Granny Smith stared at the pony before her in disbelief. Not only had the Everfree Legion broken through the north barricade and were making their way to Apploossa but her grandson was died. She looked out the window at the right as the council room erupted into a flurry. the voices fell deaf on Smith's ears as a tear fell down her cheek, then another. Soon her tears flowed down her age-scarred face. She looked back across the table at Applebloom.

The master blacksmith's face was blank, unreadable until she looked up at Granny Smith's. The wizen old mare knew what the younger mare was feeling. Applebloom had always been best at hiding her feelings but Granny Smith could read her like a book. Applebloom was heartbroken. Enough was enough. Smith stood up and slammed a hoof on the table. The ancient wood table buckled and fell flat under the massive amount of force Granny Smith unleashed on it.

The room fell silent as the Apple Matron gazed around the room with a wounded fury in her eyes. No one dared speak as she gazed around the room.

"Ya'll is gonna liten an' listen good. Ah want a Pegasus sent to Dodge Junction right no-"

A pink furred pegasus mare was foolish enough to interrupt," But Dodge Junction has fallen isn't th-"

"Hesh up young un'!" Granny Smith boomed," Ah know that Ah tain't senile. We're gonna take this here Pryequill up on his offer."

One of the larger stallions rose to his hooves ," Your talking surrender!"

The light green mare glared at him and walked slowly toward him. Her expression was a controlled fury that made him wish he hadn't spoken up.

"Ah've lost two of mah grandfoals and countless other kin ta this war young un," her tone was dangerously low as her eyes bored into his," An' yer askin me ta not do somethin' bout it. We Apples stick tagether. It's been our way fer generations and now yer askin' me ta abandon mah kin. Well Young un!?" The large stallion withered under her gaze, unable to answer her. She turned to the other ponies in the room," Any other objections?" The room stayed silent," Good now see to it mah orders are carried out. Move it!"

All the ponies present save for Applebloom scrambled to obey the furious Matron and to get eh hell out of there lest they get her wrath turned on them. Silently Granny Smith wrapped Applebloom up in a hug like she had done when she was but a filly. Together the two grieved for their lost family.    

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Moondancer watched bored as ponies danced across the marble floors of the Ivory Towers main ballroom. She had yet to see Lady rarity or even Diamond Tiara yet and she was beginning to become impatient. Beside her Puzzlebox was picking at some sort of dish he had grabbed form the horsdeavers table. Octavia though was dancing with a noble stallion and looked to be having the time of her life.

Moondancer still didn't know what her lord saw in an alliance with Whitegold. They were fluffed up liars the lot of them. She grumbled as she rested a hoof under her chin.

"Are you alright my dear?" Puzzlebox asked, staying in character.

"Just bored," Moondancer groaned, not even looking at him. She would have killed for some action right then. Hell she wouldn't mind being attacked right now.

'Now I remember why I became a thief," Moondancer thought as her face darkened. Another thing bothered her as well. Out of all the houses her was the most hesitant to crush Whitegold. SHe knew there was a connection between him and it's leader Rarity but she couldn't shake the feeling that...

Her inward tangent was cut off when Puzzlebox," You know you look like a filly ready to kill another filly ofr taking your crush away from you."

Moondancer slowly turned toward the black stallion," Please elaborate," she flashed a set of fangs at him," And do be careful with your words."

Puzzlebox swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat," w-well I'm just saying that you look perturbed."

"Good boy you get to live to see another day," Moondancer said before looking back at the dancing couples. Then the crowd parted revealing the inner most council of House Whitegold. Rarity, flanked by her sister, Diamond Tiara and Lord Fancy Pants. Rarity, despite the crystalitis that plagued her body still managed to look ravishing in her indigo gown. They made their way straight for Moondancer's table.

"You must be Mrs. Rose Aria," Rarity said, her voice smooth as silk," I have heard so much about you darling. I am Rarity it is a pleasure to meet you."

Moondancer held back a glare as she rose from her seat to great the alabaster unicorn," Lady Rarity it is an honor."

"Oh please darling you flatter me. Would you and your husband wish to join myself and my friends here out on the rotunda. It is simply a glorious night outside."

Moondancer smelled a plow but she had to play along," That would be wonderful, come my dear lets join them."

Puzzlebox chuckled," Of course dear."

They all made their way to the balcony and with a wave from Diamond the doors sealed shut. Moondancer held back the urge to start slitting throats and running. She looked at Puzzlebox as he tensed as well. He didn't like this situation at all either.

"Who are you?" Rarity asked all politeness gone from her voice.

'Whatever-" Moondancer started but was cut off by Rarity.

"Darling please do not waste my time."

Moondancer's posture relaxed while Puzzlebox's went ridged. A smirk formed on her muzzle," Not bad figuring out I was using an alias."

Rarity giggled," Yes well I've been at this a long time dar-"

"Call me 'darling' one more time and I'm gonna rip your tongue out," Moondancer said nonchalantly. All ponies present, save for Puzzlebox, looked shocked at what she said," We're here for a single reason. To spy on you."

"And you so foolishly admit it," Fancy Pants said, sneering," Who are you working for?"

  "We are under the employ of House Brightflame."

"I've heard of your group they are fairly new," Fancy said to Rarity," They have declared war on Earthborn."

"And why am I just hearing about this now?" Rarity asked her General, an chill in her voice.

"W-well it didn't seem note worthy."

Moondancer laughed," You do realize that we already have them at our hooves correct?"

Rarity looked at the fuchsia mare with a hint of disdain," You have horrible manners."

"That's not what they pay me for. What they did pay me for was to prepare our Lord Pyrequill's arrival to manehatten to begin talking about an alliance between our two houses."

"And why would I even consider such a notion," Rarity asked.

Moondancer grinned darkly," Because my lord want what you want. The other Houses and it's leaders reduced to ash." Next Chapter: Reflections Estimated time remaining: 39 Minutes