Iron's POV

"Break give me a report." I asked my lieutenant.

"Sir. It appears that the one known as Bass has been putting together an army to prepare for us."

"Understood. Let's talk more of this over lunch." Hard Break got up and she followed me. We looked at the new base Nightmare put together. It was like a technology heaven for the everyday nerd. We had griffons, robots, and the ponies who volunteered were the leaders in charge of this organization. That's how Break got in. She trusted me with her life.

"Iron." said Nightmare on the radio. "Are you on your lunch break yet?"

"Am now."

"Alright. I was contacting to say you need some time off. I want to join you for a word."

"Yes ma'am." Break remained silent though and we made our way to the cafeteria. We took a seat as the griffon cook waited for our orders. After we all ordered sandwiches Nightmare was the first to break the silent.

"Iron. It appears that Bass or Dustin is proving to be quite the threat. He killed Arachnia and recruited Wyeth. He is more than likely to keep doing things like this and destroy us."

"Ma'am. I won't allow this to continue."

"Well if you brought David we could take his power and have a never ending army."

"May I have a word?" asked Break.

"Yes Lt. Break." said Nightmare.

"Your highness what if we infiltrate their base. Before they set up the shield our spies told us about."

"But who?" I asked. They both looked at me. "Uh..."

David's POV

I was looking out the window where Dustin and Vinyl met up at the gate and went on a date. Hah. That rhymed.

"Celestia. What else are you going to do to him?" I asked her.

"What do you mean?"

"We only have Dustin doing all the work. He's the only one taking this seriously."

"And you want to show more kindness and take his place." said Luna. "David. Please understand we are doing this for you."

"I do understand. You both care deeply about me and I love you both. But can we win this?"

"You know we can." said Celestia. "It's as your friend says. Don't lose hope."

"Right." Then a guard walked into the room.

"Your highness! The new soldiers are here!" New soldiers?

'We have some new ponies coming in. So we could have some extra defense while Dustin is out.' said Celestia in my head.

"Alright. Please take us to them." said Luna and Celestia. We all followed the guard and went to the train station. There were a few small new guys who look like they had no experience at all. Then in the next cart there were large more built soldiers with armor that seemed to know what they are doing.

"Soldiers." said Celestia. "Comrades. Friends. We are in grave danger. An old foe who has forever held a grudge against us is making another push for domination. We are counting on you to make sure that never happens and that all are civilians and allies are safe." The guards all cheered 'Hoorah!' and marched to the barracks. There was one I did notice though. In the middle, he was bigger than the rest. His armor was silver and red and he had midnight blue fur. He definitely stuck out of the crowd.

"Luna. Celestia. When did you ask these guys to come? And where?"

"We hired them from surrounding villages." said Celestia.

"Is something bothering you?" asked Luna.

"That big blue one. He has this... aura about him."

"He is quite the soldier." replied the night princess. "I think your just stressed and you see big ponies like him and think they are after you."

"Your right. Let's take a break. I need to clear my mind." Now I can't stop thinking about that one soldier. He reminds me of something. But what? *sigh* I'm just being cautious. Maybe Luna and Dustin are right. I need to stop freaking out about this stuff. Just lighten up.

Iron's POV

I looked around inside the guard barracks and noticed that each bed was special made and there was plenty of space for every soldier and their belongings. It's like they actually care. Nightmare cares too but her methods are better I think. They build character.

"Hey. What's your name?" asked this happy kid behind me.

"Oh! I'm Heat Steel." I told him. I just feel this fire... to fight! Yes! The hunt is back in my system! But I must keep my cover. Come on Iron. Think.

"That's cool. I'm Dark Night." said the small kid. He had black fur and short white hair. So young and full of hope. He would make a great soldier to Nightmare. Nice job me! Here for a few minutes and already making a friend. "What do you think of Nightmare?"

"I think she has a strong hatred for the princess. Even I don't know."

"You know her?"

"The princess? Yeah." I need to play it cool!

"Huh. I think Nightmare could be a good person but she has too much hatred in her heart. No one should have to hate something. Right?"

"Right..." Great. Now I have that sad feeling in my heart again. Damn it David! If I ever find you I will probably... not kill you... See?! I'm getting soft! Jesus! "No one should have to hate something without a reason."

"You seem to know a lot. Is it cool if I hang with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't like how the others treat me. The entire ride over was them teasing me and about how I'm cannon fodder."

"Don't say that. I met this young soldier once. He was younger and smaller than you. And he was braver than anyone I have ever met. Even though he soon lost his life... he should be known as a hero."

"What was his name?"

"I never got to ask. That poor kid." I haven't forgotten that. What I did was... murder. I never killed in cold blood before that moment. Always in defense. But that kid came to me and I was just so angry. Nightmare is right. I need to control it. Only then can I redeem myself. "Who is messing with you?" I asked him.

"Those guys." He pointed to the large gray ponies with bat wings. Obviously Luna's guards.

"Hey. You guys!" I called them over. "Do you have something to say to my friend here?"

"Yeah. He's small, weak, and won't stand a chance against Nightmare. Hell, even a girl like Fluttershy could kill him."

I walked over to the one of the three ponies and I grabbed his head and brought it down on my back knee. I felt his nose break. One went for a punch and I grabbed his arm with one of my hooves and positioned myself to throw him out the window. After I did I looked at the last one.

"You got something to say?" He whimpered and left the building. "Good." I knelt beside the one on the floor with the bloody nose. "Listen. Soldier or not every one could fight for a good cause. I know this better than anyone." Like David for example. That kind young man would fight for his friends even if it killed him and he's a descent fighter himself. "Fight together or die alone." I got up and walked to Dark Night. "You alright?"

"Your the best friend I've ever had man!" I take it he was fine.

David's POV

I was eating some lunch in the castle. Luna in the big chair at the left end. Celestia on the right. Why are they so... apart?

"Why are you guys so far from each other?" I asked them.

"What do you mean?" asked Luna. She and Celestia both looked at the table and noticed this. "Oh... my. Your right! Sorry!" She grabbed her book and sandwich and took a seat across from me beside Celestia.

"I've never noticed." said Celestia. "I guess if you think about it this room has... gotten bigger."

"We do have more guest living here." I said. I heard a conversation from the hall and the Whooves walked in. Doctor and Derpy. Shouldn't they get hitched soon?

"Hey guys! We have the wedding planned for next week." said Derpy. She looked extremely happy. I don't know why people tease her for her eyes. There beautiful and unique. That's something to love.

"I say. Where are the others?" asked the Doctor. "I know Octavia is practicing in her room and that Dustin took Vinyl for a date."

"Let's see... We're here and I think Lyra and Bon-Bon should be visiting next week." If I remember correctly.

"Alright. Mind if we have a seat? Thanks." said the Doctor answering his own question. "This is nice. Wish I had a decent..."

"Muffin?" asked Derpy.

"Yes! Let's go for muffins! Anyone want muffins?" he asked. I felt my magic messaging system start vibrating. It was like a phone but it was a scroll. I opened it and it said.

'Tell Doc I want a Banana Nut muffin. ~ Bass.'

"Uh... Bass wants a Banana nut muffin." said Derpy. How did she do that?!

"Oh I love those!" He grabbed Derpy. "We'll be of now. Bye."

"Bye guys." said Derpy. She is rather intelligent if you couldn't guess. It's like she see's all. That's it! Her eyes are magical! But how did Dustin know they were offering muffins? *gasp* The Twilight Zone!

"No David." said Celestia. Than a guard came in.

"Princesses and Hindsight!" Aw... I don't get a title? "We had a problem with our soldiers."

"I'll check it out." said Luna. She got up and closed her book leaving it on the table. I watched her walk away leaving me only with my love.

"Want to play a game?" I asked her.

"Sure. What could it possibly be?" she asked moving closer.

"It's guess what I want to do."

"Oh my..." She moved her face closer to mine. "Only if a certain pony could guess what I need."

"Is it a spa day?" I guessed.

"I could go for one." She gave me her loving kiss and teleported us to the Ponyville Spa. Yeah. That's right. I like getting a massage. Is that so wrong? We saw the two spa sisters make their way to us.

"Can we give you our services princess and Sight?" Yes... they know me. Why? Because I'm a regular here.

"Yes please." we both said.

Oh about ten minutes after a steam room season and Celestia's hooficure we finally got to the massage.

"Oh this is my favorite part." I told her as they began rubbing our backs and patting us.

"You like being patted down?" asked Celestia.

"What? No! Hahaha... It's just so nice."

"You like it! Admit it!"

"I do!" And just as we were getting comfortable the royal guard came in. Son of a bitch.

"Your highness! We had an intruder!"

"Explain yourself!" demanded Celestia.

"One of our soldiers was a spy for Nightmare. He is escaping with Luna as a hostage!"

"Oh no! Tia!"

"I know!" She teleported all three of us to Canterlot. I saw that big blue pony change into a red shade. Iron!

"Iron come back!" yelled Dustin. He ran from the market booths and chased him down the road. Iron had Luna tied up and laid on his back. He also had a smaller soldier with him. He was wearing Celestia's guard armor.

"Back off Bass! I shall return for you!" He spread his steel wings and looked at the smaller pony. "Dark Night? Do you want to come with me to Nightmare's army?"

"Yes! I do!"

"Good choice!" They both spread out their wings and began to fly. Dustin threw a small black ball and it landed under Iron's wing.

"Sight! Tia!" He said looking at us. "I was too late."

"Guys!" said Vinyl catching up. "What happened?"

"They took Luna..." cried Celestia on my shoulder. She just lost her sister again.

"Don't worry Celestia. I threw a transmitter on him. It should reveal Nightmare's base and it even has a microphone." said Dustin holding a small black mic.

'Nightmare. I'm coming in.' It opened up and displayed a map showing our location as a triforce and their location as a big red dot.

"We are the triforce right?" I asked him.

"Yeah. I thought it would be cool. I have a plan." He said with a smirk.