Run. That was the only plan for an attack for a civilian pony. Run and hope to Solamina that you survived. It was a plan that Lucifer’s armies found to be a most amusing game. That day was no different.

The ponies of the city assumed they would be safe. It would stand on as a city that had lived on through two wars that threatened Equestria, with buildings and monuments that were around long before anypony that lived in that town were born. Stalliongrad was, in the eyes of its ponies, power. Stalliongrad was a fort in the guise of a city. They had arch-magi in the town, as per orders of the Empress herself, surely they would have known exactly how to defeat demons. The ponies of Stalliongrad were more removed from the the rest of Equestria, sharing their land with neighbouring Griffons. Arch-magi and warrior Griffons: who wouldn’t be able to sleep at night with the knowledge that they were protecting you? A fair few soldiers were veterans of the Equestrian-Earth war and they wore their scars with pride. That was their mistake. They forgot one of the first rules of mortality.

If it bleeds you can kill it.

Light grew dimmer above the town and as the ponies looked up to see why, their confusion swiftly turned to panic. Hovering above the city were hundred of creatures. The flesh from their wings looked to have rotted away long ago, replaced by cobwebs, spiders continuously weaving even while in the air. They bore no feathers or scales, just diseased flesh with scars arranged like words down their chests. Like monkeys, the arms and legs of these creatures were almost identical. Both sets were as long as a ponies body and each ended in jagged claws that sometimes split into two.

The first to be struck down by these creatures were the unfortunate weather ponies working at the time. There attacks were vicious. To stop their victims from screaming they would forcibly tear the pony’s jaw apart with one set of claws while the over plunged into the victim’s body and tear their vocal cords out.

It didn’t take long for an army of them to descend on Stalliongrad, ripping to shreds any unfortunate soul that came close to their claws. Their faces were battered and bruised but gazed down at the city with unrestrained malice. From their beaks they let out a screech that pierced the heart off those below

The Griffons in the city fought hard. A battle in their city could not go without the most dire punishment. They were trained for worse than demons. Griffons yielded to nothing and that day was going to be no different in their eyes. Blades were endlessly slicing through the rotting flesh of the creatures as the Griffons would declare to the rest of their kind “This was my victory!” before moving on to the next hellspawn

Civilians scattered inside buildings while guards prayed to Solamina that they could defeat the swarm. The odd lucky swipe of a sword by a Griffin or the right spot some pony threw their spear took down a few but for each one they took down, three more showed up to avenge their comrade.

It wasn’t long before the air that was once so full of song and the cheers of ponies became drowned in screeches and cries for help. Some victims’ screams were garbled as they were being eaten alive, their hooves clinging on to their organs.

A fraction of the creatures were knocked out of the skies by the Arch-magi. Hope at last for the citizens of Stalliongrad. The chance was slim but it was there. From inside buildings ponies saw the valiant efforts of the unicorns hoof picked by the Empress herself to help defend her realm. Even as soldiers fell before these creatures around them and civilians who had not found shelter were reduced to nothing more than food for the ravenous horde, the Arch-magi did not give in to fear.

“Glory to Empress Solamina!” one shouted.

“Long live the Empress!” another added.

“The Empress guide us all!” a third declared.

The soldiers on the battlefield all praised her name as they fought the horde back. The resolve grew larger and larger. Each time one of their own was killed, they didn’t see it as proof that Solamina was not defending them, instead they saw it as a blight against their dear Empress’s name. The creatures, vile and rotting, dared to attack the land that Solamina ruled over. In was the soldiers' mission to see to it that this battle would not end in defeat. Lucifer would see the strength of Equestria that day and he would flee back to the filthy pit from where he came from.

A sharp, high whistle echoed around the city. The creatures flew back up into the air and began circling Stalliongrad. Those who could fly lay on the ground, watching every movement of the remaining soldiers and Arch-magi.

The ponies and griffons inside the houses listened to the whistle. The longer they listened the more it started to sound like a child screaming. They daren’t move from shelter or even call out to the Magi to find out what they should do next.

As one, the ponies who had fought bravely for the Empress ran to where the sound was coming from. As fast as they could gallop, some to the point of extreme pain, they raced to the source. It had crossed a few of the Arch-magi minds that just who they might find using such a whistle. Their search let them to the very centre of the great city. When their eyes looked upon the form of their target, they found it blasphemous.

The whistle stopped.

In the gaze of dozens of Arch-magi and even more regular soldiers, surrounded on all sides with no path unaccounted for (including the sky above) was an Alicorn. A crimson Alicorn. Her mane and hooves were as black shadows. Upon her head was a rusted crown bearing the cracked emblem of the sun. She showed no fear as a select few very brave ponies moved in closer for the kill.

Her mere presence made the ponies feel empty. The air grew colder and the only things that they could think about were the moments in their lives that they regretted most. For some it was the death of loved ones, for others it was moments that they failed them and for some those moments were one in the same. A few ponies were left motionless, simply watching the crimson mare. Average ponies would be left crying in a corner. These ponies tried to push past the emotions, tried to remember what they were fighting for. Most succeeded.

“No need to crowd me,” she said with a sultry voice. “Your Empress is going nowhere.” The Alicorn sat down.

“Do not mock Solamina you scumbag,” growled a green Unicorn stallion.

“Mock?” she asked.

“Show us your true form.”

The Alicorn chuckled. “You know who I am.”

He nodded.

“Say my name.” Her voice was gentle but her smile was vile.

Spells were launched at her but every time one was the result was the same. The Alicorn would block it using her very shadow. It would rise up, swift and vicious, at what ever point she was attacked. Then a flock of those creatures would swoop down and tear to pieces the attacker. The ponies managed to take down a few more creatures but they would never leave an attacker alive.

After a few casualties they got the message. Attack and die. It was a slight improvement over fighting to the death but not a logical one.

The green stallion looked back to the Alicorn. “What do you want?”

She flipped her mane back. “First, say my name.”

He stood his ground.

The Alicorn nodded up to one of the creatures over head. It flew down passed the defenders of Stalliongrad and headed for one of the buildings of civilians.

A rapid fire of magic from the other Arch-magi shredded its web wings and sent it crashing into the ground, breaking its neck.

The mare nodded again. several creatures came down this time.

“Wait!” the stallion said.

The Alicorn’s eyes flashed. For a moment, they were lifeless and grey. The creatures flew back up.

“There will be no fighting. I’ve just come for a chat,” she assured. “Say. My. Name.”

“Lucifer.” he grumbled.

She beamed with pride and arrogance. “Good. What is your name?”

“Lantern Light.” In truth, he was caught off a little by the informal tone of Lucifer.

The surviving ponies held their positions around Lucifer. She paid them no attention. Her gaze was focused on the revolted Lantern who looked towards the others before reminding himself of the terror above.

“What do you-”

Before he could, Lucifer spread her wings. In the same time it took the ponies to ready themselves for an attack, Lucifer flew across to Lantern Light, grabbed him using nothing but her mind and launched herself high above the clouds.

As she passed her faithful creatures, they descended down for the final time to feast on the remaining ponies.

Atop a cloud, Lantern struggled in vain in the grip of Lucifer’s magic. Even his own magic wasn’t working. The most he could do was close his eyes. He felt a cold, soft breath on his face.

Even from that far up, both could hear the carnage that was being let loose down below. Lucifer stopped for a moment and took the sound in. She looked as he she was enjoying the orchestra. Lantern cringed with every new scream.

“Listen carefully to me my dear Lantern Light,” Lucifer soothed. “You will not die this day. I have a task for you. It would be very undignified for you to die before you carried it out.”

The darkness that Lantern saw while his eyes were tightly shut was replaced by the image of Equestria. It was rotting away before his sight. Lantern knew what awaited him if he opened his eyes. He did not want to give Lucifer the satisfaction of his fear. He would push on through this illusion. That’s when Lantern realised something. He could no longer hear that battle on the ground.

“Stalliongrad is no more.” Lucifer’s voice remained sweet and sublime. “You will go to Solamina and tell her just that. Even her greatest cities are nothing to me. She is under the impression that she is on my level. Educate her, my new friend.”

Equestria vanished. Lantern could no longer feel Lucifer’s breath or her tight grip. He could feel the ground beneath him which caused him to open his eyes.

Lantern Light, Arch-mage of Empress Solamina’s Equestria and soldier of two wars, was stood alone in a forest. Off in the distance, he could see the glimmering towers of Canterlot. He was so far from Stalliongrad now, any hope of going back to help was swiftly done away with. Despite who the order came from, Lantern set off to tell Solamina everything. Lucifer was wrong. Solamina was greater than her by so much, Lantern was sure that she would know what to do.

***

Resistence FM HQ

Octavia was listening to the endless sound of static. She sat in the communications room, surrounded by radio equipment that was crafted on Earth so long ago that they had lost the shine they once had with some plating dented or missing.

She sat alone, the rest of her team out gathering information. On the board behind her were pins for every member of the team that had fallen in the war against Lucifer. One calm night she found herself arranging them to make a motto.

Do it for them. Do it for the Fallen.

Octavia began to tune one of the radios, the static growing fiercer or softer by her command until something new came through.

“Hello, am I clear? Over,” crackled a voice from the radio.

“Just about, over,” answered Octavia solemnly.

“Roger that, please state the pass phrase, over.”

“Celestia is dead… over.”

“Confirmed. How’s it looking over there? Over.”

Octavia sighed. “Same as most days I’m afraid. I’m not sure how much longer we will last like this. Over.”

The static from the radio lingered on longer than normal. Octavia was left alone with her thoughts.

Alone.

Now more than ever she felt it. The recon team of Resistance FM had dwindled down to three, including herself. The rest were gone, fled to Earth or slaughtered by Lucifer’s armies. Yet, Octavia remained. Every day she tried to press on and give the Resistance as much information she could about Solamina or Lucifer’s activities but how much longer could her team go on.

“Do you wish to initiate Operation Birdman? Over,” the voice came back.

The question caught Octavia off guard. Was it time to?

***

The Former Seaddle

Where there was once grand libraries that housed knowledge for all ponies, there was now a roaring fire that danced in the daylight. Where there were once beautiful towers from which you could see far out to the horizon and bless the sunrise that Solamina had given you, there was now nothing, just a pit that rumbling and rippled every time a new victim got near it.

Seaddle was no more. Lucifer’s campaign had twisted the once proud city into little more than a vast scrapheap of broken lives and decaying bodies. The demon horde that had attacked had moved on days ago, leaving whatever life still remained to rot in isolation.

Amidst the rubble and the groans of the dying, those that still clung to hope that soon somepony would come, came the soft sound of hoofsteps. They were light, the owner of them being rather small herself, but they did not go unnoticed by the fallen.

“...help…”

The pony stopped and turned to one of the dying. The stallion, lying there with a broken bones and never ending pain, flinched at the sight of the filly.

In front of him stood a smiling child, gazing at him with the widest eyes. At each edge of her smile was a red mark, almost an extension to that haunting grin. The joy in her expression seemed unnatural, like she was wearing a mask for some twisted party.

“How are you?” she said, restraining a giggle.

I’m sorry.

“Run…” With that last warning, the stallion felt the sweet relief of death take him from the mortal world into a place where he could look down on his family. He could watch them live their lives with joy and under the protection of Solamina. That was, until they would ultimately join him. A blessing of heaven's secret curse.

The filly sat staring at the remains of the stallion. Her left eye began to twitch. She sat in silence until her eye stopped twitching and she lunged forward at the deceased stallion, stopping just short of his face.

“What's the matter? Dead tired?” she mocked. The filly burst into laughter, taking joy in the sound echoing around the rubble of the city, filling it with life once more. As her laughter began to fade, the energy of her joke running out, a tear rolled down the filly's cheery expression.

“Hello?” a new voice called out.

The filly spun around to see a mare off in the distance coming towards her. The older pony seemed to be scanning the rubble looking for something.

“Hello!” the filly yelled back.

I’m here!

Immediately the mare stopped looking and stared at the , now bouncing, filly. “Are you hurt?”

The filly’s grin grew. The game was about to get fun.

“Are you hurt?” she replied back, mimicking the mare’s voice.

Yes. Please help me.

The mare in the distance broke into a run, charging towards the little filly so fast that she was becoming a blue blur. The dust that she kicked up left a trailing cloud behind her. The filly braced herself for a new playmate.

The next thing the little pony knew, she was being hugged very tightly and for a moment, her smile wavered.

“Thank Solamina I found somepony, Are you alright? It must have been dreadful.” The mare pulled away and looked at the filly, the joy across the rescuer's face faded away, the mare’s expression growing more concerned the longer she looked at the small filly who simply sat there with a jittery grin across her face.

“Huggy mare aren’t you,” the filly commented.

You’re real?

Before the filly stood a blue Unicorn mare with her lighter blue mane tied back, if it wasn’t for the dirt and bags under her eyes, the medical uniform and satchel would have made her look the image of professional.

“My name is Blessed Star, what’s your name?”

The filly shrugged. “I go by a few names. ‘Get out of here’, ‘Abomination’, ‘Thing’, ‘Macfilly Shortlegs’ my personal favourite, and of course the ever classic ‘Smiley’.”

Blessed Star opened her satchel as she continued to talk.

“Does it hurt anywhere?” the mare asked.

“Anywhere? That’s a new name.” The filly giggled.

Blessed Star smiled and took out a bottle of water giving it to the filly. She drank it, trading her grin for a look of sheer peace while she took in the first bit of water she had gotten in a few days.

When she finished the bottle, the filly took deep breaths, trying to focus herself again. She looked back at Blessed who put the empty bottle back in her satchel and placed a hoof around the filly.

“There’s a carriage waiting not too far from here,” she said, her voice now soothing and quiet, “come with me. We can get you somewhere safe.”

For the first time since she met the stranger, the filly didn’t reply. With a shuddering nod she began to follow the mare who stuck close by and rarely took her eyes of the child.

“How did you survive the attack?” Blessed Star asked.

“By not being here when the attack started,” she chortled. “My home is a different pile of rubble in a different part of Equestria.”

“I’m so sorry,” Blessed Star said “If you don’t mind me asking...how did you survive this long?”

The filly fell silent again and sped up a little.

So much for a new game. You’re no fun.

Blessed Star sighed and kept up as they passed the remains of the town. Voices of the wounded droned out of the rubble. Coming towards them were a few other Ponies that desperately tried to dig them out before the last of their strength gave way and the rescuer would be left with just another victim of Solamina's struggle with Lucifer.

When they reached the carriage, it was on the outskirts of the town. Pulling it was a group of ever vigilante Earth Pony Stallions. The armour they wore, covered in scratches from battles past, bore the faded symbol of an "E" covered in silver vines.

The filly found herself hiding behind Blessed Star, the thought of being seen felt...uncomfortable for some reason.

"It's okay," Blessed assured. "They are with us. We are the Equestrian Lifeline."

"I haven't done my make up," the filly rebuttaled. "I look simply ghastly." She snickered before seeing Blessed's expression. The mare looked down with concern filling her eyes.

They won’t like me.

When they got aboard the carriage, the filly barely had time to register the interior before she found herself in another hug. It was warm and made her wide grin shrink slightly.

It felt so familiar. The blurred image of a different mare sprang to the young pony's mind. The image was whispering something but she couldn't make it out. What was she forgetting?

Mom?

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.” Blessed Star's voice was beginning to quiver. That's when the filly felt the delicate touch of tears running onto her. “We should have found you sooner.”

“Jester…”

Blessed Star pulled away slightly. The grin that was so wide before, so unnatural, was now little more than a sympathetic smirk

“That's my name,” the filly added. Her smile blossomed once more. “My name is Jester.”

***

Resistence FM HQ

“Stand by, as soon as what remains of my team get back I will discuss the option with them. I won’t be going though, my place is still here for as long as I can get something useful back. Over.”

Octavia relaxed back in her chair. The only thing to report so far was yet more mass slaughter. She didn’t even know why the war had started and that annoyed her. Why would Solamina declare war so quickly on a new foe? Was Lucifer responding to the war against the Humans? If that was the case, why not contact the Resistance or have Human soldiers? From what people had said about Lucifer, he was the greatest threat to humanity that had ever existed so why would he care what Solamina had been doing? If it did have nothing to do with the war on Humans then why now? Nopony had heard of Lucifer before this war, yet he was supposedly capable of so much and had what seemed like a never ending horde of demons at his command. What started this war?

The questions would pulsate in the mare’s mind at least once every day but nopony knew the answer. At least, nopony she had the chance to talk to, which meant nopony on the side of sanity. The longer the war went on, the more questions would be added to Octavia’s growing list.

“Roger that, we will stand by until further notice.” The radio’s hiss only lasted a second before the voice came back, although softer in tone. “For what it’s worth, we all salute what you have done for the Resistance and are thankful for the help. Your intel has meant the difference between going in blind and standing a fighting chance so many times. The broadcasts you do to the troops, it reminds me of church sometimes, with people and ponies coming together to have their faith renewed. When the war we Lucifer began over there, I can remember everyone bowing our heads and feeling so...honoured. Honoured to know souls that were willing to continue their jobs even with the literal devil at their doorsteps. When any of your team come to Earth, they will be welcomed with open arms and a cold pint. Over.”

“Thank you.” Octavia smiled, the words touching her deeper than any weapon could, making the time she spent in war torn Equestria worth it and her decision to stay even easier.

The ponies that did decide to go would at least be free from the war, free from the mayhem and would be able to sleep through the night without hearing the shriek of something in the distance or the wailing cry of a Pony in trouble that is sudden stopped, leaving the night silent and much more empty. If they wanted to, they could live actually begin to live again.

Not her though. Not yet.

Octavia still knew that there needed to be somepony here incase anything did happen that would a affect the Resistance on Earth. Even if it was just one Pony. Besides, she’d sleep better knowing that those who felt like some peace were getting what they deserved.

“Over and out for now.” Octavia switched the HQ to HQ radio off and was about to switch on the radio she used to broadcast to the troops when there was a creaking sound behind her.

She turned swiftly, ready to lunge if whoever was there was an enemy. It struck her as odd that one of her team wouldn’t announce themselves or make more noise.

As her eyes met the being who stood there, her expression grew confused. Before her, standing with an undeniably confident poise, was a burnt umber Earth Pony Stallion.

“Greetings,” he proclaimed with gusto. “I am your new recruit.”

***

Colton Mansion Grand Ballroom

Times had surely changed for that room. Instead of ponies lining up in order to dance the sparkling night away, freeing any cares they had with good company and the proper amount of cider, even if it was for just one evening, the room instead had the entirety of the Colton Mansion Guard lined up at attention, ready for their Prince to speak to them.

Much like the soldiers that were waiting, the room was bruised by past training but was nevertheless capable of its duty. For the room, that was being sturdy enough to survive whatever strike the gritty floors got from cold steel. For the Guards, it was whatever the Prince needed them to do.

When they had arrived at the Mansion there had originally been fifty seven Guards, not including Fancy Pants, to follow him and keep him safe from the terrors that had been unleashed upon the world. There were now just twelve Guards left. Some had been slaughtered as they had made their way to Colton while others died on duty.

They murmured amongst each other, uneasy about the sudden meeting that Fancy Pants had told them about. To say that Blueblood addressing them all as a group was rare would have been an understatement. The only time he had done something close to that was when they had first arrived in Colton. On that day, the Prince had requested they all go for a few drinks to remember those who had past, only to spend the evening alone.

Only two Guards were brand new. Crowned Note, a cautious soul though he meant well, and his sister Harmonic Note, who was something of a poet sometimes. They were the younger siblings in the ragtag family of guards of the mansion. Everypony looked out for them. Most of their lives had been the war, it was doubtful that they remembered anything else as more than a dream. Old or new, Blueblood wanted them to hear what was going to be said. They had as much right to hear it as the veterans of the Guard.

The Note siblings were the first eyes that met Blueblood’s as he stood at the top of a once grand staircase. The armour they wore wasn’t made for them, it was made for older Guards who had fallen in the line of duty. Blueblood couldn’t help but feel like the armour. He wasn't made for the task he was about to take but he would be damned him would stop him. Every time that thought entered his mind, he looked at the empty spaces of the room. He remembered those whom he had lost because of this petty war. Solamina's ego was the reason they were gone, it was the reason so many children were now growing up in a realm that didn't know sanity, where their family could be ripped apart at any second.

Prince Blueblood took a deep breath. They had waited long enough. Equestria had waited long enough.

Lieutenant Fancy Pants stood with Blueblood, assuring him with a simply nod. When he coughed the Guards fell silent.

“We will not stand by any longer,” Prince Blueblood announced.

The Guards exchanged a few glances before focusing on their leader again.

“For a while,” he continued “you have all been defending me and training recruits for the Solaminan army. I am thankful for all of your hard work and your dedication but I believe it is time that I stepped into the fray to try and end this war.”

From the corner of his eye, the Prince could see that Fancy Pants had walked away, back into the corridor that led to the rest of the Mansion. Still, he had to press on.

“It is clear to me that Solamina is unable to end this conflict with Lucifer. There is a chance the Humans will be able to help us, and so myself and Fancy Pants will be heading there in two hours. I would like you to come with me, aid in making Equestria peaceful, like it was so long ago. While I would appreciate as many of you coming as possible, I know it is a lot to ask. Some of you are brand new to war. Others have been through so much already. Either way, you have the right to say no to my request. I won’t think anything less of you. For the ones who would like to come with us, we will meet back here in two hours. You are dismissed.”

With those final words, the ballroom began to echo with the chatter of Guards.

“The Humans?”

“How long do you think he’s been planning this?”

“We should go with him.”

“We’re safer here.”

Blueblood turned and walked down the corridor to find Fancy Pants. Fancy was struggling to breath, leaning himself on the wall.

As soon as Blueblood saw his friend, he rushed over to him. “How can I help?”

Fancy staggered back onto his hooves. “I’ll be fine, see it’s going.”

He met the Prince’s gaze and Blueblood knew he had to say something.

“Listen,” he whispered. “I think you should stay here. These attacks might get more serious and I would want you to…”

Fancy Pants put a hoof on the Prince’s shoulder. “No. I’m coming with you.” He smiled. “Besides, I always get a spring in my step after one of these headaches.”

Not what Blueblood would have called it.

“That reminds me,” said the Prince. “About telling Solamina. How come you agreed not to so quickly?”

Fancy shrugged. “I understood where you were coming from. This will be our quest. Solamina would...” He trailed off, growing more pale.

“Let’s focus on getting prepared.”

“Yes.” The energy returned to Fancy along with his colour. “To war, my Prince.”