Blueblood growled in anger as he stormed through the halls, this was the biggest insult to his Royal bloodline he'd ever felt in his life! Equestria was in peril, his Aunt had gone missing, and instead of him they were giving leadership to that pathetic upstart of a Princess! Even worse, she wasn't even directly related to Celestia! She was merely a commoner the Princess took pity on!

He took a deep breath, regaining his composure. It wouldn't do any good to lose his temper while on the council, he had to stay calm and collected and focus on the crisis at hoof.

That thought did little to calm him as he entered the council meeting room he found the source of his anger sitting on the throne that his Aunt had once occupied, the nerve of her, it should be him on that throne!

"Ah, Blueblood. We're glad you could make it." Cadence said. Blueblood smile and nodded but inside he was puking. This nag dared call him only by his name. He had a title! Prince!

“Apologies… Princess, I was just overseeing the extent of the damage done to our-” He stopped for moment and shifted his attention to the two new ponies not too far from her throne, while recognized the young unicorn as his Aunt’s personal student (though she could've done better in his opinion), the second one in his eyes was just some random country hik. “...Kingdom. Excuse me but last I checked, we don't allow commoners to participate in our council meetings.” He exclaimed, giving her a dismissive glare.

"That's one of the ponies who defended our Kingdom, Blueblood." Cadence said with a tone of finality. “She has as much a place here as you do.”

"Which brings us to the current subject at hand, that being: why do these two wield the very weapons of our enemy?" The unicorn mare asked, her tone less accusing and more cautious.

"The rings chose us." Twilight stated simply as she held up the ring. "We didn't really have a choice in the matter. The rings aren't just weapons that can be taken or used by others at a whim. You need to earn them."

“And where exactly did you get them?!” The Pegasus retorted. “As far as we know, those thing could be ticking time bombs set up by the enemy!”

“For once I agree with him.” The Unicorn Stallion spoke up. “We can't exactly put blind faith into two mares wielding the powers of the ones that just invaded…”

"And if that's the case we will deal with it when the time comes. The current issue are the countless undead who just attacked and killed many of our citizens." Cadence said with an irritated groan. "Besides Twilight saved both of your lives today."

“Wait, undead?!” Another council Mare spoke up. “That shouldn't be be possible!”

Applejack’s eye twitched. “Did y'all not see the zombie ponies attacking us?!”

"Forgive my poor phrasing, what I meant was it shouldn't be possible since any and all spells dealing with necromancy were destroyed years ago!” She explained, visibly sweating. “Princess Celestia saw to it herself! Isn't that right, Professor Inkwell?”

"Yes she did. However this doesn't seem to be the work of any Equestrian magic... this seems to be older.... much more dangerous things then we can understand." Inkwell said as she spoke with a raspy voice.

"Well then, I think the solution is simple." Blueblood spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "We just fight fire with fire, you two have the same weapons they do, just resurrect our fallen warriors." He ordered, as if commanding a servant to fetch his next meal.

Twilight glared at him as she floated up and started going over to him before grabbing his mane. "Now. Listen and listen fucking good. We cannot bring back the dead. The best we can do is stop bleeding or try and keep a limb from being severed. We're not like those monsters out there. They're similar but different. Like how you and I are unicorns but right now I'm thinking rationally while you think you're the fucking king of the world. News flash? You're not. You're a cry baby whose whole thing revolves around you having servants bow to your every whim. Tell me.... am I far off the marker?"

“Y-you… how dare you!!” Blueblood growled in rage. “I am a Prince and I am entitled to the respect I deserve you little ingrate!”

“Twilight, calm down!” Cadence called out. “While I don't approve of Bluebloods attitude, losing your temper will not yield any positive results!”

"Oh this isn't me losing my temper. This is me making sure this little self-absorbed jackass doesn't just get to walk all over me." Twilight said calmly but she was barely hiding her anger. But she conceded and let the Prince go.

"As amusing as it is to see a certain spoiled brat get told off…" The Earthpony stallion smirked, ignoring the glare the Prince sent his way. "I cannot ignore the fact that we have only just delayed the enemy's assault. Considering the fact that they can simply resurrect their fallen warriors, giving them an endless supply of soldiers to throw at us. A luxury we ourselves do not have." He then turned his attention to the two ring bearers. "I don't suppose you know of any way to create more of those rings?"

"Not really sir." Twilight said with a sigh. "We were just so focused on repelling the invasion that we couldn't really worry about what the rings could do."

“Too bad there aren't any others out there… it would be nice to have an army of ponies wielding such power…” The Pegasus stallion sighed, right before noticing the two ponies flinch. “Something you're not telling us?”

"There's.... a red one. A Pegasus that is driven by a blood rage and seems to REALLY hate the enemy.... though she seems to think that I'm a spy for them." Twilight said with a groan... and then AJ stepped forward.

"Her name's Rainbow Dash and what happened? Was that them zombies attacked our town and she likely fought them off until that ring found her.... she always did have a short temper.... not exactly the brightest either." She admitted.

“Pfft, short tempered Pegasus, big surprise." Blueblood scarfed.

“Watch it you-!”

“And where do you think she might be now?” The Earthpony interrupted before another argument could start. “If there's somepony out there who can use such power then it would be in our best interest to try and bring her to our side.”

"Yeah remember when I said she thought I was the enemy? Yeah that means she HATES me. Like tried to MURDER me hates me." Twilight said with an irritated look. "She's REALLY not going to just team up if we ask politely."

Before anyone else could speak, the council room doors were pushed open as a Royal Guard ran inside. "Princess! We just received word that Cloudsdale has been completely devastated!"

"WHAT?!" Cadence shouted as she and the others faced the guard. "W-when did this happen?!"

"Around the same time Ponyville was invaded." A new voice stated. The group looked behind the guard to see Wonderbolts Soarin and Spitfire enter the room. "We evacuated everyone as fast as we could... though we ended up getting some unexpected assistance…"

"Two Ponies and a Griffon wielding some sort of magic ring!" Spitfire explained. "It was unbelievable! She tore through those creatures like butter!"

"And one heck of a temper to go with that power. Soarin said. "They used their power to obliterate most of those creatures along with half of the city!"

Everyone just stared at the two before turning to Twilight.

"....well like I said they hate the zombies more than us I guess." Twilight said. REALLY trying hard not to admit she... might've been somewhat wrong on this front.

'You see anything out there Gilda?' Rainbow asked her from the red ring on her claw. Gilda snarled as she passed by Cirrus Street and no Black Lanterns in sight... and thankfully no one that was left behind.

"Nah. Nothing but ruins and loser Lanterns who couldn't take the hint and leave." She responded with a sadistic grin.

'Just make sure you keep your eyes peeled, we can't afford to miss any of those abominations.' Rainbow Dash said. 'After you're done in that part of the city, be to check on Scootaloo.'

"Sure thing Dash." Gilda said. She never understood why Dash chose Scootaloo to be one of her heavy hitters but she wasn't about to disagree with her. Dash saved her life and they were best friends... no way in Tartarus was she going to abandon her.

An explosion on the other side of the city immediately got her attention, from what she could tell it came from the abandoned stadium....

Cheerilee wiped some tears from her eyes as she trudged through the caves of the Smoky Mountains. Behind her were the young colts and fillies of her class that she'd managed to help flee Ponyville...

...all except three, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were with their sisters when the invasion began, she prayed they made it out ok... and the last one was Scootaloo....

"Miss Cheerilee?" One of the students piped up. Cheerilee quickly dried her eyes as she turned to them. "Are we..... are we almost safe?"

Cheerilee glanced back at Twist and put on her best reassuring smile. "D-Don't worry Twist, those monsters won't catch up to us now. The Smoky Mountain caves are known for being very hard to navigate without knowledge of their layouts." She explained as they made their way through a large cavern, at the top was an opening that gave them a clear view of the night sky. "Ok, we're at the halfway point, we'll rest here for now."

They soon all gathered around and began staying next to each other to try and keep warm. Cheerilee smiled at them all and slowly felt tears coming to her face.

"Cheerilee... I-I know you're upset-no, devastated about what happened to Scootaloo..." Diamond Tiara began, wiping away her own tears. "But... but if it weren't for her, Silver and I wouldn't even be here. She... she told us to run while she the lured the monsters away... she told us not to turn back no matter what..."

Diamond eventually broke down herself as Silver pulled her into a calming embrace. "She saved our lives Cheerilee..."

"I..... I understand." Cheerilee said trying to keep a strong composure. "Then we’ll keep moving forward after we recuperate.... n-now go rest with the others."

The two foals nodded as made their way to the rest of the group, as the two passed some of the resting foals they slipped behind a large row of rocks and made sure nopony could see them.

"Ok, I-I think she bought it..." Diamond whispered.

"Yeah... bought it." Silver said as she gulped. "I was seriously about to break character right then."

"You did great Spoony." Diamond smiled reassuringly, giving her gentle peck on the cheek…. only to notice her uncertain look. “What's wrong?"

"I.... I dunno D. I mean we let a filly die... and she was trying to actually help us. We just let her die." Silver said with panicky eyes.

"Spoony... do NOT back out on me now. You were more than willing to go through with this when I brought it up." She whispered fiercely. "It was either her or us, w-we need to look out for ourselves if we're gonna make it."

"I know but I.... I looked back when they came after her.... D they really.... t-they looked ready to tear her apart." Silver said quietly and with fear.

"That was the plan, what did you THINK they were gonna do?!" She whispered back, though her voice carried less authority than before. "For bucks sake, you hit her with a rock, and now you're getting cold hooves?!"

"It's not that, it's just… nevermind I.... I know." Silver said nervously. "I'm just going to head back to the group and.... get some rest."

Diamond sighed as she watched her friend walk off. 'She doesn't get it, we're the only ones who should survive, it's just like mom taught me, "only the strongest make it to the top”...' She thought as she glanced back at Cheerilee, who was watching over the resting Twist, trying her best not to cry.

For a split second, she saw Scootaloo in Twist's place, battered, bruised as bleeding. She quickly shook her head and looked away. 'Sh-she'll see... we'll make it by ourselves... then she'll see...'

"And here I thought I was in trouble when you four ambushed me..." Scootaloo scoffed as she blasted away another Black Lantern through a wall.

The last two Black Lanterns that attacked her were actually cowering from her. Normally this would be the other way around but this one..... this one felt.... different.... more horrifying.

"Oh and be sure to give your friends my regards.... in the afterlife!" Scootaloo shouted as she blasted the two with a red beam.

The two barely had time to scream before they were completely incinerated. However for a brief moment in Scootaloo's eyes, she could've sworn she saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon in their place. She allowed a smile to spread across her face as their remains were burned away to nothing.

"Well, well, well, and here I thought you were in trouble, Little Scarlet." Gilda snarled as she flew down from above.

"Oh and the turkey knight returns." Scootaloo smirked as she turned to Gilda. "You know I told Rainbow I didn't need no damn foalsitter. If anything I should be watching YOU and making sure you're safe." She said to her face.

"Pfft, YOU? You're a foal! I've got more combat experience and might I add, more power in my pinky claw than you do in your tiny little body, twerp!" Gilda scoffed, finding the way this foal was trying to act tough amusing.

...she was like a filly version of Rainbow Dash.

'Maybe that's why she gave her the ring...'

"Oh yeah? Well your name is dumb!" Scootaloo said with a smile on her face. Gilda just looked at her.... before bringing out her blades.

"YOU GET A NINE SECOND HEAD START KID." Gilda snarled.

Large metallic wings immediately burst out of Scootaloo's back as several swords appeared around her. "FINE, I ONLY NEED EIGHT TO KICK YOUR ASS!!" She fired back.

'AND I ONLY NEED ONE TO KICK BOTH OF YOUR ASSES!' Rainbow shouted out of their rings. 'SERIOUSLY CAN EITHER OF YOU NOT GET INTO A FIGHT FOR TEN FUCKING SECONDS?!'

"...sorry." The two mumbled in embarrassment, avoiding eye contact with one another.

'Good. Now get back here. I don't want you two getting ambushed because of your squabbling.' Rainbow stated as she cut communication.

The two nodded and quickly took to the air and flew back towards the weather factory. As they flew however, Scootaloo noticed something out of the corner of her eye and turned left, after a few seconds she landed atop on of the cloud buildings, shock written all over her face. “Uh, Gilda? Totally random question; Is there a way to tame a dragon?”

"What? No what kind of stupid question.... is.... okay THAT'S cheating." She said as she saw a indigo light atop a dragon with a strange orange outfit that was flying towards Canterlot.

"So... we gonna go after that or...?" She asked, unsure whether or not it would be wise to pursue a being capable of such a feat.

"Hah. You're funny." Gilda said with a nervous tone. "How about we DON'T try that and go back to Dash and find somewhere LESS dragon infested. Think that can work for you smart ass?"

"Watch it, turkey." Scootaloo remarked. "Just 'cause I'm young doesn't mean-why is it turning around?" She blinked, having noticed the dragon now turning away from Canterlot and headed past Ponyville... and straight towards Cloudsdale.

".....OH YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING-KID WE GOTTA MOVE!" Gilda shouted as she and Scootaloo took off towards the rainbow factory. "DASH! DASH WE GOT A BIG SITUATION COMING OUR WAY!"

’What? Did another Black Lantern sneak into the city?’ Dash asked nonchalantly. ’Y’see, this is what happens when you two don't stop arguing-’

"WE GOT A FUCKING DRAGON COM-OOF!" Gilda shouted as she and Scootaloo crashed into her and sent them both tumbling through the factory walls and right into the executive office where Dash was waiting. Dash groaned as she got up and glared at them both.... but then saw the dragon through the hole as it let out a fearsome roar as the chains bonding it slowly began to crack.

Scootaloo gulped. "We're fucked."

"Well that's just great!" One of the Unicorns groaned. "This demonic beast is attacking major cities left and right, they're only three ponies in a Equestria that can stand up to her, and the one pony who could possibly make more Warriors to kill those things is more than likely to try and kill us!"

"Yeah and you whinin' about everythin' isn't gonna help anyone." Applejack growled. "So how about ya go back out and help anyone else who's injured alright?"

The unicorn glared at Applejack. "Watch it, farmpony."

"If we could get back on topic for a minute." The Earthpony interjected. "We still need to focus on setting up more defenses for the cities that she hasn't been able to attack just yet. We have already gotten word that the citizens that were evacuated been relocated to either Manehattan or Vanhoover."

"Y'all need ta get to the other small towns as well." Applejack said. Twilight then stepped up again.

"She's right. We might have a big number of ponies in the cities but the towns are where she gets her main forces from. She goes in and starts going through the graves and likely even the townsfolk she kills."

"We would need some time to amass our forces. As I stated before, that recent attack spread our forces thin..." The Unicorn Mare explained.

"Not to mention the fact that we need to return to the Academy." Spitfire said as she stepped in. "We made our way to Canterlot immediately after we escaped Cloudsdale."

"Alright. Applejack you head out and help the Wonderbolts set up the Academy." At that Applejack nodded as she encased both pegasi in a green aura.

"Y'all might wanna get ready." Applejack said as the two looked surprised and confused as to what happened.

“Applejack…” Twilight called out just before she flew off, getting her attention. “Just… be careful.”

The farmpony stared at her for a moment before nodding and taking off.

Cadence could only smile as she felt that pulse again before Twilight turned to face her. "Princess, what about me? There's gotta be something I can do..."

"Well we will need shields of equal strength for Manehattan and Vanhoover, and Commander Shining Armor needs to remain here and maintain our own barrier." The Pegasus mare stated. "Princess Cadence might I suggest we have her accompany the Royal Guards and cast another one in the cities as well?"

"Alright." Cadence said. "Guards prepare for departure." The guards nodded as Cadence turned to them. "For now this meeting is adjourned. I'll see all of you at a later date." And so the council, aside from Ink, went their separate ways. However just as Twilight was about to leave. "Twilight may I speak to you in confidence?”

Twilight accompanied Cadence and Inkwell to the throne room, a small part of her felt uneasy seeing somepony other than Princess Celestia on the throne, but she was thankful it was a pony she'd trust with her life. "Is there something wrong Princess?"

However right then and there Cadence hugged her before starting to look over her methodically. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Injured? Oh by my Aunt I hope you're not too injured."

Inkwell couldn't help but giggle at the display. "As much as she appreciates your concern, I think you should let her go now, I'm pretty sure she's having a hard time breathing."

"Oh.... of course." Cadence said as she let her go. Twilight gasped for air as she regained her composure soon after.

"Thanks for that…" Twilight gasped. "Listen Cadence, I know you're worried about me going back out there so soon... but I think there might be a small chance I have another ring leading out there…"

"How could you know that?" Cadence asked with a worried tone. "I understand you can fight back but you just recently graduated from your classes. The earth pony mare was more grown and mature.... you only recently left the city and barely managed to fight back against those things."

"Are you sure? What if your ring is the only one left out there? I don't want to send you out on a false pretense.” Cadence asked with a worried tone. "I mean I understand you can fight back but you just recently graduated from your classes. That earth pony mare was more grown and mature.... and you've only recently left the city and barely managed to fight back against those things."

"I understand your concern, but the ring... it felt a pulse of some sort..." She explained. "I don't know how, but it feels like it was guiding me to it... and if don't find it, chances are Nightmare will get to it first! Or Rainbow will find it and turn them against me!"

"I-I understand." Cadence sighed. "Well.... on your way out, just remember to try and stay safe."

"I will Cadence." Twilight nodded and flew out the door, leaving the Princess alone with Inkwell.

"She may be young, but that ring wouldn't have chosen her if she wasn't meant to fight..." Ink stated, giving the Princess a knowing look. "You saw the way she fought during the invasion..."

"I know... and I know she'll make a good guardian." Cadence said with a smile as she saw the yellow light vanish.

Meanwhile in the castle gardens, another equine of Royal blood was not in such high spirits...

Prince Blueblood scoffed as he watched a green streak fly across the sky accompanied by two Wonderbolts, soon followed by a yellow streak and two Royal Guards.

"Despicable little low lives." He growled to himself. "They dared to try and upstage ME?! Well.... soon that'll be remedied... yes... VERY soon."

As he stormed towards the garden maze, a mare wearing a tightly fit dark purple bodysuit with yellow goggles slowly emerged from the entrance, looking around to make sure they were alone. “I apologize for the wait, my Prince.” She bowed respectfully. “I encountered a minor… obstacle when retrieving what you requested…”

"And what obstacle could possibly stand in your way? You told me you could retrieve it with ease." He said with a snarl.

The mare scowled. "It's not exactly easy maneuvering through the city during an invasion, mind you!" She snapped as she pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal the object the Prince had sought.

Blueblood's eyes widened as he levitated the object towards himself. "You have done well Rough Diamond...." He said with an eerie smirk while inspecting the object. "...very well indeed..." He chuckled sinisterly as the object glistened in the moonlight...

Author's Notes:

Okay, this was mainly meant to be a sort of break in the action for a few of our heroes, I promise the next chapter will be back with action-packed awesomeness!