"Twilight, you almost ready?" Spike asked as he knocked on her door and fastened the tie on his hastily put together black suit; she had been in her room for quite some time. "Edgar says all the appetizers are ready..."

It had been two days since their ordeal in the north district; most of the crew and the Task Force slept the entire day after the whole event and were still exhausted. Nerves were– to say the very least –fairly high. Spike hadn't sustained as grievous injuries as others like Masami or Rainbow Dash, but he was moderately sore nonetheless; Evelyn's wonder-serum could only heal so much. Twilight's injuries were another case entirely, as she had experienced the worst out of all of them. Her scars were deep, both in the metaphorical sense and the literal.

Charles insisted that they celebrate and unwind, which was understandable. After all that had happened, they deserved a period of relaxation. Edgar was also relieved, as he was able to finally take his mind off of recent events with his cooking hobby. Liazo was fairly neutral about the whole celebratory aspect of their get-together. After all, he was usually known for being the edgy-type, a bit of a loner. Gin was all ears once Charles mentioned the free liquor, and Draven was as well. Most of the crew was just happy to be alive and well.

"I'll... be just a minute. I'm just adding a few finishing touches." Twilight's voice was panicked and rushed, and Spike could hear frantic rustling on his side. "Alright... I'm ready."

Spike opened the door slowly and poked his head through. "You sure...?"

"Yeah, Spike. I'm sure," Twilight insisted as she waved him in.

Twilight wore a blue dress decorated with lace; simple, unlike her princess attire she would normally wear to a formal event back in Equestria. She had a white scarf on that covered most of her neck and chest, and she wore fairly dark eye makeup to contrast the noticeable scar along the top of her left cheek. Her hair was much shorter due to the fact that most of it most of it had been cut off during her time as a prisoner. Her hair had once gone down to her hips, but after, it only went down to her shoulders. And it was not straight and organized like it once had been either; it was wavier, predominantly brushed to the right to hide the deeper scar just above her brow.

"How do I look...?" Twilight stared down at the ground in a sombre manner.

"You look great, Twi," Spike assured Twilight, giving her a determined look to reinforce her own self-esteem.

Twilight's eyes still were fixed on the floor, and she removed her scarf slowly and tossed it on the ground, revealing the scars she kept hidden. "How about now...?"

Spike sighed as he looked down at the discoloured, pink patches across Twilight's chest and shoulders– marks left by Kaiser's cruel torture methods. He placed a hand on her shoulder, then another, and then he embraced her tightly to let her cry. She buried her face in his chest, and her wings curled up as she tried taking deep breaths.

"Twilight... you are beautiful. Trust me. There is nopony here to judge or stare at those scars. We all have some scrapes and scratches." Spike comforted her as she let go of him.

"Evelyn said that some discolouration will pass eventually... but my chest and my shoulders..." Twilight shook her head as she ran to the mirror on her bureau to fix her makeup. "They won't leave."

"Twilight, I don't care about what you-."

"I do! I was helpless, Spike! Helpless! Do you know what that's like-?!" Twilight stopped herself as she looked down at the floor again, shaking her head once more. "I'm sorry, Spike... I know you were just as helpless as me– wondering if I was alive. I-... I shouldn't have said that... I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Twilight. I understand," Spike assured Twilight as he opened the door. "Are you sure you want to go? You can always just stay here and rest."

"No, I'm okay, Spike. Really, I am..." Twilight persisted as she wrapped her scarf around her neck again, replacing her frown with a meek smile. "Let's go downstairs."

Spike took Twilight's hand and guided her down the hall and down the steps that led to the main entrance. They looped around the staircase and walked down the hall, into the living room where the others had gathered. Like Spike, most of the other male partygoers wore two-piece suits, each with their own personal flair, save for Winslow; he wore the same jacket with his gauntlets and shoulder guards on top. Rainbow Dash sat down on the loveseat nearest to the attached kitchen area by the entrance, and she wore a knee-length, strapless white dress with the bomber jacket overtop– the one she had grown so accustomed to after her undercover operation during Liberty Day. Granted, there was a large stitch in the back of the jacket, and this was the spot Ichirou had sliced through during her bout with him. She sat together with Masami, who clung to her as if she was joined at the hip with the young pegasus.

Edgar entered the living room with a tray of shrimp pâté and crackers, and he placed them on the island methodically so that the tray kept in-line with the other pans filled with appetizers. "Alright... there we go. We're ready! Everypony come grab a plate!"

As Twilight and Spike entered, all of the others ran to the island, craving Edgar's delectable treats. They were the first to grab a serving, and they sat down next to Fluttershy, who sat with Nick on the couch to the right of Rainbow Dash and Masami.

"So... your name is Nick?" Twilight had seen Nick before when she was a prisoner, but never for too long. She didn't really know what to think of his sudden change of heart. Perhaps he simply saw an opportunity to escape Kaiser's grasp.

Nick didn't respond, and he covered his face with a series of interlocking chains; Fluttershy spoke for him. "Yes, it is. Sorry... he doesn't like big crowds."

"It's alright," Twilight smiled as she reached out to shake his hand. "My name is Twilight if you didn't already know."

Nick hesitated at first, but eventually he mustered up enough courage to outstretch his arm and grab her hand. "Hi..."

Spike grinned as he saw a spark return in the eye of Twilight, one that hadn't been ignited in what felt like years. All of the anger that had built in Twilight, the hatred, and spite, that seemed to melt away in that moment. She returned to her duty, the job that suited her more than anything else; making friends. Nick lowered his chains, realizing that Twilight meant to harm, and he beamed like a skipping little foal as he shook her hand enthusiastically.

It was then that Charles entered the room with his family. James jumped around and played with his bouncy ball, and Lucy sat beside Nick, who shuddered slightly in her presence.

"Hello," Lucy said with a blank, nonchalant expression as she gave him a wave.

"Hi..." Nick muttered as he began to turtle, his head ducking down into his long trench coat.

"Attention, everypony! Attention!" Charles announced as he clinked his empty glass, holding Eleanor close. "I have something to say. Please, find a table or a couch to sit at..." As instructed, everypony found either a table secluded in a corner or any vacant spot on the couch. Edgar simply stood. "I wanted to thank you all for what you have done for Ausrüstung. You have saved us from the great terror that swept our nation. Again, I cannot thank you enough. You have saved the lives of who knows how many mares and stallions, and because of that, you have left an impression on the ponies of Ausrüstung. I hope that one day, Equestria and Ausrüstung can live in harmony... and that we can stand together in the years ahead."

"Hear, hear," Butch nodded as they all began to clap. Marie, who sat beside him, also joined in on the applause.

"Oui, Oui!" Marie beamed.

"Hold on..." Charles quieted them down as he continued. "Furthermore, I have an announcement to make. After all that has happened, I think this little family has grown a little. In fact, I think it has grown a lot. Not just in a literal sense, but in a metaphorical sense as well. Which is why I want to welcome the newest member of Task Force One... Rainbow Dash, would you stand up for me?" Rainbow Dash grinned as she leapt out of her seat. "Yesterday, Masami told me of Rainbow Dash's heroics and her uncanny synergy with the rest of the team. It takes a certain kind of individual to put up with the antics of this team, let me tell you. We bicker and whine, but at the end of the day, that's just what a family does. And not only has she proven herself to be a more than worthy member of this team, but Draven and the rest of his crew have as well. However, we know you all cannot stay with us forever. You have a much more demanding task at hand." Charles let go of his wife and approached Rainbow Dash, who had a wide grin on her face. "Yesterday I inquired if she would consider joining the team, and after much debate, she finally decided last night. It gives me great pleasure to introduce you all to our newest member of Task Force One. Take a bow, Rainbow Dash."

"Woah, that's awesome, RD!" Spike said cheerfully as he clapped.

"What about Scootaloo?" Fluttershy wondered. "What about all of your friends in Equestria?"

"Scoots can take care of herself. She's fifteen, and she's got her mom and dad. I'm nineteen, and for the longest time, I didn't really know what the hell I was going to do with my life. But, being with Masami and Evelyn and everypony else, I think I finally found my place in the world. My place is in Ausrüstung with the Task Force." Rainbow Dash answered Fluttershy confidently with a warm but determined smile on her face. "Don't worry, you guys... I'll keep in touch. Besides, Equestria and The Blacklands aren't too far apart. I mean, I got here lickety-split once I joined up with you all on that big-ass airship. It's me, remember? The fastest pegasus, like, ever?" Twilight and Fluttershy's worried expressions pulled Rainbow Dash's head out of the clouds, and she walked over to them shamefully, realizing what it would be like to live away from them. "Listen... you two, Pinkie, AJ, and Rarity... you're the bestest friends a pegasus like me could ask for. I love you guys so much, and I promise you guys that I will write to you, and I will some banging on your door whenever you need me, I promise. But, I can't keep trying to hold onto my fillyhood living with my parents for the rest of my life. It's time I move on. And don't worry, you two... I'll still be the Element of Loyalty. You just give me a holler and I'll be there in ten seconds flat!"

"Rainbow Dash..." Twilight and Spike digested everything Rainbow Dash said, as did Fluttershy. And while they found her words hard to swallow at first, they knew Rainbow Dash was right, and they knew she would keep her promise. "Alright, Rainbow Dash... but you write to your parents and to Scootaloo, okay?"

"I will, Twi... trust me." Rainbow Dash smiled as she hugged the both of them. "Alright, that's enough sad stuff for now. Let's enjoy our last night together, huh?!"

"I couldn't agree more..." Charles nodded as he brought out a large bottle of champagne. "Rainbow Dash, would you care to do the honors?"

"Oh, sweet! I've always wanted to open-!" Rainbow Dash was cut off my a blast of frothy liquid that engulfed her whole face as the cork popped off in her grasp, soaking her whole head. "Oh... damn..." Everypony broke out into a roaring laughter as Rainbow Dash's face turned beet-red. She joined in on the joke, but admittedly, she was fairly embarrassed. "Oh, can it, you guys!"

"I'll get you a towel, Kitten..." Masami said as she wiped off a bead of champagne on her red sequin dress.

As the party continued, they all found a spot in the living room to converse. Winslow talked with Liazo and Butch, and Evelyn played with Lucy and James in an open corner of the room. Gin sat at the table with the ice and liquor, flat-out drunk with her head on the table. Spike laughed to himself as he walked over to her and pulled up a chair, poking at her side with one of his clawed fingers.

"Ouchie!" Gin hiccupped as she raised her head to look up at the dragon who sat next to her. "Oh heeeyyy, Spikey! Howww are you?"

"I'm good, Gin," Spike chuckled as he grabbed Gin's hand and lifted her out of her seat. "I think you need to go to bed, huh?"

"Oooooo, Spikey... you wanna sleep with me?" Gin mumbled as Spike threw her over his shoulder to carry her upstairs.

"I'm like sixteen, Gin, I'm not gonna be doing that with you..." Spike shook his head and scoffed as he began walking towards the staircase.

"Bloody hell..." Draven watched Spike carry Gin as he sat down at a table with Edgar and Charles. "I told her not to got too overboard, but she just had to have a sip of that damn brandy!"

"What can I say? Edgar has good taste..." Charles nudged Edgar, who sat down beside him in his massive rocking chair, his knees towering high above the table. Charles then reached under the table and brought out a crib board and a deck of playing cards with a scheming expression. "How about that rematch, Draven?"

"Alright. You deal first." Draven said eagerly as he thought of his departure the next day. "Say... where's Hydra and my crew? Are they still on the Ambassador?"

"Yes, in fact, they have gotten fairly anxious over the past few days. I'll tell the crew of the Ambassador to drop them in Chetbrovsky Harbour tomorrow morning." Charles informed Draven as he placed two cards in his crib. "What time will you set sail in the morning?"

"Probably ten o' clock, maybe a little later," Draven replied as he placed two cards in his hand in Charles' crib.

"Where are you off to?" Edgar inquired as he watched Draven and Charles count up to thirty-one.

"East. I've got special orders from Celestia to return to the Equestrian colony to the south of Wantthai– well, what's left of it –once we take care of a sorcerer, and that'll take probably a month to get there. My crew and I will remain there until we are given further instructions, or until another Sorcerer shows his face." Draven answered as he gathered up his cards and placed them on the table to count them. "Alright... so... fifteen-two, fifteen-four, fifteen-six, fifteen-eight, and four sevens is twenty points. Take that!"

"Oh, hell! That was a rotten hand!" Charles cursed as he slammed his hand and his crib on the table; both yielded only a total of four points. Draven then gathered up the cards to shuffle them. "You seem to know quite a bit about this whole magic business... what is that peculiar mark on Rainbow Dash's hand?"

"Oh, that? That's one of the Brands. I'm no expert, but those things pop-up quite a bit here in the Blacklands. Most who have them are sailors or explorers, mostly because where they show up is fairly remote and random at times, although most believe they're some kind of ancient 'cutie mark'. Nopony really knows the origin of the Brands." Draven explained as he dug through the files in his heads. "Some say they are the souls of the extinct seraphim, others say they were all created by a scribe during The First Age. Collectors, warlords, pirates... many in the Blacklands go out of their way to find the Brands. Somepony with a Brand can go from a normal pony to a powerhouse just like that. Rainbow Dash was one of the lucky ones who just stumbled across one of them. It's never clear what Brand you'll get until you get it."

"Hm, very interesting indeed..." Charles nodded as he digested Draven's wisdom. "So, back to the original topic... when do you think the next sorcerer will show up?"

"No clue. Could be a day, a week, who knows..." Draven said as he dealt out the cards in his hand to himself and Charles. "Although, Winslow's got a funny feeling that something's brewing in the northeast– though we don't know for sure."

"Well, let's hope it's nothing too serious. Equestria is facing enough problems as it is with that bloody stalemate waging on the Wantthai border." Charles shook his head as he grabbed his hand and brought it to his face. "Ah... another bloody awful hand..."

"We can only hope..." Draven said as he picked up his hand.

****

Deep within the western mountains along the border of the Miriad Kingdom, there lay a crypt, long-forgotten by the ponies of the Blacklands. For ten-thousand years it remained quiet, undisturbed. But suddenly, in that secluded chamber, a great evil held within a coffin bound by many chains began to stir and shake. Soon, the chains shattered, the lid flew off, revealing the creature held within.

A lanky, pale miriad stallion arose from the coffin; emaciated, frail, and limp. His fangs hungered for blood, and his claws lusted to crush the Equestrians and all those who opposed him. He hissed as he lashed his tongue, and a swarm of bats escaped the dread lord's gaping maw as he uttered his first word in over ten-thousand years.

"LUNA!"

*

Luna awoke in a cold sweat as she gasped; her bed sheets were completely soaked. She wiped her forehead off with her duvet as she grabbed the glass of water sitting next to her on her nightstand. However, as she closed her eyes to take a drink, something sharp cut her lip. She recoiled and placed it back on the nightstand; the sudden shock caused her to swallow the water down the wrong pipe. As her breathing returned to normal, she looked back at the glass on her left in horror. A single, indigo rose stained with her blood sat in the glass, and the blood swirled about within the water until it all became a faded, transparent red hue. Luna grabbed the rose and bit her bleeding lip to stop it from dripping onto her already ruined bed covers, holding the flower high in the air so the light of the moon could illuminate it.

Then, Luna turned to look out into the night sky, to see the moon above. However, she was not met with a silver dish in the sky. Instead, she was met with something that terrified her, something that rattled every fiber of her being. "No..."

The moon was crimson red.

*END OF ARC TWO*

Author's Notes:

I hope you all enjoyed "Arc Two: The Gears of Chaos"! I know I certainly did! I hope to see you all in "Arc Three: Blood Moon"! It's gonna be a wild ride!