell him to bring flowers?" Lightning jokes. Octavia glares at him. "Okay, okay, let me get some food and I'll talk to him after that."

"Appreciated." Octavia says.

"Oh, and thanks for preforming at the festival." Lightning says.

"Just get out of here."

After a half hour Lightning walks out into the courtyard where Nikolai was making the pegasus recruits do wing ups with heavy packs. "Nikolai." Lightning says with his commanding tone.

Nikolai looks at him for a moment before turning back to the recruits. "Thirty more and no breaks afterward!" He then walks over to Lighting. "Yes?"

"Take the rest of the day off and go see Vinyl I'll take over from here." Lightning says.

Nikolai tilts his head. "Are you sure? I mean, I'm the best at this."

"That was an order soldier." Lightning says sternly.

Nikolai sighs. "It has been awhile since I've seen them. Maybe I do need a break."

As Nikolai leaves the recruits give a sigh of relief. "Who said you could stop!" Lightning yells.

Nikolai walks to the door where Vinyl and Octavia were given rooms and knocks. "Who is it?" Vinyl yells out from behind the door.

"It's me." Nikolai says.

The door was then opened by a very angry Vinyl. "What do you want?"

"I came to see you." Nikolai says.

Vinyl huffs. "Yeah and all the other times, were a visit too."

"Sorry, I was kept very busy." Nikolai says. Vinyl noticed that Nikolai had bags under his eyes.

"Nikolai?" Vinyl asks, this time softer.

"Yes." Nikolai says shaking his head.

"When was the last time you slept?" Vinyl asks.

"I think Tuesday." Nikolai says.

"Nikolai, it's Friday and I know you weren't asleep yesterday." Vinyl says losing her anger.

Nikolai shakes his head again to stay awake. "So what do we do now? Lightning gave me the day off."

"I see, I have an idea about what we can do." Vinyl suggests reaching behind her.

"What?" Nikolai asks before he gets hit over the head with a frying pan knocking him out.

"You take a nap." Vinyl says.

Octavia was inside leaning on a table. "Was that necessary?"

"Hey, he had it coming and you know he is so stubborn." Vinyl says looking to the unconscious Nikolai.

Octavia sighs. "Sometimes I wish that you weren't so rough."

Vinyl gives her his trademark grin. "Hey, it's how I roll and I mean roll. I'm on top."

"Come on help me get him on the bed." Octavia says.

They both lift him up and start to head for the bed while Vinyl stays behind and lies with him for comfort. "Just don't do anything weird."

Vinyl wraps her hooves around him. "Don't worry about it, but can you get some food for him when he wakes up, I may fall asleep as well right...about...now." And so she did.

"You two deserve each other." Octavia says smiling and heading for the kitchen.

The next few days Lightning had to juggle training the recruits, doing paper work, and teaching the officers he had selected from the guards and recruits with basic tactics and strategies and the Dominions strategies and tactics.

To be frank, he had a rough few days. "I give up!" A little too rough.

Seeku drops from the ceiling onto one of the chairs in front of the desk as paper files everywhere. "Too rough?"

"No, I can't keep doing all of this and focus on the others I'm covering for. I need a Steward." Lighting said as he leans back in his chair.

Seeku smiles and jumps over the desk and onto his lap, straddling him. "Or something else, but I did find somepony and he is coming over any hour now for an interview. But it seems like you need a relaxant." She informed as she leans into the crook of his neck.

"Seeku, I am a married Stallion, I won't discard that oath." Lightning says trying not to blush.

Seeku chuckles and strokes his cheek. "Yet, I still feel something coming from you and I'm feeding off of it. Explain that."

"Seeku you are a friend, I don't feel that way for you." Lightning says firmly.

Seeku leans back a little and continues staring at him. "You're no fun, but who am I going to feed off of if you're not here?" She asks rubbing one of her hooves against a particular area with a grin.

"You have several hundred recruits you can choose from." Lightning says grabbing her hoof.

Seeku frowns. "They are not tasty enough. Everypony is different and you and some others are good enough. Besides, you remember that one time?" She asks as she gets in close enough to kiss him.

"I remember you came close to tricking me, but nothing else." Lightning says using his wings to spin the chair and throwing her off.

Seeku huffs and looks back at him with a sadistic smile. "Well I can do better, all you have to do is ask, and after all I am a bit like a vassal to you." She informed as she swings her tail side to side almost showing something off.

"Seeku I'm married. I'm not doing that." Lightning says with a serious voice.

Seeku huffs again and stops swinging her tail a little. "Well now you're no fun anymore. I liked you better back then." She looks off to the side to the fire. "I just wish I can experience that again."

"You have the memories for it and you know there is a pony for you out there." Lightning says.

Seeku sighs and this time jumps onto his lap, but this time just leans her back into him. "You tell me who is prefect for me and won't hate the changelings outright." She asks as she leans her head back right beside his.

"I have a few potential stallions I think you would like." Lightning says leaning his head a little into hers to comfort her. "Now come on Seeku we are like siblings." Lightning says and Seeku smirks and transforms into Spitfire.

Lightning just frowns. "Not funny." Seeku then transforms into Rainbow. "Now it's just weird." She then transforms into Eclipse. "It's not getting funnier." Seeku then transforms back to her normal self. "Better." He said with a smile. Seeku gives him a small kiss on the lips and then gets off of him. "Now it's weird and wrong again."

"I know, but its fun for me like that." Seeku says laughing and transforming into a brown unicorn as somepony knocks on the door.

"Come in." Lightning calls out after he checks himself over for anything not suited for a visit.

In walks a dark blue unicorn with glasses. "Good evening Lord Lightning Bolt. I am Silver Script and I was ask to come here by a Ms. Seeku for an interview to be a Steward." Silver Script introduces himself.

"Ah, greetings Mr. Silver Script, please pull up a chair." Lightning says.

Silver Script does as he's told and looks around. "I must say, nice place."

The transformed Seeku gives Lightning a file containing Silver Script's information. Lightning flips through the file. "Not bad credentials, but I measure ponies on ability not credentials so I will allow you to work for a few days and I will measure your ability." Lightning says.

"I promise not to disappoint, sir." Silver Script says adjusting his glasses making it glint.

Lightning notices an expression not seen on most ponies, but only for a second when the glint happened. "Okay then, you will start in the morning. Tell the inn I sent you and they will give you a room for a few days." Lightning says.

Silver nods and starts to leave. "Thank you sir." He leaves out the room and closes it behind him. Leaving two particular beings in the room.

"Now that that's done." Seeku transforms back to her original self. "Now where were we?" She jumps back onto Lightning's lap again.

Lightning frowns at her forwardness. "Again huh? I'm going to throw you off if you don't get off."

Seeku smiles sadly. "Alright. I'll leave you alone for a few days, but be sure to give me something when I come back. I have something to do anyway." She then gets off him and grabs her things.

"I can see what drew you to him." Lightning says stopping her.

Seeku looks back at him. "What do you mean?"

"He has absolute faith on his abilities and his magical power even suppressed it's significant." Lightning says.

Seeku shrugs. "Well that's your pony for now, don't know anypony else, but you can you think of giving me something?"

"Where did you find him?" Lightning asked.

"He was down on his luck drinking after being fired from a company who is having trouble." Seeku says.

Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Well lucky for us. Now what did you want?"

Seeku smiles lightly. "Can I at least have a kiss from you? I need something to keep me going for the few days."

"Fine." Lightning says getting up and kisses her on the cheek.

Seeku frowns. "A real one."

Lightning frowns at her and sighs. "Okay, just one." He then kisses her on the lips for a few seconds before letting go.

Seeku sighs happily and starts to leave. "Alright I'm good. See you next time Lightning and you better have this stallion."

Lightning sighs and sits down again. "Just know that we can't be together."

Seeku looks back at him with a sad smile. "I've known for a while, but at least you're happy."

Lightning looks to her with the same sad smile, but pained for a friend. "I just hope he's good for you. Though at least you can have fun with him he is really uptight and a workaholic and we both know how you love messing with those types." Lightning says and an evil smile formed on Seeku.

Then Seeku's evil smile turns back to sad. "I'll miss our times together. You were actually the best stallion I've met."

"Because even though I knew you were a changeling from the start I didn't treat you any differently?" Lightning asks.

Seeku nods. "Yes, and you treated me like any other mare. Which in your case is like a good gentlecolt."

"With any luck after this war ends your kind won't be looked upon like they have been by the Equestrian ponies. Oh and that reminds me, have we received any word from Rover and his clans?" Lightning asks.

Seeku thinks for a few before remembering. "Oh yeah, he agreed to join after the news of the queen joining the alliance." She then looks at him more carefully. "See ya, Lightning."

"Be safe." Lightning says.

Seeku sighs and takes something out of her bag and throws it over to the table. "A little gift for the both of us, but still good for you alone and with your mare too." She then turns and leaves. "See you later." She said closing the door behind her.

Lightning face turns red when he sees the 'gift'. "NOT FUNNY, SEEKU!" Lightning yells after her.

Seeku's laughs were heard out in the hall as she walks away.

Lightning sighs and just packs up his things for the night and walks to his room. Upon entering his bedroom he sees Rainbow dressed in a bathrobe reading a Daring Do book.

Seeing Lightning she looks away for a bit. "Hey Lightning, how was your day?" Rainbow asks.

Lightning sighs. "Well, other than the usual now, I got a new employee and Seeku really played with me."

Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Play how?"

Lightning looks off to the side. "Well she left a little gift that is for couples for when they…" Lightning trailed off with a blush and rubbing his hooves together.

Rainbow gains a blush. "Why was she carrying that?"

Lightning looks to the side. "She's always been a prankster with a unique sense of humor."

Rainbow closes the book and places it on the stand next to her. "Are you sure that it wasn't for you and her getting together? Even a regular changeling won't act that way for some emotion food."

"She is unique, a lot of changelings work via a hive mind but some of the more powerful ones thinks for themselves and have their own personalities. Of course given their species and how they grow up it's easy for us to consider them weird at best." Lightning says joining her on the bed.

Rainbow looks to him sharply. "Lightning, when we got married we promised not to lie to one another, now the truth."

Lightning sighs. "Okay, Seeku actually likes me enough to be on the level of wanting to make me her mate. But I made it clear early on I didn't feel the same way. Combine that with her personality and you get this situation." Lightning says.

Rainbow then smiles. "Thank you. I actually feel sorry for her now, you know?"

Lightning turns to her sadly. "I actually do too and I have something else to say." Rainbow waits for that. "I kissed her. She refuses to feed while around here and forced me to feed her a bit." Lightning says.

Rainbow nods. "Something tells me that there was something more to that."

Lightning nods to that. "Yes, but you may have to ask her after a few days. She's gone for now."

"Oh, where is she going?" Rainbow asks.

"That, I don't know. To keep all our preparations hidden I am working on the ponies and she is the agent in charge helping prepare of all the non-pony forces." Lightning says putting his ear on Rainbow's side.

Rainbow smiles. "Thanks for telling the truth." She said as she places a hoof on his head.

Lightning says nothing and just listens. "What are you doing?" Rainbow asks.

"Trying to see if I can hear our foal's heartbeat yet." Lightning says.

Rainbow smiles and kisses him on the head. "Well the doctor said you could possibly hear it now, but I can't bend down and reach it obviously."

"I hear a little thumbing sound." Lightning says.

Rainbow smiles. "Really?"

"I trained my sense of hearing for when I was a Stalliongrad hunter. I can't tell you how many times it has saved my life." Lightning says.

Rainbow chuckles. "Well, as cheesy as it sounds, it's helping you find new life."

Lightning's other ear then twitches. "Huh?" Lightning says.

Rainbow looks worried at him noticing the other ear. "What is it?"

"I thought I misheard before, but I hear three heart beats. Yours and two others." Lightning says getting surprised.

Rainbow's eyes widen. "So I have twins?" She asks shocked.

"Most likely, congratulations." Lightning says opening his eyes smiling.

Before either could react they heard a clawing at the door. Lightning gets up and opens the door to see Ice Fang run in holding Tank in his mouth. Ice fang had grown a lot in the last few months now twice his previous size.

"Guess what you said about him was true and thanks for bringing Tank. I haven't seen him in a while." Rainbow said the last part to Ice Fang.

Ice fang lets Tank off on the bed where Rainbow and Tank rubbed noses before Ice Fang jumped onto the bed himself.

"Hey, leave room for me." Lightning joked.

Rainbow sticks her tongue out at Lightning. "Sorry, but you have to sleep on the floor like a good little dog."

Ice Fang whines. "I think he wants all of us to keep you warm Rainbow." Lightning says.

Rainbow stares at him as Ice Fang rubs against her. "Why does it feel like the family is only getting bigger each day?"

"Because it is and you're a noble and the wife of the head of the house. In Stalliongrad a noble house or if you prefer clan is basically one big family. Speaking of which we received an interesting letter today Rainbow." Lightning says remembering something.

Lightning leaves his stuff on the bed and goes for the desk before remembering that it was in his outfit. "What is it?" Rainbow asks searching through his bag for the gift Seeku gave him.

"Here it is." Lightning says withdrawing a letter from the pocket of his outfit and hoofs it to Rainbow, stopping the search.

Rainbow opens it and reads it. "It's from my father. He says he is coming for a visit." Rainbow says.

"I see your father is coming for a visit. I guess he was finally able to tear himself away from his job." Lightning says.

"Yeah, Dad has a full time job. It prevented him from even coming to see our wedding." Rainbow says sadly and Lightning wrapped her in a hug.

Rainbow leans into him. "Just to change this tune, what exactly did Seeku give you?" She asks trying to change the subject.

Lightning frowns. "Well, let's just say it's for getting it on longer than ever for me."

Rainbow blushes red. "You remember our wedding?"

"I don't think Princess Luna and Celestia will ever forget it from even another thousand years from now." Lightning says with a smirk.

Rainbow smiles. "Yeah, and I still remember everything up to point and a little beyond."

Lightning smiles. "Well, I know how to make your father happy for going through his own daughter's wedding."

"Oh?" Rainbow asks interested

"It is a surprise love." Lightning says and Rainbow huffs like a little filly. "Now don't you be a spoiled little filly Rainbow." He then thinks about it. "Actually I like that one time we did that."

"Watch it mister or you're sleeping outside for the next week." Rainbow says.

Lightning looks hurt. "But you liked it."

"That is beside the point." Rainbow says.

Lightning grins. "And what point is that?"

"Oh just go to sleep." Rainbow says laying down and Ice Fang snuggles up beside her with Tank.

"Alright Love." Lightning says laying down on the other side of the bed thinking she's still a little mad.

"Get over here silly." Rainbow teases.

Lightning laughs a little and snuggles up to her.

The next morning Lightning had the servants and chefs preparing for Rainbow's father's arrival. Rainbow directed them all on what he likes and how. Lightning tried to lead her away, but nothing would stop this mare.

Lightning just shook his head while he stood with Scootaloo as Nikolai, Vinyl, and Octavia walked up to him. "So what's happening?" Vinyl asks.

Lightning looks to them for a moment before turning back to the head mare. "Well, in short, Rainbow's father is coming so Rainbow is controlling everything for his arrival."

"Ah, then an elder of the house is visiting then?" Nikolai asks.

"By marriage, yes." Lightning says.

"Ah, so you think he expects this kind of welcome?" Nikolai asks.

"I have read her letters to him. She never mentioned we are nobles now so he probably thinks we are just working here." Lightning says and then he gains a grin. "I think I want play a little prank to him, but let me speak to Rainbow first."

"My lord I advise against this as your Sworn Sword." Nikolai says.

Lightning turns to him with a sadistic grin. "Come on, what's the harm, plus it's better than saying outright when he comes here."

"The harm is Lady Rainbow's anger being greater than a thousand suns." Nikolai says.

Lightning turns and leaves to Rainbow. When he reaches her he talks to her for a few minutes before Rainbow looks surprised and then brings a hoof to her chin. After a while she nods yes. Lightning smiles and then whispers to her while she nodding to every single piece of it.

"I got a bad feeling about this." Nikolai said to anypony listening.

An older light blue Pegasus with a prismatic mane and tail lands in front of the keep. He is approached by a maid almost immediately.

"Greetings sir, welcome to the Razorwing Keep, sir. Are you Rainbow Dash's father?" The maid asks.

Stormy Wing notices something off about the maid but can't place a hoof on it. "Yes I am, where is she?"

"Oh, she is currently overseeing the dining hall. The lord of the lands didn't want her doing anything strenuous after finding out she was pregnant." The maid says.

Stormy eyes almost bulged out. "Did you say pregnant?"

"Yes, it was discovered after she was given a physical." The maid explains.

Stormy feels like he got hit by a rock...or a train at high speeds. "Take me to her now." He said sternly.

"As you wish, sir." The maid says leading him through the keep.

Stormy walks through the keep seeing many different antiques and artifacts he only sees in books. It was almost like being in the princess's castle. "Who's the stallion she's with that got her pregnant?" He asks.

"Oh, her husband." The maid stiffened from the tone, but composed herself.

Stormy finds it weird that she just said only the word husband. "What's the name of the stallion?"

"Lightning, sir." The maid says a bit nervously.

Stormy was getting impatient when they came upon the door. "Here we are, the dining hall." Stormy then notices a guard that's been following them from looking around. "Don't mind him, he's for the guest's protection." The maid informed.

Stormy Wing pays no heed and enters the room and sees Rainbow directing the rest of the servants. "Yes, right there. The lord of these lands is having an important guest tonight." Rainbow says in her own maid outfit.

"Rainbow!" Stormy calls.

Looking around Rainbow's eyes spark a bit. "Oh, father." Rainbow says walking up to him.

Stormy looks over her clothing. "So you're the head maid or something?" He asks awkwardly.

Rainbow shakes her head no before seeing something. "No, red roses and without thorns, not yellow with thorns!" She yells to one of the servants who quickly follow it. She then turns back to him. "Sorry no, but since I'm with foals the lord doesn't want me to strain myself." Rainbow says.

Stormy's eyes widen. "Did you say foals?"

"Ah...yes, you see my husband has great hearing and heard my own heart and two others although they were small." Rainbow says.

Stormy didn't know what to say. "I guess I missed a lot." He then gets confused. "But what are you doing here? I thought you love flying?"

"Well my husband obeys the orders of the princesses and is helping us prepare for war." Rainbow says.

Unnoticed by Stormy, Rainbow sees the guard place his spear sideways. "I see. So you married a guard?" He asks.

"A soldier father." Rainbow corrected.

"Huh." Stormy looks around. "I expected you to get somepony simple like in a weather team."

"You know how love is father." Rainbow says.

Stormy looks down a little. "I know Rainbow. I just wish she was here to see her little baby girl grown up and...well living a life." He said trying to smile.

"I know dad, but she is in a better place." Rainbow says.

Stormy smiles back before hugging her. "I missed you my little princess."

"I missed you as well father." Rainbow says hugging him back.

Soon Rainbow breaks the hug. "We'll catch up later, but now I have to still prepare for the guest." She then sees something else. "Hey! Not those bowls the other ones with silver swirl patterns!" She yells as she walks over to them.

"Sir, the lord of the keep would like to meet you." A guard says as Stormy notices the guard from earlier was gone.

Stormy looks around before nodding. "Okay, lead me to him." The guard nods back and starts to walk to the head office.

Inside the office Lightning was reviewing some of Silver Script's work. "Very nice. He'll make a fine pony to place paperwork on and run some of the land." He says with a grin. Lightning then hears a knock on the door. "Enter."

The door opens to a light blue Pegasus and a guard. "You can leave us."

"Sir." The guard said before leaving and closing the door.

Stormy looks over the lord sitting in the chair. "You are Rainbow Dash's father Stormy Wing correct?" Lightning asks.

Stormy nods. "Yes, and I see you took her health into consideration."

"It was only right sir." Lightning says getting up.

Stormy's eyes narrow. "Who are you?"

Lightning just smiles. "Mr. Bolt sir." He said holding out a hoof.

"A pleasure. I must admit I didn't expect a young stallion to be the lord of this city or the lands surrounding it." Stormy says.

Lightning just shrugs. "To be honest I didn't either. Now onto the matter with Rainbow Dash." He said as he starts walking out the office.

Stormy smiles and follows. "Nope, not like the nobles I meet."

They walk back through the keep. "So tell me Mr. Stormy, what is your opinion of the announcement the princesses made?" Lightning asks.

Stormy sighs. "To be honest I don't know. I'm just a factory worker in the cloud factory. All I want is my Rainbow safe."

"Ok, let me rephrase the question, what do you and your fellow workers think of the Dominion Empire invading?" Lightning asks as they turn a corner.

Stormy looks to the cases holding weapons. "Trouble really. Destroying our very livelihood and killing us, nothing is more evil. Some of the more hot headed workers submitted their resignations and went to the recruitment office as well. I don't blame them for wanting to protect their home. If I was a little younger I might do it as well." Stormy says stopping on a sword.

Lightning stops as well and looks at the sword. "Ponies do want to protect their love ones. Still the older generation does it by helping out back home. Those clouds you're making help keep the water supply spread all over the nation and in the coming war our food and water supplies will be critical."

"Thanks for saying that." Stormy says.

Lightning smiles. "No problem." He then points to the direction they were walking. "Now, onward!"

Stormy smiles seeing his behavior. "Are all young nobles like this?"

Lightning turns around and walks backward. "Only to help lighten somepony's mood and bring a little life back to them." Stormy Wing chuckles at this stallion. "So has Rainbow told you anything about her husband?" Lightning asks turning back around.

Stormy tilts his head to the side. "Only that he's under orders from the princesses and a soldier."

"I see. I think the dining hall should be finished by now." Lightning says walking towards the dining room.

Stormy grows confused. "But isn't it where you have an important meeting with somepony and I would think that Rainbow might be somewhere else."

Lightning chuckles. "Oh Stormy, you might want to take a peek inside."

Stormy was confused but follows anyways. He opens the door to find Rainbow standing there with a smile in a noble dress and an orange foal in a less noble dress, but still noble.

"Hey dad, say hello to your daughter and granddaughter." Rainbow said as she couldn't hold a smile anymore.

"Meet my family, sir." Lightning says joining them.

Stormy jaws drops. "So..."

Rainbow nods. "Yep, I'm actually nobility and the lady of this house." Rainbow says.

Stormy's jaw drops even further. "How...?"

"Well I didn't expect the princess to make me a noble and general." Lightning says.

Stormy turns his attention his Mr. Bolt. "So you're..."

Lightning nods. "Yep, I'm Lightning. Name's Lightning Bolt pleasure to formally meet you honored guest."

Stormy looks around. "So all this is for me?"

"To be honest," Lightning spoke up. "The planning and the party, that was Rainbow's, while the whole fool you thing was mine, sorry."

Scootaloo ran up to Stormy. "Hello grandfather." Scootaloo says.

Stormy was just in shock as he looks to the young one in front of him and then Rainbow again. "If you're wondering she was adopted. I am in fact pregnant." Rainbow spoke up.

Stormy picks her up. "Hey there, little one."

Scootaloo then goes deadpan. "Can you put me down, I'm just doing the act."

Stormy then looks to couple who sweat drops. "Yeah, she has a bit of my personality." Rainbow said rubbing a hoof behind her head.

Stormy just stares at them for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. "This is definitely your foal, adopted or not."

Scootaloo turns to her parents. "You hear that, even he knows I'm like Rainbow."

Stormy just keeps laughing harder at that statement from the foal. "This is definitely the best day of my life now." He laughs out loud.

"Come on, the chefs had prepared lunch for us." Lightning says.

Stormy puts Scootaloo down and walks to where they sit down. "How did you gain this high end nobility thing? I mean, I have seen other nobles, but you are definitely the top ones."

"You know the news of the traitorous nobles? Well for my part in bringing them down I was rewarded quite a lot of their former lands and assets. That and as a direct descendant of Commander Hurricane herself my family owns the city and the surrounding lands." Lightning says.

Stormy whistles. "Wow, and who asked who for marriage?"

"I asked Rainbow to marry me." Lightning says as the food is brought out.

Rainbow chuckles. "Actually it was more like me making him ask me. That reminds me how's the house moving coming along?" She asks Lightning.

"We are talking moving things from across the western part of the eastern continent and then the ocean. It will take several more months." Lightning says.

Rainbow just smirks. "I mean my house Lightning, my cloud house. You know how I love that place and so does Tank."

"Oh, that is easily done, just say it and I will hire a few pegasus to move it here." Lightning says.

Stormy looks on in surprise as these two talk about heavy stuff naturally. "Well make it happen and at least make it connected to the keep so I and Tank don't have to strain ourselves much. Besides I got a lot of stuff in there that's valuable."

Lightning chuckles. "I know, like the last Daring Do book I gave you when I came here."

Rainbow blushes. "How could I forget? You really changed all of our lives that time. Plus now looking back at it, you still haven't gotten any farther in my elemental studies."

"Ah, thank you for reminding me. I have been meaning to add some of those books into my library." Lightning says.

Rainbow then looks over to her father. "What's wrong dad, you better hurry up and eat before it gets cold?"

"I'm trying to keep up with your conversation." Stormy says.

Lightning chuckles. "Trust me, barely anypony can follow what we say."

"Oh, grandson!"

Lightning face blanks. "Oh, no. Not her." He said with worry.

"Dad, meet the ghost of Commander Hurricane." Rainbow says as Hurricane came out from one of their meals.

"Hello there." She said as her head was in a salad. "Welcome to the Razorwind Keep. I hope you enjoyed your stay so far."

"Grandma, out of the salad." Lightning tells her getting annoyed.

Hurricane then floats upward with a frown. "Still no fun. You need to be like your grandfather."

"Grandma we have a guest. My wife's father." Lightning says trying to eat.

Hurricane turns to the new stallion. "Hello handsome. Pleasure to meet you. Names' Hurricane, Commander Hurricane, once great leader of the pegasus forces back then. And you are?"

"Stormy Wing, Rainbow Dash's father." Stormy says uneasy because of her saying handsome, and that's from a few thousand year old ghost.

Hurricane floats up close to his wings. "Yes I can see how you got that name. My, my, they sure are big and strong, great for flying in big winds."

"Grandmother you are spoken for aren't you?" Scootaloo asks.

Hurricane floats up in front of Scootaloo. "He's dead dearie. And he would want me to live on without dwelling on the past." She said theatrically and somewhat fake with...where did that spotlight come from?

"But since he is my grandfather as well isn't he your family?" Scootaloo asks.

"She has you there Grandma." Lightning says.

Hurricane smiles as she floats above the soup. "An old pony can't have some fun? Come on, I'm entitled to something that has past me by in my ghost age." She then turns to Stormy and slithers by him. "Like a stallion."

"Grandma, aren't you overseeing the preparation for the foals room upon your own request?" Lighting asks desperate to get rid of her.

"Wait, foals as in more than one?" Hurricane asks.

Lightning raises an eyebrow. "Yes, we discovered that last night...why?"

Hurricane facehooves. "Great, now I have to tell them to make another room connection." She turns to Stormy. "We'll talk later sweetie." Hurricane said in a sultry voice and then flies through the walls to head to the rooms.

"Thank Luna she left, that was getting disturbing." Rainbow says.

Lightning picks at his rolling cherry. "I know, just think what would happen if your dad and my ancestor got together?"

"Don't put the image into my head." Rainbow says.

"I don't know, I may enjoy it. It has been a while." Stormy intrudes.

Rainbow blushes bright red. "Dad!"

Stormy looks at her with a smile. "Come on Rainbow, I have been a little lonely and the house has been empty with just me. I could use somepony with me."

"Why don't you move in with us here at the keep?" Lightning suggests.

Stormy smiles. "I may just do that and maybe move the factory a little since there is a lot more reserve water and everything we need around here. Plus I get to see my little angel now and again."

"Ok, just let me get in contact with Cloudsdale and I will arrange it." Lightning says.

Stormy nods. "Please do, while that's happening I may visit that ghost."

"Ok, getting weird again." Lightning says.

Stormy grins. "Can't blame a stallion for having a fetish."

"Not in front of the foals' dad." Rainbow says covering Scootaloo's ears.

"Don't bother. Another foal came in with a sex book with weird fetishes from the orphanage. One of the fetishes is a ghost fetish." Scootaloo informed.

Lightning facehooves and says. "I hope the rest of the foals won't turn out like this."

Stormy laughs. "Boy, you two are the roughest and toughest family with seeing almost everything there is."

"And the older members of the house aren't helping." Lightning says.

Stormy chuckles. "Well you have a lonely stallion and a slightly lonely ghostly mare. What would think would happen?"

"Hopefully nothing, considering that you are both family now and that is just wrong." Lightning says.

Stormy gives Rainbow a hurt look. "Would you deny me a chance with a little love Rainbow?"

"I thought you swore never to marry again after mom." Rainbow reminds.

Stormy sighs and starts to pick at a salad. "Yet, being lonely after such a long time takes its toll. A pony can only handle so much."

"You have a family." Rainbow says.

Stormy looks to her again. "Yes Rainbow and it used to be just you. Now that you married that family has immensely grown. But the loneliness always come back to me. Sometimes I actually wish I have another pony again."

"We can talk about this another time, for now let's just enjoy the meal." Lightning says.

Stormy nods and stops picking at his food with the others following.

It was two nights later when Lightning called Silver Script to his office. "Silver Script, I have been reviewing your work and I have decided to make your employment full time." Lightning says.

Silver smiles. "Thanks you sir. I won't let you down."

Lightning leans back in his chair and relaxes with his hind legs on the desk. "Not like you won't. That old job probably had you doing almost the same thing."

"Actually no sir, I was forced to work on the assembly line instead my job because my boss didn't like me." Silver Script says.

Lighting huffs. "Nobles?"

"No, a factory overseer." Silver Script says.

Lightning sighs. "Well nothing you can do anything about it now. Now you can head back to the hotel and get some rest. I would have a lot more work tomorrow and we will see about getting you a permanent living arrangement here. "

"Thanks you sir." Silver Script says starting to leave.

"And remember, it won't get easier at this point." Lightning warns.

"I look forward to the challenge sir." Silver Script says pushing up his glasses.

Lightning chuckles. "Well let's hope that I can be ready for my end too, you're dismissed."

Silver Script leaves and Azure squawks on his perch. Lightning turns to the lucky bird. "I know you sense something Azure, but he's a good enough pony with the right mindset."

"Oh and what about me?" A female voice asks behind Lightning.

Lightning chuckles. "So that's why, but then again you shouldn't left the window open."

Seeku giggles a bit and jumps onto his lap. "Did you miss me?" She asks teasingly as she licks his cheek.

"So do you know what happened while you were gone?" Lightning asks trying to wipe off the saliva.

Seeku giggles and turns around to leans back into him. "Well I heard some talk about how Rainbow's father came in and you guys played some type of prank on him. You won't believe how the servants are chatty."

"Did you also hear the other news?" Lightning asks.

She turns to him. "Congratulations Lightning, guess we won't be together after all." She sighs and leans in the crook of his neck. "Two foals. Hope you have plans to deal with them."

"Hurricane is already overseeing the preparations for their nursery and rooms for them as we speak." Lightning says.

Seeku sighs and almost starts to look like falling asleep against him. "Anything else that requires my attention on you?" She said softly.

Lightning rubs her head. "Your still family to me Seeku. In fact, why don't you just join the house?" Lightning asks.

Seeku starts to tear up. "Because, you are the only one who treated me differently. Better than any other pony I have been with." She turns to look at him. "And that means the whole house will follow your ideas. And that brings me to this question." She sighs and starts to hug him. "Can I stay in your keep as a vassal after this ends?"

"Seeku I want you to join the family, not be a vassal or a Sworn Sword, but a part of the family." Lightning says.

Seeku finally lets the tears and chokes on each breath. "Thank you." She then kisses him on the cheek to show her gratitude.

Unfortunately at the moment Rainbow walks with some food for Lightning and sees the two. Seeku stops the kiss and they both look to the door and see the shocked pony. "Rainbow, I swear that this is not what it looks like." Lightning pleaded.

Rainbow looks at them for a few minutes before shaking her head and walking toward them. She places the food onto the table before walking around to them. "Well this does prove something that has been on my mind for a while." Rainbow said as Seeku got off of Lightning.

"You explain to her." Lightning says to Seeku.

Seeku looks between the two before sighing. "Rainbow Dash, I have actually cared for Lightning more than I expected. More so than it was allowed. Our time together back then really changed my outlook on ponies in general and on him." She sits down as her legs couldn't hold her anymore. "I have fallen in love with him Rainbow. Almost to the point of really being with him. Hope you won't hate the both us just because of this." She looks to her pleadingly.

"And?" Lightning adds.

"He has no romantic feelings for me and now that you are with foals I…have no intention of coming between you two." Seeku adds crying now.

Rainbow looks between the two before sighing. "Do need his emotions or can you live off others that doesn't include his?"

Seeku sighs. "I can go with others if you want me gone."

Rainbow looks at her before looking to Lightning. "What about you?"

"Seeku is a good friend and pretty much family to me Rainbow." Lightning says.

Rainbow lets out a breath of relief. "Alright, she can still stay with us." Seeku immediately perks up and starts to wag her tail like a dog. "But only if you bring this whole lovey dovey thing between you two down to a minimum. We don't want the wrong image being sent out."

Seeku giggles. "So just in private?" She asks excited.

Rainbow just nods. "Yes and the bigger parts with me there. Celestial knows what might happen if word gets out that I'm allowing this."

"I guess that means it's settled, welcome to the family Seeku." Lightning says.

"Yes!" Seeku jumps onto Lightning laughing and kissing him repeatedly on the cheeks while they spin around.

Rainbow clears her throat stopping Seeku who laughs nervously before changing into her unicorn disguise. "Well I have things to do and ponies to see. Have a great time you two." She turns to leave but stops before the door. "Just out of curiosity, have you used my gift Lightning?"

Lightning just burns hot red. "Nope." He quickly answers.

Seeku looks disappointed a little. "Pity, I would have loved to see that." She said with a perv grin.

"Get out of here before I reconsider." Rainbow says.

Seeku huffs. "You are turning into the same amount of fun as Lightning, hope the foals don't come out that way." She said to them as she leaves.

"At least now I can work." Lightning says turning back to his paperwork.

"I don't think so." Rainbow says now straddling him and blocking his view with a grin.

"Oh, so that's why you came to see me." Lightning says.

Rainbow giggles. "Yep, and to talk about Seeku, but I didn't know she would be back now." Rainbow then has a thought. "Maybe I should invite her back for a little fun it you like since you allow her to do that to you."

Seeku, who is on the other side of the door, hears this and giggles before coming up with some ideas.

It was weeks later and Lightning was talking with Nikolai, Apollo, and Alexander. "So they are coming along better than expected?" Lightning asked shocked.

Nikolai nods. "Surprisingly, they want to protect their land better than any other nation I have ever seen. These ponies are resilient. The only ones who had to quit were those who gain significant injuries during training."

Lightning looks down at the field where the recruits were being trained. "Seeku?"

Seeku jumps off a tree and onto his back. "Yes?"

Lighting concentrates on the recruits. "Start the drill."

Seeku nods and looks over to the field. The few guards looks up unnoticed. Seeku nods and they change. But before they could change completely they were under several guards and pulled at the limbs. "Good! Now get back to training." Nikolai, who was training them, shouts to them.

"Ok, how are they doing with their new arms and armor?" Lightning asks as Seeku nuzzles him lightly.

Apollo looks over to another area where the recruits were wearing a more armored version of the royal guard's. "Well, it's not hard for the royal guards since it's slightly based off their design, but the civilians were pretty quick to get used to it, but not as much as the guards."

"They are used to appearance over reliability. They will get over it when the armor saves their lives. Also we have received something I ordered specifically from our suppliers. We finally have some of our artillery. Apollo gather some of the archery and crossbow ponies you have been training for a demonstration." Lightning says getting up with Seeku still on his back.

Apollo nods. "You got it sir." He then heads off for the artillery bunker for one of his favorite archery weapons for a fixed point.

"Stallions, and mares, today we will start your education in a new form of long range weaponry." Lightning says in front of a large number of different ponies before pulling off a sheet to reveal an anchored Scorpio.

"This is a heavier version of a crossbow. Designed to punch through heavy armor and destroy light placement weapons on the field into little pieces." The crowd of recruits and guards looks impressed. "And now, we will train each and every one of you on it. Just know this, you will be given one style of fighting, but taught in all manners of fighting just in case you have no more ammo, your weapon is useless, or being overrun and you have nowhere to regroup and get your weapon." Lightning says and then turns to the changelings setting up the targets on the other side of the field. "Now after the changelings finish setting up the targets, Commander Apollo will demonstrate its power when in the hooves of a trained expert and no they are not targets." Lightning says.

After a few minutes the changelings clear the field and Apollo grabs the controls. Apollo wordlessly shoots the Scorpio and it tears through the shield and the dummy it was attached to and propels it a fair distance away. "Now you see the power of this piece of light artillery." Lightning says. "And now it's your turn to learn this powerful weapon inside and out. Just don't aim at the keep when you fire, trust me you don't want the Lady mad at you." Lightning shivers at the memory. "Commander Apollo take over from here." Lightning says after getting himself back together.

Apollo picks a random pony from the crowd and he steps up. Apollo gives him a quick rundown on how to set it up and how to fire. After a few minutes the recruit fires the weapon but misses by a large margin. Apollo bangs a hammer on the recruit's helmet, citing "Get it through your head." as the recruit's head rings. As this happens several more Scorpio are being brought by wagon to train more ponies.

When Lightning and Seeku got back in the keep Rainbow met them at the front door. "Lightning, what is that being fired at the field you have been preparing for the last week?" Rainbow asks as she looks upon the field.

"Scorpio, a light mobile artillery weapon." Lightning says.

Rainbow raises an eyebrow as one of the arrows hit a target and sends it into a tree. The crowd cheers, but then stops after Apollo bangs the head of the launcher and tells them to get back to work. "Looks strong." She then looks at the one who entered with Lightning.

Lightning raised a hoof. "Before you ask, she likes riding my back."

Seeku cuddles into him. "He's really comfy especially with his poufy wings."

Rainbow was about to raise a hoof before she hears a large whistling sound. She looks outside the window and sees Scootaloo cheering out loud as she rides the young Wyvern. "Come on Tiyries, faster we have to beat them!" She yells out as they chase after the larger Wyverns.

"I think our daughter is having fun." Lightning says walking up beside her.

Rainbow sighs. "Well this is my mindfuck of the day."

"Oh you want me to join you later?" Seeku asks.

Rainbow glares at her for a moment before realizing that she can't argue with her. "Fine, just don't come between us much."

They both look at her surprised. "Wow Rainbow. You really are agreeing to this type of thing more than ever." Lightning notices.

"Are you sick?" Seeku asks feeling her forehead.

Rainbow moves her hoof off her head gently. "No, it's just that there is no arguing with you when everything is going crazy. I find it better to just go with the flow."

"Rainbow come with me, I think you need to lay down." Lightning offers.

Rainbow sighs and starts to follow him to their bedroom. After getting inside Seeku jumps off of Lightning and lets him help Rainbow into her bed. She noticed that her stomach has gotten slightly larger, but barely noticeable when standing.

"It seems you have progressed in your development." Lightning says looking her over.

Rainbow smirks. "Well a lot of time has passed." She unconsciously rubs a hoof over her stomach. "Let's hope they don't come out when the war starts. I don't them to see destruction as their first image."

"There is still no sighting of the Dominion's ships. We still have time." Lightning says.

Rainbow smiles. "Good. Now Seeku?" She asks as she turns to her with a smile.

"Rainbow you don't know what you're asking for and she, for all of her behavior, doesn't trot that way." Lightning says.

Rainbow turns to him with a smirk before turning back to him. "Can you keep Lightning company while I rest?"

"Um...Rainbow we are the only ones in here." Lightning says.

Rainbow giggles a little. "I know, but I feel the need to rest. You can take it into your office, just make sure nopony sees it." She said starting to fall asleep.

"Ok, Rainbow you rest." Lightning says leaving with Seeku.

"And Seeku?" Seeku turns back to Rainbow. "Go easy on him." Rainbow said with a smirk before falling asleep with light snores.

"Seeku, I'm calling for a doctor in the morning." Lightning says as he closes the door.

"For Rainbow or yourself, because you're hiding how you are feeling from her?" Seeku asks as they start to walk back to the office.

Lightning sighs before coughing a little. "You noticed." He said more like a statement than a question.

"You may be able to fool the inhabitants, but I know that this environment, that is being completely controlled, is like being in a desert with no water for those who are so in tuned with natural energies." Seeku says.

Lightning nods and steps inside his office. "That's the problem Seeku. Ironically, the land I'm trying to save is killing me." He said as he sat down in his chair and turns to the fire.

"How ironic you are away from your homeland for so long and become powerful and when you return it is punishing you." Seeku says as she gets in the chair with him.

"Yeah, so any luck tracking down the soul gems Nethergate used to drain princess Celestia and Luna's powers?" Lightning asks as he leans into her.

Seeku sighs. "No luck in that department." She informs wrapping a hoof around him.

"Not even Apollo said anything about getting a contract to steal something that valuable too. I wish we knew where it was just to end this fight sooner." Lightning said they look to the fire.

Seeku nods and then gains a thoughts. "Isn't the princess's power considered elemental magic?"

"No, it's not and I know where you're going with this, but once contained in a soul gem the power can't be synced without coming in contact with it." Lightning says.

Seeku smiles. "But what about a weapon and then sending power of the weapon into your target like a poison?"

"Looked for that as well, nothing. They have plans for those gems, but I don't know what yet." Lightning says.

Seeku sighs and leans into him too. "Lightning you know as well as I do that all soul gems can be transferred to anything. It's just a matter of the type for how much power can be held and how long and, sometimes how powerful."

"I know, but they haven't used it yet, so I think they are planning something." Lightning says.

Seeku sighs. "Well what are you going to do for now? Rainbow's sleeping and you look like you need something, but this one I can't figure out."

"I have an idea to make Rainbow feel better, could you grab that pouch beside the fireplace for me?" Lightning asks as he starts writing a letter.

Seeku nods and takes the pouch from the fireplace with her magic and brings it over to his desk. "What are you going to do?" She asks as she turns the chair around and starts a light from her horn.

"Ok, take a pinch of the contents of the pouch and throw it into the fire." Lightning says sealing the envelope. Seeku shrugs her shoulders and takes a pinch of what looks like ashes and throws it into the fire turning it emerald green. Lightning then throws the letter into the fire.

(Line)

Twilight was tucking in Agni when she heard Spike belch something.

"Twilight you got a letter and you won't believe who sent it." Spike calls. Twilight goes to him and takes the letter.

Dear Twilight, My First Student of Equestria

I am writing to inform you of a few things. First the work I am doing up at Pegalopolis is going far better than expected and Rainbow and I are expecting twin foals. I would like to invite you and all your friends to pay a surprise visit to us as Rainbow hasn't been feeling the best and Scootaloo is a little lonely.

Hope you can come, Lightning

P.S. Make sure you feed Agni more during this time because of puberty.

Twilight rereads the letter before looking up at Spike. "Pack your bags Spike we are going on a trip." Twilight says with a smile.

Spike just looks confused. "Wait, what? You're taking me now?"

Twilight looks offended. "I take you on trips all the time."

Spike crosses his arms. "No, you say 'Watch the library, Spike.'"

Twilight sweat drops and rubs the back of her head nervously. "Well you're coming now Spike." Twilight says trying to forget those times.

Spike sighs and starts to head to the storage room to get their bags. "Now she notices me." He said to himself.

Lightning sighs and leans back in his seat again. "Now we wait for the doctor and the surprise."

Seeku gets in the seat with him. "Let's hope it's a good one." She said while leaning on him.

"Oh, Rainbow will love it." Lightning says with a smirk.

A few days later Rainbow was still sore from having to receive a shot a few days ago. She was still unhappy with Lightning from calling the doctor. "Of all the things he had to do, it had to be this." She said to herself as she rubs her sore spot which was her flank.

"Um, Lady Rainbow." A maid says walking up to her.

Rainbow looks to the maid. "Yes?"

"There is a few guests for you." The maid says.

Rainbow gets confused. "Guests? Who are they?"

"They said it was a surprise." The maid says.

Rainbow sighs. "Fine, bring them in." She covers herself up as best she could while sitting up in her bed.

"They said they want to meet you in the greeting room." The maid says.

Rainbow sighs. "Fine, help me out." She said taking off the covers.

The maid helps her up and walks her to the greeting room. Along the way she notices banners along the pillars. "What's going on? Are we expecting somepony?" She said as she looks to the maid.

"I think you will understand why after you meet our guests." The maid says.

Rainbow says nothing else and keeps following. After a while they reach the greeting room. The maid pushes open the door to a dark room. Rainbow walks in trying to find the lights before they came on.

"SURPRISE!"

Everypony cheers as they pop out of the tables and banners that read 'Congratulations on your twins.' And all that after Rainbow thrown a dagger at Spike who moves his tail out the way and almost gets struck in between his legs. He lets out a sigh as he tries to move carefully.

"Applejack, Big Mac, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applebloom, Spike, Sweetie Belle, what are you doing here?" Rainbow asks.

Twilight steps up having a wrapped gift floating behind her. "Lightning told us how you were feeling down so we came here to cheer you up."

Pinkie then pops up besides Rainbow. "Yeah, and when he told us you were expecting twins I knew that I had to throw a baby shower!"

Rainbow then looks around and sees all the decorations. "Party Cannon?"

Pinkie then brings up the Cannon. "Yep, you know I never leave home without my Party Cannon." She fires the Cannon and covers up an unfinished table, which was being worked on by a maid, with party supplies. The maid glares at Pinkie before walking out the door, her work somewhat done. "Oops." Pinkie said rubbing her forelegs together.

Rainbow waves the maids off showing they didn't have to keep cleaning for now. The maids leave as everypony looks in surprise.

Rainbow turns to them after the last one leaves. "Hey, it was hard for me to adjust too after getting into noble status."

"Oh yeah, I'm a little surprised is all." Applejack says.

Rainbow shrugs. "So is everypony, like my father was."

"Your father is here?" Fluttershy says.

Rainbow nods. "Yep, he moved here after realizing he can still work here and see his only daughter. Plus he wanted to spend time with Hurricane. Our family is getting really weird."

"Yeah wooooooooo!" Scootaloo's voice was heard as one of the windows opens up and an orange filly jumps in with a leather flight suit on her. "Thanks for the ride Tiyries. See you tomorrow." She calls to him which he roars back in response and files off.

Rainbow just sighs. "See what I mean?"

"Scootaloo!" Applebloom and Sweetie Bell yells.

Scoots look over to them. "Hey guys, give me one second." She then turns to Rainbow. "Okay mom, how was that landing?"

Rainbow smiles. "A little better, but you need to move with the momentum not control it. Remember what dad said."

"Controlling something is harder and less effective than working with something." Scootaloo recites.

Rainbow nods and Scootaloo turns back to her friends who were left gaping in shock. "Close those mouth girls we still have a fly problem." As if to enunciate that a fly flew past Scootaloo. "Like that one."

A maid takes out a fly swatter and goes after it. "Get back here you pest!" A maid yells chasing the fly with a flyswatter.

Everypony looks on in confusion. "Okay, I am officially lost." Applejack voices everypony's opinion.

"Come on everypony, let's have some fun!" Pinkie Pie says who was actually following everything that was going on.

All the ponies start having fun and catching up with each other. "And that's when the pie fell on the arrogant guards head." Rainbow finishes her story.

Every one of her friends giggles as she finished. "Boy howdy, you sure are living the life." Applejack said.

Rainbow nods and looks over to her daughter who was about to tell something, but then the door was kicked opened. "Honey, I'm home!"

Rainbow looks over to Lightning with Seeku riding on his back. "Hi sweetie."

Lighting grins. "Hey love. Hope you're enjoying the party." He said as Seeku got off of him and went towards Scootaloo.

Seeku picks up Scoots. "Hey there, my little changeling."

Scoots just frowns. "You know I'm not a changeling so put me down."

Seeku shrugs and lets go of her, and by let go I mean let go. Scoots lands hard on the floor. "Hey!"

Seeku shrugs in the air. "You didn't say how."

Hurricane then rises out of the ground. "You have to be careful with your wording Scoots." Scoots just huffs and crosses her forelegs. "Now where is that handsome stallion?" Hurricane asks pushing her hooves together.

Rainbow chuckles. "Dad would be here any minute now."

Just at the moment Stormy decided to enter. "Hey there princess and hello beautiful." He said to Rainbow and Hurricane.

Hurricane floats over to him and snakes around him. "Hello, my potent stallion." Hurricane said stroking his chin.

Rainbow sighs as those two just tease each other and Seeku went back to Lighting and lands on his back again. "Mmmmmm. Poufy." She said as she was in heaven.

Everypony just looks on confusion. "Scoots, what's going on?" Applebloom asked bewildered.

Scoots just sighs and relaxes at one of the tables and places her hind legs up. "Well, for starters, the ghost is Commander Hurricane and the other stallion is Rainbow's dad while the changeling is Seeku and an ambassador to the non-pony species. Now, Hurricane and Stormy, Rainbow's dad, are really looking for somepony so they went for each other which is why grandfather has a ghost fetish. As for Seeku she has a slight attraction for dad so she constantly cuddles with him and mom is allowing it because of Seeku's and dad's history together and she was adopted into the family as my aunt."

"Ok, a changeling, Rainbow what were you thinking?" Applejack asks madly.

Rainbow takes a bite of a big cake. "Lightning got a treaty with the changelings so it's all good with Seeku as the ambassador."

Scoots then shrugs. "And besides the Wyverns are with us, which is why I was riding one of them, which is their son." She then blushes a bit. "And I maybe fallen for him. He's a very sweet talker." She said looking to the side.

Lighting and Rainbow facehooves. "Scoots, you know you can't." He said to her.

Scoots shrugs. "Grandpa is having a relationship with a ghost, who's to say I can't be in a bestially relationship with a Wyvern?"

Hurricane giggles as she snakes around Stormy who was grinning. "She's got you there grandson."

"You are not helping." Lightning says.

Scoots sighs. "Come on dad, our family is crazy enough. You got mom and a changeling after you and grandfather has grandmother, who is a ghost, is trying to be together, who says I can't be with Tiyries?"

Lightning looks to her sternly. "Look I just…" He then sees a letter blocking his view. "What?" He takes the letter from the guard and starts to open it. Reading it his face became graver. "I have to go to my office. Enjoy the party everypony." He said getting up and leaving while Seeku floats above him and lands where he was.

"That is not a good sign." Rainbow says and Seeku nods.

Scoots sighs. "Well, looks like fun time is over." She then leans her head back against the small chair and starts to sleep. "Might as well get the most rest as I could. Celestia knows we need it."

"This just seems to get crazier and crazier." Twilight says.

Seeku sighs. "You would not believe it around us. You could spend a whole day here and not figure out what's going on."

Twilight just holds Agni tighter. "Let me guess, the Dominion?"

"He wouldn't have left if it wasn't important and involved them." Seeku says.

Twilight sighs and starts to stroke the top of Agni's head. "Well, let's hope we're ready."

It was late into the night when Lightning heard a knock on his door before Rainbow entered. "Want to talk about it?" Rainbow asks.

"Dominion ships have been sight off the coast." Lightning says.

Rainbow grows worried. "How much time?"

"They haven't landed so they are only scout ships which means a month at best." Lightning says.

Rainbow sighs and places a hoof over her expanding stomach. "Looks like you two will be born into a war filled land." She said to them.

"Yes, they will, but Rainbow..." Lightning trails off looking away.

Rainbow looks up at him. "What is it?"

"You're going to have to run the lands alone for a while." Lightning says.

Rainbow sighs. "We knew this day was coming." She looks to the window. "Can you intercept the ships and take them down slightly? Get us more time."

"No, I can't, I have an idea to delay them, but it won't buy us much time and the only way we can win this is an incredibly risky strategy." Lightning says.

Rainbow smiles slightly. "You're not going to tell it are you?"

"It doesn't matter if they know or not because they will figure it out soon enough. I will use a defense in depth strategy, every piece of food, every piece of metal, every map, every document will be taken and we will evacuate each city while holding the enemy as long as we can." Lightning says.

"You would take it that far? Evacuating each city back to one point? Won't they take us out in one hit?" Rainbow asks.

"Rainbow, I counted each recruit and guard, you know how many we have?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head no. "Twelve thousand." Lightning tells her. "That's enough for guerrilla warfare." "Do you know how many one dominion legion consists of?" Lightning asks. Rainbow shakes her head again. "Forty thousand to fifty thousand soldier professional soldiers. Soldiers that can clean their teeth with an entire squad of royal guards." Lightning tells.

Rainbow's eyes widen before coming to a realization. "But the nations overseas, what about their help?"

"They use a healing magic to put each legionary back into tip top condition whenever they make landfall and the nations themselves are preparing their own forces to face the dominion. That is why I hope and pray we face only one because it means the Dominion is tied down in a cold war like setting with the other nations so they don't invade while they launch this invasion. If there are any more than that we will be wiped out completely and they will have conquered key nations that oppose them overseas already." Lightning says.

"Are things really that bad?" Rainbow asks.

"Anypony who isn't a fool will see how bad it is after are start instituting the steps for this. We can't win a straight up fight, but tell me Rainbow what do living things need to survive?" Lightning asks.

Rainbow walks up to him. "Food, water, and shelter. The three basic survival needs."

"Exactly, and when you have an army, these three things become a matter of life and death. As such we will deny them the first two and as much as the third." Lightning says.

Rainbow raises an eyebrow. "Destroy the cities?"

"No, I will leave those standing and the water, but I will do something to the water." Lightning says.

"Poison?"

"Yes. Without a place they can get it from naturally their supplies will quickly be exhausted. When they are so weak from this that will be our opening and only opportunity to win."

"And if they have something to purify the water?"

"How many will die before they do that and how great will be their fear of our water supply by then?" Lightning asks.

"Are they that normal as possible?"

"They may be professional soldiers but they are still living things." Lightning says.

"There is another thing worrying you isn't there?" Rainbow asks.

"I worry they will bring a certain type of their Auxiliary legion with them." Lightning says.

"What are they?"

"Just pray Rainbow that none of my fears come true." Lightning says.

"What are they?" She said more sternly.

"You wouldn't know them, but they go by different names. Goblins, Uruk Hai, or most command Orcs. Think the most twisted aspects of living creatures give a form as a race." Lightning says.

Rainbow sighs. "So what now?"

"I want you to run the lands and be prepared to receive refugees and keep a close eye on the food supplies." Lightning says.

Rainbow nods. "Well let's hope you're also here for their birth."

"I might be, but I might not Rainbow." Lightning says getting up.

"Where are you going?" Rainbow asks. "I'm leaving tonight with all the officers and soldiers." Lightning says.

Rainbow stops him. "When exactly?"

"Now." Lightning says.

Rainbow sighs. "Well you better get moving." She then leaves out the door and closes it behind her.

Nikolai was putting on his armor when Vinyl came in. "Hey Nikolai...what are you doing?" Vinyl asks stopping midway through the sentence.

Nikolai sighs. "I just got a report and the general is mobilizing the entire army." Nikolai says.

Vinyl sighs. "When are you leaving?"

"Now." Nikolai says putting on his helmet.

Vinyl starts to leave. "Just when things were getting better." She said as she leaves out the door.

"The main reason I'm going Vinyl is to protect you from them. I can't do that here." Nikolai says.

"Just get out of here!" Vinyl said as she closes the door.

Nikolai leaves through the door while Vinyl was being held by Octavia unseen by Nikolai. Suddenly he was grabbed from behind. "What…?" He turns to his captor.

Vinyl cries into his armor. "Just come back to me, ok?" Vinyl asks.

"I swear I will." Nikolai says.

Vinyl lets go of him and lets him leave.

That night every soldier and royal guard left Pegasopolis. They did what no Equestrian had done in a millennium, they were off to war.

Author's Notes:

Okay we're done here, and yes the war is here. Sorry for being bad at the end, but we were tired at that point so sorry.

See ya next time.