*Eating popcorn.* This is getting good.

*Pinkie eats some popcorn too.* Pinkie: You got that right.

Fair: Ok, the Tardis left with the Doctor and Derpy. Rainbow was taken back to the keep by her husband, and I put up the anti-discord barrier. *Flair checks off on a list as he talk*

*Shaking head.* Pinkie want to head back or do something here, because we're in a blank slate and we could do anything?

Flair: You also have to throw Rainbow that congratulation party.

*Pinkie smiles.* Pinkie: Well I could hang out here until I show I up.

Flair: Suit yourself now on with the show.

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

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

It had been a week since the twins were born and now Stormy Wing was watching over his grandfoals as Rainbow rested in her room. 'I can't believe my little girl's foals. I can hardly believe it.' He thinks.

Hurricane floats up beside him. "They're beautiful aren't they?"

"Yeah, this one reminds me of my late wife." Stormy says.

Hurricane looks to the little unicorn. "What got you two together?" She asks Stormy.

"Well it was when I was young. I still lived in Cloudsdale, I was new to the weather team and she was the one in charge of keeping us organized and on schedule. Not the easiest thing for a team of mostly teenage pegasus who think they know everything." Stormy says.

Hurricane moves around him. "So your wife was a unicorn on the weather team because?"

"I never learned the full details, I think she just applied for the job." Stormy says.

Hurricane frowns. "You didn't ask when you got married."

"It was no longer important at that time." Stormy says.

Hurricane keeps frowning until she smiles. "Same here. Didn't ask Razor what he did before the military."

"Wasn't all pegasus back then all in the military?" Stormy asks.

Hurricane looks to the foals. "A lot, but not all."

"You know I always wondered what life like then was and did your husband really keep the peace between you and Princess Platinum?" Stormy asks.

Hurricane nods. "You bet, she was a hooful, but with him it was manageable."

"So how big of a snob was she?" Stormy asks.

Hurricane grins. "So much that one speck of dirt isn't safe from her."

Stormy just chuckles before looking back to the foals. "You must be really proud of your descendants." Stormy says.

Hurricane leans into him. "Oh, I definitely am. But we got off topic, what made you attracted to her?"

"Well how it started was I had done some stupid stunt and wound up in the hospital. She was the only one who visited me while I was out of action." Stormy says.

Hurricane smiles. "Florence nightingale effect. Female nurses fall in love with their patients, but it also goes to the female visitor, especially the only one."

"And the fact the entire team knew she was a little sick. I was touched she took time out to see me even though she was sick." Stormy adds.

Hurricane grows suspicious. "What was she sick from?"

"An incurable genetic disease that I could never pronounce." Stormy says sadly.

Hurricane hugs him as he hugs her back. "Try to. Maybe I can figure something out just in case it can be passed on."

"No, the doctor said Rainbow didn't inherit the disease and it's extremely rare." Stormy says.

Hurricane looks to the foals. "Can it be skipped to the next generation?"

"The doctor said it skips around every ten generations or so." Stormy says.

Hurricane smiles sadly. "So I guess you can be happy that it won't show up until ten generations later?"

"Hopefully we will have a cure by then." Stormy says.

Hurricane nods. "So how are the new parents? Resting from the war and the labor?"

"Well my daughter is, but I think my son in law is still hard at work." Stormy says with sweat drop.

Hurricane huffs. "Of course. I got to get him away and spend some time here."

"He will be leaving soon you know." Stormy says.

Hurricane looks agitated. "I know. He has to spend time with his family or this will mean nothing in the end."

"I think I understand what kind of stallion Lightning is now." Stormy says.

Hurricane looks to him. "Care to share with the rest of the class."

"He is the kind who will do anything to provide and protect his family." Stormy says.

Hurricane smiles. "That he is, but he is still missing time with family."

"Maybe, but we still are at war." Stormy says.

Lightning was in his office signing the last of the paperwork and looks out the window. 'Tomorrow is the day I set out to finish this.' Lightning thinks to himself. He then sees a shooting star shoot coming towards the keep, before stopping at the front and disperse, revealing Discord in a Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, and a straw hat.

"Aloha, anypony home?" Discord yells.

"Up here Discord." Lightning calls.

Discord looks up with a cheeky grin. "Lighty my boy, can you let in?"

"Just use the front door, the guards won't stop you and if you want to mess with somepony, Celestia and Luna are in the meeting room looking bored." Lightning calls.

Discord smiles widely. "Yes, I got permission. Later." He snaps his fingers making him disappear and appear again in front of the guards. "Mind taking my bags to my room? Thank you." He snaps his fingers before they could answer.

Lightning sighs and was thankful he was currently exempt from court matters as that was what was boring Celestia and Luna. Not a few moments later did he hear, "Discord!" that brought a smile to his face.

"Go Discord." He said to himself.

"Sir, we are prepared and will be moving out tomorrow." Silva says walking in.

Lightning sighs. "Good, rest up and spend your last night here however you want. You'll thank me later."

"Yes sir." Silva says walking out and closing the door behind her.

Lightning sighs as he leans back in his chair. "Well now, let's see. One last night, I guess I'll spend it with them." He gets up and heads out.

Lightning walks for a while and runs into Scootaloo. "Hey, there angel."

Scootaloo smiles. "Dad, no more angel."

"Why?" Lightning asks.

Scootaloo huffs. "I'm getting tired of angel. It just doesn't fit now."

"Why you're a lovable little pegasus. That is what a lot of parents call their pegasus foals east." Lightning says.

Scootaloo grins. "We're in the west."

"Doesn't matter now, why are you outside your mother's room?" Lightning asks.

Scootaloo looks to the door. "Well she was sleeping the whole time and about the whole day, so I thought I check up on her."

Lightning picks Scootaloo up and puts her on his back. "Then let us go see her." Lightning says.

They walk in to find Seeku tending to Rainbow as she read a book. They both look to them. "Hey, you two."

Lightning smiles back and gets on the bed with them while Scootaloo hopped off his back and onto the bed. "Hey mom." Scootaloo said as she rested right by her.

Rainbow rubs the top of her mane. "Hi sweetie. How are you?"

"I'm fine, I just wanted to come see you." Scootaloo says.

Rainbow hugs her. "Well that was nice of you. And you Lightning?" She asks as she looks to him.

"Do I need a reason to see my wife?" Lightning asks smugly before petting her mane.

Rainbow giggles as her mane was petted. "That's nice."

Seeku stands off to the side before starting to leave. "Why can't anypony pet me?" She asks quietly.

"I promised to introduce you to somepony Seeku. Oh and if you want a laugh go to the court right now." Lightning says.

Seeku smiles sadly. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything." She closes the door behind her.

"Dear, what did you mean by that?" Rainbow asks.

Lightning looks to her. "I promised to find her somepony instead of sticking to me."

"No, not that, the court, what about it?" Rainbow asks.

Lightning smiles. "Sent Discord there."

Lightning started to sweat under the glare Rainbow was now giving him. "Lightning?" She asks too sweetly.

"Yes?" Lightning asks sounding unnerved.

Rainbow puts Scootaloo to the side and then grabs him by his mane, pulling him to her. "Why did you send Discord to the courtroom?"

"Because it was that or let him run wild." Lightning says meekly.

Rainbow stares at him before letting him go, letting him put his mane back to normal. "Just don't try it again. Send him somewhere else if you can." Lightning sighed in relief that Rainbow took it so well.

Scootaloo looks to them. "Is anypony worried about Seeku? I mean she seemed a little down."

"She has been for a while. I think she hasn't adjust to being a part of the family yet." Rainbow says.

Lightning looks to them. "Or just lonely. What do you say to some family time with her? All of us, including the foals." Lightning grew quite at that last comment looking as if he was thinking and had just remembered something.

Rainbow sees his thoughtful look. "What is it?"

"Tomorrow we ship out to liberate the rest of the kingdom." Lightning says.

Both of them looks to him. "So, one last night. As a family?" Rainbow asks.

"For a while, yeah. That is why I rush to finish my paperwork early to see my family." Lightning says smiling to them.

Rainbow smiles as well. "Scoots, go get the rest of the family. We are going to have a fun time for this last night."

"Don't strain yourself love, you are still recovering." Lightning says.

Rainbow smiles as she gets out of the bed as Scootaloo was gone to get the rest of the family. "I've recovered enough to move on my own. Now let's go."

"Rainbow." Lightning says concerned.

Rainbow looks to him agitated. "Lightning, I have been bedridden for a whole day and you know I can't stay in one place. Now let's go."

"At least let me carry you." Lightning says getting off next to her as well.

Rainbow sighs. "Fine."

Lightning lays down so that Rainbow can lay on his back. After she was on him Lightning got up and started walking to the garden.

"I thought she said the kitchen?" Rainbow asks as she snuggles into his wings. "Huh, they are poufy."

"You say something love?" Lightning asks.

Rainbow snaps out of her snuggling. "Uh, yeah, nothing, so why are we going to the gardens?"

"I thought it would be the best place. Nice scenery, plenty of space, and fresh air." Lightning says.

"Huh." Rainbow looks ahead as they exit into the garden. "Now we just need everypony here."

"If I know our daughter she will be here soon with them." Lightning says seeing Belcoot in the garden.

Rainbow looks to the stallion in their garden. "Who's that? I can't see him that well."

"That is Belcoot, he is the general of the battalions of my army that came to reinforce us." Lightning reminds.

"Got the rest." Scootaloo said as the rest of the family came out behind her, including the two foals in their grandparents' forelegs.

"My Lord and Lady." Belcoot greeted just noticing them.

Lightning turns to him. "Hello there Belcoot. I'm sorry, but I'm here to spend time with my family."

"Oh course, my lord. Excuse me, my lady." Belcoot says before leaving.

Lightning tries to keep his smile until he leaves. "Nice guy, but annoying. Now let's have some family time."

"He seems devoted and you did make him a general." Rainbow reminds.

Lightning shrugs before heading to the middle of the garden. "Well he is good, but still annoying. Now, family time." He said laying down.

"We will be talking about that later." Rainbow says getting up and walking over to the bench.

Lightning tilts his head a little. "Well I won't be here tomorrow so best ask me when it's bed time. Now, Scoots, how was your day?"

Scootaloo shrugs. "Been reading the book. Noticed something interesting."

"What's that?" Lightning asks.

Scootaloo lays down on the grass. "Well I kinda found the explanation for the Wyverns leaving every decade, but I'm going to have to ask them just in case."

"Ok sweetie." Rainbow says.

Lightning suddenly feels a weight on his back and looks to see Seeku on him. "Poufy." She said as she snuggles into his wings.

"I can't believe you actually were right." Rainbow says.

Lightning looks to her as Eclipse joins Seeku into snuggling into his wings. "What part?" He asks.

"His wings are like pillows." Rainbow says as Lightning's eye starts to twitch.

Lightning stares at her as his wings were pulled. "Where did you hear that?" He asks his eye twitching. Rainbow points to Seeku who points to Eclipse who points to Rainbow. He grind his teeth making a grating noise. "Who started it?"

They keep pointing at each other causing Lightning to sigh. "You know what, forget it." Lightning says. Rainbow sighs in relief. "Ah, ha! Gotcha!" He said pointing to her. Rainbow frowns as Lightning walks over to her. "Come now hun, enough of that, let us enjoy our family time." Lightning says, noticing Spitfire was taking a closer look at the foals. "Like the foals, sister?"

"How can I not like my niece and nephew?" Spitfire says happily.

Lightning shrugs. "I don't know, maybe if you hate me."

Spitfire walks over and smacks Lightning on the head. "That was for saying something stupid." Spitfire says.

Lightning rubs his head as she laughs a little. "Okay, that was stupid. Now, how's our grandparents here?"

"Do you want a second helping of that?" Hurricane asks.

Lightning shakes his head. "No, no, I'm good."

"That's what I thought." Hurricane says.

Stormy chuckles as the little foals awake. "Looks like the little ones are awake."

"Hey there you two." Lightning says softly walking up to them.

The two foals look to their father and laughs as they see something funny. Rainbow walks up besides Lightning to look at her foals. "What are they laughing about?" He asks.

"Who knows?" Rainbow says.

Hurricane clears her throat and points to Lighting's back. The parents both raise their eyebrows as they look to his back and see Seeku making funny faces at them, especially since it's her changeling form.

"Ah, Seeku, playing with your niece and nephew?" Lightning asks.

Seeku giggles as the foals continue laughing. "I think you could say that." She then transforms into Lighting. "Hi there little ones." She said in his voice.

The foals looks confused and looks between the two until they look to the real Lightning and point and gives the motion to be picked up.

Lightning smiles and picks them up. "Looks like they can see through that one Seeku." Lightning says holding them.

Seeku giggles and picks up the other one. "I guess I need to work on that." The little one in her hooves start to fuss around.

Rainbow walks over to Seeku and looks at her daughter. "What's wrong, you don't want to be held by your aunt?" Rainbow asks.

The little one motions for Rainbow to pick her up. Rainbow reaches out as Seeku does as well. When the little one was enough away she flaps her little wings and flies off with their unicorn son casting a spell and transparency himself through his father's hooves and runs off.

Lightning looks at the rest of the family. "Yeah they are definitely going to be hoofuls." He says as Rainbow tried to fly after her daughter. "Everypony grab them. I'm sure Pinkie told you how she handled the first day of the taking care of the Cakes's foals."

Everypony rushes after the two foals as they either run or fly away. Rainbow and Seeku flies after the daughter as she happily flies off. They reach out to grab her only to pause as she puts the brake on flying and they went right past her. They look back as the little flies off in another direction.

Down on the ground the son runs around going through almost everything as his spell was still active. "How did he figure that kind of spell in a short amount of time?!" Eclipse yells as she tries to grab him, but her hooves goes right through.

"He didn't, I think he is going on instinct." Lightning says opening a door that his son ran through.

Everypony on the ground followed while in the air their daughter went through an open window with Rainbow and Seeku following. "You know that little newborn changelings sometimes fly around like this and then forgets and then need to be retaught." Seeku said as they go through the same window.

"Thank you for reminding me professor." Rainbow says sarcastically as she struggles to keep up.

'She is still recovering, I best end this quickly.' Seeku thinks charging up her horn.

The little foal laughs as she flies through every nook and cranny in the ceiling of the halls playing hide and seek with her family as the servants watch in amusement. Suddenly she feels herself stop. She tries to flap harder until she feels somepony holding her.

"Gotcha." Seeku said in a victorious tone.

The filly looks to Seeku as Rainbow finally catches up out of breathe. "Here you go, one little pegasus filly." Seeku says hoofing her to Rainbow.

Rainbow takes her daughter as she looks to the little one with a stern look. "You really are trouble, you know that right?" The foal just tilts her little head and laughs. Rainbow sighs and holds her close to not let her go away again. "Let's see how the others are doing." She said to Seeku as they fly away to find the others, but see them in the hall walking to them.

The unicorn foal was in a magical sphere as it slowly rolls towards them with Lightning walking close behind. "You really are trouble, you know that?" He said to the foals as Eclipse walks on the other side keeping the bubble afloat. "And you said learning spells like this would never come in handy. Just think of how you had to handle Midnight when he was young." Lightning says to Eclipse.

Eclipse huffs and looks to the side away from him. "I had servants."

Lightning smiles. "Spend time with your family, isn't that what you said?"

"He's got you there mom." A voice says from above. Looking up Eclipse sees Midnight laying on one of the beams.

Eclipse frowns. "What are you doing up there?"

Midnight shrugs. "I knew that the little one was going crazy trying to fly through everything so it only makes sense to fly past me if I don't grab her first."

"Seems Midnight is better at gauging his step brother and sister than you are." Lightning says.

Midnight shakes his head. "Nah, I pulled the same thing with our servants back home. Boy were they tired."

Lightning sees Rainbow approaching with their daughter and he waves her over. "Either he's smart or know tactics. I should probably make him general one day." Lightning said out loud.

"Ah, no, he's going to be king." Eclipse says.

Lightning smirks. "I know, just messing with you. Now what to do with you two?" He said looking to the foals.

"I think it's time we decided on their names." Rainbow says as Scootaloo comes up to them.

"You know that this isn't fair. She can fly and I can't and she's a newborn." Scootaloo said glaring at her little sister who bonks her on the head with a laugh. "Ow. She hits hard." She said as she holds her head.

"Scoots, you've gotten a lot better at flying. You almost have no need to be taught by me or your father anymore. Also you deserve that." Rainbow says patting her on the head.

Scoots glares to her little sister. "Not cool little sis." The little foal giggles as the orange pony looks at her funny.

"So any ideas for their names?" Lightning asks.

Everypony around him shrugs. "How about Typhoon?" Hurricane said coming up behind them with Stormy panting behind her. "Those little buggers are fast." He said.

"After your daughter, huh? But it's not a bad idea. What do you think Rainbow?" Lightning asks.

Rainbow nods but then looks to Hurricane. "Are you sure you want to name her that? It is your daughter's name after all."

"I'm sure, after all I think Typhoon would be proud." Hurricane says looking to her granddaughter.

Rainbow nods and looks down to the little foal in her hooves. "So what do you think? Want to be named Typhoon?" The little foal, now Typhoon, claps her hooves together laughing all the while. "We got a winner." Rainbow said smiling.

"Now for this little guy." Lightning says looking to the one in the bubble and thinking. "How about Talion?" Lightning asks.

Eclipse looks to him surprised. "Wait, isn't that one of the famous general back home?"

"No, that was the name of the wraith walker who saved the entire eastern nation from the evil necromancer Saurodon." Lightning says. "So what do you think little one? Want the proud name of Talion?" The little unicorn hops around in the bubble making it spin a little. Lightning smiles and then looks to Eclipse. "You might want to stop it slowly otherwise he would trip and spin in there. Plus, that's another winner."

"Talion and Typhoon, huh? Unexpected names, but good ones." Stormy says walking up.

Lightning smiled, dispelling the magic sphere and catches Talion who just smiles. Lightning just held him till Belcoot walked up. "Sir, there are something that came up. It appears we have to push up the timetable again." Belcoot says.

Lightning sighed before saying, "Understood. Sorry, Talion, we will have to play later." Lightning says. Talion hops out of his hooves and jumps onto his head and hangs on. "Oh come on, you can't leave your mother." Lightning said trying to pry him off. Talion still holds on and whines at him. "Talion, you have to stay here and I got some important jobs to do." He finally pries him off and gives him to Rainbow. "Make sure he doesn't stick to my back." He said walking away.

"Don't worry Talion, your dad will be back soon." Rainbow says holding him as he whines and reaches for him.

Hurricane comes into his view. "Come on little one, let's play with your ghostly grandma."

"I assume you have already assembled both battalions Belcoot." Lightning says.

"Of course sir. Although I couldn't convince Duke to stay, he insists leading the vanguard." Belcoot says as they walk out the doors.

"I have no problems with that. When it comes to the vanguard, no pony is more qualified to lead than Duke Hyou." Lightning says as they see the troops beginning the march.

"Yes sir. By the way what about that female captain, will you have her remain here?" Belcoot asks.

"I said I will help fight and I can't do that here." A voice says behind them.

They looked behind them to Silva closing the door behind her. "Silva, good you're here. Now we can get started." Lightning said looking to the table with everything about the war in front of them.

"Where do we begin sir, the prisoners said that two thousand legionaries are holding the Canterlot area." Silva says.

"We will march directly at the legionaries holding the Canterlot area. No longer do we need to run and fight with guerilla tactics. The two battalions of my Direwolf army are more than enough to take back everything and we also have many soldiers of Equestria joining us on this march." Lightning says.

Silva looks to the map as well. "So when do we march out?"

"Now. Soldiers, raise the proud banner of the Direwolf army." Lightning orders to the soldiers near the door who went out to the flagpole as he puts on his helmet.

"Silva, send a message to the Orcs. Ask the chief to march with us." Lightning orders.

Silva nods and heads out. "Yes sir."

"Sir, permission to speak freely." Hazuki asks.

"Granted." Lightning says.

"It's good to be back in business." Hazuki says grinning.

"Yes it is, now let's start the march for the liberation of Equestria." Lightning says.

"Sir, permission to have Vinyl and Octavia make the official announcement over the radio?" Nikolai asks.

"Granted, we want the enemy to know we are coming this time." Lightning says. Nikolai smirks and heads out.

A guard walks into the audience chamber that was being used as the temporary court of Equestria. "Princesses, I have news from general Lightning Bolt." The guard says.

Everypony looks to the guard. "Well, what is it?" Celestia asks.

"General Lightning has declared the army is to march now for the liberation of all Equestria." The guard says.

Discord bites in a popcorn he thrown into his mouth. "Well this just got entertaining." He throws in another popcorn.

"I see, Captain Shining Armor and Captain Shadow Bolt, I want you both to accompany General Lightning Bolt on this operation." Celestia says.

They both nod and head out, leaving the court behind. "Sister, I feel like I should go as well." Luna says.

Celestia looks to her before looking to the guard. "Take her to the war room."

"Yes princess." The guard says leading her away.

Discord leans by Celestia. "You sure about this, she's your sister after all?" He asks throwing more popcorn into his mouth.

"She feels like she must help directly. I can't stop that. But what about you why aren't you helping?" Celestia asks.

"I'm a spirit of Chaos, as such I can't take sides in conflicts unless they are against me directly." Discord says giving some popcorn to her.

Celestia takes some popcorn with her magic. "That makes sense." She throws some popcorn into her mouth. "This is good, where did you get this?"

Discord shrugs. "Just two ponies in another plane of existence."

"What?" Celestia asks.

Discord looks to her. "Two ponies in another plane of existence. They are really good at what they do, though one of them doesn't know the rules of existence that much."

Celestia looks to him. "You're weird, wait what am I saying?"

Discord just smiles and bites down on another piece of popcorn.

The ponies in Pegalopolis were going about their lives with huge smiles on their faces. They had won and the city was no longer under threat of attack. They were especially happy with the foreign soldiers that arrived to back them up. They finally felt the fear that had plagued them for months now starting to vanish.

"Good afternoon Equestria. It's me the DJ temptress herself." Vinyl's voice was heard from the radio.

"Vinyl, before you get to into that we have today, we have an announcement to make." Octavia says.

"Yeah, announcement first, glorifying second." Nikolai says.

"Hey, watch it commander. Just cause you're a big shot in the military now doesn't mean you run this show." Vinyl says.

"Well excuse me for placing in my two bits. Unless you don't want me at all." Nikolai jests.

"Now, now, you two save that for after the show." Octavia says.

"Fine." Vinyl says huffing.

After a few seconds of silence Nikolai spoke again. "Um, did I miss something while I was away?"

Octavia sighs. "Just a little missingness like any other mare who has a husband in the war."

"And the fact I took her to my bed a few times while you were gone." Vinyl says.

Nikolai is heard stuttering. "Wha...what?"

"Vinyl, we did no such thing!" Octavia yells.

Vinyl laughs. "Ah, it's great to be back."

"Yeah, I missed you too Vinyl." Nikolai says.

"Like I said, after the show, now the announcement." Octavia said.

"Oh right, attention. All members of the Direwolf army is to assemble outside the first gate in a standard formation. Equestrian first through fifth company has the same orders. All other soldiers you are assigned to defend the city and the citizens inside of it. I repeat, General Lightning Bolt has ordered the commencement of Operation: Retake Equestria." Nikolai says, his tone every pegasus soldier knows all too well.

As if driven by an unseen force all the soldiers belonging to those who were called immediately started heading for outside the city.

"Wow, that's some commanding voice you got there. I wish you would use it more around me." Vinyl says.

Nikolai laughs. "I think I got some armor lying around for us to play in."

Octavia groans. "I thought I told you after the show. You can play trainer and trainee after this."

"I think somepony is jealous. What's wrong Octy, want to join us and maybe have Nikolai order the both of us around?" Vinyl asks in a sing song voice.

Octavia begins to sputter. "Wha...what makes you think that? I just don't want this on the air."

"Oh don't be shy Octy, you can join us." Vinyl says.

"Vinyl, I think that's enough teasing. Anymore and she'll pass out." Nikolai says.

A thunk was heard. "I hate you both." Octavia's muffled voice said.

"Oh, by the way Octavia, I've going to set you up on a blind date." Nikolai says.

"What makes you think I would even go along with it?" Octavia's asks.

"Cause if you don't I'm sure Vinyl has a few pieces of blackmail she is dying to use." Nikolai says.

Octavia huffs. "You better not Vinyl because I don't even want to go."

"Let's see, oh this one is good." Vinyl says while making a sound like she is going through a box.

"Don't you dare Vinyl." Octavia warns.

"Oh perfect. Now if you don't go along every newspaper will get a copy of this." Vinyl says.

"Where did you get that?" Octavia asks.

"Wow." Nikolai says

"I have my sources." Vinyl says.

"Vinyl I will do whatever you want, I'll be your maid, and I'll sleep with you, heck I'll even listen to your music. Just don't send me on that date or make that public." Octavia pleaded.

"Your choice Octy, the date or the publication of this." Vinyl says.

Nikolai chuckles. "You're evil Vinyl."

"I know." Vinyl says.

Octavia sighs. "Fine, I'll go on the date."

"Don't worry Octavia, I didn't set you up with anypony bad." Nikolai says.

"And you can still join us if you want." Vinyl said.

"Vinyl, let's not push our luck here." Nikolai says.

"Oh you want to have two mares, you naughty stallion." Vinyl said.

"Why would I want two when I have you?" Nikolai asks.

The radio went silent for a few moments. Then there was the sound of clapping. "Good job Nicolai, you made Vinyl speechless." Octavia says.

"I just think that she's use to one night stands after her shows." Nikolai said offhoofedly.

"Oh you didn't know. I know for a fact Vinyl has never been out on a date." Octavia says.

"Oh, Octavia shots fired at Vinyl." Nikolai says.

Vinyl huffs. "You two are perverted as me."

"Wait then then how does she know all about those things she talked about?" Nikolai asks confused.

Vinyl giggles a little. "She ended up in one of my shows that turned into a slight orgy one time, just on the side of the place and hidden, but there."

"I was asking about you Vinyl." Nikolai says.

Vinyl's giggles turns into a laugh. "Well I did get a book as payment for a concert, what a rip off that was, but it was a sex book and it had everything about it. So I decided to poke fun at Octy with everything it had."

"Vinyl why on this good earth would anypony give something like that as payment!?" Nikolai yells.

Vinyl giggles. "I don't know, but it was good payment in the long run."

"I'm going to hunt that pony and hurt them brutally. So if you are listening I'm giving you a head start." Nikolai warns.

Octavia giggles. "Vinyl's right, you're a good stallion to date."

"Somepony is jealous." Vinyl says in a sing song voice.

Octavia huffs. "I am not jealous."

"So jealous." Vinyl says.

Nikolai laughs a little. "Yes she is."

"I said I'm no..." Octavia was cut off when a timer goes off in the background.

"Whoops, time is up for me. I got to go for the operation." Nikolai says.

A door opened and then closed in the background. "Well that's it for Nikolai ponies, we don't our lead handsome stallion here, but you still got us." Vinyl said.

"There, there, Vinyl he'll be back." Octavia says.

Vinyl huffs. "I know, now back to our regularly scheduled programming." A shuffling of papers were heard.

Lightning was walking with his officers as the army started marching south. "Silva, how are you holding up?" He asks.

"Good, sir. The Chief is marching with commander Zagai and a few squads of the griffon troops." Silva says.

Lightning nods. "And the griffins? How are they to this change?"

"They are your troops I suspect they are more than capable to these lands." Silva says.

"Good. By the way Nikolai I heard your broadcast. Very...what's the word?" Lightning asks Silva.

Silva smiles. "I believe the word you're looking for is raunchy."

Lightning smiles as Nikolai blushes. "Yeah, that's it. Very raunchy show."

"Yeah sorry about that." Nikolai says.

Lightning laughs. "Don't be. It's best to make something like that in these times. Though that comment about owning some training armor, was that true for your torture session with Vinyl?"

"Oh no, I don't own that. I was lying through my teeth." Nikolai says with a smile.

Lightning grins. "Really, I thought you would like that type of thing with the way you train?"

Nikolai just stares flabbergasted.

"Don't fall behind commander." Lightning says as Nikolai stared at them.

Nikolai shakes his head and hurries to catch up. "Not funny general."

"I thought it was." Silva says giggling.

Lightning laughs with as he catches up. "Yeah, I now wonder what else he likes to do to his trainees."

"I'm never going to live this down am I?" Nikolai asks.

"Nope." Apollo says walking up.

Nikolai puts his head down as he keeps walking along the path. "I hate you all." He said passing them.

"Oh cheer up, we will forgot all about it in a month." Alexander says.

Lightning laughs. "Not me, I don't forget a thing."

Apollo snickers. "I don't either. How do you think I sometimes take what I want?"

"Ok, ok, that's enough picking on Nikolai, the scouts are back my lord." Hazuki says.

Lightning looks to him. "And what did they find?"

"It seems that the Legionnaires holding Canterlot are massing in the valley below it just as you thought my lord." Hazuki says.

Lightning nods and turns forward. "Well let's show them how we clean things here. All Direwolf army assume line formation, Equestrian soldiers form on their flanks." Lightning ordered.

Nikolai smirks. "Well let's get our capital back."

The army marched for nearly another week before they reached the Canterlot area and could see the legionnaires in tone long columns of their testudo formation.

When the army reached the same field Lightning took a deep breath as the army got into formation. He then exerted his general aura and yells, "Soldiers hear me now. I have no over glorified speech prepared for you for it is unnecessary across the field stand the enemy. A remnant of the Dominion's defeated legion. The enemy that has pillaged the lands and has invaded your homelands. Now we will crush them and retake Canterlot then the rest of Equestria! Now starting from the left! All troops charge in succession. Now Charge!" Lightning yells.

Duke Hyou smiled as he placed on his mask and grabbed his glaive. He then roars and leads the first wave of the charge.

"Is that the Echelon formation?" The orc chief asks as he watches in amazement.

"Yes, a remarkably high level move. Especially when it's the Echelon assault tactic." Hazuki says.

"Yes and to actually use it in battle is beyond the vast majority of tacticians." Silva says in amazement.

The orc chief remains silent as he watches. "Um, could somepony explain to those who don't know what is happening?" Luna asks.

"Oh, certainly Princess. You see how the enemy formation is arranged in a long line so not to be able to be flanked?" Nikolai asks.

"Um...yes." Luna says.

"Well when a line formation such as that is hit by an Echelon assault, a shock wave is generated through their ranks diagonally. Those who are hit are moved back three steps and the next two steps. Those who are hit by both four steps. These movements will pass through the enemy ranks like a wave, cause small distortions to the troops formations. However even a small disruption like that is enough to disturb the enemy's cohesion and at that exact moment, your charge hits the enemy head on. Thereby once again causing another shock wave to pass on. So long as the shockwave is able to pass on through the enemy ranks without interruption and the attacks are able to follow in succession then an Echelon assault will be extremely effective. Or so most theorized. At the end of the day though it is considered too impractical for actual use for it was far too difficult to actually use in real battles. But that didn't stop lord Lightning, he trained his Direwolf army to use this stratagem and that is why almost all the practical Dominion legions' field formations are helpless against the Direwolf army because the entire strength of the legions are centered around formation and cohesion. This attacks that very thing taking away their greatest strength." Belcoot explains.

Luna nods. "I see. Well when does this attack end the battle?"

"Depends on the enemy commander's reaction." Lightning says as he observes that Duke Hyou's wave was tearing through the legionnaires opponents and starting to make the legion formation collapse.

"It's about two minutes now ma'am." A night guard said right beside Luna.

"Take a seat princess Luna, battles like this can go on for hours before a conclusion is reached." Lightning says.

Luna sits down with the rest of the commanders as they watch the battle to retake Canterlot takes place in the lower valley. "Well just standing up will get boring a little." Luna said as she lays down.

After fifteen more minutes the legion looked to be close to collapsing. "It's time. Belcoot, Zagai, Hazuki, Alexander go down there and take direct command and finish this." Lightning orders.

"You got it sir." Alexander said as he and rest of the commanders went down the path.

"The battle is decided. Nikolai, Shining Armor, Shadow Bolt, Apollo take two companies and go secure Canterlot." Lightning orders.

Nicolai nods. "As you wish." He and the others take their companies.

Lightning turns and starts walking away.

"Sir, the battle isn't over, where are you going?" Silva asks.

"Into the tent. I am no longer needed. The moment I sent those four into the battle was the moment I signed the legionnaires' death warrants." Lightning says entering the tent. He immediately collapsed onto the ground as exhaustion overtook him. 'Come on my body, just last a little longer.' Lightning thinks.

Silva watches as her general enters his tent and then turns back to the battle, unaware of the turmoil that faced Lightning.

"You all noticed it too didn't you?" Belcoot asks.

"Yeah, our lord is gravely ill." Hazuki says.

"With this place it's no wonder." Zagai says.

"As such we can't afford to dally, we have to crush the enemy immediately." Alexander says as the four near the battle lines.

Upon reaching the battle lines the troops parted and immediately let them through. "Here we go. First to take the commander's head gets the first cup of alcohol when we get back to camp." Belcoot says as they unsheathed all their weapons and charged. To the unfortunate Legionnaires who were in there path it was like the doors of Tartarus were thrown open and all the horrible monsters were unleashed upon them as Belcoot and Hazuki's swords cut through them like they were paper. Zagai thrust his spear, though the momentum of his spear never decreasing as if they were not even there. And finally Alexander easily sent them flying with his bare hooves. The commanding Centurion himself turned to run but the four were already on him. Zagai steps forward as the centurion crawls backward.

"You really think other species don't work well together, well the opposite of that thought will be the last thing you see and it will stick with you in the afterlife." Zagai then thrusts his spear through the heart of the centurion, effectively ending his life.

With the death of their centurion the Legionnaires lost the will to fight and started to surrender. The four officers then oversaw the disarmament and incarceration of the legionnaires in Canterlot as the soldiers cheered for their victory.

"It seems Zagai beat you to the enemy commander Duke Hyou." Lightning says.

Hyou shrugs. "What he is and said makes him the most appropriate for that battle, but next time I will claim the commander's head myself."

"We will see, none of my sworn swords are the types for losing to others either." Lightning says.

"So with this battle the legion has less than three thousand holding the rest of Equestria." Duke Hyou says.

"Yeah, now that Canterlot is retaken we will continue east and then up the coast." Lightning says.

"So why did you send a small contingent of soldiers to recapture the nearby town Ponyville if I remember correctly." Dyku Hyou says.

"Most of the ponies sent there are originally from there. This way it will remind them why they are fighting and raise their moral." Lightning says.

Hyou huffs. "Never fight on foreign land for you may lose the battle. Isn't that a rule for war?"

"Why do you think I studied the land considerably and even lived here for some time?" Lightning asks.

Hyou frowns at him. "So you just lived here for the war and nothing else?"

"Originally yes, but things have changed. I have a personal reason to fight once more. If I live long enough I will become what the Dominion feared most of all. A general that can destroy all their ideals of their superiority. If not I'll leave everything up to the next generation. I have hope and confidence they can handle it without me." Lightning says with a smile.

Hyou smiles and nods. "Good, now I can worry less about you."

"You're no young stallion yourself Hyou. Your almost twice my age." Lightning joked.

Hyou chuckles. "Yes, that's true. Now where do we go now?"

"Like I said we make for the east in a few days. But first I have some personal issues to deal with. You mind giving me some time alone with my sister when she comes?" Lightning asks.

Hyou waves him off. "Sure, sure, everypony needs time with family."

Lightning was about to reply, but a knock on the door was heard. "Enter." Hyou says.

Spitfire enters the room and Hyou just smiles and walks past her. Hyou closed the door behind him leaving both the siblings alone. "Sis, you mind sitting down?" Lightning asks.

Spitfire sits down onto one of the cushions laid out in front of the low table. "So what do you want to talk about?"

"It's about the identity of the late legion general. What I'm about to say will not leave this room. Understand?" Lightning asks.

Spitfire nods. "Got it, so what about him?"

"He was a former wonderbolt. More specifically he was the one you wanted to get your hooves on." Lightning says

Spitfire growls. "You should have let me take care of him."

"I killed him to end the siege and if it was made known that he was a former wonderbolt, think how much backlash you and your team would receive." Lightning says.

Spitfire frowns. "That's why I wanted to handle it. We dodge press all the time."

"Not like this sister. They would have been all over him as the defeated evil enemy general." Lightning says with air quotations.

Spitfire huffs. "Still wanted a piece of him."

"It's better this way. You didn't have to soil your hooves with that scum." Lightning says.

Spitfire huffs. "Still wanted him."

Lightning weakly smiles. "Feeling any better?" Spitfire asks causing Lightning's smile to drop.

"No, if anything my condition is deteriorating." Lightning says.

Spitfire's face turns stern. "We need to destroy the tree or at least speak to the spirit because it controls the forest. The only way to save this land too is also to speak to the spirit."

"How do you know about the spirit here?" Lightning asks very spacious.

Spitfire smiles. "Well, when you first mentioned it I read up on a few books in the Canterlot archives before we got out of there. And surprisingly it spoke of two spirits, one for the harmony and the other for the chaos. Of course, Discord is not the one for chaos, he's just a piece of the chaos spirit."

"I know for a fact that that was covered up by Celestia and Luna. Which means you been risking your life to find that out." Lightning says.

Spitfire giggles. "Everypony was evacuating. I'm sure that nopony minded that I took a peek in the restricted section."

"You realize that that is where Celestia is getting most of her power from. She even has bamboozled the entire country into thinking she raises the sun." Lightning says.

Spitfire grins. "I know, but it was for a good reason."

"What reason could there have been for enslaving the elements and stealing the guardian spirits of this lands power?" Lightning asks.

Spitfire sighs. "A more direct connection. When one goes out of balance then the other balances it again. But this only happens in close proximity. Have you noticed that the elements only worked when they were close?"

"Because they are pieces of what you would call the collar of the harmony spirit. There is no chaos in them. Chaos is needed for the world to function properly. All that is here is the suffocating control of everything. Celestia did this so she could have total control of everything here." Lightning says.

Spitfire shakes her head. "No, she originally did it to take down Discord when he got separated from the Chaos spirit. The Harmony spirit let her take the elements to take down Discord, but after that the spirits went quiet. Celestia couldn't do nothing, but to keep the elements until they were needed again. After Twilight and the others showed up she found viable users for the elements and keep them safe."

"Spirits don't allow that. The only exception to that is if a deal was cut between them." Lightning says thinking out loud.

Spitfire sighs. "Well actually this spirit did. The Harmony spirit let her take the elements because the Chaos spirit was going out of control and needed another way to handle it than just staying in one place."

"No, even with that spirits don't do that. We are missing something." Lightning says.

"Universal law?"

Lightning's eyes then shot open and formed a glare. "That's it. There was a third party involved." Lightning says getting up and walks to the door.

Spitfire watches as he leaves. "Um, where are going?"

"To see Princess Luna. She will be able to shed some light on this matter." Lightning says leaving the room.

Spitfire just watches as he closes the door behind him and looks back to the table. "You're still serious at times, I'll admit that."

Lightning walks to the Canterlot court where Luna and several guards were. "Princess Luna, a word please." Lightning says.

Luna looks up from some papers left behind and sees Lightning. "Um...sure. Would you excuse us?" The guards leaves, leaving the two alone.

"Princess, what happened the night before you became Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks bluntly.

Luna looks to him with a blank expression. "Same as any history book will tell you, I was jealous."

"Ok, I'll be more specific. Who came to see you?" Lightning asks.

Luna shrugs. "Normal guards and servants, oh and I had a night court too."

"Luna, King Sombra, and the fact the spirit of Harmony gave you and your sister the elements without even forcing you to make a deal." Lightning says causing Luna's eyes to widen.

Luna shakes her head. "That's ridiculous. We took care of him long before Discord."

"I'm not speaking of him specifically, but what caused him to become what he was. I learnt all about who he was from a first hoof source from the Crystal Kingdom. His is a sad tale." Lightning says.

Luna raises an eyebrow. "Go on."

"At first he was just a normal unicorn with a gift for crystal base magic. But he fought an evil version of himself and lost. Thus becoming the monster you fought. In truth though the real Sombra drowned long before you fought him." Lightning says.

Luna shrugs. "Well then it was too late to save him so we did him a favor."

"But who or what caused the creation of the evil counterpart?" Lightning asks.

Luna shrugs with her hooves. "Another version of Nightmare Moon, maybe?"

"Tell me Luna, was there anything odd or unusual about the night before you became Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks.

Luna just stares. "Other than the fact the sun and moon stopped moving with the moon on top, nothing."

"You sure no unusual occurrences or ponies?" Lightning asks.

Luna huffs. "Please, anything weird is sort of my specialty. If something came by me that is something I haven't seen before than I would remembered."

"Even an unusual shadow?" Lightning asks.

Luna thinks back. "Well with the moon in the sky it really brought more shadows than normal."

"There's the unusual circumstance." Lightning says.

Luna just looks confused. "What?"

"Each major event had something unusual. The evil Sombra clone, the fact the spirit of harmony didn't force you into a deal for a piece of its power, and the unusual number of shadows the night before you became Nightmare Moon." Lightning says.

Luna looks to him. "What are you saying?"

"Something is moving in the shadows. Both the guardian spirits knew it. As such they needed a threat that would be too much for you and make you seek out a greater power." Lightning says.

Luna looks to the side. "So what is out there?"

"I don't know but now that I think about it. When I was at your old castle I noticed some unusual shadows moving. I thought it was the Wyvern, but now. I think we have a malevolent shadow spirit on our hooves." Lightning says.

"Spirit of chaos?"

"No, chaos is not evil. We are dealing with a different spirit. A malevolent spirit of shadows." Lightning says.

Luna raises an eyebrow. "You already got an idea on what it is?"

"Judging from what I learnt from the Crystal Kingdom and what I saw in your old castle, yes. But there is one detail that will confirm or destroy this notion. Luna what exactly happened when you turned into Nightmare Moon?" Lightning asks.

Luna looks to him sternly. "Like taking a back seat in a train car and having somepony else take control while you do nothing, but watch."

"No, what happened right before that? Were you enveloped by shadows?" Lightning asks.

Luna nods.

"Then that confirms the notion. After we finish liberating the east coast we will have to g…" Lightning was cut off by a savage bout of coughing with blood coming out of his mouth.

"Lightning!" Luna yells.

After Lightning stops coughing he starts wheezing. "I'm fine." Lightning struggled to say.

Luna shakes her head. "You're not."

"I am breathing so I'm fine." Lightning says.

Luna huffs. "Yeah, and that blood isn't."

"Look if the soldiers knew their general was not doing well then morale would plummet and they would start questioning orders." Lightning says.

Luna nods. "You still need to go to the infirmary."

"What's effecting me is not something your medical ponies can treat." Lightning says.

Luna shakes her head. "No, but with this line of question I think I know what is."

"What do you think it is?" Lightning asks leaning against the wall for support.

"You need more magic, your type of magic." Luna said as she sits right by him.

"Halfway correct. What I need is natural energy, which I can't get here unless the spell that enslaves nature to your will is dispelled." Lightning says.

Luna huffs. "Who say we're controlling it?"

"You control the weather, the plants, the animals, and you've lead on your citizens into believing you even control the movements of the sun and moon. We both know the last part is a lie." Lightning says.

Luna sheepishly looks away. "Well partly true. We merely give the acceptance to move it, everything else is run by itself."

"So the ponies of Cloudsdale aren't making the clouds for the weather?" Lightning asks with a smirk.

Luna chuckles nervously. "Actually, they artificially make them, just faster than letting nature handle it."

"You're a poor liar, you know that?" Lightning asks starting to get up and walk away.

Luna chuckles still. "Only on good days."

Author's Notes:

Okay, that's it for that.

Flair: So Discord what are your thoughts on the new threat?

Discord: Well, not much.

Okay they left early so read and review and see ya next time.