A/N: So let's start the war and end this long tirade. Oh and the name Sliva and Silva will be mixed up a little. Just letting you know because even I don't know where all the names are and I forgot when I posted this what the name was supposed to be.

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

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

After three days of forced marching four thousand soldiers and two thousand guards reached Manehatten. All around them they saw ponies going about their regular day, but less than the normal amount.

"I thought the order to evacuate was given already?" Lightning asks.

"General." A stallion called running up. "I'm sorry sir, but the Mayor refused to heed the order till he could talk with you." The Sergeant says.

Lightning groans out loud before saying, "Very well. Ponies, while I am gone you are to proceed with building fortifications." Lightning orders.

"Yes sir." The officers say.

Lightning turns back to the direction of the town hall. "Let's go Nikolai."

"Sir, I understand you have full authority when it comes to military matters, but why must we evacuate the entire town?" The mayor asks.

"Besides my ordering it, this is the only port large enough to land an invasion force. All the other eastern ports are far too small." Lightning says.

The mayor sighs. "How do you propose of getting out all the ponies in my town? They are quite stubborn to be honest. Always asking for a taxi. I'm sure that can be a measure for stubbornness."

"They are loyal to the princess right?" Lightning asks.

The mayor nods. "How can they be not?"

"Then tell them this is on the princesses' orders in order to keep them safe." Lightning says. "Hold on, before you do that, ask all engineers and carpenters to aid us in building the fortifications. So that they can help defend Equestria." Lightning says.

The mayor sighs before starting to walk out. "Let's hope they can leave their own homes, but the homeless needs some help."

"Mayor one last thing." Lightning calls.

"Yes?" The mayor asks.

"Tell them to make for Pegalopolis, which is where they will receive refuge." Lightning says.

"You are the lord of those lads, aren't you?" The mayor asks.

"Yes. Talk to either my wife Rainbow Dash or my steward Silver Script and they will make all the preparations." Lightning says.

The mayor nods before walking out again. "Let's give that message."

The Mayor soon calls all the ponies of Manehatten to in front of the Town Hall. "My dear ponies, I have news. On the orders of our beloved princesses we have been asked to evacuate for the eventual invasion by the Dominion Empire." The mayor says.

"What?!" "Why would leave our homes?!" "They can't be that tough?!" "Let the guards handle this, they're good enough?!"

"Silence!" Lightning yells in his commander tone making all the ponies take notice. "The truth of the matter is the invasion force will be much larger than the assembled army." Lightning informs, the light gleaming off his black armor.

"So we just leave everything we got?!"

"No, take everything from your money, possessions, and especially your food." Lightning says.

"Anything else, before we leave our lives behind?!"

"All we ask is for the engineers, carpenters, and any volunteers aid us in building the fortifications that will help protect your country." Lightning says. The crowd starts to depart, just leaving the volunteers and other helpers. "Alright, all the remaining ponies, follow Commander Nikolai here, he will assign you to groups to help coordinate construction." Lightning says.

Nikolai steps up while Lightning and the mayor leaves, leaving Nikolai shouting orders. "Okay that part's done, now onto the next." Lightning said. "Sergeant, get me the Wonderbolts and several other pegasus who know how to work the weather." Lightning orders.

Rainbow Dash was finding it hard to cope with running the entire land while her husband was away. Though it had been only four weeks since Lightning and the army left.

Rainbow sighs as she signs the last paper and places it onto the head high stack. "How does Lightning do it?"

"My lady Silver Script reports he is done managing the housing for the refugees. Also Princess Twilight asks if you are available for an afternoon tea." A guard says.

Rainbow looks to her work and then back to the guard. "Tell her I can be there in an hour, I have to deal with something."

"As you wish my lady." The guard says leaving Rainbow alone and she looks to the wall where there was a painting of herself, Lightning, and Scootaloo.

"At least she's still here." She then gets out of the chair and starts to leave carefully because of her pregnancy. "Might as well see her, can't do no harm."

Rainbow finds Scootaloo in the library where the tutor Lightning had hired was teaching her. "Now can you tell me where Princess Celestia fought Luna before she sealed her away?" The tutor asks.

"At the old castle in the Everfree Forest." Scootaloo says.

The tutor nods. "Close, it's called the castle of the two sisters." She then notices Rainbow. "Oh, Lady Rainbow, have you come to see me about something?"

"No, I came to check up on my daughter to see how she was doing." Rainbow says walking over and rubbing Scootaloo on the top of her head.

Scootaloo blushes red. "Mom." She whines.

"So how is she doing?" Rainbow asks.

The tutor looks to the pile of papers near her. "Surprisingly well. I looked over her old reports from the school in the next town over and can't figure something out. She does well here, but not over there."

Rainbow looks over to Scootaloo with a smirk. "Oh, I know why. Crusading much, my daughter?"

"I don't know what you are talking about." Scootaloo says looking away.

Rainbow chuckles and hugs her. "Okay, there's your answer."

The tutor smiles. "Which one, her words or how it was said?"

"Take your pick." Rainbow says.

The tutor chuckles. "Well we're done here anyway. You can go now Scootaloo, but remember to study the history."

Scootaloo starts to pack away her things. "Yeah, yeah, as long as I get time to myself."

She then leaves with Rainbow about to follow, but the tutor stops her. "A word, Lady Rainbow?"

"Yes?" Rainbow asks.

The tutor sighs and starts to pack away her papers. "Scootaloo was being more away from the lesson more than usual. I fear that something is going on."

"I think she just wants to spend time with her friends. After all, Lightning took the Wyverns with him." Rainbow says.

The tutor looks to her confused. "Why bring in the Wyverns?"

Rainbow kicks her herself for letting that slip. "Nothing, anyway she probably just wants to play with her friends more, seeing how the war is coming here. Speaking of which do you know any of the talk of the refugees?" Rainbow asks.

The tutor nods sadly. "Yes, and boy are they miserable. Leaving your home and everything you know just to live through something that is almost unstoppable is trouble enough."

"Hmmm, I think I should talk to the mayor of Manehatten to assure the refugees this is only temporary. Maybe we can get them to do some work so they can use the energy and feel better." Rainbow says.

The tutor nods and smiles. "I think that would be best and maybe I'll let more time for Scootaloo so she can play. Somepony of her age deserves time with her friends in times like this."

"Maybe you can have sessions with all three." Rainbow suggests.

The tutor smiles evilly. "Then pay me an extra two times." Rainbow looks at her shocked before the tutor laughs. "Just kidding, I'll stay on the same pay."

"You will have to take that up with my husband for that." Rainbow jokes with her.

The tutor smiles and places the bags on her back. "Well, we're done for today anyway. See you tomorrow Lady Rainbow."

"See you later White Scholler." Rainbow says walking towards the garden.

Rainbows arrives in the garden to find most of the workers working on keeping the flowers from dying out. "Hello there Rainbow. So nice to see here." A voice said.

Rainbow turns to see Eclipse behind her. "Eclipse, I thought you and Midnight left for your country." Rainbow says.

Eclipse smiles. "Well me and Midnight decided to stay because most of the operations now are run from here. So I will be at a moment's notice if Lightning needs me for anything. I also have six of my Queen's knights here with me and Kite has healed up quite a bit."

"I see, so are you joining us in afternoon tea?" Rainbow asks.

Eclipse claps her hooves together. "Let's go, just know that I love caramel tea with basal leaves."

Lightning looks out from the fortifications at the sea as a storm as fierce as the pegasus could make it. "Okay, storm's done and water level is rising." He said as the water started to flood the town from the helpers covering and closing the storm drains. Though it only flooded the lower dock and dry docks.

Lightning heard somepony coming up. "Ah, there you are general." A familiar female voice says.

"Hello sister." Lightning says.

Spitfire smiles as she comes up by him in an armored version of the Wonderbolts uniform. "Rough winds, but can you take it?"

"No one is leaving their positions, this storm is not only to stall the Dominion, but it also is our opening move and hope it will sink a few ships." Lightning says.

Spitfire frowns as she looks to the rough horizon. "And what about your ships, when are they coming?"

"We are not receiving reinforcements from other countries. They are helping us by bogging down as much of their military as possible." Lightning says.

"So destroy their original docking port and work your way down to here?" Spitfire asks.

"No, the legion has a set way of doing things one is they don't split up their forces to land in different locations." Lightning says.

Spitfire looks confused. "So they land all in one place?"

"It is tradition and in the empire transition equals honor and elevating themselves in the political arena." Lightning says.

Spitfire huffs. "Here we called that idiocy."

"They are hesitate to change, but their military power can't be…" Lightning was cut off by a violent cough attack that spouted blood.

Spitfire goes to him in alarm as he falls down. "Lightning! What's happening?!"

"I'm ok." Lightning manages to say rising to his hooves, but falls down again.

Spitfire frowns. "Yeah, you are so okay." She said sarcastically.

"Don't tell anypony about this." Lightning says.

Spitfire looks around for a bit before turning back to him. "What's going on?"

"This land is making me sick Spitfire." Lightning says finally rising and standing.

Spitfire looks surprised for a moment. "Then the land your saving is killing you, why would stay here, especially since you just married to Rainbow and you know how she loves this place?"

"Duty and family are my reasons sister." Lightning says moving beside her.

"So I'm included in that?" Spitfire asks.

"Why wouldn't you be sister?" Lightning says.

Spitfire smiles but then frowns again. "But the land is killing you how?"

"Spitfire everything here is being controlled. The Wind, the Fire, the Earth, the Water, etc. This constricts the flow of energy in the lands. I have grown so accustomed to feeding on the energy of the elements. Along with the rest of the eastern countries." Lightning says.

Spitfire turns around and looks to the land they are protecting. "I may have an idea where you get some uncontrolled power, but I will have to look into it. Just keep working on the war and I'll handle that."

"The only place I have been able to recover some energy is at the Everfree Forest." Lightning says.

Spitfire smiles. "Yet, you don't know the whole story. You remember that Rainbow and her friends gave up their elements right?"

"In the Everfree Forest, but Spitfire I want you to disregard that all together, I need you here." Lightning says.

Spitfire nods. 'I have to know more about that tree, if it can control the forest then it may help us in some way.'

"That was an order Spitfire." Lightning says before they hear a horn from the clouds above and Lightning dons his helmet. "All units to position, all units report to your positions. Prepare the trebuchets to use fire pots ammunition. All Scorpio teams prepare to fire." Lightning shouts his orders.

Soon large movement came about as the soldiers and guards start to head to their positions. "Sir, we have a small problem!"

"What is it sergeant?" Lightning asks.

The sergeant looks to the problem and sees many ponies around it. "For some reason the Scorpios are melted enough to not move, we can't even fire the damn things."

Lightning looks as well. "There's no way it can happen. We are in the rain, there is no way that it can melt."

The sergeant looks up to him. "That's what we thought too, but looks like somepony took a fire to it. They are melted in the right places to make it not work."

"Who was last seen with them?" Lightning asks.

"A purple unicorn sir, but we can't find him." The Sergeant says.

"Nothing can be done now, all Scorpio teams grab your crossbows and weapons and position yourselves with the rest." Lightning ordered as they started to see the first of the ships.

The Sergeant looks to the ships as well. "You heard him! Move your asses!" He shouted to the others.

"Spitfire get up there with your team and take two squads and start raining bolts of lightning down on them." Lightning orders.

Spitfire nods and files up to two squads in the air. She speaks to them for a few before they all flew off into the dark clouds and headed for the ships.

On the Flagship a pegasus walks onto the deck. "Captain, how long till we make landfall?" The pegasus asks.

The earth pony captain was looking into his spyglass at the docking area. "In about a few hours, so ready everything we got." He then sees something on the docking line and changes the lenses. "Hello what's this?"

"What is it captain?" The pegasus asks.

The captain hoofs him the spyglass. "Take a look for yourself. I think you would throw it over the ship when you see it."

The pegasus looks confused and takes the spyglass before looking through it. He looks along the coast and see the one thing that would make him throw the spyglass overboard. "What are these ponies doing? Do they know what we trying to do for them?" He sees defenses that would have made his emperor proud and many ponies at many positions.

He then throws the spyglass overboard and turns to the captain, but before he could comment a lightning bolt struck the ship next to them setting it ablaze and starting to sink it.

The pegasus looks to the captain. "Evasive maneuvers! This storm is going crazy!"

"The gods seem to be favoring them." The captain says calmly.

The pegasus grabs the captain by the collar. "Just get these ships moving, we can't die here!" He then throws him to the wheel while he went inside.

The captain remakes his collar and takes the wheel. "Ass. Evasive maneuvers! All hooves to your station and ready the trebuchets!" He shouted to his ship and the others in range. Soon the order started to ring out across the fleet.

Lightning watched as several ships were struck by lightning bolts through his binoculars. He chuckles as they try to dodge the 'chaotic' lightning bolts. "Sorry boys, this is one storm you can't move out of." He said to himself. "Alright ponies, take aim, they are coming into range of the trebuchet inside the hour." Lightning says.

The soldiers and guards starts to ready all the weapons they got while some engineers work on fixing the Scorpios. "We need another one over here!" "I need a reloader!" "Everypony shut up and get to your stations, your right stations!"

After several hours of dodging lightning bolts and trebuchet fire some of the first ships start to come close to the port. "That wasn't natural at all. Those lightning bolts shouldn't have been hitting us that much. The gods really must be with them." The captain said to himself.

The first ship landed was bombarded by crossbow bolts. The sailors didn't last long and the soldiers who escaped over the side soon were shot as well and their blood started to turn the ocean red. The next ship was then bombarded by trebuchets and destroyed before it could reach shore. The sailors who jumped off couldn't handle the rough seas and was smacked against the sea barriers on the docks.

"Sir, it is almost nightfall, we have to pull back our ships or we will start crashing into the cliff face and the reefs." The captain says.

The pegasus smashes his hooves onto the railing, almost destroying it. "Fine! Just make sure that we can send a team on the land to take them out."

"Yes sir, we will try." The captain says eyeing his damaged railing.

"General, it seems they are pulling back." Sergeant asks.

"Are you sure?" Lightning asks observing the sky and then checking the time.

The Sergeant looks through his own binoculars. "Yep, they are turning around. Possibly back out to sea for a bit."

"Signal Captain Spitfire and her troops to pursue a bit, but not too far then return, also have a few units assemble, we plan a night ambush." Lightning informs. The Sergeant nods and heads off to deliver the orders. Lightning looks to the retreating ships contemplating on how to do the ambush. "Must have really underestimated us or something, but then again the 'gods' were on our side."

A few small boats were rowing towards the land. "I can't believe what happened today." A legionnaire says.

Another one by him huffs. "You can't believe it? I can't believe we lost some ships to the sea and the barbarians didn't do anything."

"I tell you, the gods are against us because they are now with them." A legionnaire said behind them.

"It must be the new general. Not only is he a foreigner, but a pegasus too. That is what has displeased the gods." Another legionnaire remarks.

"Quiet back there, we are getting close. Now listen, the rocks here are very wet so don't slip or we will you lose you to the sea." A legionnaire in the front said to them. After the only the creaking of the oars came from the boat until they reach land.

Once they made it on to land they took count and realized they had lost two rowboats to the sea.

"Great, now we are in even more trouble." A legionnaire said.

The head legionnaire looks back at them and then turns forward. "We can't let that stop us, let's keep moving."

After a bit of walking they come across a flooded dock with the city lights shining through the storm and fog. "Are you sure these barbarians are the same ones who attacked us? They look advance."

"Oh, I don't know about that, maybe our crossbow bolts will answer that question for you." A voice calls before several crossbow bolts rained down on the legionnaires, killing several of them before squads of ponies charged in with spears on all sides of them. The ambush was quick and in the end only one legionnaire was alive.

"Take him to the general." The Sergeant commands.

The soldiers picked him up after tying him, leaving him struggling as they walked to the general. What the legionnaire noticed was that not only earth pony were here, but also the unicorns and pegasus. "How can you barbarians be in favor of the gods? They only respect the earth race!"

"General we brought you a survivor." The soldier says moving near his tent.

"Very good. You are dismissed." Lightning says turning around.

The legionnaire held his breath in fear. "Lightning Bolt." He whispers.

"So you think the gods are who are behind this storm, huh? Very interesting." Lightning says getting an idea.

The legionnaire growls. "Of course, who else can weld that kind of power?"

Lightning smiles to him creepily and then looks through his binoculars to the ships in the bay. "You know that your friends over are really getting a break." He then turns to him with that same smile. "I wonder what they would think if they saw you working for us?"

"I refuse." The legionnaire says.

"Alright, but I will take this then." Lightning says taking the legionnaire's helmet.

"Sergeant!" Lightning calls.

The Sergeant comes running and was commented by their very good guest. "I'm surrounded by inferior races." Sorry, did I say good guest, I meant the stupid one tied up.

"Sergeant, I want you to ask the men a part of the ambush to give the helmets they looted off the body temporarily." Lightning says.

The Sergeant nods and leaves leaving them alone again. "You know how I was asking you would be on our side?" Lightning asks the legionnaire.

The legionnaire huffs. "I still refuse."

Lightning chuckles. "I wasn't asking. Besides your dead friends don't actually need their armor now do them? I'm also surprised at how long did you go unnoticed by the rest of the Legion? I mean mares can't join the Legions and will be executed in horrific fashion if they are found out." Lightning says.

The legionnaire stood shock still until she sighed. "My brother. He's the one you're looking for. He just couldn't join at that point, so to save my family I did."

"So you disguised yourself as your brother and took his place huh?" Lightning ask.

The legionnaire nods sadly as she looks down. "Knowing that he's still alive is the best thing that kept me going."

"And now that life is over. They will assume you all died when they see all of your helmets hanging from the flagpole tomorrow and if they find you alive a doctor will examine you and discover you. You will be tortured then executed and your family will be next for this deception and dishonor to appease your gods that you are so fond of." Lightning says.

The mare then looks to the direction of the ship. "So what next, are you going to do the same?"

"I haven't decided yet. I will after you make a choice. There is only two ways to save your family now. Either I kill you and burn your body so they will never know or you join me in exchange for smuggling your family out of the Dominion." Lightning says with a smirk.

The mare then starts to think. "Do gods exist?" She said out of the blue.

"Yes, but not the ones your country worships. It was not Zeus or Poseidon who caused that storm or lightning to rain down. They are more of statues with words that you follow. It was a few squads of pegasus." Lightning said.

The mares looks to him. "How can they control it?"

"A unique magic here in Equestria. Watch." Lightning says moving over to the cloud in his office and punches it making the cloud rain. The mare stood still are she watches the rain fall. "Not only does it do whatever a cloud does, but it also makes a very comfortable bed and I should know." Lightning finishes before getting on it. "See, but only the pegasus can do this naturally, but the earth and unicorns need a spell for that. And you thought earth ponies can be a head race. If the citizens back home there know about this...oh boy! That's a mass exodus if I ever seen one."

The mare stood still as she was still thinking. "Why are telling me all this information, knowing I could run back with a complete armor and tell them everything?"

"A few problems with that. A: You would have to go through me and B: Even if you did, you would be considered a coward or a deserter and you would be flogged to death and they would discover you are a mare." Lightning says.

The mare sighs. "Untie me?" She asks.

"Alright." Lightning says cutting the ropes.

The mare gets up and shakes off the ropes and then looks to him. "You know, you are a crazy stallion."

"Maybe or am I a genius at warfare?" Lightning asks.

The mare looks to him questionably before darting a kiss at his cheek which makes him blush. "I say crazy based on that blush." She said with a smile and giggles a little.

"Welcome aboard captain." Lightning says with a smirk.

The mare then frowns. "But I'm still considered a recruit."

Lightning then groans surprising the mare. "Doesn't anypony get a promotion when they hear it? I mean, do I have to hold up a sign saying you have been promoted with an arrow pointing to that pony? I swear the next pony who gets a promotion and doesn't realize it, I'm going to take up drinking hard cider, and the old ones, not the reluctant ones." Lightning was left huffing after he finished.

The mare looks to him confused. "Do always go into a rant?"

Lightning then looks to her. "Only on a good day. But seriously take a look around you, this country has had no wars for millenniums. The only ones who do are me, my personal stallions, and now you seeing as those scars on your left hoof is a sword scar and is old meaning you have been on a campaign or two." Lightning says.

"H...how...?" The mare stammers.

"It's a general's job to be observant." Lightning simply says looking out of the window to where the ships were.

The mare looks out as well. "So what now?"

"We hold as long as possible, by the way, what is your name?" Lightning asks.

The mare smiles. "Silva, Silva Light." Lightning raises an eyebrow at the weird combination of words. "One word from my mother and one from my father."

"I see." Lightning says before writing a letter and sending it out to the sea in a bottle.

"And that was?" Silva asks.

"You may find out after the war." Lightning says.

The entire court of Equestria was abuzz with nobles and royal guards in Canterlot. "I can't believe after seven days of besieging Philadelphia they still haven't left." A noble says.

Fancy Pants turns him. "Please, they want to rule and they have no other chance to go back in my mind so they have to stay."

"What about General Lightning Bolt and his troops?" Luna asks silencing the court with her Canterlot voice.

"I have an urgent report." A messenger runs in.

Princess Luna looks at him. "Well, we're waiting."

"General Lightning Bolt reports they can no longer afford to hold the city and are falling back." The messenger says.

An uproar occurs at that as almost everypony from Manehatten was yelling. "So we lost that city! What was point of trying to protect it then?!"

"Silence!" Celestia yells.

As they quiet down Celestia sighs. "The one reason he stayed to defend the city was to gain an idea of what we are facing and how they go about planning things. Especially since that we get a few hits in to whittle down the forces."

"I have a report." A new messenger arriving yells.

Celestia turns to him. "Well what is it? Next town to evacuate, I presume?"

"No, all he says was stage one is complete, moving to stage two." The messenger says causing both Celestia and Luna to nod to each other.

"Everypony we are evacuating Canterlot and moving the court to Pegasopolis." Celestia says causing the coward to shout in surprise.

"What for?!" "We held here long enough!"

"Canterlot was not made with being besieged in mind, we are abandoning it because it will not hold under a siege." Luna says.

"And as so, everypony in Canterlot is to move all valuables and food, which is every food, to Pegasopolis. Make sure that you don't leave anything that might help the Empire." Celestia says.

"But everything here looks good enough even if we take them! How about that?!"

Celestia grins. "Do not worry, for my sister and I have for plan for that."

The disgruntled nobles left to obey the princess orders.

"Messengers report back to general Lightning Bolt we have received both messages and are proceeding with the plan." Celestia says.

The messenger nods and heads off again. Leaving only the princesses as everypony left. "We have to either open the vault or leave it." Luna spoke up.

"Lightning suggested we open it and hide the royal treasury. That is why those two are here for." Celestia says as two creatures' moves in the shadows.

Lightning and his troops were moving south from Manehatten, encountering town after town, deserted of all ponies. "General if I may ask, why did we retreat when we could have held on in Manehatten?" The Sergeant asks.

"A few reasons Sergeant. Can you tell me what they are?" Lightning asks.

"One reason was that you received word that the evacuations had been completed and the other objectives involving them had been met." The Sergeant says thinking and not completely sure.

"Correct Sergeant on the first reason why I did that, any ideas on the other?" Lightning asks.

The Sergeant shakes his head. "No sir."

"Because they were about to start to attempt landing their legion elsewhere. I wanted them to land there." Lightning says.

"Because we have messed with the town?" The Sergeant asks.

"Yes, there is that, but if they land more southwards they will have less land to cover." Lightning says with a smirk causing the Sergeant to become confused.

The general of the Dominion stood in Manehatten. It had been three days since they had landed. For the first two days the Legionnaires were dying from the poisoned well water until he finally relented and let a unicorn purify the water, but he was also unhappy with the fact they found no food and also found the legionnaires he had sent ashore before had all been treated with respect and buried so he couldn't rile up his troops over that.

"Sir, a report." A scout says.

The pegasus sighs. "What is it?" He asks.

"Sir, we have scouted to the south and found all paths are clear but to the west. It is completely inaccessible by the ground portion of the army as a landslide has blocked the path." The scout informs.

The pegasus growls. "So clear it, we need our army to move on the capital."

"Sir, according to a map we found, moving west from here impedes us and will take long to reach the capital while heading south won't." The scout says taking out the map.

The pegasus rears his head on him. "What?! Give me that!" He said snatching the map. The pegasus pours over it. "Very well, in two days our entire legion will have disembarked, after that we head south." The pegasus says after throwing it back to the scout.

The scout nods. "Yes sir, I'll tell the others."

It had been two weeks and the legion had start moving south. Along the way they stopped at several towns to try and stock up on supplies and plunder, but found none and that the water source was also poisoned.

"They must be smart barbarians." A legionnaire remarked for which he earns a hit over the helmet, making it ring.

"No, they aren't smart, but they knew we were coming." Another legionnaire says.

"I heard a rumor they even destroyed Nethergate." A third legionnaire says.

"Shut up back there!" The general said.

"Why are we even listening to this pegasus?" A legionnaire asks.

"Because he was appoint as a general by the heir of the house of Julius." Another says.

"That's it! Have those three flogged to death!" The pegasus yells.

The three troops were immediately dragged out of the march and tied to trees. The rest of the troops just keeps marching on, not even bothering to look over at them as their screams rang throughout the area.

"I swear that the next one who starts talking will be next in line for flogging!" The pegasus yells to them, scaring the troops.

The Legion marched for the rest of the day before starting to make camp. In the middle of this a flag pole broke and fell in front of the pegasus' hooves. "Sir, it is an omen the enemy will be doing a night raid." A centurion says as the other troops back away from the pole.

"Ba, I have no time for this superstition." The pegasus says going back to his tent.

As they watch the general go into his tent the centurion turns to the rest of the troops. "Remain vigilant, he may not believe, but we do so large shifts, go."

"I gave no such orders. Flog him to death as well as any who undermine my authority." The pegasus yells as he peeks his head out of his tent.

The centurion was dragged away as the other troops went about their business, not noticing one slip away.

Not too far away hidden was Lightning and a portion of the army. "You are sure of this?" Lightning asks.

"Yes sir, I saw it myself." A changeling informs.

"Good work join up with the hidden changeling unit under Canterlot." Lightning orders.

The changeling nods and runs off to the before stopping. "Oh and the general really loves flogging." Before running off again.

"Captain, Sergeant." Lightning calls.

They both step up to Lightning. "Yes." "Sir."

"Prepare the troops, we are going to do a night raid. Get the pegasus to make tonight very cloudy with a very high chance of high winds along with it. As for the others, have them prepare torches." Lightning says.

"Too much verys sir. But we will." Silva remarks with a smile.

"Oh and captain where a different armor tonight don't want the troops to mistake you for the enemy." Lightning says.

Sliva smirks. "And where is the extra armor?"

"Sergeant help her with that." Lightning instructs.

The Sergeant blushes. "Ah, sir, wouldn't a mare be better to handle that?"

"I meant take her to the armor Sergeant." Lightning clarifies looking at the map.

The Sergeant blushes even more as the mare looks to him with a smile that said 'What were you thinking about?' "Yes sir." He said walking away and trying to not look at her.

"Alright troops, we will proceed up the river to the enemies' camp for this raid. I repeat raid, this is not going to be a full on engagement. In fact, that's what the torches are for." Lightning says.

Sliva steps up beside him as she retires one of the strings. "My side is all set. Don't know about the Sergeant."

"He will be fine." Lightning says as the Sergeant joined them.

"All set. When do we go?" The Sergeant asks.

"All troops, move out." Lightning says before leading them into the forest.

The troops starts to follow him and his two head soldiers as they start to walk into the river while the winds start to blow. 'We are marching through the river instead of alongside it. Either way it is not likely the Legion will be able to predict this. Launching a surprise attack by traveling up such a rapid stream. Besides this gale will easily drown out the sound of our march. Then we set fire from the windward side when we attack from behind. Every element has been recalculated in his mind.' Silva thinks as the army stops for a second and she sees an archer shooting. A second later they continue and she sees the body of a legionnaire that looked to be gathering water before being shot by the arrow. She stops for a moment to empty the bucket before placing in a bush quietly and continues on. She then notices that Lightning had gone up to the body and from the looks of it got him out of the stream, closed his eyes, and said what looked like a prayer before continuing with the march.

Soon after that the troops started to exit the stream. Lightning nods to the four officers he had brought and they start to spread their four units into a loose formation.

A legionnaire was sitting on a log with a blanket wrapped around him. "Can't believe that I have to stand watch in this godforsaken land. Who knows what's out there? Oh, where did he go? Oh, he got eaten by a monster we have never seen, nothing to be worried about. Yeah right." He then sees lights appear in the forest before he sees Lightning's troops.

"What?" He said quietly. Only then did they move slowly and then more quickly did he start running back toward the camp. "Trouble! We have an enemy raid!" The Legionnaire yells before being overtaken and the force runs past him without hurting him. "What?" He asks himself as he stops with a confused expression.

"It's a raid!" More Legionnaires yell as were they running to engage but were quickly slain.

"Set the fires!" Lightning yells and the troops start throwing most of their torches.

After a few minutes of skirmishing Lightning yells. "Disengage, break for the forest, double file!"

The troops immediately obeyed and started running in a line in pairs of two's.

"General!" A Legionnaire yells. "The wind is blowing the fire to the main camp. We can barely stop it." The legionnaire says as the pegasus face was the picture of rage.

"Hah! I knew it! I knew my order should have listen to, but no, the general wanted to do it his way! Well, look at you now!" The centurion from before yells to them.

"Execute that centurion immediately!" The pegasus yells.

An arrow was shot to the centurion's heart as he smiled. "Still worth it." He said before closing his eyes.

'That was amazing. I never was a part of such an efficient raid before.' Silva thinks as the troops continue to run. Silva then looks to the front where Lightning was. 'Now I see why you are one of the Dominion's most hated and yet most feared enemies.' Silva thinks.

After a while they stop in the deep forest as everypony takes a breather. "Alright everypony, take five and we'll be moving out again soon." Lightning said.

"General where will we be going next?" A soldier asks.

"West, along the rail tracks. We will be crossing into Canterlot's area." Lightning informs noticing it was an unfamiliar purple unicorn stallion.

"Finally, we can get some familiar land under us." The soldier said in relief.

"Alright, all officers report to me, except Apollo. Apollo, go make sure we are not being followed and kill any nearby enemy scouts." Lightning orders. Apollo nods and walks into the woods pulling his mask up. Lightning then turns back to the troops. "Alright now four minutes. Make the best rest you can get."

All the ponies rested and one noticed the purple unicorn from earlier walking into the woods. "Hey come join us. We got some good apple cider, hard ones at that." A pony calls.

"I will soon, I got to take a wiz first." The unicorn says.

The pony shrugs. "Fine, but there won't be much for you when you come back." He calls as he takes swig of the cider.

Once in the woods and away from prying ears the unicorn starts running. He soon comes upon a small clearing and waits. After a minute a hooded pony comes out with a bag over his back. "Report." The hooded pony said roughly.

"They are pulling back to the Canterlot area." The unicorn says.

The hooded pony nods. "Anything else?"

"The general seems to have a plan but tonight's raid was not a part of it." The unicorn says.

"I see I will rep…" The hooded stallion was silenced when an arrow pierced his throat.

Apollo sat in on tree branch he shot the arrow and prepared another one. "I hate traitors, always ruining my day. Just like that brother one time." He said. The unicorn turned around horrified. "As for you spy, Lightning has no further need of you after he let you steal that map." Apollo says letting his arrow fly and killing the unicorn.

After the two fell he walks over the unicorn and takes everything he had and was about to turn back. But before he completely turns around he looks back to the hooded pony. Curiosity getting the better of him he goes over to him and takes the bag off of him and then lift off the hoof. What he saw made him lift the pony on his back and starts to carry the pony back Lightning.

Back at the camp Lightning and Sliva were sitting together and taking sips of cider. "I never knew apple cider was this good. Where can I get more?" Silva asks as she held the mug.

Lightning smiles. "A friend of mine back where everypony in this country is makes them. Finest apples they say. I can get you more once we get back."

Silva nods and looks around. "Where's the Sergeant, he should be enjoying this with us?"

Lightning looks around as well. "Probably with his buddies getting drunk."

A few gasps were heard as Apollo carried a pony on his towards Lightning. Everypony stops, in some cases spitting into their small fires making it flare up a little from the alcohol in the cider, and stares at the pony on his back.

"I see your hunt bore fruit." Lightning says not sounding surprised.

Apollo throws off the pony onto the ground. "Not exactly the fruit I was expecting though. Just know that this not your unicorn." He pulls off the hood of the pony to reveal the Sergeant under it.

Lightning quickly gets up as does Silva. And he did not look happy. "Burn the corpse." Lightning commands coldly, shocking most of the troops.

Apollo nods and goes to the fire taking the body with him. He throws some more wood into the fire making it burn even more. He then throws the Sergeant into the fire, hood and all.

"I should have known something was off when he didn't bat an eye during the first day." Lightning says obviously mad.

"Lightning?" Silva asks carefully reaching a hoof out.

"Break camp troops, the enemy can't be far now." Lightning orders, anger being clear in his emotion as he walks away.

Silva decided not to question anything as she and the other troops packed everything they had and put out the fires except the one burning the Sergeant. All the troops looks at his body for a moment before following the line. And soon, suspicions arose for the new captain.

"You think she's still with them?"

"I don't know at this point."

"Maybe we just kill her now and not take any chances."

Silva heard this and quickly runs up besides Lightning for comfort. "Do not spread rumors troops. She has several reason why she won't betray us. One of them being that I have sworn to protect her family. If you still have suspicions see Commander Apollo on some details or you can take your chances with me." Lightning yells.

Silva smiles subtly as she continues to walk along the path. "Thank you, Lightning." She said quietly to him.

"Don't, because there is no need to thank me. Now troops, double time." Lightning orders starting to quicken his pace.

After three more weeks the Dominion arrived in Canterlot to find it completely deserted.

The pegasus stands in the middle of the street as he looks over the map from the welcome center and the map from his informant of the castle. Soon a legionnaire comes out of one of the buildings.

"Sir, we have been over every building and there is no food and nothing of value. Even what looks like the banks has its vaults wide open and bare of all currency except for this letter that we can't understand?" The legionnaire says holding out the letter.

The pegasus takes the letter and looks to the wording. 'Of course, these fools don't know Equestrian.' He then reads it over that slowly made him red with anger. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Hello to whoever finds this and can hopefully read this

If you are looking for the court and all the valuables and food, look north to Pegasopolis and tell that worthless and pathetic general of your forces that his spy and the traitor are dead. I await to take your head at Pegasopolis.

Signed,

The general of Equestria.

At the bottom there was a crudely drawn picture of a pony with one of its bottom eyelid pulled down by its hoof and its tongue sticking out.

P.S. Never was good at drawing.

The pegasus was incredibly red in the face and screams in anger as he takes a nearby crossbow and starts shooting the Tartarus out of the letter while his troops looks on from amusement.

A week later a maid ran into the office Rainbow was in out of breathe. "L...Lady R...Rainbow. L...Lord Lightning…Bolt h...has re...returned." The maid said in between breaths.

Rainbow stops what she's doing and immediately gets out of her chair. "Help me." Though with trouble.

The maid goes to help with her as her stomach was almost big enough to restrict movement. "He's at the front gates right now I gather. So we still have some time." The maid said as she drapes one of Rainbow legs over her shoulder and lets her down.

There was soon a knock at the door and in came Scootaloo. "Hey mom can you take a break?" Scootaloo then sees how fast she was trying to move. "Mom stop moving that fast! Do you remember what Eclipse said?" She yells running to her.

"I'm going to the front gate Scoot, your father is back." Rainbow says as Scootaloo helps her.

Scootaloo and Rainbow make their way to the front gate and runs into Twilight and Fluttershy. "Hey Rainbow...where are you going?!" Twilight started yelling halfway through the sentence as both mother and daughter tried to hurry up.

"Lightning has returned we are going to see him!" Rainbow yells back.

Twilight and Fluttershy tried to dissuade her as they continued, but wound up giving up halfway and helped her.

The last month had been especially hard on Rainbow as the keep became the place of the court and several nobles took up residence in it as well as the princesses. The number of refugees also kept increasing as from what Silver Script had told her that most of the east and all of Canterlot and Ponyville had fled to Pegasopolisas refugees. Most were extremely sad, but thanks to the combined efforts of her, Silver Script, and, of course, Pinkie Pie, they cheered up greatly. But the news that the Dominion was capturing more and more territory had a negative impact on the refugees, but whenever news came that Lightning Bolt had struck them and hurt them, arrived ponies were overjoyed.

Soon the four friends and family reached the front gate and they found Lightning talking to a mare in armor as she gave nods to whatever he was saying.

"Lightning!" Rainbow calls.

Lightning immediately stops talking to Sliva and turns his head to the source and see Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo and runs to them. "Hey girls!" He immediately nuzzles them as they do the same except for Rainbow as he kisses her. "Great to be back." A growling sounded out from below them and they turn to Lightning's stomach. "Guess I didn't eat for the last three days."

"You haven't been because of your moodiness." Silva spoke up.

"Rainbow meet Captain Silva, one of my soldiers, scratch that, newest officer." Lightning says.

"Pleasure." Silva says with a bow removing her helmet.

Rainbow looks over to Lightning. "Where did you find her?" She asks as Sliva puts the helmet back on.

"A former Dominion Legionnaire. I was surprised when she was brought into my office during the siege of Manehatten." Lightning says.

Rainbow's eyes widen before looking around. "Okay first, how did you get her on our side? And second where the Sergeant is?"

"I burned the traitor." Lightning says calmly.

Rainbow stares at him for a few before sighing. "And Sliva?"

"She has several reasons to be loyal. Especially after I received a messenger bird with news her family is safe in Stalliongrad now." Lightning says. Sliva smiles as she hears this. Then Lightning's stomach growls again. "I think it's best to get some food now."

"Come on you." Rainbow says pulling him away.

"Captain, I leave you in charge of seeing our troops get fed as well." Lightning calls.

Sliva nods and starts to head back to the troops while Lightning was pulled away by his wife. "Honey, what do we have for today?" Lightning asks.

"A feast the nobles insist we have at least once a week. They all probably also want to hear about the raid you did at the border of the forest near Baltimare" Rainbow says.

"Daddy, are the Wyverns with you?" Scootaloo asks.

"Sorry Scoots, but they are with Nikolai and Alexander." Lightning says.

"But aren't they with you?" Scootaloo asks.

"No, they are on special assignment." Lightning says.

Scoots looks down for a bit before perking up. "Okay, let's get some food, I'm hungry as well."

When they arrive in the dining room they were greeted with a round of applause from all of the nobles and the princesses as well as friends and nobles. Lightning looks around as he sees all the ponies that either helped or brought him trouble.

"What the?" He asks himself.

"Welcome back general." One called.

After that the feast proceeded with Lightning sat next to the princess. "So Lightning…" Luna started.

"We are entering stage three, the most crucial and risky stage." Lightning says.

"How can you be sure the enemy general will come?" Celestia asks.

"I left some incentive for him in Canterlot." Lightning says with a smirk and then chuckles a little.

Celestia looks at him questionably. "What's with that laugh?"

Lightning laughs a little as he remembered what he placed on the letter. "Just a little doodle."

They both seemed confused before Lightning returns to a serious expression. "We need to hold for one week if we can do that we will have one."

"What are you planning Lightning?" They ask him.

"I can tell no pony my plan, not even you two." Lightning says and they hear a hoof slam on the table making everypony look to the source. They see Shining Armor was the one who did it.

"What's wrong Shining Armor?" Lightning asks as he leans on a hoof.

"How dare you insult the princesses saying they can't be trusted?!" Shining Armor yell.

Lightning just wore an expression that said 'Really?'

Shining almost growls while Candace tries to calm him down. "The princesses deserve to know the plan that has their country in a tipping point!"

"Oh, I'm sorry Shining Armor it sounds like you think you can order around." Lightning says.

Shining stares at him with a glare. "When the country I'm protecting is being under attack then yes."

"No, you can't, in fact technically you have no say in Equestrian matters, Prince of the Crystal Empire." Lightning put extra emphasis on the title.

"I'm still captain of the royal guards." Shining almost growls.

"And I am the general of the entire military including the royal guards. Besides I have small control of the Night Guards as well, and who is the captain of them, right Luna?" Lightning reminded.

"That is Shadow Bolt. She is currently here too." Luna says pointing to a night guard by the door.

"I will meet with her later to discuss the upcoming battle." Lightning says making the night guard captain nod. "Anyway like I said Shining Armor, I outrank you in power and rank as you are the prince of a client state." Lightning says.

Shining just glares at him and then realizes something. "Wait, where is that Sergeant you took from my guard?"

"Your guard was a traitor and died a traitor's death before I burnt the corpse. Which makes me wonder how many of the guards was in on it, especially with high level access to information?" Lightning asks shocking everypony at the table. 'Come on, show that emotion.'

"Are you implying that I am a suspect?" Shining Armor asks anger evident in his eyes.

"No I'm not implying." Lightning says before taking a drink.

"Good you better…" Shining was cut off when Lightning says "I'm saying all of the guard is now a suspect especially the Captain. Because even if he is not involved he is still guilty of negligence for letting a traitor be in the royal guards ranks." Lightning says.

Shining glares back at him. "How were we supposed to know about the Dominion until you came along? If you didn't come then this probably..."

"It's your job to know any potential threats captain!" Lightning yells cutting off Shining Armor.

"Enough you two!" Celestia yells making everypony look at her. "I just file on that Sergeant and what I found troubles me. Apparently he comes from a poor family and worked under a unicorn noble's factory. His father works in the factory and his mother in the office of it. After the noble shut down the factory the place was set on fire many lives were lost. The noble apparently took out an insurance fraud on the factory to gain more money, but never gave compensation to the ponies' families lost in the fire. The Sergeant was one of them and by the looks on things he only join to get revenge on the other races. After all, he is an earth pony. Even though the noble was found guilty it seems he didn't let go of that hate."

"I'm sorry my princess, but this foreigner has not only insulted your honor but my own. Therefore I challenge him to a duel." Shining Armor says.

"He's dead." A voice said.

Everypony looks to Seeku as she took some meat. "You really don't know Lightning do you?"

"I refuse." Lightning says bluntly. Shining slams another hoof to the table almost cracking it. "Careful, that's a few thousand year old table."

"I believe that where you come from, you must accept the challenged or be dishonored." Shining said.

"No, you're half right. If you had a point I would, but you don't. In fact you have been here or in Canterlot for the entire war. Unless you have been out there fighting you have no right to criticize any soldier." Lightning says his tone changing halfway through to like he was scolding a little foal.

Shining growls and leave, slamming the door behind him, leaving Cadence behind as she just looks down to her food.

"His temper was not yours, you have nothing to be ashamed of." Lightning says as the door opens and Silva enters.

Silva walks up to Lightning. "Sir, your orders have been carried out, General." Silva says.

Lightning nods. "Good, why don't you have something to eat for now? I must see Silver Script and Apollo about something. I will see you at the war council tomorrow." Lightning says getting up and kissing Rainbow and nuzzling Scootaloo before leaving.

Everypony watches him and Sliva taking his place with everypony still silent. "Anypony want some meat?" Seeku asks as she still digs in making most of the ponies in the room almost barf and turn green.

Lightning enters the war room of the keep and locks the door behind him. "Are we ready to begin?" Lightning asks.

"Yes sir." Both Apollo and Silver Script say as Lightning turns around.

"Then let's plan the defense for the decisive battle." Lightning says.

Author's Notes:

Okay now that's done. I may need time as the exams for me are coming up, but I'll place little by into the stories as time goes on.

Flair: *smiling evilly while looking over maps with pieces on it*

And Flair has gone mad, anybody got a strait jacket?

*Pinkie walks in* "You sure that's what is wrong with him?"

Pinkie! Get the buck back into the story, the universe will try to kick you out.

Pinkie: But I want to know what happens next. So I can plan a party. I even got the party cannon.

That's it! *Grabs duct tape and wraps Pinkie before making a portal and throws her back in.* Okay that's done. Now the universe can't punish us.

Flair: And the Dominion will charge the first line of fortification. *moves a few pieces*

Wait don't tell them, not yet.

Flair: Hey I'm planning here. *pulls a curtain concealing himself and the maps and pieces*

Now we got that covered as well let's wait for the next...please.