The discussion within the war room had ended on a sour note. Celestia admitting that those who would have the elemental spell cast upon them would need to be put down. No counter spell was known at that time, so none of those involved with the spell would stay sane for long after having it cast on them. It could last a short time or up to several years, but it never ended well. As the discussion continued however, Midnight had convinced Celestia to let him do some tests on the affected ponies to see if a counter spell could be made, as long as he did not torture them. This would be his only chance to try and save his friend, and he would do anything possible to do so.

After a short time within the war room, Midnight had advised the elements to stay close to the castle for the time being, as it was not known when the attacks could happen, or where they would strike. Midnight along with the captains of the royal guard had dispatched several units of twenty guard around Equestria to each city. The larger cities would have reserve units at bases found within the city, while the smaller places like Dodge City and Appleloosa would need units sent to them. The increased security would prove to be helpful in keeping the citizens of those cities calm in the coming war. However, this was not the same in the other nations among that world.

"AAAAAAAAAAH HAHAHAHAAAAAAA KNEEL BEFORE ME OR DIE!" Twilight shouted at her iPad as she furiously tapped the screen. It had been a few days since Hearths Warming Eve, and just as long since Kindle had been captured by her former friends. Everyone had been on guard since then within the castle, taking shifts to prepare for the oncoming war. Twilight had decided to pass the time the only way she knew how, and that was to read and play games on her present that Midnight had gotten her for hearts Warming.

After figuring out how to properly use the tablet, she had read several books and even got into a couple of the games that had been downloaded onto it. Once such game was the ever classic, WORMS. Twilight had come to find the game very addicting when it came to strategizing on locations and weapon selections. This in turn caused her some great frustration upon loosing on many occasion.

As time progressed however, New Years was coming up quickly. It would be the following night, and everyone wanted nothing more than to have fun during that time. The only problem was that war was looming over them, and they had no real free time to do what they wanted. That of course didn't stop one certain pink pony from setting up a party within the castle.

"OHMIGOSH! I can't wait until tomorrow night! This is gonna be the bestest party EVER!" Pinkie shouted happily as she bounced around the dinning hall, placing decorations here and there for the event. Midnight on the other hand was still doing patrols around the city with several pegasus in tow. He was still wearing his regalia which made him look rather intimidating. Although he still smiled to everypony, many of them would avoid his path at all costs. Some even going as far as to hide.

"I am really starting to hate this stupid armor." Midnight sighed as yet another pony quickly vanished from the streets.

"Sir." One of the pegasi guard spoke up, garnering his attention. "If you don't like your regalia, you do have the choice to not wear it. The princesses only wear theirs because they contain several enchantments that are active at all times, as is yours."

Midnight looked back to the guard giving a smirk. "And what exactly are the enchantments? I never thought about asking."

"One is a shield spell on your breastplate, and your shoes contain a non slip spell."

"Well that seems a little useless unless I'm out of magic. Even then I wouldn't be able to wear them since I would turn back into a human temporarily." He groaned as he opened his stash portal and placed his regalia into it. "Still, it doesn't help that I seem to be terrifying everypony while wearing it. I guess it would be best for the time being to take it off though." He chuckled.

"This impending war has everypony including myself on edge. It's so difficult knowing that war looms right around the corner, yet we have to wait until the enemy decides to attack. Lowering our guard, even for a moment could cost lives." Midnight sighed.

"True sir, but living on the verge of fear is not living. It is like waiting for death to finally take us. We know its there, and it's coming, but we just don't know that day or time it will arrive." One of the pegasi guards said as he strode up next to the future king.

"You have a point." Midnight said as he trailed off for a moment, then began to smile as a thought crossed his mind.

"Sergent, Alert the guard to go back to normal shifts. I will personally be taking care of everything in Canterlot for the time being." He said as he spread his wings, ready to take flight.

"Sir?"

"We cannot live in fear all the time. So I will place a few enchantments around Canterlot to help warn us in case of a sudden invasion. The rest of you help him spread the word. I shall notify the princess'." Midnight smiled as he took flight toward the castle.

"So you want us to just lower our guard like nothing was going to happen? Celestia asked in slight shock.

"Don't say it like that doll, I've already placed many enchantments around the city to alert us if an intruder happens to make their way into the city. I have also take the liberty to relearn my communications spell in case something does happen. As long everypony still remembers how to work it, it will still be active on them." He smirked as he began to speak through the spell now.

'So if anyone needs to contact any other pony, just say their name and start talking within your mind. They will have to do the same to talk back as well.' He smiled as he looked at their semi shocked expressions.

"So what do we do in the meantime?" Twilight asked as they all nodded to the Alicorn in unison at the question.

"I think Pinkie has something for use to do." He smiled warmly to the grinning pink earth pony.

The new years party came quickly, with everypony, including the princess' attending it. The castle was rather lively for having just removed the war status from the kingdom, and reinstating normal conditions. Nopony knew how long it would be before it would start, so now they would live everyday like it was their last. Enjoying each others company, sitting together to tell stories of all kinds. Spending time with friends, and family, The normal stuff that we take for granted everyday that we live on.

However, as New Years Eve rolled around,they all sat quietly as they watched the second hand quietly tick away at the time. As the final minute before the new year would begin, started to count down, They waited until the last ten seconds before starting to countdown the time. Once the time hit 12am, they all shouted and began to sing, ringing in the new years properly. Even the evil that threatened Equestria was celebrating this time. Although it was a bit awkward.

"Another year, hooray............" Ice stated flatly as she took another swig of wine from the bottle she was levitating in front of her.

"Oh come on now Ice, no reason to be a stick in the mud. Yes, we may be on the verge of war with Equestria, Yes we may have lost Kindle, and yes I may have had to much to drink, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun." Orion chuckled drunkily as he wrapped Ice in a sideways hug.

"Good grief Orion, you smell like a brewery." Ice groaned in annoyance as she tried to block the intense smell of alcohol from her nose.

"Yea, I know, This is some killer stuff though. I got it from my dad about five years ago before he died. He said that the princess gave it to his great great great great great GREAT! Grandfather. It's like a THOUSAND years old scotch. You should try some! I even got Steel to try a shot, and you know what a hard ass he is!" Orion laughed as he poured another shot of the burning drink.

"I have to admit." Steel began as he released a small hiccup. "This is probably the best scotch I have had. Glacia, you shouldn't pass up an opportunity to try something that is ten times your age." He chuckled as she sipped on his drink.

"I've already been drinking on this bottle for over an hour now." She said as she levitated it to her lips only to drink air. She pulled it up to her eye with a pout as there was nothing left inside. "Dammit, I can't even get drunk off of a bottle of wine?" She grumbled before Orion pressed a glass filled with the old scotch in it into her hooves.

"See if your mare enough to drink with the big boys." Orion chuckled but stopped as a hoof was pressed to the side of his face before he was unceremoniously shoved off the couch, laughing as he hit the floor.

"I can drink ten times what you can moron." She shouted as she threw her head back, downing the drink in one gulp. After a few seconds her eyes shot open as the glass fell from her magical grasp. She panted heavily at the severe burning sensation. "HOLY CRAP!" She squeaked as she galloped over to the mini bar to grab a bottle of water. The rest of the ponies in the room laughing loudly at her.

After downing a bottle of water she walked quietly over to Orion. Swaying slightly in her steps as she did so before plopping back down beside him as her eyes began to sag a little. A smile slowly creeping onto her face.

"Boy that stuff will make you pretty warm." She said as she looked over to Orion. He cocking a brow at seeing the Ice pony smile for the first time.

"You know, you have a beautiful smile. It's a shame you have to be such a dick all the time." He chuckled seeing her blush at the compliment before her expression turned to anger.

"What the hell do you mean I'm a dick all the time?!" She shouted back as she pressed her forehead to his.

"Just what I said, Your a bitch all the time, a cold hearted bitch who doesn't do anything but complain." He smirked back, pressing his forehead harder to hers.

"If it weren't for jerks like you, then I wouldn't be such a dick all the time!" She snapped back with a growl.

"Bitch!"

"Jerk!"

"Ice queen!"

"DICK!"

"FUCKING MMMMPH!" Orion was about to finished but was halted as Glacia pushed him over onto his back while kissing him roughly.

"WOOOOO, Get on it kid!" Forge shouted as he took another drink.

Glacia separated from the forced kissed giving a devious grin, her horn lighting up as a field surround Orion, lifting him into the air as she trotted happily into the next room with him.

"Wait?! I thought we were fighting?" Were the last words that left his mouth before the door closed behind them.

Forge and Steel sat there laughing like idiots the whole time.

Morning arrived quickly for the group as the sun shone in through the windows to wake the group up. Steel yawned as he squinted slightly from the bright light that invaded his vision. He sat up slowly from his position on the couch as he rubbed his eyes. After a moment he noticed his guise had worn off and he quickly corrected it as a lump laying next to him on the couch began to move.

"Oh Celestia! I think I'm dieing." Forge spoke up as he covered his head with a couch cushion.

"Get up ya big baby, we need to get some breakfast in us before we head back to the mistresses to begin work again." Steel sighed as he pulled himself from the couch and giving him a gentle nudge.

"Oh crap!" Forge began as his cheeks puffed a little, his face turning green as he bolted for the bathroom to empty his stomach.

"Idiot." Steel groaned as he walked over to the closed door and opened it to see Glacia and Orion still laying in the same bed together. The heavy sent of the previous nights alcohol and the marathon of sex still heavy within the room.

"GET UP!" Steel shouted from the door causing both ponies to bolt upright in the bed before they groaned out at the invading light. They covered their eyes in protest for a moment before stopping as they both realized where they were.

"WHAT THE HELL!?" They shouted in unison while looking at each other, both cringing from the sudden volume.

"Fucking hell! what are you doing in bed with me?!" Glacia snarled toward Orion.

"I should ask the same thing!" He spoke up but stopped as he took a sniff. "Did we?" He trailed off looking to the now obviously in shock Glacia as her eyes went wide and she looked down to her now matted fur.

"Dammit!" She shouted as she covered her face.

"YES!" Orion shot his hooves up into the air as he grinned from ear to ear. *WHACK*

Glacia gave a snort as she nodded in approval of Orion's limp body laying on the other side of the bed. A pair of bright red horse marks on his face. Steel just looking at her in disapproval as she walked by.

"What? The fuckhead deserved it." She spoke up with a smirk. Steel giving a sigh as he levitated the unconscious pony onto his back as they all began to head out of Steels house and toward their new workplace.

"The shit I put up with to take over the world." Steel groaned as he followed behind her.