Equestria Divided: Legend of House Brightflame: First Blood

by Grimdark Enigma

Chapters

• Birth of Pyrequill
• Repercussions
• The Contact
• Dragon's Blood
• And It Begins
• The Doctor's Toys
• The First of Many
• The Siege of New Ponyville
• The Risen
• Preparations
• Applejack's Arrival
• An Immovable Object...
• Meets An Unstoppable Force
• The Second Assault
• To Lick One's Wounds

Birth of Pyrequill

                                                                             Chapter 1

                                                                          The Birth of Pyrequill

“Betrayal. It’s something I often ponder. It starts wars or ends them and gives even the most gentle soul a thirst for vengeance."

                                                                                                    Spike Pendragon

The moon was full and luminous in the cloudless night sky over Canterlot.

‘Wonderful night for an escape’ Moondancer thought with a contented sigh. From her vantage point atop a building overlooking Canterlot Castle’s courtyard she could see a few royal guards dotting the grounds here and there performing their rounds.

‘They’re none the wiser to the fun in store tonight’

The fuchsia unicorn mare deactivated the Farsight spell  she was using and pulled the hood of her grey cloak over her head, hiding her auburn mane. Moondancer brought a gloved hoof up to the comcrystal secured to her neck by a leather strap. “Whooves you in position?”

After a moment static buzzed in her comcrystal. ”Yes. No. Wait maybe. Hold on.”

The mare rolled her silver eyes at the response she got.

“OK yes we are in position.”

With that she raised a hoof above her head brought it down swiftly Prompting the twenty cloaked unicorns behind her to rush the roof’s edge. Each of the ponies jumped into the air and extended shadowy magic wings and glided down silently into the courtyard.  Moondancer followed suit extending her own pair of shadow wings to join her fellow Shades. A guard looked up just in time to see the cloaked mare descend upon him and slide a long blade through his helm’s eye slit killing him instantly.

Moondancer retracted the ebonblade back into its slot on her glove and brought her hoof to comcrystal.

“Sound off. We clear.”

After several affirmatives she gave a nod to the unicorn beside her and said “Start laying the runes.”

‘Yes ma’am,”  he said with a light bow.

“Whooves we’re in position here how are things from your end.”

In a tunnel just below the castle’s dungeon a group of eight ponies had just broken through the brick walls of the foundation. The leader of these ponies Dr. Whooves, a brown earth stallion with a dark brown mane and tail brought a hoof up to his own comcrystal to reply.

“We are just about to enter the dungeon from the tunnel. I’ll give you the word when the MC (Magic Cancelling) charges are in place.”  

Dr. Whooves stepped into the corridor they had just opened and turned to his companions

“You blokes secure the target,” He said pointing to the three Shades that were in the group. Each gave a nod and galloped down the corridor. “Alright gents lets disrupt some shield crystals.” And they started down the hallway as well.

In the crystal caverns below Canterlot Castle a large purple scaled dragon was hard at work carving runes into the his chamber's stone floor with her razor sharp claws.

‘It’s almost time.’

The massive dragon had been waiting for years for this moment and here he was with freedom in his grasp. Once finished with the runic circle Spike Pendragon sat back to admire his handiwork. It was a teleportation circle, one he had been working on and perfecting for a year now and it was finally ready. Its twin was already underway in the castle’s courtyard. He then took a look around the cavern that had been his prison for the last thirteen years. He had been placed here and artificially aged physically as to deter any would be attackers of Canterlot against his will. The experience had traumatized him  and made it seem he had the mind of a child. But the mind of a dragon was resilient a fact that had allowed him to recover slowly over the course of two years. Once recovered he began to improve his use of Runic Dragon magic, a skill that came naturally to him, as well as instinctual. Fromo the guards that brought him food to the one who had sealed him here he put up a front that his mind was still that of a child. Over the course of his imprisonment he had come to hate Twilight Sparkle, his once best friend and adopted sister. Then by the purist stroke of luck, or fate as he often mused, a thief had stumbled into his cavern, in hopes it was filled with gems and gold. Spike identified this thief as Moondancer, his onetime friend before he had moved to Ponyville all those years ago with Twilight. The purple dragon was surprised that the fuchsia unicorn, who had come from a prestigious family, had become a thief. He had always figured she would become a dancer given her natural talent for acrobatics and illusion. Soon their time was cut short and she promised to return and return she did as they began concocting a plan to free the massive drake. It wasn’t until Moondancer ran into Dr. Whooves, an eccentric inventor who ran an underground railroad of sorts that strove to get slaves out of Moon and Stars’ territory. When Moondancer had brought Dr. Whooves to Spike’s cavern the two instantly recognized each other from Ponyville. It was then that Spike learned that the peaceful town had been flooded by Rainbow Dash leader of the House Stormwing. The flood had killed many of Ponyville’s inhabitants including Dr. Whooves’ adopted daughters Dinky and Sparkler. Their deaths had broken his wife Derpy and she disappeared shortly afterwards. This had broken the stallion and sense then he had himself to see to it families weren’t broken apart like his had been. This goal brought him to Canterlot and there he worked freeing slaves  for the past few years. Dr. Whooves had sympathized with Spike’s situation and agreed to help any way he could.

Spike was shaken from his reminiscing when he heard the doors to his cavern above him open. Three grey cloaked unicorns then glided down to the cavern floor on shadowy wings. Upon landing the leader of the trio, a green mare, stepped forward and bowed deeply to the drake.

“Lord Pyrequill all is ready.”

“Good step into the circle and give the word.” Spike rumbled

The mare brought a hoof to the comcrystal around her neck and said, “Target is secured and ready. Do it.”

She and the two others stepped into the circle as the cavern trembled.

BOOM.

The runes then began to glow with a green like and they disappeared in a burst of emerald fire.

Twilight Sparkle awoke from her slumber as an explosion from somewhere in the castle rocked her bed chambers. She threw off her covers and quickly put on the blue robe on her night stand.

“Starswirl what was that?” she said as she pulled her dark purple mane into a rough ponytail.

The crystal ball suspended in the center of the room glowed with a blue light as an ethereal unicorn stallion with a flowing beard appeared before her.

“I know not Archmage but it has caused the castle’s barrier to deactivate.”

Twilight’s horn glowed with a pinkish hue and the runes on her lavender coat glowed as a magic circle sparked around her. She was accessing tie mana network that flowed through the castle that powered its wards and barriers. She found the flow had been disrupted what was more the was a large residue of magic in the crystal caverns where spike resided.

GRAAAAAHH.

Twilight gasped and galloped to her balcony blowing open its doors with a telekinetic blast. Down bleow in the courtyard was Spike. The massive dragon, easily two stories tall and 14 feet long, stood with his powerful wings stretched to their full length as he roared in triumph of his newfound freedom. His Purple scales seemed to glow in the moonlight and magic sparked along his razor sharp dorsal spines.

'How can this be?'

Spike turned his attention to the ponies surrounding him.

“Good job Moondancer.” He rumbled.  

The mare in question stepped forward and pulled her hood back. Her silver eyes shone with admiration. “Could you be any louder my lord?”

“ Missed fresh air is all,” Spike said chuckling deeply. He turned his gaze to Dr. Whooves who had just trotted up to stand beside Moondancer. He and his team had rendezvoused with Moondancer's team in the courtyard before they set the charges off.

“Excellent work Doctor.”

Dr. Whooves  beamed at the praise.

“Thank you my good drake. Was a bit worried about the charges working but alss well and all that.”

The dragon chuckled again as he turned his attention to the assembly of guards that had gathered in the courtyard. Many had gotten over their initial shock and were now charging spells. Spike growled menacingly and his emerald eyes narrowed into slits as he brought a claw up. A rune appeared before his claws and a green barrier appeared around him and the ponies around him causing the spell cast from the guards to bounce of it harmlessly. Spike then turned his glare on the balcony Twilight occupied. The lavender mare was still in a state of shock unable to form intelligent words.

“Archmage Twilight Sparkle, this night I, Lord Pyrequill, declare war on you and yours. I will bring down judgment upon you and any foolish enough to stand with you. I will see House Moon and Stars burn and Equestria purged by dragon fire of the fools that have caused Her to rot . Tonight you witness the birth of House Brightflame. Now my followers!” Spike roared.  

With that the massive drake dispelled the barrier and reared up and into the air with a pump of his powerful wings as the ponies surrounding him took out green gem and smashed. Spike’s followers were then engulfed in green flame and disappeared in a green mist that Spike inhaled. The drake then began pumping his wings flying high above the city of Canterlot and over Canterlot Mountian out of sight.

Repercussions

Chapter 2

Repercussions  

“The path to a brighter future is sometimes paved by the worst intentions.”

                                                                                                   Celestia Evictus

It was just after midnight as Spike touched down in a large clearing in the Whitetail Woods. All manner of woodland creatures, predator and prey alike, scattered to give the mammoth dragon a wide birth as he landed. Drawing a deep breath Spike unleashed a plume of dull green smoke into the clearing completely covering it. Once the smoke cleared it revealed several ill looking ponies several rushing to the bushes around the glade to puke their guts out.

Moondancer was barely able to keep the contents off her own stomach where they belonged as she trudged over to the dragon and patted one of his claws with a hoof.

“Remind me to never let you do that again.”

“I for one found it rather pleasant.” Dr. Whooves said trotting up to the pair completely unfazed by the experience.

‘How in the hell…’ Moondancer thought gawking at the stallion in shock.

”You know what I’m done trying to figure you out.” The fuchsia mare huffed as she pushed past and began barking orders. The Doctor looked at Spike with a look that said 'what did I do,' and the dragon just shrugged.  

"Okay ya pansies quit the lolligagin’. Pin Cushion, Shard set up a parameter. Everypony else start settin’ up camp. Move it!.”

The ponies saluted, albeit a little shakily and went about their tasks. Moondancer then took out a map of Equestria and pointed to their current locaction. “Okay we’re here in the Whitetail woods here in neutral  territory. My contact wants to rendezvous here in Ravenhoof a small village just inside Stormwing territory. It’s a good two day march from here since flying isn’t an option.”

Spike leaned his head down to get a better look at the map, a thoughtful look crossing his face. After a moment he said, “Moondancer you and I will take two others and travel to Ravenhoof  so we won’t draw as much attention. Doctor you’ll take the rest of the group here and travel to Whiteroad to the west of here to meet with the rest of our forces.”

Moondancer and Dr. Whoovers shared a blank look as they looked at each other and then at Spike.

Dr. Whooves was the first to speak up, “No offence old chap but your not exactly inconspicuous.”

Spike simply smirked and rose on his hind legs, his claws outstretched as circles of runes appeared around the now glowing dragon. All the ponies present were forced to cover their eyes as the glade was filled with a blinding light. Once the light faded Spike had shrunk. Now only a head taller than Moondancer he was only a good seven feet in length. His body had also become sleeker, more streamline. He walked up, with an almost feline quality to his gait, to Moondancer and Dr. Whooves, both wearing a shocked expression. Dr. Whooves being the first to recover muttered, “Well that’s new,” as he turned to the mare beside him who was still gawking at Spikes new form.

“Moondancer it isn’t polite to stare. Bad form that,” the brown stallion said matter-of-factly.

"Like what you see Dancer,” Spike said a glint of mischief sparking across his emerald eyes as he smoothed a set of claws over his toxic green spines.

Moondancer quickly shook her head and became suddenly very interested at the map at her hooves, a blush darkening her cheeks.

Spike chuckled as he stretched his thin wings and gave them an experimental flap.

“Overall I’m glad the spell worked. This form is actually permanent and to be honest I prefer it.”

Dr. Whooves gave the dragon an inquisitive look, “Are you sure it was a good idea to transform mate? I mean you were rather fearsome beforehoof.”

Spike shook his head, “At that size I’m too easy a target and besides I can’t stand having to look down at others and watch where I step. As well I can easily handle myself without having to fall back on size alone. Anyway lets try to rest up we move out at dawn.”

“Yes my lord,” Moondancer bowed.

“Will do old chap,” Dr. Whooves nodded.

With that the group had a light meal and settled down for the night

Within Canterlot Castle the halls were abuzz with activity. The guard had been doubled and marched the halls and corridors enforce and all manner of slaves and servants were gathering the bodies of guards that had meet their end to the earlier intruders. When Twilight Sparkle came trotting down the halls the servents and slaves cowered away from the lavender mare and the guards saluted smartly trying to avoid her piercing glare. Twilight was furious and it shown as the runes adorning her face and horn glowed a slight crimson as she made her way to the crystal caverns that had served as Spike’s home. Upon coming to said cavern’s large ornate doors her horn glowed as she blasted the doors open causing her black robes to flutter around her.

Trixie Lulamoon, a beautiful azure unicorn mare with a silver mane and tail adorned in light purple robes  and a matching wizard’s hat, turned toward the now open doors to see her rival trot out onto the balcony overlooking the massive cavern to stand beside her.

“What has he found.” Twilight said as she gazed down at the runic circle down below on the cavern floor

“I don’t know Twilight Sparkle. He’s been ignoring Trixie.” The azure mare said with a huff. Twilight just rolled her eyes as she teleported to the cavern floor. Inside the runic circle Starswirl the Bearded was in deep meditation his horn glowing a bright blue.

“Starswirl, what have you found?”

“It is a powerful draconic magic that I am sure of.” He said not moving from his position in the center of the circle.

“Where could Spike have learned to have done this? The closest thing to a spell he knew was how to do was send letters by flame.”

“Tell me Twilight Sparkle did you ever learn how he did it?” The ethereal unicorn inquired.

An annoyed look came across the mares face as she glared at Starswirl, “No I had asked Princess Celestia when I was younger how he did it and she told me it was something he was naturally able to do.”

“This is the same case then.” Starswirl said gesturing to the runic circle, “It appears Spike is a Magidragon, a very rare species of dragon. Unlike feral dragons they are extremely intelligent and rely  more on wit and tactics rather than tooth and claw. Rune magic is instinctual to them but the strange thing is they don’t develop its use until they are at least fifty to sixty years of age.”

“Then I ask again how was he able to do this?” the lavender mare said through gritted teeth.

Starswirl ignored Twilights growing anger as he continued, “I believe that the circumstances of his birth are to blame and the fact that Celestia was the one who raised him. She knew more about dragons than any other pony I knew. She had a great respect for the species actually.”

“But he was still like a child though even after I aged him. He showed no signs of increased intelligence either. How could he suddenly be able to do this?”

“None that you are aware off. He could have simply hid his intelligence from you or the trauma of being forcefully aged could have unlocked his potential. Either way this is among the most powerful teleportation spell I’ve seen. With this he could teleport an army easily. By the way have they been able to find out how the barrier matrix was disabled.”

Twilight nodded grimly, “Yes they found it was caused by some type of bomb designed to disrupt magic flow.”

At that Trixie teleported beside Twilight.

“Trixie has just been informed that Princess Cadence is on her way here from the Crystal Empire and will be arriving by tomorrow.”

“Thank you Trixie get Polite Poise to begin making arrangements for her arrival then assemble a battalion of seriphs to begin looking for Spike its only been a few hours so he couldn’t have gotten far. I am going back to my chambers. If there are any more developments do not hesitate to wake me.”

Trixie gave a nod at Twilight, sent a sneer at Starswirl and teleported away to perform her tasks.

“Good night Starswirl.” Twilight said briskly as she teleported away to her chambers.

“Good night Twilight Sparkle. Rest well for I feel that you will need it.” Starswirl said. He turned to the runic circle and sighed. “I had hoped you would see the error of your ways before something like this would happened. Gods preserve us.”  

The Contact

                                                                     Chapter 3

                                                                  The Contact

                                                            “Ta lose yur honor, yur integrity is ta lose yur way.”

                                                                                                               Granny Smith

‘Damn good ale’ Flash Sentry thought as he brought his mug full of honeyed ale to his lips and took a sip. He currently sat within a crowded tavern in Ravenhoof. He and his companion Dustwind a short tan Pegasus mare, were waiting for a pony named Moondancer. She had contacted him through a good friend of his Dr. Whooves who he smuggled slaves across Stormwing territory for. She had wanted him and his platoon to join her revolution of sorts after hearing of how he had led a group of ponies to defect from House Earthborn. Flash had scoffed at the idea of another faction throwing its hat into the ring. The way he saw it this House Brightflame was probably just as bad as all the others lead by another power-hungry schemer wishing to bring yet more suffering and violence to Equestria to further his own twisted agenda. But after some coaxing from the Doc his reluctantly agreed and had a meeting set up and now he waited. Flash glanced at Dustwing, whose wings were twitching slightly betraying her anxiety.

“They’re late, that’s a bad sign right?” She asked nervously as her fore hooves gripped the edge of the oaken table. Flash chuckled as he took another sip of his ale.

“They’ll be here. The Doc’s never been wrong before so calm down Dust.”  

“Yes sir,” She mumbled as she took a sip of her own drink, a stiff cider.

Flash turned his attention to the ponies that sat mingling and drinking in the tavern and saw two cloaked figures walk into the bar. One of the figures spotted him and mumbled something to her companion as they made their way toward Flash Sentry and Dustwind.

One of them pulled their hood back revealing a beautiful fuchsia mare with silver eyes and an auburn mane.  

“You must be Moondancer,” Flash said extending a hoof toward her. She took it and gave it a firm shake.

“Yes I am it’s an honor to finally meet you Flash Sentry.”

“From what the Doc says about you likewise I guess. This is my second in command Dustwind,” He said tilting his head toward the tan mare beside him. She gave Moondancer a nod, her once nervous demeanor replaced by a steely gaze that betrayed no emotion.

“Who's your friend?” She asked glancing at the pony beside Moondancer who had yet to remove his hood.

Moondancer smirked and dropped the illusion spell that hid her horn granting her a look of surprise from the two pegasi. She cast a quick spell and in just as quickly as the horn had appeared it disappeared.

“A unicorn color me surprised,” Dustwind said regaining her composure just as quickly,” What did you do?”

Moondancer chuckled,” Just cast a spell that will keep prying eyes and ears away while we conduct our business here and as to whom this is.” She turned to her companion as he pulled his hood back revealing a purple scaled dragon with toxic green spines and bright emerald eyes.

“Meet Lord Pryequill master of House Brightflame.”

Flash Sentry and Dustwing both shared a look at pure shock as they looked around the tavern to see if everypony else were seeing what they were seeing but no one paid any heed to the dragon as though he wasn’t even there.

“Shocked I see,” The dragon said as he sat down on his scaled haunches.

Flash was the first to find his voice.

” Sure as hell wasn’t expecting for you to be a dragon. Well I can honestly say I’ve seen everything today that’s for damn sure. So what the hell could you want with me and my ponies that you can’t get yourself.” The orange pegasus said still not believing the situation he’d landed himself in.

The dragon chuckled, “Contrary to popular belief we dragons aren’t immortal. We have massive lifespans yes but we can be killed. Besides that I need ponies to join my cause that won’t kill anything that their superiors point at. I need a pony with honor and a good sense for tactics on the battlefield.”

Flash cast a glance toward Moondancer and took a long drought from his ale. Once setting the mug down, he fixed the dragon with a hard stare.

“And what exactly is your ‘cause’ Pyrequill,”

A dark look flashed across the dragons eyes as smoke came out of his snout.

“I want to see all the ponies responsible for tearing Equestria apart brought low but above all else I wish to see House Moon and Stars burn.”

Flash had seen that look in many ponies’ eyes before and he knew what it meant this dragon wanted revenge but among the anger in his eyes the orange pegasus noticed the sorrow hidden under it. “Tell me what spurred this along? This need to destroy House Moon and Stars.”  

The dragon was silent for a while a pained look crossing his face until he sighed morosely and said, “I allowed someone I loved like a sister turn into the monster that started Equestria’s downfall. What’s more she then locked me away like an animal, some loyal dog to do her bidding when she needs it. So I began to plan and bring together ponies who wish to help me set things right and bring an end to this bloody war.”

The dragon then met Flash Sentry’s hard gaze.

“I need someone that has proven that his integrity is not something he casts aside. I need someone that can lead an army into battle and win with his honor and the honor of the ponies under him intact and I believe you are that pony. So Flash Sentry will you help me bring these tyrants to their knees?”

“Sir I believe we should consider their offer.”

Flash looked at his second-in-command she was always cautious when it came to decisions, a quality that led her to being his right hoof mare. Flash inclined his head toward her allowing her to continue.

“With things going as they are, this war will just get worse until there is no more blood to be shed. We may have taken a stand of our own but we are too few to make a difference.”

Flash sighed then remained silent weighing his options until he arrived at his decision.

“We’ll join you but we are not your lackeys understand.”

The Dragon grinned at his answer and extended his claw toward Flash. “Allies?”

Flash met his claw with a hoof and shook it wearing a smirk of his own.

“Allies.”  

Twilight Sparkle glared at the seraph before her," What do you mean you couldn't find him?"

"Just that Archmage we lost the trail above Whitetail Woods."

"He is fourteen stories tall," Twilight replied coolly," how could you loose the trail of a creature of that size and of that magical presence?"

Just then the doors to Twilights chamber opened. The purple unicorn looked up to see Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence as she often preferred  walk into the room. The pink alicorn was adorned in a light blue crystal dress.

"Leave us," Twilight told the unicorn before her who promptly turned tail and rushed out of the room. Cadence trotted up to Twilight and embraced her.

"I came as soon as I heard. I am so sorry. are you aright?"

"I'm fine Cadence. Just a bit shaken up,"

Stepping back the pink alicorn studied he sister-in-law's face and saw almost no emotion. Over the past few years she had fretted over the unicorn. Both her and her brother hadn't been the same since their parents death. Both had become hard in some cases cold toward others and often each other.

"The only thing that concerns me at the moment though is Canterlot's safety," Twilight said as she made toward the door," I must find Spike or we lose our trump card."

A confused look crossed Cadence's face," Trump card? He is a living soul Twilight not a trump card."

" He is the one reason Canterlot has yet to be a target. As well he is mine," the purple mare said with a cold tone," and as such I wish to have him back."

Cadence stomped a hoof," Twilight Sparkle he was your friend and assistant for years shouldn't that count for something. He even forsook the one he loved for you and yet he is just an object to you. Why?!"

"Enough!" Twilight boomed ,power oozed off the purple mare's frame as she amplified he voice with magic," we will speak no more of this matter Princess. Am I clear,"

Cadence simply nodded.

"Good. Now then shall we make way to the dinning?" Twilight said with a commanding tone still in her voice," I'm sure you are famished from your trip."

The pink alicorn stiffly left the room with the puple unicorn close behind.  Cadence didn't know when she had started to fear the once adorable bookworm she had loved but now more than ever she found she genuinely feared Twilight Sparkle.

Dragon's Blood

                                                                                           Chapter 4

                                                                                        Dragon's Blood

                                  "You can teach somepony how to kill and when to kill but the second you give them the knife. Yep they fall on it."

                                                                                                                                                                     Pumpkin Cake

It was just after dawn when Flash Sentry, Moondancer, Spike, and Moondancer’s two Shades when they left Ravenhoof and made their way to Whiteraod near the Whitetail woods. Dustwind had left the night before to gather Flash Sentry’s forces and had agreed to meet them there. The sky was overcast and there was a chill in the air signifying winter was well in its way. Moondancer shivered as a cold breeze swept over her.

“A little chilly huh?” Flash said.

“Hate the cold,” grunted Monndancer sending a sideways glare the orange pegasus’ way.

Flash chuckled but kept his eyes forward. Ahead of them Spike walked flanked by the other two cloaked ponies. Flash then glanced at the annoyed mare, “So tell me how did you end up following him?”

She shrugged, “Fate.”

Flash gave her a confused look but she continued on. “I snuck into the caverns below Canterlot Castle to find gold and gems but I found something much more valuable.” Moondancer looked Flash right in the eyes. “I found the true heir to the throne.”

Flash stopped died in his tracks at that and gave her an incredulous look.

“You’re kidding right.”

Moondancer narrowed her eyes at him,” My family has served Celestia since before the Nightmare War and we remember what few do not that Celestia had no foals but she adopted Spike when he hatched and raised him as her own that makes him her heir.”

“So that’s the real reason behind him wanting House Moon and Stars torn down.”

Moondancer shook her head,” No political power is not Spike’s goal; he cares little for the throne. Even went so far as to deny his claim to it.”

Flash was about to respond when a horrid stench hit his muzzle. It was the smell of blood and death.  The others smelt it as well and they made their way toward it and what they were met with was a truly gruesome scene to say the least. To the right of the dirt road they were on was a supple train that looked as though it had been hit by a raid. The carriages were torn apart rendered unusable.

There were bodies strewn about many mangled beyond recognition. One body though was hanging on a tree nearby. It was a pegasus stallion his wings had been ripped off and he’d been gutted and hung by his own intestines.  Hahaha had been carved into his chest. His eyes were still open portraying the fear the pegasus must have been feeling when he died.

Spike blanched at the scene and took a step back in disgust. Flash and Moondancer though were unfazed by this though: Flash for his experience with battle and Moondancer for an entirely different reason.

“Looks like a Stormwing supply train,” Flash said examining one of the carriages,” I’d say it was hit by a raid but the supplies are still here untouched.”

Moondancer mover toward the strung up body and cut it loose. It hit the ground with a wet thud.

“That’s because this wasn’t a raid this was a massacre.”

“You’ve seen this before?” The orange pegasus sked.

“Yes this is the Cult of Laughter’s hoofwork.” Moondancer turned to the other two cloaked unicorns.” Set up a parameter and if you find anyone you know what to do.” The pair nodded and disappeared into the brush.

Moondancer glanced Spike’s way and noticed his disgust by the scene before them,” My lord are you alright?”

“I’ll be alright just give me a moment.”

“Surprising to see a dragon sick at the sight of blood.”

Spike glared at Flash Sentry,” There’s a big difference between hunting and this.” He said gesturing to the bodies around them.  

Flash Sentry rolled his eye and went up to the stallion Moondancer had cut down.

“Can’t be a day over eighteen; a colt really. May the gods guide him in the afterlife.”  Flash said closing the hoplite’s eyes.

“Didn’t take you for a religious pony.” Moondancer said with a smirk.

“Not really religious but it helps hoping there is something better to move onto when you’re starin’ death in the face on a regular basis.”

Just then the pair of unicorns Moondancer had sent out burst onto the road followed shortly by a  large worm carrying itself on a box. It walked on a tri off bladed legs and moved surprisingly quick considering it mode of locamotion.

It opened its grinning maw full of serrated teeth and snapped at one of the unicorns who barely dodged as his companion sent a dagger wrapped in a levitation spell speeding toward the abomination which it deflected with a claw. Moondancer sped toward the beast while Flash Sentry grabbed a nearby spear and took to the sky. Flash began to dive bomb the grinning worm as Moondancer and the cloaked unicorns began berating it with magic needles. Spike was about to rush in to help when his leg was grabbed. He turned to see one of the corpses, now sporting a malicious grin, had come to life. Spike unleashed a gout of toxic green flame from his maw effectively incinerating the body, turning to ash.

“Moondancer, Sentry the bodies are coming to life be careful,” the dragon roared beheading another corpse struggling to get up with a swipe of his claws. ‘Zombie ponies fucking called it’ the dragon thought with a smirk.

“Aid our lord I will take care of the bug,” Moondancer said as her subordinates nodded and went to dispatching the rising dead.

The fuchsia mare dodged to the right as she avoided the worm’s repeated swipes at her with its claws. “Flash there’s a cultist priest here somewhere find him I’ll handle this.”

Flash Sentry nodded and flew higher up and began scanning the trees for his target. Within seconds he found it a pony perched on a tree branch. The poor wretch never saw him coming as he skewered her with his spear and sent her tumbling to the ground with a sickening thud. The corpses immediately stopped moving and slumped to the ground.

Moondancer noticed this and chuckled, ‘Good time to end this.’

With that her horn began to glow with a crimson light as her eyes took on a more draconic quality. A ring of dark red flames surrounded her and the worm. The abomination had to move closer to the center of the circle to avoid the flames.  Moondancer bared her now serrated teeth and rushed the worm jumping high into the air with surprising strength and slammed her now extended hoofblade into one of the creature’s eyes. It screeched in pain and tried to shake off the mare but to no avail. Moondancer then slipped her blade between the dorsal plates on the back of its head killing it. She jumped to ground and dispelled the flames around. With a grunt she slumped to the ground and the other two unicorns galloped to their fallen leader.

“Master are you alright?” one said.

Between gasps Monndancer said,” I’ll be ok just need to rest a bit Puzzle Box.”

Flash Sentry slowly made his way to the exhausted mare completely speechless by what had just occurred. There was no way this petite mare had that kind of power naturally. In that moment she had reminded him of one of the everfree wraiths, mutated ponies with fierce taste for blood.

“What in Tartarus’ name was that?”

“That was our lords blessing.” Puzzle Box said without looking at the orange pegasus.

Spike walked up to the group. “Dragon blood has a unique effect on unicorn anatomy. Moondancer and her Shades have all been infused with my blood. Moondancer here was the first to go through the ritual.” Flash Sentry glared at Spike in disgust. “Believe it or not it was Moondancer’s idea to begin with.”

“Took a right bit of convincing if I recall correctly my lord,” Moondancer chucked lightly as she got to her hooves. “The blood of the dragon allows us to channel draconic rune magic and sharpens our senses. The only bad side effect is our emotions are hyper sensitive particularly anger but we’ve learned to control it through rigorous training.”

The idea to do so had come to her three years ago once reading up on a rumor that when dragons had a proper empire in olden times they would take on pony slaves who were forced to ingest their dragon master’s blood and it would change them, make them dragon-like. After a fair bit of research on the subject Moondancer had presented her idea to Spike who had disagreed from the get go but after some convincing (and a fair amount of begging which Moondancer denies) Spike agreed and began to create a spell that would allow him to infuse his blood into a pony. Moondancer was the first to go throught he ritual and it had been massively successful. Her senses matched his, her body had become more resilient, making her stronger faster, more agile. The biggest change though was she was able to tap into the magic that dwelled dragon runes. Spike then began to teach her how to control her new abilities and began to perform the ritual on other ponies that wished to partake in it though he lowered the amount of blood infused.

“Well I for one will certainly pass on that then.”

“You couldn’t if you wanted to the ritual is deadly to a pegasus kills them in a matter of minutes. As well earth ponies’ bodies fight off the infusion.” Spike said settling on his scaly haunches.

“So unicorns are the only one that can go through the ritual?” Flash asked glancing at the dragon with an inquiring look.

Spike nodded,” Overall most of the unicorns in House Brightflame have undergone the ritual and all were willing to do so.”

“And how many is that anyway?” the orange pegasus asked raising an eyebrow.

Spike smirked,” You’ll find out soon enough.” The dragon turned to Moondancer. “ Ready Moondancer?”

“Yes my lord.”

“Good lets go we’ve still got a lot of ground to cover.”

With that the group set off toward Whitroad Village.  

And It Begins

                                                                                         Chapter 5

                                                                                       And It Begins

    "A mountain doesn't topple over at the blasting of the wind but it will crumble when a drop of water worms its way through the crevices."

                                                                                                                                                                 Discord

The sun was beginning its descent into the horizon as Spike and his companions made their way into Whitetail wood. The forest was quiet save for the chirping of the crickets. The overall peacefulness of the forest made Flash Sentry remember a happier time, a more peaceful time.

“This forest seems largely untouched by the war it’s so peaceful.”

“Yes it’s refreshing.” Spike sighed wistfully. He enjoyed the calm the forest radiated. “We’ve been able to secure the forest as our own territory. Though we are being watched.”

Flash Sentry bristled at that feeling suddenly exposed as he felt he was being watched.

Moondancer chuckled,” Relax it’s just the wyverns. They’re able to camouflage themselves don’t worry they’re very docile. Unless you provoke them as House Earthborn found out the hard way.”

Flash Sentry then remembered how a battalion of troops had mysteriously disappeared several years ago in an attempt to gain footing in Moon and Stars territory.

“How could they take down an entire battalion of Earthborn?” He asked, “That’s well over eight hundred heavily armed ponies.”

“Wyverns are small, quick and prefer to attack from the shadows. They are pack hunters in which ambush is an instinct.” Puzzle Box cut in walking up beside the orange pegasus.

The other cloaked pony, Bladestrafe nodded,“ It is actually from these creatures the Shade core found its inspiration hence our grey cloaks. Besides in recent years they have become fiercely territorial.”

“Then why the hell are we just prancing into they’re so called territory?” Flash asked drolly.

Spike spoke up. “Because of me and the blood my friends here possess. We have an understanding of sorts. Moondancer here actually has found a way to communicate with them. Moondancer if you please”

The fuchsia mare nodded and tilled her head back and a loud chirp of sorts similar to that of a bird escaped her throat. Within moments a wyvern burst onto the road they occupied causing Flash Sentry to extend his wing blades and take on a battle stance. Puzzle Box saw this and quickly motioned for the orange stallion to stay perfectly still. Flash watched in disbelief as the unicorn mare walked toward the large beast.  The wyvern was covered in a grey pebbly skin, easily twice the size of a pony. It balanced itself on a strong pair of hind legs, its forelimbs were its wings, which were webbed like a bats. Like a dragon its muzzle was angular and its eyes were yellow. It kneeled before Moondancer a purr vibrating form its throat as it stared into her own silver eyes. Moondancer then began to make a barrage of clicks and purrs of her own. The orange pegasus was lost at how her throat was able to perform this range of sound. The wyverns head shot up and locked its eyes on Flash Sentry and rushed forward only to stop and tower over him. It took all of flashes control not to lose control of his bladder then and there as age old instincts made themselves known. The instinct of prey to run form predator. The wyvern cocked its head to the side and lowered its muzzle toward the pegasus and began sniffing his mane.

PuzzleBox mouthed ‘Don’t move’ as Flash looked his way. The wyvern then jerked its head up and opening its fanged maw and hissing at Spike. A growl rumbled from Spike’s throat in response. Then in a flash the pseudo-dragon took flight and disappeared into the trees not making a sound as it did so.

Flash was silent for a while unable to move his brain attempting to process what just happened.

“What the hell was that about?!” He yelled finally finding his voice.

“I allowed it to familiarize itself with your scent so it and its flock wouldn’t attack you or your ponies as they enter the woods,” Moondancer said matter-of-factly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Spike walked beside the pegasus and placed a claw on his shoulder, “It’s alright it wouldn’t have attacked you. If it had you wouldn’t have seen it coming.”

With that the purple dragon continued down the path followed shortly by Moondancer, Bladestrafe, and Puzzle Box. The orange stallion just stood there for a moment a very cross expression gracing his face. “Dear gods what have I gotten myself into,” he grumbled as he followed after them.

Within the hour they arrived in their destination Whiteroad village. It was more a small city than a village really as its streets were jam packed with all manner of ponies. Many ponies though bore the signs of the travesties the war had caused. Such as pegasi with clipped wings and unicorns baring a stub where their horn had been. Even earth ponies that had the tell-tell marks of a slave collar having been around their necks dotted the crowd. But the thing that astonished the orange stallion was that they all seemed to carry a passion in their eyes and a purpose to their movement as they went about their tasks. But that did not mean they passed the group by without recognition. They seemed to regard the dragon and the gray cloaked unicorns in a sort of reverence and respect and allowed them to pass, opening a sort of path in the crowd. The meaning of this was lost to Flash Sentry but to Moondancer and Spike this was a long awaited homecoming and House Brightflame’s emergence from the shadows.

They made their way to the center of town to a small building. Inside they were quickly saluted by the ponies inside. Flash Sentry then noticed with wide eyes these ponies, unicorns all, were of a sleeker build than most unicorns did, moving in a way similar to Spike. The most startling attribute of these unicorns showed were the draconic quality of their eyes and the fangs that showed just barely.

Moondancer smirked at Flash’s reaction,” They call themselves the Brood. They are infused with a large amount of our lord’s blood.”

The draconic unicorns’ chest seemed to swell with pride, their armor threating to buckle under the action at Moondancer using the name they had given themselves.

Flash couldn’t help but notice the amount of presence these ponies seemed to command similar to the wyverns.

“At ease,” Spike said motioning to the one of the Brood, a cyan mare,” where’s Dr. Whooves?”

“Down below in the labs my lord,” she said crisply.

“Thank you.”

The dragon then made his way down the hall to a caged elevator with Moondancer and Flash Sentry following close behind. When they were all inside Moondancer closed the gate and pushed the button to go down. The mechanical steel trap made Flash feel queasy from motion sickness as it lowered down to the labs bellow.

When they reached their destination Flash couldn’t have gotten off faster as he tried desperately to keep his lunch where it belonged. Moondancer outright laughed at the poor pegasus as he leaned other the railing on the platform they occupied that overlooked the vast laboratory.

“Aww does the big bad soldier a a widdle tummy ache,” she said as she devolved into a mess of giigles.

“Fuck you,” the Pegasus grunted as he attempted to get his bearings.

Spike rolled his bright emerald eyes at the two unamused by their antics and he made his way down the iron stairwell the labs bellow. A still giggling Moondancer and a grumbling Flash Sentry followed him. Ponies were rushing to and fro busy with unloading the many crates that contained lab equipment and various in progress designs. It was sure and utter chaos and at its center was a frantic Dr. Whooves.

“No that goes over there with ‘in progress’ section not with the almost done group. And you recalibrate that analyzer and do be careful,” the brown stallion turned form his barrating of the ponies unloading the various crates to see Spike and his companions and he smiled brightly, “Cheerio mates, Flash lod boy how’ve you been?”

Before Flash could answer there was a crash behind them. Dr. Whooves rushed between them to the source of the noise.

“Oy be careful you git that equipment is worth more than your sorry hide.”

“Sorry Doc,” a black pegasus chirped.

The Doctor turned to Spike, sighing heavily,” I swear these ponies wouldn’t know a sonic screwdriver from a Tardis if it came up an’ bit em in the gonads. I say we fire em all.”

Spike chuckled and placed a claw on the disgruntled time lord’s shoulder. “Don’t fret my friend they’re just not used to having to move so much equipment in such a short period of time.”

The Doctor simply rolled his eyes at the dragon and glanced Flash Sentry’s way,” So my boy before we were so rudely interrupted,” he said shooting a glare at a certain featherbrain,” How have you and your fellow rebels been?”

“It’s been rough but we’ve pulled through thanks. And you?”

Oh quite fine old chap quite fine. So should we get down to brass tacks then?”

Spike nodded,” Lets. Is Snails here yet?”

“Aye he’s in the war room c’mon.”

With that they made their way to the back of the labs to a pair of large steel doors that opened to them to reveal a large round table that bore a map of Equestria. As well there was a massive unicorn stallion; as large as some of the bigger earth stallions; in steel grey armor similar to the Brood ponies Flash had met topside. His coat was orange a few shades darker than Flash’s and his light green mane was cut short and sharp in a no nonsense  fashion. The thing that stood out on the unicorn though was the strange color of his horn it was black and looked as though it was made of metal. The dark orange stallion’s crimson eyes were sorely focused on the map before him. Flash Sentry s suspected the unicorn hadn’t heard them come in until the dark orange unicorn spoke up.

“Good to see you sir,” he spoke slowly almost lazily as he glanced up at Spike.

Spike inclined his head respectfully, “And you as well.”

The unicorn then turned to Flash and extended his hoof toward the pegasus. “You must be Flash Sentry glad you decided to join us. I’m Snails Harbinger of the Brood.”

Flash knew he had heard this stallion’s name somewhere before but for the life of him he couldn’t recall where.

Flash took the unicorns hoof and gave it a firm shake earning him a smile from the stoic stallion, “Nice to meet you. Though I think I’ve heard of your name before.”

“If you’ve ever served with House Earthborn near Fillydelphia I’m not surprised. I was once a commander in the Inquisition and quite a successful one too.”

Then Flash remembered where he’d heard the name Snails before. “Snails the Brute,” the pegasus grunted through gritted teeth not bothering to hide his anger. He had heard of this unicorn exploits he was one of the few inquisitors that waded head first into battle and crushed any that came before him literally. He quickly gained quite the reputation earning the name the Brute. Oddly enough most that had witnessed the unicorn in action had an odd sense of respect for him but that didn’t stop them from dehorning the unicorn when he had been captured and tortured for information but the unicorn refused to speak. One night the unicorn had escaped and had killed several soldiers to do so. And now here that same stallion stood with a new horn no less.

Snails let out a barking laugh as he was reminded of his old name, “We both seem to have pasts we’d want forgotten then.”

“Only have one question how the hell do you have a horn? I heard it was cut off.”

“That would be my doing. It’s called synth-horn.” Dr. Whooves stated proudly,” The one Snails has is a prototype and if I do say so myself it is working splendidly so we’ll be able to start mass production very soon. Even started on the design on synth-wings for clipped pegasi.”

“So you’re telling me anypony can get a horn through this,” Flash said pointing to Snails’ horn.

Dr. Whooves chuckled lightly as if Flash had made a joke,” Oh no my dear boy it only works for unicorns since they’ve the nerves available to attach the synth-horn to so no artificial alicorns my boy. Artificial alicorns indeed I’ve seen that played out and it didn’t end well let me tell you.”

“Whooves you’re rambling again.”Moondancer grumbled a bored look crossing here face.

“Right sorry on to business then,” Dr. Whooves chuckled nervously.

Spike shoot his head at the four ponies a smirk gracing his snout, ‘Well this war certainly wont be boring that’s for sure.’

The purple dragon made his way to the map and began laying out his plans, his voice took on a commanding tone completely different from his usual snarky way of speech,” All right then our first target is going to be New Ponyville, it’s our best target at the moment considering the massive foothold it will grant us.”

Moondancer then took the floor,” We’ve already began massing our forces in Redheart’s Refuge so they’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Flash when your ponies arrive tomorrow they’ll begin training with the weapons Whooves has been kind enough to design for us.”

You’ll quite like what I’ve got lined up lad.” The Doctor said with a dark grin.

Spike nodded,” No doubt. In a months’ time we’ll began moving to Redheart’s Refuge to meet our main force. Snails go ahead and gather your ponies and head to Whitetail Peak. Once there wait for word from Moondancer’s Shades.”

“Yes sir,” the massive stallion rumbled.

“Moondancer are the wyverns ready?”

“Yes my lord. They’re eager for the hunt,” Moondancer hissed a dark grin crossing her muzzle.

“Good,” the purple dragon nodded,” Well that it then you have your assignments. I bid you all good night.” With that the dragon made his way out the door toward the elevator as the ponies present gave him each a respectful nod except Moondancer who bowed deeply.

Dr. Whooves then turned to Flash Sentry his hazel eyes alight with an eccentric glee, “Well my boy you want to see all the glorious toys I’ve got lined up for you.”

The Doctor's Toys

                                                                                       Chapter 6

                                      "Show me a tool and I'll show you a weapon."        

                                                                            Apple Bloom

“Alright my boy the first item on our tour is the armor your ponies will be wearing,” Dr. Whooves said as he led Flash Sentry out of the war room. After weaving through the laboratories amid the ‘organized chaos’ as the Doctor so aptly put it they came to a large table with a series of orbs on it along with a sleek silver armor. It was made to give its wearer the likeness of a dragon and boor a the Houses insignia on the chest, a bright green flame with a red sun in its center. As well there were intricate runes that ran all long the armor’s frame. Flash Sentry simply stared at the armor unimpressed by the armor if anything the armor looked thin and looked as though it served a better purpose at ceremonies rather than on the battlefield. Upon noticing the pegusi’s reaction Dr. Whooves smirked mischievously and began.

“This armor is made of a special metal of my own make I like to call adamantine. It’s very tough and is also very light giving its wearer apt protection without diminishing movement. As well the draconic runes etched into it provide minor restoration aid. It heals minor wounds and numbs major ones. As well the insignia isn’t just for show in hold the rune matrix that powers the armor’s healing wards and hosts the armors comcrystal.” Flash raised his eyebrow at that. “The comcrystal is, I think, my greatest invention. It allows anyone who wears it to speak to another pony over a long distance so long as they’re also wearing one. Its range encompasses a three mile radius. You simply lay your hoof on the red sun there and anyone that is wearing a comcrystal can hear you. The final piece is here on the helm you notice how these blades run parallel to the head well once the armor is on you simply jerk your head down and the helm closes bringing both blades sticking straight out on either side and to retract the blades you jerk your head down again.”

Flash Sentry was for lack of a better word speechless. A lot of work had gone into this armor and it was only standard issue. The orange pegasus then gazed at the orbs on the table.

” What are those for?”

“Ah yes these orbs are flare bombs you twist one and toss it and it delivers a concussive blast of a five meter radius,” the Doctor then turned to Flash a proud grin on his face,” So what do you think?”

“I think you’ve had a lot of time on your hooves but otherwise I’m impressed.”

“Good glad to hear it old chap. Still working on a few things like the ballista and gravity orb but we’re making good progress on both.”

“What are those?”

“The gravity orb quite simply manipulates gravity within a given radius and the ballista is basically a giant crossbow.” The Doctor said matter-of-factly,” So my boy would you like to join me for a drink topside?”

Flash gave him a nod,” Sure besides I’d like to hear more about these synthwings you mentioned earlier.”

Inside the war room Moondancer and Snails had stayed behind to hash out the last details between them after the Doctor had basically drug Flash Sentry away.

“How is the southern pack coming along?” Snails said gesturing to the southern tip of the Whitetail Wood.

“So far so good should be ready in the next few weeks.”

“Good.” Snails was silent for a moment studying the map looking for anything he’d forgotten seeing he hadn’t he glanced up at Moondancer,” Did you meet any resistance on your way to Ravenhoof?”

Moondancer scowled,” Not on the way there but coming back we came across a Stormwing supply caravan that had been hit by a group of cultists. Sick fucks even went so far as to string up one of the poor bastards up by his own intestines.” The fuchsia mare grimaced before continuing.” Turned out one had stayed behind but we dealt with him.”

Snails nodded,” Hmmm interesting. How did Lord Pyrequill react?”

“At first he was disgusted. Hell I was too but when the corpses started rising he reacted as a trained warrior would. I can’t wait to see him on the battlefield.” The mare’s eyes shown with admiration at the prospect of watching her lord cut a swath of blood and gore through their enemies.

“Still don’t like the idea of our leader be on the battlefield,” Snails grunted. In his mindset important figures stayed of the battlefield and left the fighting to their subordinates. A mindset he picked up within Moon and Stars.  

“Our lord understands that a true leader faces death with the ponies under him,” Moondancer said solemnly which was rare for the unruly mare,” it was a rule Princess Celestia lived by during the wars all those years ago. Over the past seven hundred years Equestria was under the constant threat of war and Princess Celestia had always waded into battle with sword drawn obliterating her opponents and within the centuries Equestria had become a militant superpower under its ruler." The truth of the matter was that few wished to suffer the wrath of the solar goddess.

“Be that as it may my reasoning still stands,” Snails grumbled,” Do you think Flash Sentry can be trusted?”

The fuchsia unicorn nodded,” Yes he’s a good pony, which is rare in this day and age, and he’s cautious. Also he’s handy in a fight.”

“Good. Hope you don’t mind if I keep an eye on him though?”

“Our lord already has me on that just in case.”

Snails chuckled,” One step ahead isn’t he.”

“Always,” she sat up and rolled her shoulders eliciting several satisfying pops from her neck,” Well I’m off the bed. Goodnight.”

With that she trotted out of the war room toward her quarters for a long rest because the next morning the final phase of the preparations would begin.

The First of Many

                                                                                      Chapter 7

                                                                                The First of Many

                                        "A predator doesn't care about trivial things like war or peace."  

                                                                                                          Fluttershy

     One month later.

Spike gazed out over the valley from his perch atop a cliff he surveyed his own forces down below waiting for their leader to give the word to charge. On the other side of the valley the Earthborn army sat daring the army of House Brightflame to try to take New Ponyville. Behind his Moondancer and her Shades as well as the wyverns, each armored, stood at attention.

Spike’s gave turned upward toward the sun, positioned high in the sky bearing down on all like a watchful eye. This caused the dragon’s mind to travel to a time in his past where life was simpler, happier.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Ugh this is stupid,” a small purple dragon groaned as he pushed the tome of war tactics that sat in front of him away,” Why do I even need to learn this junk anyway.”

Across from him sat a regal alabaster alicorn sipping tea from a glass held in her golden magical grip.

“Because my little one these are things you must learn should you become Equestria’s ruler,” She said her voice as calm and melodious as it always was.

“But your immortal you’ll always be around to rule,” the baby dragon mumbled crossing his tiny arms across his bright green chest.

Celestia set her tea down on its saucer with a soft clink and made her way to Spike’s side of the table. With a soft sigh she pulled the small dragon close to her.

“I am many things but immortal is not one of them. I may have lived a long time but that does not exempt me from deaths grip,” she placed a under his chin gently lifting it to her eyelevel,” There will come a day when I won’t be able to guide you my little one and I must prepare you for that day.”

Spike wraps his arms around the alicorn’s foreleg his tiny claws clutching white fur,” But I don’t want you to go anywhere."

A warm smile graced Celestia’s muzzle,“ Nor do I want to but one day I will have to but know I will always be in your heart. I love you my son.”

“I love you too mamma.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike brought his mind back to the present as a tear fell from his cheek. He quickly brushed it away with an armored claw and turned his gaze back to his army below.

‘How right you were Mother.’

Moondancer came up to stand beside him,” All is ready my lord. You need only give the word.”

“Good,” Spike said as he extended his wings and took to the sky unencumbered by the sleek black armor he wore. He brought a claw up to the House insignia on his breastplate and began.

“Today will begin the first of many bloody battles. We fight not for honor or glory but for our very survival and the survival of this once beautiful land which has been sullied by the Five Tyrants. After today they will know the fury of those they have betrayed. They will know the fury of House Brightflame and they will burn by dragonfire."

Spike looked to the Earthborn forces as they began to make their way across the valley.

“The prey comes my brothers and sisters let the hunt begin!” Spike roared as he took off toward the Earthborn army. The forces of House Brightflame surged forward as they gave a mighty battlecry and the two armies clashed.    

Spike flew into the center of the Earthborn forces and dive-bombed fire spewed out of his fanged maw as he slammed into the back of a juggernaut in a flash of white fire crushing the massive earth pony under him an stunning the surrounding ponies. The dragon then lashed out with his claws opening a mare’s throat to his left. She fell to the ground clutching at her neck as she bled out. A stallion came forward stepping over the dying mare’s body his head lowered in an attempt to gore the dragon with the blade on his helm. Spike reared back and unleashed a gout of bright green flames at the  fool cooking him in his armor. The blade on his tail found another throat as he etched a rune into the ground with the blood on his claws. He quickly jumped back a buffalo rushed him only to step on the rune activating it. Spike raised a barrier just as the rune flashed and exploded incinerating the unlucky buffalo and several ponies around him. The dragon turned his head to the sky as he heard a screech. The wyverns and shades had joined the battle. His eyes alight with a grim determination the dragon pressed forward leaving behind his a trail of death.

Up in the sky Moondancer and her Shades joined with a group of armored wyverns had engaged a battalion of pegasi auxiliaries. Moondancer angled her shadow wings as a Pegasus tried to run her through with his spear. Grabbing the spear she ripped it fromhis grasp and disemboweled him with her hidden blade in one swift motion. The fuchsia mare then knocked the spear out from another pegasi’s grip that had been foolish enough to come at her head on and ran the mare through. The Pegasus looked down at the spear in her abdomen in surprise as Moondancer ripped it out of her allowing her to fall to the battle raging below. The fuchsia mare sent the spear flying into another pegasi’s back right between his wings.

Below Snails led his Brood matching the Earthborn blow for blow. Snails’ grey armor already stained with the blood of those who tried to oppose him. In his telekinetic glow was his weapon of choice a large warhammer. A juggernaut rushed the massive unicorn but his charge was cut short as Snails Hammer connected with his head crushing his helm and sending into the air. He fell to the ground dead. Seeing this a pair of pony-at-arms galloped toward the unicorn with intent to avenge their fallen comrade. Snails brought his hammer up blocking them both and pushing them away.

One, a mare, side-stepped around the massive stallion’s guard, pivoted on her fore hooves and sent the morning star colliding with the side of Snails’ helm. The unicorn stumbled back, his hammer falling to the ground with a dull thud. The ponies-at-arms then rushed him. Snails grit his teeth as he worked a spell through the dull ache forming in his skull. His horn flashed brightly as the earth ponies found they couldn’t move. Before long they couldn’t hold their own weight as they fell to the ground under the immense pressure. Snails reared up an slammed his fore hooves onto the mare’s back. She screamed as she felt her spine snap despite the armor she wore. The other earth pony, a stallion, raised his head, struggling against the pressure, to curse the unicorn but his voice died in his throat as he caught a glimpse Snails’ crimson eyes. His eyes had shifted into that of a draconic nature. Unbidden the earth pony began to shake.

Snails held his warhammer aloft cloaked in his crimson glow,” Any last words?”

“What are you?” The earth stallion mumbled his voice shaky and his eyes unable to tear themselves from the unicorns crimson orbs.

“A soldier.”

With that the massive unicorn brought his warhammer down on the earth pony’s skull.

Flash Sentry and his group trailed behind the Brood picking off stragglers and waiting for the word to move in. A group of Shades were carving a rune into the ground and it was up to Flash’s Harmony Core to see they weren’t disturbed. The orange pegasus flung himself into the air just as a pony-at-arms rushed at him and landed on the earth ponies back. In an attempt to get the pegasus  off the mare reared up[ and jerked her head back. Flash rose into the air again grabbed the mare’s head and twisted her head roughly snapping her neck. He looked to the sky to see a pegasus that got past the wyverns diving toward the shades working on the circle. Flash rushed him and sent one of the blades on his helm into the other pegasi’s neck. Letting the died stallion’s body fall to the ground the orange pegasus saw another flying toward him spear raised. Flapping his wings harder Flash caused the air between them to thicken slowing him down enough for flash to swoop in a buck the mare in the chest crushing her ribs. Below him A shade yelled out,” Sir we’re ready the rune is complete.”

“Good,” bringing a hoof to his breastplate he activated the comcrystal,” Moondancer the teleportation rune is ready.”

As Moondancer slit another pegasi’s throat she heard Flash’s message and surveyed the battlefield. Her group was able to clear the skies of all hostiles. She activated her own comcrystal,” The sky is ours.

“Begin the siege of New Ponyville,” she heard Spike hiss from the comcrystal.

“Yes my lord.”

With that she let out an earsplitting screech and angled herself towards New Ponyville, Shades and wyverns following in her wake.  

The Siege of New Ponyville

                                                                                    Chapter 8

                                                                        The Siege of New Ponyville

                                                                "Is it better to be respected or feared."

                                                                                                       Nightmare Moon

As Moondancer and her shades made their way over New Ponyville they split into a series of groups to begin settong up the teleport runes. Moondancer’s group descended into the city’s center where the counsel building resided. Out of the corner of her eye the fuchsia mare saw a green flash and dodged just in time as a blade whistled past her just missing her neck. Her assailant a green Pegasus mare continued on colliding into another shade and made quick work of his throat. The Pegasus faced the unicorns her yellow eyes alight with rage,” Looks like I get to add some horns to my collection.”

Moondancer let out a short screech and rushed the pegasus as her companions continued toward the counsel building. The world slowed down for the fuchsia unicorn as she allowed the dragonblood to overtake her. The green pegasus twirled to the side and began to chase the retreating shades but Moondancer caught her by her yellow tail and threw her in the opposite direction with surprising strength. Quickly righting herself the green mare flicked her wings bringing out her wing blades,” Fine I’ll kill you first you horned freak.”

“You’ll try,” Moondancer said with a smirk and summoned a ring of ethereal daggers around her. With a snarl the pegasus threw herself at the fuchsia unicorn.

On the battlefield things were going well as the Brood advanced quickly diminishing the earthborn army’s chance of winning this battle. Spike led the front of the battle bringing down any that came at him. The purple dragon let out a gout of green flame roasting a pair of ponies-at-arms that tried to rush him and activated his comcrystal,” Moondancer how are those runes coming?”

He dodged to the side as a juggernaut tried to buck him. Coating his claws in white flame Spike drove them into the earth pony’s side melting the armor and searing flesh causing the massive stallion to bellow in rage and pain. Spike cut him short as his white hot claw found stallions throat.

“My lord the spymaster has engaged an enemy pegasus above the city but the runes a under way.”

The reply came from Puzzle Box, Moondancer’s second-in-command.

Flash Sentry chimed in,” This pegasus she wasn’t green with a yellow mane was she?”

“Y-Yes sir how did you…?” Puzzle Box sounded surprised.

“Just a hunch her name’s Lighting Dust and if she’s here then her Finest aren’t far behind.” A pause.” Lord Pyrequill…”

Spike cut him off already knowing what he was about to say,” Take as many pegasi as you need Sentry.”

“Yes sir.”

“Snails send some Brood to the runes and have them prepare for teleportation.”

“Yes my lord,” Snails rumbled.

The purple dragon then launched himself into the sky and made his way toward the city. It was time to end this.

Puzzle Box and his five Shades touched down on the stairs leading up to the large red iron dome that served as the city’s counsel building. In front of the building’s large doors was a group of ponies-at-arms and a pair of buffalo. “We are Equestria,” they bellowed as they rushed the unicorns. Puzzle Box quickly gripped two of his daggers in his magic and sent hurtling them toward the stampeding group. Both daggers found the eye slits of a pair of earth ponies killing them instantly. The black unicorn then dodged to the side as a buffalo tried to gore his with her horns. Pivoting on his fore hooves Puzzle Box bucked the buffalo in the side of the neck. A pair of blades sprang out from his armored back hooves and servers arteries and muscle alike as the sliced the buffalo’s neck to ribbons.

‘Knew that modification would come in handy,’ the unicorn thought grimly as the blades retracted. Grabbing his third and final dagger the black unicorn sent it flying at the remaining buffalo. It buried itself hilt deep into the buffalo’s skull as he tried to crush a shade. Seeing that they had dispatched the last of the enemy troops Puzzle Box removed his helm and brushed a hoove through his sweat soaked white mane.

“Alright Whiteshadow, Crackerjack set up the runes.”

Both saluted and set to work. A smile graced the black unicorns muzzle as he gazed at the sun, burning bright in the blue cloudless sky. ‘This battle is ours.’

As Flash Sentry and his pegasi made their way into New Ponyville they began the engage Lightning’s Finest. Below him a group of Shades were working on the teleportation runes. The orange stallion blocked a wing blade and severed the owner’s wing with his short sword. Sheathing his blade the orange pegasus began flapping his wings furiously as two hostile pegasi rushed toward him. The air thickened between Flash and his two potential assailants slowing them to a crawl. Arcing downward Flash slammed a hoof into the stomach of the pegasus closest to him and in a quick flip cracked his back hoof across her skull knocking her unconscious. Before he could deal with the other finest she grabbed around the barrel by a wyvern. Her scream was cut short as it latched its jaws around her throat and crushed it. Grimacing Flash got out of the predators way as it made its way toward the ground. ‘Note to self don’t piss one of those thing off,’ He thought as he made his way toward the next teleportation rune.

Above New Ponyville Moondancer and Lightning Dust were still going at it. Moondancer had received several cuts from Lightning’s wing blades but doled out as good as she got. Dodging to the side the fuchsia mare slashed the pegasi’s side with an ethereal dagger. The green mare grimaced and pulled away before the blade could do any real damage.

“How the hell did a horned freak like you learn to fly like that?” Lightning snarled.

Moondancer found a smug smirk gracing her muzzle again,” Learned from the finest hunters. They also taught me who was predator and who was prey. Guess which you are?”

Lightning let out a war cry and rushed the unicorn throwing caution to the wind.

‘Just as planned’

Moondancer arced over the green mare sent her ethereal blades flying toward her. Lightning Dust twirled around just in time to see the blades bury themselves into her chest. She looked at the unicorn in shock. No one had ever bested her before. With a whimper she fell out of the sky.

Spike angled himself to the side his claws gutting another pegasus as he made his way toward the counsel building. He touched down as Puzzle Box made trotted up to him and bowed,” My lord all is ready, the building is secure and several of the runes have already been activated.”

“Good,” the dragon said with a nod as he made his way into the building. Inside a general and a few council members were seated around a stone table a map spread out between them. They looked up at the dragon in surprise.

One a dark red earth mare sat up,” You are not of House Moon and Stars are you?”

Spike chuckled,” Very astute. No I am not of House Moon and Stars. I am Lord Pyrequill and this city is now under the control of House Brightflame.” The purple dragon turned his gaze to the armored stallion at the table,” Tell your forces to stand down you’ve lost this battle.”

“Why you…” the silver stallion began before he was cut off by a yellow pegasus mare.

“General Apple Crisp order your forces to stand down.”

“But…”

“Our forces are out matched and their army are in the streets now end this before more Earthborn blood is shed!” She yelled slamming her fore hooves on the table. She turned to Spike and sneered,” The city is yours dragon.”

The Risen

                                                                                  Chapter 9:

                                                                                  The Risen  

                             "Like the phoenix we shall rise from the ashes and emerge victorious."

                                                                                            Celestia Evictus

It was sundown by the time New Ponyville had fallen under Spike’s complete control. The dragon himself resided in the city’s counsel building. He had set up his headquarters here, the large stone table before him had stacks of tomes and several maps littered across it. He poured over them but his mind was only partly on the maps before him. He was thinking about the battle not seven hours before and how he was so easily able to kill. That had been the first time he had ever truly taken a pony’s life. It had come so easy almost natural.

‘They are prey of course its natural’

Spike shook the dark thought away, slightly haunted by it. The feeling he had during the battle, a cold calmness the same feeling he got when he hunted was startlingly similar. Most believed dragons to be dumb lumbering brutes but that was not the case. Dragons, even ferals, masking their cunning natures and striking at the right moment. The purple dragon pulled himself from his thoughts as he sensed Moondancer enter the room.

“What’s the casualty report?” he sadi without even looking up.

We lost 254 of our own my lord, most of that number is Brood,” the fuchsia mare said as she gave the dragon a slight bow.

Spike hissed at the number.

‘Could have been worse much worse.’

“How are the citizens responding?”

“Mainly their scared they believe we’re part of Moon and Stars and that we’ve come to enslave them,” the unicorn said with a snort,” but believe it or not Counselmare Swifthoof is helping to abolish that notion.”

Spike nodded,” She believes in truth. I shall have Snails take the Brood out of the city and set up hunting grounds a mile east of here that should help set the citizens’ minds at ease. In any case there is a reason I called you here I have a mission for you and your Shades.”

“We shall do whatever our lord shall ask.”

“Take three hundred of your Shades and make your way to Crossraods Village. Take control of the village quickly and under cover of darkness. I don’t want Applejack to know of presence quite yet. Once its secure send word and I’ll send the Brood to rendezvous with you from there you will take Fillydelphia.”

A dark grin graced the mares muzzle,” It will be done my lord.”

“See to it my friend I have the utmost faith in your ability.”

With that she exited the counsel room to gather her forces. Spike gazed at her retreating form.

‘She is enjoying this war,’ the dragon thought darkly.

Spike had seen a change over the more in the past few years. At first she didn’t enjoy killing only doing it when absolutely necessary but sense she had been blooded he noticed that she had a glint in her eye similar to how he did when he hunted whenever she killed. She now resembled a dragon more in attitude and instinct than a pony these days. It scared him but intrigued him all the same. This change was evident in all the ponies he had blooded only in more subtle ways. It was made them so efficient in battle they didn’t hesitate exuding a dark calm all the while as they slew their enemy. It was this mindset they all shared that had made them his trump card, his ace in the hole. When the battle was underway he noticed that the opposing side were beginning to become almost afraid his Broods unequine ferocity, as a rabbit would in the presence of a wolf.

“Love what you’ve done with place old chap.”

The purple dragon looked up to see Dr. Whooves enter the room. Spike was surprised the Doctor wasn’t scheduled to till tomorrow and to see the epigamic earth pony stray from his schedules was rare.

“Your early Doctor,” Spike said surprise apparent in his voice.

“Yes but I couldn’t wait to show you something amazing,” the stallion gushed,” I have completed my design for the synthwings.”

Spike was shocked the earth pony had been working on that project for the better part of the year.

“Really Doctor that’s wonderful.”

“Indeed it is and now then,” Whooves looked behind him,” well come along lad he’s not going to roast you.”

A red pegasus stallion walked into walked into the room at his sides were a pair steel grey wings. The stallion extended the wings, they appeared to be pieced together by hexagon plates, runes glowed dimly on the underside. The wings were secured to the stumps that had once carried his own wings and appeared to respond as his natural ones would. “They are attached to his wingstumps and are fully connected to his nervous system. As well they run off the magic in his body and allow him to activate his flight aura at will. Also it enhances said flight aura making him much faster and agile in the air but the pies de résistance is the weaponized mode.”

Dr. Whooves gave the pegasus a nod. The red stallion flicked his wings and the runes began to glow as the plates separated. They hung in a red glow still in the shape of a wing.

“When this mode is activated the plates will do whatever the wearer wills them to do.”

The plates began to circle the pagasus  until the stallion flicked the wing bases. The plates went flying into the iron walls embedding themselves deep and returned to their place around the stallion just as quick.

“Well my friend what do you think?” Dr. Whooves said a large grin plastered on his face.

Spike was stunned in all truth by the wings but he didn’t show it. “I wish to see what he’s like in the air.” The dragon said standing up and making his way out of the room. Dr. Whooves and the pegasus followed him outside.

Spike extended his wings and took to the air.

“We shall see how those wings hold up in combat come at me.”

The red stallion’s eyes widened in shock,” My lord are you sure?”

“Are you implying you can best me?” Spike said a hint of mock anger in his voice.

“N-no my lord I-I wasn’t implying…” The stallion stammered shaking his head.

“Then you think me something to be coddled and kept from harm.”

“My lord forgive me I meant no disrespect.”

Dr. Whooves rolled his eyes at the scene before him and smiled at the dragons antics.

“Prove it and attack me.”

The pegasus gulped down the lump that had form in his throat and launched himself toward the hovering dragon. A pair of plates flew ahead at Spike who ducked under them. The red stallion angled himself down to intercept the dragon as he called the plates back. Spike made a swipe at the pegasus only to have his claws stopped ye a plate. Spike quickly barrel rolled to the side just as the returning plates came at him. One clipped his tail almost cutting through his scales. Spike eyed the damage impressed by the sharpness of the metal. He then unleashed a gout of green flame at the pegasus stallion. Seeing his impending doom the stallion willed all the plates to form a wall before him effectively stopping the flames.

“Very good. I must say I’m impressed Doctor.” The dragon said with a laugh.

The red stallion landed with a thud clearly shaken up by his first encounter with dragon fire. The wings glowed red from the heat but quickly cooled as the runes glowed white.

“Geez you didn’t need to scare the poor lad.” Whooves said shaking his head at the trembling stallion.

Spike landed before the Doctor and walked up to the pegasus,” Sorry for the scare but I had to see how resilient those wings were. What’s your name soldier?”

“S-Sunstroke my l-lord.” He stammered.

“Well Sunstroke you’ve proven yourself that’s for sure.”

Spike, Whooves and Sunstroke turned to see Flash Sentry trotting up to them,” Quite the display.”

“Why thank you old chap,” The brown stallion beamed.

“General Sentry sir,” Sunstroke stroke said with a sharp salute.

Flash returned the salute,” You were a Fallen weren’t you?’

The red Pegasus nodded his head shame and anger suddenly alight in his blue eyes,” Yes sir.”

Flash turned to the Doctor,” Do you already have a full unit set up with these wings?”

“Only about ten or so.” The brown stallion said placing a hoof on his chin,” More will go through the process in the coming weeks. I’d say about fifty or so.”

“How about we call this new unit the Risen then?” Flash said turning to Spike.

“Hmmm it holds a semblance of justice if you ask me old chap,” Whooves said with a grin,” I like it.”

Spike nodded and gave the orange pegasus a smile,” The Risen they shall be called then.”

“What do you think of this title?” Flash said turning his gaze at Sunstroke.

The red pegasus saluted the orange stallion pride pouring off him in waves,” It would be an honor to carry it General.”

Preparations

                                                                                      Chapter 10

                                                                                     Preparations

                                           "Civilization favors the kind but nature favors the savage."

                                                                                                             Iron Will

“Can’t believe the crazy old bastard did it?” Spike cocked an eyebrow at Flash Sentry who in turn meet his bewildered gaze with a smirk,” Maybe there’s hope for this world yet huh.”

The purple dragon simply nodded.

‘Maybe there is.’

“So what did you need General Sentry,” Spike said as he made his way back into the counsel building.

Flash fell into step beside him,” Just curious as to our next move, I noticed that Moondancer left with a large group of her shades.”

“Indeed and once they take control of Crossroads Village we’ll begin to move toward Fillydelphia.”

“Hit em fast and hit em hard tactic huh.”

Spike nodded,” Yes that’s the plan if we can secure Fillydelphia we will cripple their northern defence but I won’t lie this could possibly be one of the toughest battles we will face.”

Flash let out a humorless laugh,” That you can be sure of that city is a stronghold, granted so is this one but we got lucky and caught them by surprise . Once Applejack gets word that New Ponyville has gone dark her first instinct will be to gather an army in Fillydelphia and march north.”

The pair walked into the council chamber and took a seat at the stone table. Spike pulled an old map from his pile of tomes,” I know and fortunately we have an advantage,” Spike unrolled the old map and pointed to where Filledelpia stood,” A thousand years ago during the Nightmare Wars Fillydelpia was a Solar Stronghold but the underground chambers were sealed off by Celestia herself, inside we will find passage ways into the city as well information on something called the Lens.”

The orange pegasus raised an eyebrow,” That’s all well and good but how does that help us?”

“North of the city is a way into these chambers and it will secure us a way into the city.”

“Good plan but I’m sure they would have found a way into them by now?”

The purple dragon shook his head,” No Celestia saw to it that no one could ever enter. The wards placed on the chambers are some of the most powerful she ever created powered by the sun itself those wards could withstand a dragons wrath.”

“Then how in the hell are we getting in?”

“With this.” Spike held up a gold pendent in the shape of the sun,” Celestia kept this on her at all times but before she disappeared she gave it to me.”

“Wait did she tell you anything that could tell us about how she and Princess Luna disappeared?”

“No only that she hoped I would never have to use it and to keep it safe. So I did.”

Flash Sentry was silent for a moment as he processed this knowledge after a moment he finally spoke up,” What exactly is this ‘Lens’?”  

“I don’t know it is mentioned in several history texts,” The dragon placed a claw on his chin,” The only thing I know for certain is that it is a powerful artifact and is what allowed Celestia to draw her sister out at the end of the Nightmare Wars.” The purple dragon refolded the map and placed back in one of the old tomes and then gazed at the pendent wrapped around his claw.  

‘Just maybe we’ll also find a clue on Mother’s disappearance as well.’

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It was just before midnight as Moondancer and her battalion found themselves over Crossroads Village and the moon was nowhere to be seen providing them the perfect cover as they swooped down upon the unsuspecting village. As villages go Crossroads was of decent size but was mainly a trading hub. The only indication of militant occupation was the barracks that housed the soldiers on the eastern outskirts of the village. The fuchsia mare and her team landed just inside the compound thirty in all. The brunt of the force was already securing the civilians and taking care of any enemy patrols. Moondancer issued a soft chirp and her unicorns scattered to the many buildings while she made her way toward the commanding officers quarters. A pair of pony-at-arms stood dosing in front of the commanders quarters.

“Tut-tut that’s a mark for sleeping on the job.”

“Wha…” One mumbled before an ethereal dagger slit his throat.

“Who dares…” The second said as Moondancer rushed him and slammed a hoof into his throat cutting him off.

“And you didn’t even offer to open the door for a lady that’s a second mark.” The mare hissed as she wrapped her forelegs around his neck and twisted it savagely.

Moondancer then dusted herself off and opened the door peering inside. It was a rather small office with a cot to the side currently occupied by the commander.

‘Wow still asleep.’

With a smirk she shook him. The earth pony awoke with a start only to find a blade poised other him. Before he could even whimper the blade slammed into his throat.  

“Sweet dreams.” The fuchsia unicorn sneered as she watched the stallion choke on his own blood.

Trotting outside she found two Shades standing at attention.

“The Flare Bombs are set and ready for detonation ma’am.”

“Good job,” Moondancer said with a smirk,” lets light this candle.”

With that she summoned her wings and took to the sky followed by her shades when they were at a decent range away from the blast radius a rune circle appeared before Moondancer as she activated the Flare bombs. In a flash blinding light the compound was engulfed in white fire. Inside the village several ponies saw the fire and began to panic. Flying down into the streets Moondancer Quickly located the village’s mayor, a staunch earth mare, trying to quell the chaos. Landing without a sound the fuchsia mare trotted up to the mayor.

“What is the meaning of this who in the blazes are you?” The earth pony shouted angrily.

“This village is now under the occupation of House Brightflame.”

“Like hell it is.” A large pegasus mare next to the mayor shouted.

“You see that fire way over there,” Moondancer said pointing toward the still burning military compound,” I’ll have the same thing done to this village I have no qualms cooking you all besides I’m sure the wyverns would enjoy some cooked flesh for once. ”

As if to emphasize her point a wyvern landed on one or the buildings craning its head over the side and stared at the pair of villager with a curios interest.

The pegasus mare fainted while the mayor stared back at the large beast in shock,“ Shit.”

Moondancer chuckled,” Your choice.”

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Applejack for possibly hundredth time that night sighed as though she was exhausted. She was currently at a council meeting in Dodge Junction, something about taxes or some such trivial notion. The orange mare desperately hated meetings such as this and more often than not opted to not be a part of them but Granny Smith wanted her to attend and if there was one thing she had learned over the years you do what the old mare told you. Said mare was seated next to her listening intently to the current discussion. Applejack herself could frankly careless not even listening to the current discussion.  

Granny Smith looked over at her obviously bored granddaughter a smirk gracing her wrinkled muzzle.

“Ya look about as bored as Bloom does attendin’ yur’ war meetins’”

“That could be cause ah am,” The orange mare said with a snort. Applejack then sighed and ran a hoof through her blonde mane,” Ahm Granny its jus’ these meetins’ infuriate me ta no end.”

“Ah know young un but ah had a hunch ya needed ta be hear.”

“Ah know and yur hunches ain’t been wrong before,” Applejack chuckled.

As if on que a pegasus burst into the counsel room,” I have an important message for High Commander Applejack.

Granny Smith shot a smug look at her granddaughter.

“Oh hesh up.”

Standing up Applejack walked toward the pegasus looking almost imposing in her armor.

“Speak up soldier what’s the message?”

“Ma’am, New Ponyville has fallen.”

“Ta who?” The orange mare said forcefully.

‘That’s just it ma’ma we don’t know.”

Applejack set her jaw and turned to the Earth Council,” This meetins adjourned General Delicious gather our forces we’re marchin’ ta Fillydelphia.”

The amber furred stallion saluted and galloped out of the room.

“That’s not all ma’am.”

Applejack turned back to the messenger.

“General Lightning Dust was killed in action ma’am.”

The orange mare stared at the stallion for a moment her single green orb boring into his blue ones.

“Imma have the bastards head that’s responsible fer this,” The earth pony said her voice cold,” Go get yourself sum rest.”

The pegasus saluted then flew out. Granny Smith trotted up to Applejack,” Ah’ve got a bad feelin bout this young un be careful.”

Applejack simply nodded and walked out of the council chamber to begin preparations.  

Applejack's Arrival

                                                                                              Chapter 11

                                                                                         Applejacks Arrival

                                                             "You'd think they'd lock the back door."

                                                                                            Pound Cake

It was a day and half march by the time Applejack and her forces made it to Fillydelphia. They stopped at the sprawling metropolis to rest and resupply before continuing on toward New Ponyville. Cheers range out in the streets as several ponies recognized Applejack but all were not so pleased in seeing her. Fillydelpia had the Earthborn province’s largest concentration of unicorns, dehorned one and all. They all looked at the orange mare in disgust but didn’t dare raise hoof or voice against her for fear of suffering a grave punishment so they opted to simply scowl at her. As Applejack made her way toward the barracks at the city’s center she ran into Braeburn, a yellow stallion with an orange mane, much to the orange earth pony’s surprise. He was leader of the Apploosan Rangers, a group of elite scouts, and a bit of a chatterbox.

“Howdy cuz,” He said a grin on his face,” How ya been?”

The yellow stallion scooped the surprised mare up in a bone crushing hug despite the armor she wore, and was rarely without.

“B-Braeburn what in tarn…” Applejack sputtered.

“Yer probably wonderin what Ahm doin’ here huh?” Breaburn said as her released the mare from his hug.

After catching her breath she scowled at the energetic earth pony.

“The thought crossed mah mind,” She deadpanned.

“Well Ahll tell yah we was out near Ghastly Gorge bout ta head back south ta Dodge Junction when we spotted…”

“Braeburn.”

“…this pegasus ya see movin’ cross the sky. And Ah think ta mahself ‘Why the hay…”

“Braeburn.”

“…is he moving so fast like his tail was on fire or somethin’. Now that’d be a sight ta see…”

“Braeburn!”

“…a pegasus flyin thru the sky with his tail on fire. Mahself ahd jes put it out with the water in mah canteen. Come ta think of it did he have a canteen?”

“BRAEBURN!!!”

”Now cuz ya know it’s impolite ta interrupt a fella like that.”

Applejack took a deep breath and slowly let it out tempted to club the stallion right there.

“Jes cut ta the chase Braeburn.”

“Ah was getting ta that ‘fore ya interrupted me,” he said tilting his nose into the air.

“Braeburn.” The orange mare warned.

“Alight, alright sheesh. We was told about New Ponyville goin’ dark so we head3ed here ta resupply ‘fore we headed up north ta see what was goin on.”

“Ah see. Good,” Applejack grunted pushing past the irritating stallion.

“Umm cuz you on that time of the month?”

The orange mare stopped dead in her tracks and looked toward Braeburn a blush darkening her cheeks.

“Wha…”

“Cuz ya seem kinda on egde.”

“I wha No what knda question is that?!”

“Ya sure cause…”

“NO Ahm not ya idiot!”

With a huff she continued her way toward the city’s barracks leaving the confused stallion behind.

‘Ah swear one of these days Ahmma club ‘im.’

Once at the barracks she entered the main building to find most of the city’s soldiers inside. They each stood up and saluted her.

“High Commander ma’am.”

“At ease,” she said her steely gaze sweeping the large room,” Who’s the commandin officer of this here station?”

“I am ma’am.”

A steel grey earth mare steeped forward in a simple brown uniform, her red mane pulled back in a rough ponytail.

“Colonel Eagle Eye ma’am,” She said with a smart salute.

Applejack returned the gesture.

“Ya have any information on the situation in New Ponyville?”

“No ma’am. I sent out a scouting party about a day and half ago but they’ve yet to return so I think its safe to assume that whoever took over New Ponyville is heading this way.”

Just then an earth stallion rushed into the building skidding to a halt. He saluted the mares,” Colonel ma’am an army was spotted coming down from the north.”

“Did you get a good look at who they are soldier?” Applejack asked.

“Yes High Commander it looks to be entirely composed of unicorns.”

Applejack cocked an eyebrow,” No slaves in front?”

He shook his head,” No ma’am not in the whole lot”

This news shocked A the orange mare. “Such a large force of unicorns only meant Moon and Stars forces but they generally sent in slaves first. How far out are they?”

‘Like pawns,’ Applejack added mentally with a hint of disgust.

“About three miles out but at the rate they’re moving they’ll reach the city in about twenty minutes.

Eagle Eye raised her eyebrows in shock,” They’re moving that fast?”

“Yes ma’am.” The messenger said with a grim nod.

“Well Colonel it looks like yer assumptions correct get yer ponies together and prepare ta defend the city. Mah forces and Ah will meet em halfway.”

“Yes ma’am,” the grey mare said with a salute and turned to her soldiers,” Alright you lot lets get ready today our steel tastes unicorn blood.”

With a roar the room emptied out as ponies made their way to the armory.

Applejack galloped back to the city gates where her own army waited. They had already heard the news and stood at the ready. Applejack coiled her blonde tail around the warhammer on her back, a massive grey weapon with her elements jewel, an orange apple, studded on its side, and lifted it above her head. The jewel flashed white as she addressed her army,” Alright listen up we got an army oh unicorns headed this way so let’s give em hell.”

With a war cry the Earthborn army rushed out of the city to meet the unicorn army with Applejack at its head. Her face showed a grim determination but inside an uneasy feeling settled in the back of the orange mare’s mind.

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To the east at the northern most edge of the Ghastly Gorge a small army of Shades and a sect of the Harmony Core, a joke said by Snails but the name stuck. Before them was a massive set of ornate door once hidden by a powerful illusion but was quickly dispelled by the unicorns present. The doors had the late Celestia’s cutie mark on both doors but had no key hole of any sort.

Moondancer gazed up at the doors a speck of admiration in her eyes and whistled,” Damn that’s a big door. So how is that little charm gonna open that?”

Beside her Spike chuckled,” Like this.”

With that he walked toward the doors and raised himself up on his hind legs as he pulled the golden medallion out. The tiny sun charm and the twin suns on the doors flashed white and the doors began to open slowly. There were several gasps awe at the display.

The purple dragon settle back down on all four limbs and turned toward his trusted Spymaster a look of shock on her face. He cocked an eyebrow at the fuchsia mare.

Moondancer quickly composed herself and coughed into her hoof,” I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure that would work.”

Spike let out a deep laugh,” Your confidence in me is inspiring.”

The purple dragon extended a claw toward the cavern entrance,” Ladies first.”

“Please my lord age before beauty’” she said with a toss of her auburn mane.

”You do know your older than me right?”

“Details.”

The dragon rolled his eyes and started down into the cavern entrance with Moondancer and the rest of their small army close at his heels.

An Immovable Object...

                                                                                         Chapter 12

                                                                                An Immovable Object...

            "Hit a brick wall long enough and you might just crack it but you might end up with a broken hoof whichever comes first."

                                                                                                 Dr. Whooves      

Spike marveled at the intricate design of the underground corridor’s walls and floors set in white marble with gold accents. Overall the ancient facility looked more like that of a palace than a military outpost. It was likely a sight to behold a thousand years ago but now it was ridden with dust and cobwebs. After a while of walking they came to a dome-like room with several other hallways leading out of it. Moondancer was the first to speak up.

“You know this was not what I was expecting.”

'Mother always had a thing for the extravagant.' Spike thought as he nodded.

The purple dragon let his gaze drift to the other hallways that branched out from the circular room.

“Moondancer take everyone through that corridor you should come to a stone ring doorway. The set of pressure plates there will open it,” He said motioning to one of corridors,” I'll join you shortly.”

The fuchsia mare bowed,” Yes my lord. Alright everyone let’s go.”

With that everyone went down the hallway leaving Spike behind to gaze after them. After a moment the dragon made his way down a corridor in the opposite direction.

Above ground Applejack and her army were having a hard time against the all unicorn army. To the orange mare these unicorns were different than any others she had come across. They matched her earth ponies blow for blow. Applejack dodged to the side as unicorn rushed her and whipped herself around so that her warhammer would collide with his side. Surprisingly the stallion stayed upright a grunt escaping his muzzle and then turned to face her again his eyes became draconic as his horn glowed. A gout of bright red flame spewed from the stallion’s mouth barely missing the orange mare as she dodged to the side.

Shock at the display dominated the mare’s mind as she stared at the scorch mark to her right. Applejack liked to think that she knew a lot about unicorn magic at least enough to easily combat one but in all her years she had never seen one use a spell like that. She was shaken from her shock by another blast of flame this time directed at the unicorn engulfing the stallion.

A Firespitter, a newer addition to the Earthborn forces courtesy of Applebloom, walked toward Applejack.

“High Commander are you alright?”

Before she could answer the unicorn stallion the Firespitter had roasted jumped out of the still burning flames his helm discarded and his armor red hot and latched onto the Firespitter’s throat. A gurgle escaped the earth pony’s throat as the unicorns teeth sank into her throat and ripped her throat out. Applejack shook herself out of her initial shock and brought her warhammer down on the stallion’s skull as he rounded on her. She had never seen anyone survive that much fire much less rip another pony’s throat out afterwards. The earth mare set her jaw and glared across the battle field at a massive unicorn stallion effortlessly crush a juggernauts skull despite his helm with the warhammer held in his magic. He didn’t have a helm and his horn was grey despite his dark orange fur. Applejack couldn’t help but think this stallion looked familiar as she galloped toward him. The stallion looked up from another earth pony he had crushed under his armored fore hooves to see Applejack galloping toward him and quickly cast a gravity spell to slow her down. Barely feeling the resistance the orange mare barreled into the massive unicorn and quickly rounded onto her fore hooves and gave the stallion a solid buck into his side. With a grunt the unicorn slid back and deactivated his spell not wanting to waste his magic and swung his warhammer at the mare’s head. Applejack barely dodged the hammer as she jumped back. The two warriors began to circle each other focused solely on the other.

“High Commander Applejack, it’s good to see you again,” Snails rumbled.

“Snails Ah’d heard you was left ta die by yer commander but from the look of things you went crawlin back to em,” Applejack said with a snort.  

“I am no longer part of Moon and Stars,” He said with a shake of his head,” I answer to a new master now.”

‘He ain’t lyin,’ Applejack thought to herself as she tightened her tail around her warhammer.

Snails was the first to make a move as he surged forward, his warhammer raised and brought it down on Applejack only to have the orange mare block it with her own. Before the stallion could recover from the telekinetic backlash of his hammer being blocked she delivered a quick buck into his side denting his grey armor. A grunt escaped the massive stallions muzzle as he slid back, his entire right side throbbing in pain. The two began to circle each other again gauging each other trying to figure out what the other would do next. Around them the battle still raged but out of respect for their respective leaders, both sides stayed out of their way. Snails opened himself to the dragonblood allowing its power to surge through his body, sharpening his senses. Applejack noticed immediately as fangs protruded from his muzzle and his eyes became draconic.

“So tell me did yur new master do that to ya?”

“It was a gift,” Snails said his voice radiating a primal power,” one that I happily received.”

With that his horn glowed brilliantly as a rune circle appeared above them and Applejack found it hard to move. The massive stallion walked calmly toward the struggling mare confident he had won and raised his massive hammer ready to strike.

“Any last words High Commander.”

A smirk graced Applejack’s muzzle,” Yeah thanks fer savin me the trouble of comin to ya.”

Her Element glowed brightly on her warhammer as a blade extended out of her gauntlet with a click and she slashed the hidden blade at the massive stallion's neck. Snails pushed the mare away from him with a telekinetic blast as he felt the blades edge on his neck. The rune on his chest plate glowed as the wound on his neck sealed itself. His gaze meet the earth mare’s glare both knowing this would not be an easy fight as they surged toward each other.

Moondance and the army following her came to a set of stone rings in the wall at the end of the corridor they had been traveling down. A set of pressure plates were in the floor before them. Moondancer and Puzzle Box wordlessly stepped onto the plates. The hallway began to shake and rumble as the rings began to turn forming a doorway. Stepping through the opening Moondancer and company found themselves in a sewer, ancient and unused. To the right there was a massive drainpipe overlooking a large pond. They were smack dab in the middle of Fillydelphia Central Park. Looking to the sky Moondancer spotted several spotted balloons making their way toward the battle raging outside the city.

“Puzzle Box take half our force here and take out those balloons we can’t have them seeing Flash’s army before they get here.”

With a nod the black stallion took off with most of the shades present following after him. Moondancer jumped out of the drain pipe and swam to shore the ponies left following after her. Exiting the park they made their way through the city. When they reached Hoofington Boulevard several ponies made their way out of their homes forming a wall along the street on either side of the small army. Moondancer and her army braced themselves for a fight but it didn’t come. The ponies looked to each other some whispering amongst themselves. Moondancer noticed many were dehorned unicorns. One such pony, a pink mare, made her way toward Moondancer.

“Have you come to end Earthborn’s hold over us?”

Moondancer looked to the crowd that had formed noticing dehorned foals among the gathering. The fuchsia mare felt her gut twist with rage. To cut a foal’s horn off was a barbaric act of the highest degree. Moondancer set her jaw and looked the pink mare in front of her dead in the eye,” Yes.”

The pink mare’s eyes glistened slightly tears threatening to flow as she stepped to the side allowing the army to pass. Moondancer started forward her forces trailing behind her. As they made their way forward the crowd began to stomp their hooves as one. They were done with Earthborn’s tyranny it was time to raise arms against their oppressors. Foals were corralled into buildings as the crowd added themselves to the army doubling its numbers. Fillydelpia was their home many having built their lives here before Applejack and her ilk had token over the city and by the gods they were going to take it back. Now was the time to rise and rise they would or die trying.

Meets An Unstoppable Force

                                                                          Chapter 13

                                       ...Meets An Unstoppable Force

        "Who said anything worth living for was easy to obtain."

                                                                             Lady Rarity Gemma

Puzzle Box landed onto a spotter balloon’s deck with a soft thud. Drawing his daggers he sent them flying at the two ponies manning the balloon. The blades buried themselves into the necks of both ponies. Ripping his daggers from the bodies as they fell to the ground he sheathed the blades and picked up a hoofcannon with his magic aiming it at one of the unsuspecting balloons and fired. The small metal orb whizzed through the air and punctured the balloon. Air began to rapidly escape the craft as it descended at alarming speeds. The black stallion then set his balloon’s course toward the city wall. Ponies could be seen running to and fro behind it readying themselves for battle but this army wouldn’t see the action they were hoping for. Puzzle Box carved a rune into the spotting balloon’s deck and took to the sky. The balloon continued on its course toward the unsuspecting ponies. A few looked up to see the object descending toward them and began to shout but it was too late the balloon crash into the ground killing eleven unlucky soldiers. Ponies began to rush toward the wreckage to help any survivors. Then Puzzle Box activated the rune he had placed on the balloon creating a massive explosion killing all ponies around the balloon. The black stallion looked up from the carnage bellow to see that his fellow shades had made short work of the other balloons. With a war cry that would frighten even the most stalwart of stallions, he descended upon the scattered forces below, with those under his command following his example.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Applejack attempted to bring her warhammer down on Snails only to have it harmlessly hit dirt as he dodged to the left. The massive stallion tried to blast the mare away from him with a series telekinetic blows but Applejack stood her ground and didn’t budge an inch. The two warriors were still going at it each holding strong; most ponies would have collapsed from exhaustion at this point but not these two. Snails had long since deactivated the gravity rune focusing his magic power on telekinetic blasts. An Earthborn soldier rushed between the combating warriors in an attempt to help his commander but quickly found himself being picked up in Snails’ telekinetic glow. The unicorns crimson eyes radiated primal power as he crushed the fool in his magic. Applejack could only gape as her screaming comrade was being crushed, his screams fell silent with a sickening crack as Snails continued to condense the pony into a ball of metal and flesh. Taking advantage of the orange mare’s shock he sent the dripping sphere hurtling at her. Applejack turned to jump out of the way but was hit by the meatball. Dazed from the impact the orange mare struggled to get up. Snails rushed foraward and slammed his warhammer into the underside of her jaw sending her flying. Applejack hit the ground a good five feet away with a jarring thud. It was Snails turn to be surprised as the earth mare slowly got back up. Her green eyes showed raged with a blazing anger as they locked onto his crimson orbs. Her face should have been torn off by the impact but miraculously she only spat out a few teeth and a gob of blood.

“That all ya got unicorn.”

A smile appeared on the stallion’s muzzle, the first of its kind.

“Not even close,” He roared as he rushed the orange earth mare.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Below in the underground fortress Spike had found what he had been looking for, the commanding officers study. The walls on either side of the room had bookshelves lined with books and a desk at the far end of the room. The books had miraculously survived after a thousand years possible due to a preservation spell. The room was like the rest of the ancient facility ridden with cobwebs and dust. Walking toward the desk Spike saw a strange purple tome on it that strangely enough showed none of the wear and tear the other books had meaning that someone had been here before him. Many scrolls and books lay scattered at the desks floor as though someone had left in a hurry. Then he saw it a single navy blue feather. The dragon picked the feather up and examined it.

‘Curious,’ he thought as he got a good look at the tome. It’s cover was a deep purple that simmered with what looked like tiny stars. The tome was bound by a silver metal band with a white crescent moon embroidered on it. Spike picked the tome up and tried to open it but after several failed attempts set it back down eyeing it curiously, then looked at the feather he had found.

‘This must have been Luna’s but why would she have been here?’ The purple dragon then looked to the scrolls on the floor hoping they would provide him his answer they did. All of them made a reference to The Lens and something about a dragon graveyard. One place came to mind as he remembered a location called The Dragon Cemetery south of the Everfree.

‘Looks like I’ll find my answer at this Dragon Cemetery then.’ With that Spike gathered up the shimmering tome and several of the scrolls and made his way to the surface.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the city the Earthborn forces found themselves forced to fight more than Moondancer’s small army as many civilians took up arms against them. Fortunately they were able to make quick work of the what civilians came at them not caring who they cut down. Moondancer soon noticed that her forces were losing the battle and fast. Amplifying her voice with magic what magic she could muster she sounded a retreat. Her troops quickly fell back as the Earthborn pushed forward.

“Silver, Ward set up a barrier, Shadow and  Blaze fly up onto those buildings and keep them from coming and further,” Moondancer demanded with a firm voice. Her orders were readily obeyed when a barrier appeared between the Earthborn and the makeshift army. Shadow and Blaze began peppering the Earthborn with spells and kept the pegasi from flying too high.

Moondancer activated her comcrystal,” Puzzle Box we’re pinned down here at the corner of Mane Street and Worthy Lane and we need some help here.”

“I’d love to ma’am but we’re having a similar problem here on the city walls.”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Puzzle Box banked to the right as he dodged another hoofcannon barrage. His team met resistance in the form of strange metal flying contraptions and it was armed to the teeth, gunning down several of his best flyers along with several shades as well.  The black stallion dodged another rocket as he raced toward one of the copters and tossed a flare bomb inside. With a flash the copter spiraled to the ground below engulfed in white flames. Puzzle Box activated his comcrystal,” Spymaster we’ll be there in a bit just need to take care of these blasted contraptions.”

“Damn earth pony ingenuity,” the black stallion grumbled as he took cover behind a building as a barrage of rockets came hurtling toward him. Circling the building Puzzle Box rounded on the copter on his tail and hurtled one of is daggers into the copters cockpit. The dagger found its mark in the forehead of the pilot and the copter spiraled into the side of a building. As the Copter fell to the ground and exploded upon impact only one thought crossed the black stallion's mind.

'I liked that dagger.'

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spike hurried out of the tunnel and into the city, activating his comcrystal as he flew out of the drainpipe Moondnacer and her army had come from.

“Moondancer, I’m on my way hold your position as best you can.”

“Yes, sir,” She said over the comcrystal with relief apparent in her voice.

Flying high above the city the dragon quickly spotted a sliver magic barrier and angled toward it. Spike landed in-between the Earthborn and Moondancer’s team. His presence shocked most of the ponies present except the Brightflame forces who only felt relief at the sight of the purple dragon. Without a word Spike began spewing fire at the Earthborn as he ampled forward. Ponies scrambled to get out of the way of the deadly flames. With a flap of his wings Spike jumped into the middle of the panicking ponies and began dealing death with his razor sharp claws to any that ventured too close to his claws’ range.

Some were able to come to their senses enough to try and attack the dragon but found their end to his claws all the same.  Moondancer and her army, now rushing forward to help rout the Earthborn, were able to force them in to an alleyway. Spike stepped into the dead end alley and formed a barrier behind him.

“Surrender and you won’t be harmed,” The dragon commanded.

One earth mare rushed forward screaming, “We are Equestria” at the top of her lungs.

“A warrior’s death then,” Spike sighed as he emptied the last of his flame into the alley roasting the ponies inside.  

The Second Assault

                                                                           Chapter 14

                                                                   The Second Assault

                                 "War is not won by brute force but with a cunning mind."

                                          Luna Evictus                                                                  

“Finally decided to join the fun my lord,” Moondancer said trotting up to Spike.

The purple dragon ignored the unicorn, his attention focused on the charred corpses in the alley before him. “Fools,” he mumbled before turning to the fuchsia mare.

“It seems your forces have had some new additions Moondancer.”

“Yes surprised me as well they just started following us,” Moondancer said with a smirk,” they must be fed up with the Earthborn.”

“Makes sense,” Spike looked to the sky then back at Moonddancer,” tend the wounded and set up a parameter.”

The fuchsia unicorn bowed,” Yes my lord.”

With that Spike took to the air and made his way toward the city wall leaving Moondancer to her orders.

Landing on the city wall overlooking the battle Puzzle Box surveyed the battle. The Earthborn army was doing a good job at holding Snails and the Brood back but the two forces were matched evenly. Out of the corner of his eye the black unicorn saw Spike land beside him.

“We’re ready for Phase Two my lord.”

Spike nodded and brought a claw up to his comcrystal ,” General Sentry begin the second assault and take as many prisoners as you can there have been enough deaths today.”

“Yes sir,” came the replay. Puzzle Box cast a glance Spike’s way. Something was clearly bothering the dragon but it wasn’t his place to say.  

“Shall I regroup with the Spymaster my lord?” Puzzle Box asked with a bow.

“That would be wise,” the dragon said his gaze fixed on the battle below.

“Yes my lord,” the black stallion said before taking off.

Spike’s face darkened and smoke billowed out of his nostrils as he thought back to the ponies he had roasted in the alley way.

“Fools,” the dragon growled as he watched the second wave come over the horizon.  

On the battlefield Applejack and Snails were still locked in combat but both were showing signs of exhaustion. Sweat poured from Snails’ brow and bruises and cuts marred his body. The stallion’s armor had long since run out of power unable to heal his wounds but the massive unicorn still fought on.  Applejack stubbornly fought on as well despite the damage that had been done to her. The orange mare sported a gash on the side of her head; the wound still weeping blood and her armor was dented and broken in many places, the steel plates made useless by the damage it had sustained.  The two warriors glared at each other as they circled each other.

“Ah’m surprised you’ve lasted this long unicorn,” Applejack said as she spat out a glob of bllod.

“As am I,” Snails rumbled as he brought his warhammer up in his magic. Sparks were flying from the tip of his synthetic horn. Snails grimaced as pain lanced through his skull at the magical exhaustion he was feeling.

‘I need to end this now,’ Snails thought as he glared at the earth pony before him.

Applejack then rushed the unicorn and whipped her body around, slamming her warhammer into the unicorn’s side. Snails felt his ribs buckle and crack from the force of the blow but fought through the pain as he latched onto the orange mare’s long blonde tail. Rearing up onto his hind legs the massive stallion pulled a very surprised Applejack off her hooves and feel backwards, slamming the earth pony into the ground. Applejack landed hard on her right foreleg and hissed in pain as she felt the bones snap. It was out of sheer will she didn’t scream in pain. The orange mare tried to get up but her body refused to obey from the pain and exhaustion she was feeling. Snails struggled to his hooves and with the last bit of his strength  limped toward Applejack.

"Well finish it," She mumbled before slipping out of consciousness

Before he could reply a pony-at-arms slammed into him with the intent to avenge his fallen leader. Snails was bowled over onto his side, too exhausted to get up the massive stallion watched as the pony-at-arms reared up, poised to crush his skull with her armored fore hooves. Snails closed his eyes accepting his fate the ghost of a smile pulling at his lips but the blow did not come. Looking up the unicorn saw a look of surprise on the pony-at-arms face and a crossbow bolt protruding from her throat. With a whimper she fell over as a pegasus landed beside Snails.

"Sir are you alright?"

A chuckle escapes his dried lips as if the question was funny before everything fades to black for him just as the pegasus calls for a medic.

Spike flew over the battlefield just as the second wave clashed with the now retreating Earthborn forces.

"The battle is ours," the dragon mumbled as he angled himself down toward a pair of medics. As he lands Spike notices they are tending to Snails and what looks to be an Earthborn general. They instantly salute when they see the dragon as he made his way toward them.

"How is he?" Spike said his voice devoid of any emotion.

"Normally I'd say his road to recovery would be long," one medic said," but the way I've seen these Brood recover he'll be back on his hooves in two weeks tops."

One of the other medics cut in," It's hard to believe a single earth pony could do so much damage to the Harbinger."

"A single pony did this to him?" Spike asked his eyebrow raised.

The first medic nods and points to the other pony the medics are tending. Spike instantly recognizes who it is. A pony he hadn't seen in years and had commanded his respect for even longer, Applejack.

"Will she live?" the dragon rumbled as he walked toward the orange mare's unconscious form.

"Yes she has several broken bones and even more fractures but she will indeed live."

The dragon's features darken as he gazed at the prone mare.

'I should kill her,'  Spike thought grimly but he knew he would need the information she had. She would be invaluable to House Brightflame. turning toward the medics he spoke," She to it she is taken well care of and if I find out she dies there will be retribution."

With that the purple dragon took to the air leaving behind the medics with genuine fear in their eyes.  

Flash Sentry and his forces clashed with the already dwindling Earthborn forces and took to capturing any survivors instead of killing them. The orange pegasus dodged a blade meant to gore him a gave the pony that tried to assault him a hard buck upside his head. Rounding quickly Flash flipped through the air over the earthborn stallion and delivered a second buck into the side of his skull. The stallion crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

'Another one bites the dust,' Flash thought giddily. The orange stallion was surprised that Lord Pyrequill had given the order to capture instead of kill but was glad he did all the same. Suddenly Dustwind landed beside him her tan coat damp with sweat.

"Sir they're beginning to surrender and the Brood force has made it to the wall but have met a battalion of Earthborn at the gates."

"Good lets go help 'em out."

Yes sir," she said with a salute as they both took to the sky."

Flash activated his comcrystal," Pegasi with me lets help out the Brood."

Upon hearing the order the Harmony core's pegasi took to the sky and made a beeline toward the wall.  At the gates into the city the Brood were locked in combat and were slowly pushing the Earthborn back into the city. Above them the fighting ponies heard a war cry from above as Flash and his company descended upon the Earthborn like wyverns upon unsuspecting prey. Flash landed hard on the back of a pony-at-arms that was about to deliver a killing blow to a Brood unicorn. jumping off the pony-at-arms back Flash placed himself between the unicorn and the earth pony, who was struggling to get on his hooves. Deciding not to give the other stallion a chance he rushed the pony-at-arms and delivered a flying kick into the stallions skull. Once Flash was sure the earth pony was out cold he galloped to the injured unicorn to see she had gored in the side her armor peeled back. The wound was bad but she would live.  

"Tkank ya mate," she said between gritted teeth," woulda been food fer the ravens if ya hadn't showed up."

Flash nodded to her and slammed a fore hoof into the jaw of a pony-at-arms that tried to rush him and delivered a kick into her throat as she reared back from the first blow. The earth mare fell to the ground gasping for breath and Flash slammed a fore hoof into the side of her skull knocking her out. Turning to the unicorn mare he asked if she could stand.

"Yeh not as bad as it looks," She said struggling to her hooves," Firesprites meh name I- look out!"

Before he could react, Firesprite sent a fire ball from the tip of her horn, engulfing a juggernaut that would have slammed into Flash's side, cooking him in his armor.

"Thanks," Flash said with a smirk.

"Yer welcome," the unicorn said," now we're even."

With that the pair threw themselves into the battle. The Brood with the aid of the pegasi under Flash's command were able to break through into the city, giving the main force entry into the city.

Moondancer had been able to effectively secure a parameter, any Earthborn that approached it were dealt with quickly. By now the Earthborn were dwindling. It wasn't a matter of if Brightflame would take control of the city but when and with the aid of the citizens themselves it wouldn't take long. Moondancer looked up form the wound she was tending on the foreleg of one of the dehorned unicorn mares when Puzzle Box landed beside her.

"Ma'am the main force has begun the second assault," the black stallion said with a salute.

"Good," the fuchsia mare said as she finished the healing spell she had been casting," alright there you go."

"Thank you Ma'am," the mare said," for everything."

With a smile Moondancer nodded and the mare walked off to see if she could aid anyone herself.

"The city is almost ours," she said turning to Puzzle," you've done well."

"Thank you Spymaster," the black stallion said with a bow.

"You are welcome Box," Moondancer said," once this is all done drinks are on me."

"Hope you got enough bits," Puzzle chuckled.

Moondancer let out a hearty laugh, her serrated teeth glistened in the sunlight and the two separated and began tending to the wounded.

To Lick One's Wounds

                                                                        Chapter 15

                                                               To Lick One's Wounds

                                          " We fought, bled, and died for this country and in the end we began to wonder if it was for naught."          

                                                                                                                                           Unknown

Applejack awoke with a start and instantly regretted the action as her body screamed in pain at the sudden movement. The orange mare had been stripped of her armor and was covered in bandages, as well her right leg was held straight by a metal splint.

"I see your awake," a red unicorn said grimly as he approached the earth mare," surprising to see you awake after the damage you sustained."

Applejack looked at the unicorn with a hard glare and noticed that his horn didn't match the rest of his body. It was steel grey as Snails had been and looked to be made of a strange metal.

"Like it," the stallion said his tone scathing as he noticed her staring at his horn," I got it a while ago. Its nice to be able to use magic again after what your soldiers did to me. Why the hell our Lord wants you alive is beyond me a lot of ponies would enjoy seeing you beheaded in the streets."

The stallion glared at Applejack his eyes full of hate and anger," But not my place to decide. Oh and do try not to be difficult I would hate for you to stay in that bed any longer than necessary."

With that he turned to see to another patient. Applejack watched him go a sneer across her muzzle looking to her right she finally noticed a guard clad in a grey cloak standing stoically beside the bed his eyes forward and his jaw set. The orange mare looked down to see that her lower half was strapped to the cot. With a defeated sigh she settled back onto her back and began pondering how she would get out of this mess.

Spike walked into the room that Snails occupied and found the massive unicorn already awake and bickering with the nurse, a green pegasus mare by the name of Crisp Bandage.

"I'm telling you I'm fine."

"And I say your not. You've got two crushed ribs while the others are broken," the nurse a green pegasus mare huffed," and don't even get me started on the other injuries you've sustained."

Despite the mare's protests Snails tried to get up but was rewarded with a sharp pain in his chest causing him to grimace.

"You see I told you," the nurse yelled," Now lay back down before I fucking sedate you!"

Spike cleared is throat alerting the pair to his presence upon seeing the dragon Bandage bowed," My lord can you please convince this knuckle head to stay in bed."

"I will," the dragon said with nod," Now please leave us I wish to have words with Harbinger Snails,"

With another bow the pegasus left the room and shut the door behind her. "Damned mare, Sometimes I think she is out to get me," Snails rumbled watching her go before looking to Spike. Snails noticed the grim expression the dragon held. Something was eating at him.

Spike took a seat beside the bed," She cares for you and wishes to see you recover quickly do not blame her."

"Are you alright my lord?"

The dragon sighed," I will be alright Harbinger. I am glad to see you are recovering. That battle with Applejack must not have been easy."

"Aye," Snails rumbled," T'was a good fight though one I do not regret."

"Good," the dragon said getting up," get some sleep my friend you will need it."

With that Spike left the room.

Moondancer trotted through the market place of Fillydelpia it had been two days since the battle and already the citizens had begun to go back to their daily lives. It still astounded the mare how most of the citizens had taken up arms against the Earthborn and many had already officially signed up to become part of the Brightflame military. As well Whooves' tinkerers had begun to set up shop to begin replacing the horns of any that wished to go through the process.

"Would you like a flower miss?"

Looking down Moondancer noticed a small earth filly looking up at her with a small basket of flowers on her back.

Why thank you young one," the fuchsia unicorn said with a chuckle," how much?

"Two bits."

Levitating a pair of bits out from under her cloak Moondancer placed them inside the basket and pulled a daisy out.

"Thank you miss," the filly said before bounding back to a flower stand a pegasus stallion was tending.

"Daddy, Daddy look I sold a flower!"

"Good job honey," the stallion said chuckling as he nuzzled the filly.

Moondancer smiled fondly at the scene forgetting for a moment that they were at war. Shaking her head the fuchsia  mare popped the flower in her mouth and started back down the street. Eyeing the stands of produce, trinkets, and such. Just then her comcrystal sparked to life," Moondancer come to my office in the underground facility."

"Yes sir."

Inside the ancient military facility that resided under Fillydelphia the halls were abuzz with activity. Ponies running to and fro on errands or cleaning the halls. Spike had seen to it the underground fortress would become a Brightflame base and had also taken up residence inside the commanding officer's office. Moondancer trotted down the now cleaned and sparkling halls and received salutes or bows the the ponies she passed to which she gave a nod. Outside the dragon's office a pair of high ranking Brood had been posted they both nodded to her as she went inside. At the far end of the office sat Spike behind a desk his brow furrowed as he stared at the tome he had found that was wrapped in ursa major leather. As well he rolled a navy blue feather in his claws.

"You wished to see me my Lord."

"Yes," the dragon said without looking up," I want you to start interrogating Applejack. Get as much information from her as you can. Military bases, army movement, everything."

"Yes my lord and if she doesn't talk."

Spike looked up at her his gaze cold," Get creative."

This surprised the unicorn she knew Spike was against torture," My Lord are yo-"

The dragon cut her off," You have your orders Spymaster."

"Yes my lord," Moondancer said with a bow. Without another word she left. Once the door closed the dragon let out a sigh as he put the feather down. He had scoured this small library and hadn't found any other information on the Lens other than what he had found earlier. As well he had tried and failed to open the tome before him but it had refused to divulge its secrets to him. Spike knew this tome would show him what had happened to the Royal Sisters. He could feel it in his bones and it vexed him sore that he couldn't open it.  

'All the answers to my questions lie in this cursed tome," Spike thought darkly as a growl escaped his throat,' but do I even want to know the answers?'

Flash Sentry secured his saddle bag as Dustwind trotted up to him," Are you sure you don't want me to come with you sir?"

The orange pegasus smiled fondly at his second-in-command.

"I need you here my friend. Someone needs to keep the Harmony Core in check."

Just that night they had received word from New Ponyville that a small army of Stormwing hoplites were making their way toward the city. Spike had instructed Flash to take as many as he needed to defended the city. The orange pegasus accepted with gusto not because he liked battle but because New Ponyville had been his home when he was in the Earthborn and he had friends there.

"I'll be alright Dusty," he said with a chuckle.

"I hate that nickname," the tan mare grumbled then sighed," be careful sir."

"I will. Fair winds'" Flash said as he took to the air.

"And strong wings," Dustwind whispered as she watched him and the small army following him disappear into the horizon.

Outside Fillydelphia stood Braeburn, his green eyes holding sorrow and fury at the defeat they had suffered. When the second assault began he saw that his ponies would lose so he sounded a retreat. He knew the act would be considered cowardess but he wouldn't sacrifise the lives of his ponies like that. A group of pegasi flew out of the city and were bound north to which the yellow stallion narrowed his eyes.

"Sir what do we do now?" one of his corporals, a light green mare named Fresh Soil, said    

Braeburn's glare lowed to the city of Fillydelphia," We look to our wounds and then we find a way ta save Applejack. She's our top priority."

The yellow earth pony didn't know who this new enemy was and he didn't care. He made an oath to keep his fellow Apples from harm even if it meant his death. They would find a way into the city and take back their captured leader. One way or another.