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.  

Next Chapter: Applejack's Arrival Estimated time remaining: 32 Minutes