MLP: Love and War

02

"Can you perform... a horn transplant?" Dawn Glimmer asked the Unicorn doctor.

Dawn Glimmer had the most serious look on his face, and the doctor knew this stallion was not joking.

"I can... I mean, I've done it once... but the donor was the twin brother of the mare in question... I don't even know if your horn is compatible with Ms. Sparkle."

"Can you find out?"

"I can test you both... but the likelihood is almost impossible... I mean, her magic is renowned to be almost as powerful as Princess Celestia's."

"And then there's me... A unicorn who was raised in a land where we are denied use of our own birthright... and not just me, but for generations. Our magic must be so weak by now..."

"Like I said, I can test you both, but don't go getting ready to have your horn removed just yet, alright? If Princess Celestia can come and heal Twilight just as she healed you, then it will be alright."

BURP!

"Spike, manners." Rarity's voice came from the room. "Oh, a letter... from Princess Luna?" She emerged from the room, levitating an open scroll. "Oh no..."

The rest of the girls emerged from the room while Spike remained at Twilight's side.

"What's the note say?" Dash asked, peeking over Rarity's shoulder.

"It's from Princess Luna... she says that her older sister, Princess Celestia, has already departed for Gaea and already over the Everfree Forest... where her teleportation magic does not work." She looked up. "Celestia was our last hope."

The doctor looked at Dawn.

"There is one hope... one ever so small hope that is like a pinpoint of light in an infinite space of pure blackness..." He returned the doctor's gaze.

The doctor sighed. "We can attempt a... a horn transplant."

Rarity nearly fainted, and Fluttershy did.

"Do not fret, Miss Rarity." Dawn looked toward Twilight. "I am willing to make the sacrifice..."

"Assuming your horn is compatible" The doctor reminded him.

"Then perform the tests. The sooner we can save Twilight, even if I loose my magic, the better." He smiled an honest smile at the mares. "Besides... I've lived my whole life and never learned much magic. I won't feel the loss so much as Twilight." He looked back toward Twilight. (I don't know why... I only met her today, but she's important, not just to her friends... but to me. I... I can't let her suffer like this. It would be a fate worse than death...)

...

It took a visit from Princess Luna to cure Twilight's infection and fever, and for this everypony was especially grateful

Pinkamena's mane and tail even poofed out, ever so slightly.

"I hath cast a spell to ease her physical pain and suffering. As well, I have checked magically... her purity t'was not defiled, though nearly t'was." She bowed gratefully before Dawn. "Had you been a second late..."

"P... Please Goddess Luna... I am not worthy enough for one so graceful and powerful to bow before me."

Luna rose, and made eye contact with Dawn. "Twilight holds the same place in my sister's heart as do I. She loves both of us unconditionally. That makes Twilight and I, in my sister's heart, sisters to each other. I too hold the same love for Twilight. She saved me from Nightmare Moon. She taught me of friendship. I care for all my little ponies." She smiled to all present.

Dash looked up at Princess Luna. "Can... can you heal her horn?"

"Ney, that I shan't do."

"Eh? Why not? Can't you do it?"

"Indeed I can, such is the power of the Regent of the Moon, but to do so... the only magicks I know are for the healing of an Alicorn's horn. T'wer I to heal her with such magics... it may well transform her."

"Oh... um... into an Alicorn?"

Luna simply nodded. "That may well be a possibility, hence that magic is forbidden. Even my sister cannot restore a horn without the missing part, lest she use the same magicks."

Dash hung her head and glanced sideways at the Doctor. "Say Doc?"

"Yes Ms. Dash?"

"Please take care of Twilight, please? I... I'm going to go home. And Dawn Glimmer?"

"Of course... I will not leave her side... I dare say... I cannot leave her side, for my heart aches at the very thought."

Luna blushed. "Such devotion. I can see why you represent the Element of Love." With a nod to all present, Luna transformed into a mystical blue cloud and vanished.

"Doctor..." Dawn turned to the slightly shorter Unicorn. "Perform the tests."

...

It had taken nearly a whole day, but the doctor finally had the results.

"Mr. Glimmer?"

Dawn raised his head from beside the still slumbering Twilight. It looked like he had not gotten any sleep all night. "Yes?"

"I have the results..." He eyed the chart over.

"And?"

"Well, your own magical knowledge is very limited, but..."

"But?" He leaned closer.

"Well, your potential is very impressive... I dare say an equal to that of Miss Sparkle. If we perform the transplant, there's a fifty - fifty chance it will work."

"Is that the best chance we have of saving Twilight?"

"Let me just say... for not being from her family, and being from another land altogether, fifty - fifty is an amazing chance of success. Those twins I mentioned before, they were twins and they had the same chances. That transplant was a resounding success."

Dawn let out a sigh of relief. "Very well, I will do whatever it takes to bring Twilight back to us, to her beloved friends and Goddess... I mean Princess." He took one last look at Twilight and followed the doctor. There would be quite a few papers to fill out.

...

Rarity arrived at the hospital to visit Twilight and Dawn. She entered Twilight's room and froze. They were missing. She rushed to the front desk and found Nurse Redheart.

"Dear me, I seem to have lost my friends. Ms. Twilight Sparkle?"

"Oh yes, she is in a very difficult operation right now." Redheart looked quite concerned. "How are you Miss. Rarity? Any complications?" She glanced at Rarity's pristine horn.

"Now now Nurse Redheart... we promised never to mention that..." She sighed. "But no, no complications. I am most concerned with Twilight and Sir Glimmer right now."

"The operation should be nearly done. Baring no difficulties."

Rarity nodded and noticed Fluttershy enter. "Oh, Fluttershy dear, over here."

"Oh hello Rarity." She smiled nervously. "How is Twilight?"

"In the operation." The white unicorn lead Fluttershy over to the waiting room. "Such a noble sacrifice from Sir Glimmer." A tear escaped her eye as Fluttershy sobbed into Rarity's neck.

...

Twilight dreamed a strange dream. All her pain had vanished under the gentle moonlight, and from that Moonlight, Dawn Glimmer appeared. He smiled gently and touched his horn to her forehead. There was a gentle and warm light, one that made all her worries vanish.

He then pulled back, missing his horn, slowly fading away. "Twilight Sparkle, take all that I am and be whole again. Take my horn, and feel my love." Then he was gone.

Her eyes snapped open and she sat up.

Instantly she regretted that move, her head pounding insanely, but not with the sheer agonizing pain from before. She lay back down carefully and touched her forehead. There was an odd bandage there, like a cast over a horn.

She then realized she was in a white walled room, in the Hospital. She tapped her forehead again. Had they recovered her horn as well as rescued her?

Twilight heard a sound to her right and looked.

Dawn Glimmer was in the bed next to hers, with bandages wrapped around his head.

Instantly she noticed something that made her gut wrench.

His bandages showed no space for a horn.

Her hoof gently touched her cast again and her face paled. "No... what have you done Dawn?"

He cracked an eye open and glanced at her. "T... Twilight? Are you feeling better?"

"I... Dawn... what have you done?"

"I sacrificed my horn to save you." He turned his head and smiled. "I hope you're not mad at me."

"I... I could never be mad at you Dawn... But... your horn? Why?"

"We saved you, but lost your horn in a deep canyon and raging river..." His smile faded a bit. "Sorry, but you might have a white horn now."

Twilight shook her head a little, not enough to make her head pound anymore than it already was though. "Not that... but... but... your horn... Why? Why did you sacrifice your horn? A Unicorn's horn is... It's like our heart. We can't be a Unicorn or use magic without one."

"Don't worry. I've lived my whole life and never made use of my gift. Now, I have given you the chance to live YOUR life normally."

"But... what about our differences in power?"

Dawn chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about that. It would seem that generations of not using our magic may have dulled our knowledge, but it seems to have strengthened my potential."

Twilight was shocked. "Still... I... I can't believe you did this..."

"Aren't you happy? I... I'm not taking it back so you may as well keep it."

"Ooh..." Twilight felt a little frustrated, but still. She could actually feel the horn mending quickly. Maybe in a month or so she could start using magic again. "Dawn?"

"Yes Twilight?"

"I... Thank you." She looked back up at the ceiling "As long as you don't fade away on me."

"What?" He asked curiously.

"Oh... sorry. Nothing, just a strange dream I had."

Dawn's smile brightened. "I'm not going anywhere, not for a week at least until this hole in my head heals."

Twilight returned the smile. "Ok, I trust you." Then she added in a very quiet whisper. "And... I love you."

Dawn said nothing, but he had heard her. (I love you too Twilight. I would sacrifice my life for you...) He closed his eyes and drifted off too sleep.

...

Twilight was released three days later. She was greeted by all her friends as she entered the hospital waiting room. The cast was still on her head, but she didn't mind. She thought back to only minutes ago, in the room she shared with Dawn.

"Twilight?"

"Yes Dawn?" She said as she sat up.

"I have something for you to hold on too, for a while at least."

"You have already given me more than anypony could ever have dreamed of." She smiled at the pony she knew she loved.

Dawn returned the smile in full. "I want you to hold onto this for me." He held up a hoof, hanging from it was his pendant, the Element of Love.

"What? No... I can't take that from you."

"You're not taking it. I am asking for you to hold onto it for me. I'll be out of here in at about four more days. Hold onto it for me, please?"

Twilight nodded and approached. She lowered her head and he gently placed it about her neck.

They were face to face now, and looking into each others eyes.

Twilight blushed and leaned closer, bringing her lips to his.

Dawn was surprised, but pleasantly so. He returned Twilight's gentle kiss. They remained like this for only half a minute before breaking.

"Twi?"

Twilight shook her head a little. "Applejack?"

"Are you wearing Dawn's pendant?"

Twilight nodded. "He asked me to hold onto it for him." She blushed a little. Her lips were still tingling from their brief kiss. Her first kiss.

"Aww, that's sweet of him." Fluttershy blushed.

"How's your horn feeling?" Rarity asked, a look of concern on her brow.

Twilight rubbed the cast again. "Actually... I can tell the transplant has taken. It's healing remarkably fast, faster than the doctor predicted." She smiled brightly. "It seems Dawn may actually have had the same level of magical power I do."

This made all present glad.

"So, what about Dawn? He going to be alright without a horn?" Dash asked, obvious concern for the brave pony who had rushed to Twilight's rescue like a knight in shining armor

"He's physically the strongest unicorn I have ever met. He's lived his whole life and used his magic but a hooffull of times." She looked back toward his room. "He told me he'll be fine."

Rarity felt terrible for Dawn.

(I... I can't believe he actually sacrificed his horn for Twilight. Such kindness, loyalty, generosity and love. He's showing many of our own traits. He's so much like my own brother.) She thought back to when she was very young.

Her own twin brother. They had been in a terrible accident and Rarity's horn had been ripped clear from her skull and crushed under a massive stone. He had suffered injuries that would ultimately take his life, and the wound to his little twin sister was also going to take her life.

He then made the choice. "Take my horn and give it to my little sister. I want her to grow up strong and beautiful and smart and kind and generous."

Those had been his last words, and he gave her his horn so she may live.

Her thoughts came back to the present. "Twilight? I... I hope you heal really fast. I also hope your new horn doesn't clash." She gave a wry grin.

Twilight smiled. "I don't care what color my new horn is. It is the most treasured gift I have ever received"

Somehow, this made Rarity feel better.

Pinkie was still in Pinkamena mode after all this time. She had never been like this for this long. She smiled at Twilight, her hair poofing out just a little. "Twi?"

"Yes Pinkie?"

"Are we going to have a party when Dawn gets out?"

"Sure, and I know the perfect pony to throw it."

"Who? I... I don't really feel like throwing any parties right now..." She hung her head, glancing toward the bedroom door.

"How about when you feel like throwing a party?" Dawn poked his head out. "The doctor told me I can walk around a little." He smiled at the pink pony. "Pinkie, care to walk with me? I'd appreciate the company."

"Go on Pinkie." Twilight patted her shoulder gently.

...

Pinkie Pie, in eighty percent Pinkamena mode, walked along with Dawn.

"You know Pinkie Pie, you remind me of a sweet and energetic little filly I knew before I left Gaea."

The mare blinked. "Really? What was she like?"

"An Earth Pony, like yourself. She was all white with blond mane and tail. They were styled up just like yours actually. Her name was Surprise."

Pinkie caught the past tense right away. "Was?"

"She... she fell into a river one day, three years ago. I panicked and used my magic to try to pull her to safety. Just before I succeeded.. a group of Earth Pony soldiers spotted me and knocked me down. They didn't even raise a hoof to save her." Tears flowed from his eyes. "I ran away, as fast as I could. Into the Everfree Forest and vanished from the world... at least, that's what it felt like." He looked Pinkie in the eye. "She was... she was more than a friend. You see, at that time I had been a slave to the High Priestess of the province... her personal slave. Surprise was just more than a filly I knew or a friend... She was my daughter. You remind me so much of her, with your joyous exuberance and energy for life, and your ability to bring that joy and happiness to others..."

Pinkie Pie paled. "You... your own daughter?"

"I... because of my station, I was not permitted to call her my daughter. She was lucky to take after her mother, an Earth Pony." He offered Pinkie a smile, even though there were tears in his eyes. "I wish she could have met you. The two of you would have been the best of friends." He sighed and looked up at the sky from the courtyard.

Pinkie leaned against Dawn. "Dawn?"

"Yes?"

"I... I think I understand. You see your daughter in me, don't you? Even though you and I are about the same age."

Dawn chuckled lightly. "Yea, I kind of do. If I ever accidentally call you Surprise, just remind me of reality. I... I can't live in the past. I have to live for the future. I am the representative of the Element of Love after all, and Love cannot be allowed to die, can it?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head, her mane poofing up little. "If you ever call me Surprise, I think I'll be happy, because you have not forgotten about your own daughter." She smiled brightly, her mane and tail returning fully to normal. "Oh would you look at that?" She fluffed her mane with her hooves and giggled. "I guess I won't be combing my mane anymore."

Dawn chuckled. "You're already making me feel a lot better."

...

Rainbow dash watched from the roof. Her heart felt warm, even though she felt saddened by Dawn's story. (Don't worry Dawn. I won't tell anypony about your daughter... I'll leave that between you and Pinkie.) She glanced down and blinked. Dawn was smiling up at her, and offered a wink.

Pinkie Pie hugged Dawn before she left. "Are you sure you'll be okay here by yourself?"

"Yes Pinkie, I'll be fine. You head back to your friends, and you are all welcome to visit anytime... during visiting hours."

"Of course." She happily bounded her way out the door.

Dash fluttered down and sat next to Dawn. "Sorry... I didn't mean to pry. I... I'm sorry to hear about your daughter."

"It's alright. I heard you land up there, and I know you heard everything I told Pinkie. I don't mind if you tell the others about my little Surprise. I didn't tell Pinkie to keep it a secret after all."

Dash grinned. "I guess so. Still, sorry about eavesdropping like that. I was just really concerned for Pinkie. Last time I saw her like that was quite a while ago and she was really feeling sad."

"She's a special pony. You all are. You are all so strong and willing to live your lives. The Unicorns of Gaea... we may as well just cut our horns off and throw them away for all the good it's done us. We're all just slaves really, you know that? Animals get treated better than us." Dawn leaned back and looked at Dash's wings. "I remember when I was a young colt. I wished I had been born with wings so could fly away from it all."

"If you ever get that wish fulfilled, you come let me know. I'd sure wanna race you." She grinned.

Dawn chuckled. "I'm sure you'd win. No doubt about that, but I'd do my best to make it hard on you."

"I've seen how fast you can run. You can outrun most Pegasai while they're flying, you know that?"

"I can?" He blinked. "Oh, back in the forest, right?"

Dash nodded.

"I... I was under a spell from Goddess... I mean Princess Celestia. I can't use magic to do anything like that."

"What about your glowing eyes?"

"Glowing eyes?"

"Yea, they were glowing even before you were healed. You said you could 'see' where Twilight was and tried to rush off to save her."

"I... I wasn't thinking clearly." Dawn lay down. "So... tell me what happened in that fight. I know I did some things I don't really understand myself."

"Well, your horn was glowing, that's for sure. Even when that smaller guy blocked your horn attack, he was thrown aside like he weighed nothing. You also busted up a pretty big boulder."

"I did?" Dawn seemed to be starting to remember everything about the actual fight. "I did, didn't I? Guess Celestia's spell made me stronger and faster than normal."

Dash frowned a little, but only for a moment. "I bet if you were to try to run that fast again, you could do it. Heck, at that speed, you could outrun me or AJ, well, not if I was flying, but just running."

Dawn didn't reply verbally. He just chuckled. "Say Dash, can I tell you a secret?"

"What? That I remind you of another little filly you know?"

"Nothing of the sort..." He looked Dash in the eye. "I have met you, back when we were both foals. I don't know how, or when exactly, but it was back on the day you performed the Sonic Rainboom."

"Really?"

"Really. I kind of only remember bits and pieces. I was on the ground, obviously. I have no idea how I came to be there, because I had been in Gaea only hours before. I had entered the Everfree Forest, only a little way, and I came out on this side."

Dash blinked. She suddenly remembered meeting a Unicorn after the race while searching for her friend Fluttershy, who had fallen from Canterlot to the ground.

"You... you were that Unicorn that helped me find Fluttershy. I remember that clearly now. Right after we found her, your cutie mark appeared."

Dawn nodded. "Yea. I felt so happy that I had helped you and saw your and Fluttershy's happiness It made me all warm inside. I think Fluttershy would be so happy to hear that, she's been feeling miserable sense those two freaks appeared."

"I...I know... I can feel her sadness, even now... I no longer have a horn, but I can still feel the emotions in others. It's tearing up my inside to see such a kind and beautiful soul suffer."

"Now about I go get her and you can tell her yourself?"

"I... I don't know. I think her seeing me like this will just make her feel worse."

"I don't know. If she hears the word from the pony's mouth it might make her feel a lot better. I'll tell her you want to talk to her, alright?"

Dawn relented and nodded. "When she's up to it, of course I would be happy to talk with her."

"You know, I was actually quite depressed, but you're special talent seems to have brightened my mood up. You sure did wonders for Pinkie Pie."

Dawn chuckled. "Yea, I did make her day... didn't I?"

Dash nodded and stood up. "One of these days, you never know, you might get the chance to fly." With that confusing statement, Dash flew away.

"Wait... what?" Dawn blinked, but Dash was gone already. He smiled and returned to his room. His head was still pounding after all.

...

Dawn finally exited the hospital three days later, earlier than expected. He was greeted by Twilight before any of the others had even heard the news. She smiled and kissed him.

"I'm so glad you're out of here. The food must have been torture."

"Not at all. Applejack and Pinkie Pie kept me well supplied with their wonderful food. I think that's why I recovered a little faster."

Twilight smiled and rubbed her cast.

"Is it itching?"

"You have NO idea..."

Dawn smiled and placed his forehead to her cast. She felt a slight tingling and the itching stopped. He then rubbed his bandages. "Ohh... Now I have an idea."

"How..." Twilight was stunned. "You just used magic, I felt it, just a little."

"I don't know how, but I guess I did. Maybe the Doctor left a little of my horn in there."

"Maybe, but I don't think so. He told me he removed the whole thing."

Dawn shrugged. "Well, that's a mystery. Ugh... itches like crazy, but at least I only have bandages."

Twilight giggled as the pair left the hospital.

"Dawn, I was meaning to ask you, do you have a place to stay?"

Dawn shook his head. "No, I was originally just going to camp out while I found work. You know, save up till I could afford to rent a place, or even just a room somewhere."

Twilight understood. "Well, you can't camp out in your condition."

"What would you suggest?"

"Well, the library has a spare room."

Dawn shook his head. "I don't know..."

"Dawn... I love you. I felt it almost the moment I met you."

"And I love you too Twilight... it's just, I don't want to get in your way."

"You won't get in my or Spike's way. If anything, it wold be nice to have somepony else living there. The Library feels so empty sometimes."

Dawn nodded. "I know a battle I can't win when I see one. Very well Twilight, I will be happy to rent the spare room, but I will work and pay my way, is that alright?"

Twilight smiled and nodded.

The pair was walking through the market at this point and spotted Applejack.

She also spotted the pair. "Why howdy there. Y'all looking much better."

"I feel much better, being out of the hospital and all." Dawn smiled at the hard working mare.

"Applejack, I've decided to let Dawn rent the spare room in the Library, but he's feeling the need to work. Any suggestions?"

"Well, Ah can always use help runnin' the apple cart. Ah got lots ah work to do at the farm."

Dawn was not so sure. "I don't know. I've never really been good with money... Never really had a paying job being a major reason."

"It's easy. Ah'll teach ya everythin' y'all need to know 'bout runnin' an applecart. Come back after ya get settled in, kay?"

Dawn nodded. "I will, thank you Applejack." They continued on, and met Rarity as she was standing before the library door.

"Twilight Dear, Sir Glimmer, I am SOO happy to see you. How are you doing?"

Twilight smiled. "I'm doing a lot better now that the itching has gone away."

"You were going absolutely batty yesterday because of it."

"Don't remind me..." Twilight deadpanned.

"Oops, too late, I already did." She teased. "And you Sir Glimmer?"

"I am feeling far better than I had before. And yourself?"

"Just seeing the two of you getting better is making me feel better." Rarity then winked at the pair. "So... I heard a little rumor about you two being caught kissing."

Two Unicorns blushed.

"I thought so." Rarity nearly sang. "I'm so happy for the two of you." She then glanced at the library. "Are you going to be staying here?"

"Yes, I will be renting the spare room from Twilight."

"I'm sure you will." Her tone quite mischievous "But, in all seriousness, I came here to find a specific book, on magic actually."

Twilight blinked. "Whatever for?"

"Well, I kind of felt like I didn't do anything back when we rescued you." Rarity admitted.

"So you want to learn some more useful magic?" Twilight smiled. "I think I know the perfect book for you."

...

"Illusion magic? How can that be useful in a fight?"

Dawn wondered the same.

"Think about it Rarity. You can become invisible. You can cast bright coloured lights at opponents, preventing them from seeing clearly. You can create illusions of ponies or other creature that can scare away other ponies or creatures You can..."

"I get the idea, and I must agree." Rarity was already imagining ways she could use illusions to do more than just be used in fights. Oh, the fashion shows she could perform.

...

While Twilight retrieved the book from her private library, Dawn was shown to the spare room by Spike.

Spike looked up at Dawn. "How's your head? I mean... what with not having a horn anymore."

"I'm feeling a little lightheaded." He grinned, showing he was just joking.

Spike chuckled. "Good one. Well, here's the room. There's not much in it. Just a bed and a storage trunk."

"That's more than I could have asked for." Dawn patted Spike on the shoulder

"Oof. You're pretty strong, you know that?" He rubbed his shoulder.

Dawn cringed a little. "Sorry, I forgot you're still a baby dragon... mind you, you are the only dragon I've ever met."

"Sorry if I'm not up to legendary expectations."

"You've already surpassed all my expectations of dragons." Dawn replied as he entered the spare room. It was a double wide bed, far larger than what he needed, but he felt fine with that. The trunk was quite large as well. He looked at the empty bookshelf on the wall. "I take it that this room is never really used?"

"Not really." Spike shrugged. "Twilight never really saw any use for it, so just closed the door and we pretty much forgot about it." He tapped a claw to his chin. "Twi just cleaned up the room and put fresh sheets and a blanket on the bed yesterday though." He smirked at Dawn. "I think she was going to ask you to live here."

"Yes, I believe so as well." Dawn tested the bed. "Medium soft... this is going to be heaven. Compared to how I lived those three years in the forest, and that time in the hospital and all that..."

Spike shrugged. "I like my bed to be nice and soft, or made from a pile of gems... though I tend to eat my bed if that's the case."

"Eat your bed?" He blinked at the small dragon. "So, dragons really do eat gems?"

Spike nodded. "Turquoise is my favorite"

Dawn honestly didn't know what to say about that. In Gaea, the more gems you owned, the higher your status could be, and with Rarity's gift, had she not been a Unicorn, she could have easily replaced any province's High Priestess. Maybe one day those laws will be gone and all ponies could once again live in peace and harmony, like they do in Equestria.

"I'm going to head out now. I promised to help Applejack with her applecart."

"That's cool... um, why?"

"To pay my rent, of course. I'm not going to be staying here for free."

"Twilight would be just fine with that. She never even mentioned anything about renting out this room."

Dawn smiled. "Regardless, I can't stay here for free, seeing as I'm not actually going to be working here. Can't read and all that..."

Spike blinked. "You... can't read?"

"No. Learning to read was forbidden for Unicorns. Lots of things were forbidden for unicorns... and for Pegasai... living was forbidden. Gaea, my homeland, is a terrible place if you are not an Earth Pony." He then led Spike from the room and closed the door.

They met Twilight and Rarity in the library proper. "Twilight, Rarity. I'm off to assist Applejack. Wish me luck." He then headed out, after giving Twilight a quick kiss.

"Blah... how can you do that Twi?"

"One day you may learn." Twilight countered.

Spike smiled at Rarity.

Rarity pretended not to notice. She simply thanked Twilight for the book as well as the few extra (dozen) pointers she had given her. After leaving, Spike turned to Twilight, who was now sorting a few books that she had left laying on a table.

"Twi?"

"Yes Spike?"

"You still love me, don't you?"

"Of course Spike." She turned and smiled at the baby dragon. "I always have and always will love you. We're like brother and sister, right?"

Spike nodded. (Or like my mommy, who I've never met or even heard from all these years.) He smiled, glad that Twilight would still love him no matter what.

...

"Y'all can't read?" Applejack gasped.

"Wasn't allowed to even learn." Dawn hung his head. "I... I guess I won't be helping you after all."

"Yer not gettin off that easy Mr. Glimmer." Applejack grinned. "Ah'll see to it ya learn what y'all gonna be needin to know. Not going ta let mah ponygirl Twilight fall for some unedjucated pony."

Dawn gulped. This may be harder than he thought it was going to be.

...

A week had passed sense his release from the hospital. He spent his evening learning to read with Twilight, as Applejack was not really the best teacher, which she had finally admitted too after a few hours of not understanding how he couldn't read even simple words.

He had simply never learned how to read or even recognize letters and symbols of Equine.

Twilight on the other hoof, she was a patient and dedicated teacher. She even started teaching him math, another skill Applejack became painfully aware of.

Sure, he could count... up to ten...

But by now he could finally manage the applecart with considerable skill, and his growing reputation for being a nice pony helped too. He was fair and followed Applejack's prices, but also followed her teaching "A little extra now and again can lead to more profits."

Dawn was not out to make a lot of money for himself. He just wanted to make enough to pay for the room in the library.

By now, it had become common knowledge that he and Twilight had become something of a couple, though nopony knew just how far they had gone.

Dawn felt it would not be right to push Twilight through the relationship, rather, they both let their feeling tell them how far they wanted to go.

So far, Twilight's purity was intact.

...

Another week had passed when a letter arrived from Princess Luna for Twilight.

Twilight gathered her friends in the library.

"Everypony, I have finally received a letter from Princess Celestia, relayed through Princess Luna."

Spike groaned a little. "Second hand letters are going to kill me..." (I know... horrible 'second hand smoke' reference...)

Twilight opened the letter.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle and all her dear friends. I am writing you to let you know that I have reached Gaea. I have spread out an information gathering network spell and have come to a startling discovery.

Your two assailants have somehow managed to return and have told all the ruling High Priests and Priestesses about the existence of Pegasai and free, magic using Unicorns.

This seems to have outraged them greatly and they are beginning to amass an army, bent on invading and attacking Equestria.

I have also learned that these 'Priests' and 'Priestesses' do not actually believe I am their deity, but still press this on their followers, making them the top Ponies in control of this land. They rule via a loose council, with somewhat unsteady ties between provinces.

I am somewhat nervous to mention, they are more technologically advanced, and have a higher population than Equestria, mostly consisting of Earth Ponies.

I fear if I show myself to these 'rulers' I will not be welcomed as I had some 800 years prior.

As I write this letter, I am beginning to retract my information network, a complex series of spell I do not wish to leave in place for fear of discovery. Once complete, I will begin my journey back. This should take me about the same time as it took to arrive and set up said network.

Until I return, I wish you all the best.

Yours truly, Princess Celestia of Equestria"

"Whoa Nelly! An army to attack Equestria?"

Dash frowned. "They're attacking because they believe all Pegasai should be wiped out and all Unicorns shouldn't be allowed to use magic. What kind of sick and twisted ponies are they?"

Twilight set down the letter. "It would seem, they are in possession of technology we would most likely not understand, as well as numbers greater than ours." She frowned at this, remembering how easily she herself had been taken down. "If they use weapons like what they used against me, I don't know what chances we would have."

Pinkie Pie grinned. "I've been getting ready for another rumble. My new party poppers and flash bangs are going to pack a lot more punch than last time."

Dash nodded. "I've been practicing some of the combat maneuvers I saw the the royal Pegasai Guards performing. They're pretty cool and effective."

Rarity smiled. "I must say, I've learned a lot about illusions and a few different shielding spells, as well as Twilight's most basic healing spells. Those were pretty harrowing to learn." She rubbed her forelegs, which were lacking any evidence of her 'self' training.

Applejack shrugged. "We apple family have always known how t' fight. Y'all seen how hard I can buck."

Fluttershy whimpered. "I... I don't know what I should do..."

"That's simple." Twilight smiled. "Can you get your animal friends to spread the word through the Everfree Forest to keep an eye on any large numbers of ponies coming through? The more heads-up we have, the better chance we can have of stopping this before it gets out of hoof."

"Just the six of us against an army that might outnumber all of Equestria?" Spike frowned.

Dawn spoke up. "Don't forget... we have the Elements of Harmony." He looked at the pendant that Twilight was still wearing. "Can't we use that to somehow stop them?"

"Maybe." Twilight frowned a little. "Though, no matter how powerful the Elements are, I don't know how effective they would be against an army. I already know against single targets they are immensely powerful."

"That's just using six of them." Pinkie pointed out. "Can you imagine if we use all seven? Or imagine if we find an eighth or even ninth Element? How cool would that be?"

The thought of just how potentially powerful such magic could be boggled the mind, so everypony put that idea behind them. They hoped they would not have to rely on the Elements at all and could resolve this peacefully.

Twilight continued. "So, basically, we have anywhere between a one or more months before we can expect the army to emerge from the Everfree forest.

"Or three years if we're lucky." Dawn muttered.

Wishful thinking, but they all knew that would be MOST unlikely.

"So... what do we do?"

"We train and learn." Dawn stood up. "Not just us, but everypony in Ponyville, and hopefully all across Equestria. We have an edge Gaea doesn't. One they cannot possibly handle so easily as they think. We have Pegasai to rule the skies and Unicorns who have full reign of their magic. Our Earth Ponies are not as arrogant and thinking themselves so superior, and just as strong, if not stronger if Miss Applejack is any indication." He looked at Pinkie Pie. "Heck, we have genius level ponies in our midst that can catch anypony by total surprise."

"You can say that again." Twilight grinned at Pinkie.

"Uh oh..." Pinkie's Pinkie sense went off. "Ear flop, eye flutter, knee twitch."

Twilight winced. "Isn't that the combo for..." She realized too late she was standing by the library door...

WHAM!

Derpy Hooves crashed into the floor, skidding to a halt inches from a Flutterfainted Fluttershy. She held up one hoof with an envelope. "Letter for Dawn Glimmer."

Dawn ignored the mailmare and rushed to check on Twilight.

"I'm ok..." She muttered as she pushed the door out of the way. Other than a little ruffled up, she looked alright. Her cast had not been hit or damaged.

Dash accepted the letter and handed it to Dawn.

He opened it and looked it over. "Right... how am I supposed to read all this?" He was still learning after all.

He sighed and handed the letter to Twilight.

"It's from some High Priestess Topaz Star." Twilight looked up to see a most distasteful look on Dawn's face. "I assume you don't like her?"

"She is the one who sent that Hunter and Tracker after me, some bounty on my head... What does it say?"

"Well... basically... if you turn yourself in, she will not join the invasion of Equestria."

"Damn... and she controls the largest province, thus the largest army..." Dawn's scowl faded. "If... if she joins the invasion, then we stand little chance of winning. She must have at least ten thousand ponies in her own army..."

"Is she the mother of Surprise?" Pinkie Pie asked, her tone actually worried.

"Yea... she is... was." He hung his head in dismay.

Fluttershy gasped, her hooves covering her mouth.

Everypony but Rainbow Dash else looked confused.

Dawn sighed. "Surprise is the daughter to the High Priestess that I was personal slave too... I sired Surprise..." He looked away from Twilight. "Remember when I told you about the filly I couldn't save from the river?"

Rarity, Applejack and Twilight all gasped.

Twilight hugged Dawn. "Oh Dawn... I... I didn't know. I'm so sorry... your own daughter..."

"I couldn't save her, and I became a criminal. They spread the word that I used my magic to drown her, when I was trying to save her." He looked up into Twilight's eyes and saw her feelings. She was not disappointed with him, nor angry. She loved him and even though she did not fully understand, she was not about to judge him for actions in the past he obviously could not control.

"I can't even pretend to understand your pain. But I will stand by you, no matter what happens."

Dawn smiled. "I... I am so happy to hear that Twilight."

"Get a room you two..." Spike snickered.

"Maybe later." Twilight stuck her tongue out at the baby dragon, and Dawn imitated Fluttershy's little trick of performing a full body blush.

...

Gaea, throne room of High Priestess Topaz Star.

"Come forth."

Hunter and Tracker entered the room.

"You have delivered the letter?"

Hunter nodded. "Yes, We have. Now, how much would you pay to know that secret route through the Everfree Forest? Think, it would only take three days through this hidden path only the two of us know, rather than three or more months."

"Three days... most interesting." Topaz Star smirked. "With a route like that, we could sneak in assassins and take out all their most important leaders. Without leaders, it would be easy to wipe out those vultures and their stinking Unicorn Allies." She paused a moment. "What would the likelihood of the Earth Ponies being convinced to join us?"

"If those two we fought are any indication... they'll give as good as we give... maybe even better. That orange one can split thick trees, and the pink one fights unlike anypony I've ever met before."

"Don't forget the fact their Unicorns are quite well trained in magic, and the Pegasai... I've read all the history texts of how even a small group could wipe out over two dozen well armed and armored Earth Ponies. They apparently have a whole city in the sky full of the vultures."

The High Priestess frowned. "A city in the sky? That could pose a bit of a problem... unless we can get the jump on them. This secret path through the Everfree... can we bring our large war machines and sky ships?"

"Sky ships? What's that?"

"A ship that can fly." Hunter kicked Tracker.

"Really? Didn't know we had those."

"They are a new technology, but kept secret from civilians and lower ranks in the armies." She grinned cruelly

"Um... unfortunately, this passage is... a bit small. I think your Assassin idea would be your best bet, thought getting to the Pegasai leaders might be a tad bit of a problem." Hunter frowned.

"We will find a way." Topaz Star grinned. "Now, be on your way. I have other business to tend too."

Once the pair had left, a small, slender form entered, wrapped in leather armor and a dark cloak with hood. "You summoned me... Mother?"

"Ah yes, my daughter... You followed those two when they delivered the letter?"

"Yes, and I know the secret underground passage."

"Good. I guess we don't need those two foals anymore. Go and 'Surprise' them... with a swift death."

"As you wish, Mother."

...

Dawn sighed. He was feeling useless. Twilight was already practicing spells that were so far beyond his imagination, and the best he could do was keep resting and healing while working for Applejack. Damn hole in the head.

He sighed as he watched Twilight Sparkle, with her new and fully healed pure white horn. Besides the color, it looked like it was her natural horn.

Dawn on the other hoof, his head was still wrapped in bandages, and it would itch like mad on occasion. He could swear that his forehead was taking every single itch that Twilight would normally feel from anywhere on her body.

He had no idea how he had cast that magic, not having a horn and all, or how, if he had cast it to begin with, it was still active.

Regardless of how he wanted to peal off the bandages and scratch away till he wore a new hole in his head, he chose to endure.

He ignored the gnawing itch and watched as Twilight levitated a boulder that had to outweigh even Big Mac by five times, and launch it over one hundred lengths, with it rolling at least another thirty or forty.

She had a great number of spells at her disposal, and obviously she was a force to reckoned with.

The other unicorns she was training, on the other hoof, they had to team up, from five too ten to launch the same boulder the same distance, and that was pretty much a one shot thing. They would collapse, out of energy.

Dawn then had an idea. "Twilight dear?" He came over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, making Twilight's young students blush a little. "Maybe big isn't better."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"Think about this. Remember how Tracker took you down? A small dart fired from that device on his leg."

"I vaguely remember... I was pretty unconscious for most of that."

"Right. A little sleeping poison and a small dart. Unicorns wouldn't need a launcher for that, just a supply of darts and the poison."

"Great idea... but we don't know how to make that sleeping poison." One student pointed out.

Twilight smiled. "But I somepony who may be able too."

...

Twilight returned from her excursion to Zecora's, and she looked pleased.

"She gave me the recipe for a very potent sleeping potion. one drop can knock out a large pony like Big Mac for an hour. A smaller pony, like me... two or three hours."

"So..." another of her students held up his hoof. "Can we use five or six drops on these attackers?"

"No, the darts will be designed to only carry two drops worth." Dawn replied. "Now, rather than power, you will be needing accuracy and speed for these attacks. Ambush tactics will serve you far better than attacking head on."

"What do you suggest then?" A young mare asked.

"We rely on camouflage clothing. It will make us harder to spot than say..." He looked at the mare who had just asked the question. "A bright green pony with light green hair?"

Lyra blushed. "Understood. And wouldn't just cloth allow us better movement than say, heavy metal armor like the Royal Guard uses?"

"Exactly. Metal armor would interfere with how your magic works anyway." Dawn was proving to be quite a good tactical teacher.

"Now, Twilight will demonstrate how to launch the darts, fast and accurate."

...

"I'm sorry." Twilight giggled after class.

"I didn't realize those darts could pierce through trees..." Dawn was in awe. "You won't be needing poison..." He then smiled. "Oh yea, I've spoken with the smith pony."

"What for?"

"You already know Gaea is quite a ways ahead with technology, right?"

"Of course... which could cause us problems no matter how much we prepare."

"That is why I had a few special items prepared for all of us."

Twilight blinked. "Like what?"

"Gather the girls, and Spike. I'll show you."

...

"What's going on?" Rarity asked as she met up with the others.

"Dunno." Spike shrugged.

Dawn smiled and pointed to a cloth covered table. "I have a little something for each and every one of you."

"Really?" Fluttershy blushed a little.

"Of course." He smiled. "You see, I may not be the greatest at reading or math, but I have learned lot about painting and drawing in great detail. The High Priestess was quite egotistic and would often make me sketch or paint her portraits for hours on end. This has given me a nice little talent, one I only realized this last week." He grinned and pulled off the cover from the table.

"What in tarnation are those?"

"These are weapons, created from blueprints I memorized. Gaea weapons with a decidedly Equestian twist." He lifted a small satchel and brought it to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, I know how you do not like fighting, but you care for your animals. I'm not asking you to get them to fight. That's too dangerous, so I'm giving you these."

Fluttershy opened the bag and pulled out a small sphere. "What is this?"

"These are a lot like Pinkie Pie's party favors, only rather than ribbons, they fire a whole lot of sap, mixed with sleeping poison. Each one can cover quite an area, especially when thrown or dropped from a great height."

Fluttershy looked nervous. "I... I don't like heights too much."

"Don't worry, there's also a launcher in there. You can make them travel long distances with that. Better still, you can have Angel Bunny be your launcher loader."

Angel Bunny, who was accompanying Fluttershy EVERYWHERE of late (except to the little mare's room), looked actually pleased to hear he could be of help to HIS little pony.

"Next, Applejack, I know you prefer to fight with your own strength and skill, but a little protection can't hurt." He handed her a set of a thin metal leg guards as well as a sturdy set of leather armor "Those leggings may look pretty thin, but trust me, they are a metal called Steel. It's many times stronger than bronze, or even iron. It's difficult to make, and in large amounts, insanely expensive. Don't expect to see a whole army clad in this. There's also some new shoes for you. Made from steel as well, I suggest you get those shod and get comfortable with them as soon as possible." He was pleased when the smiths here learned they could use magic to transform iron into this amazing metal with little trouble.

Applejack examined the new shoes. They were bright and looked really nice. And if this steel was as strong as Dawn suggested, she was willing to bet she would be able to split boulders like he had.

"Rainbow Dash. You prize speed and skill, so this is for you. I know hoof blades are illegal, so I made these retracting leg blades, and wing edges. They're steel with leather straps, so they shouldn't hamper your style at all."

Dash examined the wing edges. They were designed to fit in the foremost edge of her wings, offering some degree of protection and maybe even an improvement in aerodynamics. The blades for her forehooves were light and thin, but looked insanely sharp.

"These blades are kinda thin."

"With your speed, they are perfect for quick slash attacks on soft armored targets, or highly accurate piercing attacks on heavy armored targets. Just aim for the joints and chinks in the armor" He then brought the next items to Rarity.

Rarity's eyes lit up when she saw the thin silvery disks, each etched with elaborate designs. "Mirrors?"

"No, these are special disks, my design actually. I thought these up when I watched you practicing with your illusion spells, as well as your knack for being able to multitask with multiple light items at once. These can help extend the range or area of your spells, by bouncing the illusions off one or more. They are also razor sharp so you can use them as weapons hidden within your illusions." Dawn then grinned. "In addition, they can be used as small vanity mirrors."

"Simply wonderful, I dare say I love them. Elegant, deadly AND functional." Rarity was indeed pleased.

"Oh, Oh, what about me?"

"Actually Pinkie, I think you've already outdid me for the most part." He did, however, hold up a modified dart launcher "Now this on the other hoof, I had customized to fire your flash-bangs rather than darts. I've seen the punch your new ones have and quite honestly..." He grinned suddenly, "I'm honestly Surprised."

Pinkie Pie giggled with delight, catching his reference.

"Oh yea, your little fireworks can also be launched by this. Light them and launch them, and they won't be going off near you and giving away your position."

"I like that idea." Pinkie was positively pleased.

"Spike, I honestly don't want to get a baby involved in the possible fight... But I have this for you, to help protect yourself and everypony else." He handed over the strangest device. "This... this is a firearm. It's a weapon that the Earth Ponies could never really get to work, but I've realized what they were missing. The power of Dragon-fire" he also held up a small satchel "This is filled with small pellets. You load a pellet into this end and your dragon-flame into this end, snap this shut and then you can hold the flame till you are ready to use. Simply by pulling this trigger, you release the flame into the barrel and the pellet will be fired with awesome power. I dare say it may be the most powerful ranged weapon I can imagine." He handed the light, yet slightly bulky weapon and the satchel to the baby dragon. "You are a dragon, so I know you're stronger than you look. This thing has quite a kick, but I believe you can handle it."

"And finally..." He looked at Twilight. "I requested Rarity to make you this. A set of of silk dart bandoleers. They strap onto forelegs, shoulders, chest, sides and flank. They hold a total of a hundred darts, each one steel tipped, hollow and ready for any type of poison or potion you might need."

"Th... thank you Dawn... thank you Rarity." She smiled at them.

"All I did was design them and make some alterations. It was the smiths who worked the magic. Now, in the BEST case scenario, we never have to use these."

"Good luck..." Dash frowned. "If the information we've received is accurate... we're pretty much going to have to kick some serious flank."

"Ah don't know 'bout y'all. But Ah can't wait to at least test em."

This was an all around agreement.

Twilight walked up to Dawn. "What about yourself?"

"I had made a set similar to Applejack's I guess I am pretty strong, and without magic, I'll have to rely on what my long years of being a slave have given me." He flexed a foreleg, showing off his lean, yet strong muscles

Twilight almost drooled as she admired the sight for a moment. She shook her head from some entertaining thoughts. "Okay, we have some very interesting weapons... we really should get used to using them."

Dawn sighed. "And pray we never have to actually use them against other ponies."

...

Practice with their new weapons started out a little clumsy.

Spike quickly learned about recoil, but was impressed with the accuracy of this weapon. His normally small flame breath, pretty useless in combat, had now become an effective tool.

Pinkie Pie fell in love with her launcher, especially with the fact that she could get impressive and accurate range with her flashbangs, which could make small craters in the ground. Her fireworks did not do nearly as much damage, but did have the effect of doing light damage to a much larger area, with brilliant light effects.

Rarity fell in love with her disks. They were very effective and she found she could create terrain illusions, perfect for hiding traps and the deadly spinning blades. Anypony who was hit by one would receive a very fine cut, a thousand times worse than any paper cut known to ponykind.

Applejack was pleased with the light weight of her gear. She was impressed with the strength and hardness of the new shoes, and could take out sizable chunks from boulders without hurting herself, though she realized that Dawn had to be physically stronger than herself, considering he had SPLIT a boulder. After thinking about how he had done it, she started duplicating his exact attack, and finally split the boulder with a thunderous crack.

Fluttershy practiced her aim by launching beanbags, the same size and weight as her sticky bombs. With the weapon being mounted on her back, and Angel learning to load as rapidly as possible, she found her weapon possessed the greatest range of all the weapons. She actually asked Pinkie Pie to make some special flashbangs that she could use in her weapon. She was now, effectively, a long range mobile artillery unit, capable of flying.

Rainbow Dash fell in love with her weapons. They indeed did suit her style. She couldn't make deep slashes, but figured with her speed, style and accuracy, she could hit virtually any sweet spot she wanted, disabling without killing.

Twilight practiced with her darts, learning a lot from Rarity in multitasking. It didn't take her long to be able to fire half a dozen darts all at once with impressive accuracy. With the sleeping poison, she would be able to disable lots of ponies easily. She also knew first hand, even when you recovered from the sleep effect, you felt very weak for a lot longer than the actual sleep.

Dawn practiced alongside Applejack, teaching all he knew from what he had seen while in Gaea. Apparently his 'Mistress' had never worried he might pick up any fighting skills or military knowledge.

Hey, how else had he survived three years in the hostile Everfree Forest?

...

The smiths continued to make a variety of these weapons for other ponies. Steel, apparently, was not so difficult to make once they learned how, especially with some unicorns using magic. Sure they had to order quite a lot more iron from the southern mining towns, but they could easily pay for it.

They only hoped that after the impending invasion, these tools could be adapted for everyday, non-combat use. The steel metal itself could easily be used in the creation of farm tools, which would result in better crops, and a longer life than iron or bronze tools.

Steel was a simply amazing metal.

...

Twilight was finally relaxing, pleased with what she had learned and mastered in such a short time. It was rare that she got to relax at all recently. She lifted her hoof and looked at her new Steel hoofshoe, something she suggested that they all get, just in case, as well as the same weapons that Dash had been given, the retractable leg blades.

They felt lighter, but were certainly more durable than the usual brass shoes she normally wore. She didn't have the strength to crack boulders, or splinter trees, but she could still deliver a nice stunning rear kick.

As she relaxed, she glanced out over a nearby grassy field and spotted movement.

She used a spell that compressed air into concave and convex lenses and looked through, adjusting to clear up the image.

She gasped when she saw a small group of soldiers, wearing the Phoenix over sun crest. (Gaea soldiers? No, they're really lightly geared... scouts or assassins?) She slipped into the shadows of some bushes and made her way back into town.

...

"Are you sure?" Dawn frowned.

"Yes. three of them, at the very least." Twilight was very nervous. "They were on the far side of the east field. It was too open for me to get anywhere near them to use my darts."

"Don't worry." He waved over to Dash as she walked past, helping out with moving supplies. "Rainbow Dash, are you up for some reconnaissance?"

"Some what?"

"Aerial spying."

"Oh yea, I've been itching to get some fly time in today." She stretched her wings, her steel wing edges glinting.

Dawn frowned a little. "Hold on Dash. I just noticed your wing edges are shiny. That could give you away. Give them here and I'll have them modified a little. In the meantime, scout out over the west field, far side. See if you can spot any suspicious movement on the far side." He patted the Pegasus on the shoulder and smiled.

Dash saluted and removed the wing edges, handing them to Dawn. "I'll be back shortly." With that, she took off, high into the sky, using clouds to mask her presence.

...

Dash easily spotted the trio in a small clearing just off the east field. She knew she was just supposed to be scouting, but these three sitting around in a circle made her suspicious.

She slipped down, not making use of her speed to avoid creating her rainbow trail. She glided silently through the woods till she could hear voices and landed silently.

"Remember, we have to strike fast." One male voice spoke. It was unfamiliar to her. "Once we've assassinated the leaders we've identified in Ponyville, we report back to High Priestess Topaz Star. If any of us fail... may our souls burn in Celestia's dark flames for all eternity."

The other two nodded, one mare and another stallion.

Dash frowned and slipped off, unseen and unheard.

...

"Assassinate our leaders?" Dawn frowned. "They're after the mayor?"

Dash shook his head. "I think they may be thinking more along the lines of the militia leaders... in other words, the captain of the town guard, who's really busy training us to defend ourselves, and..." She looked at Dawn and Twilight. "Possibly us. We are some of the most experienced ponies here when it comes to protecting Equestria after all."

Fluttershy squeaked in fright, only to get a light kick from Angel. She nodded meekly.

Pinkie Pie grinned and rubbed her hooves together. "I don't think they're ready for what we have to offer."

"Spike..." Twilight quickly wrote out a letter. "Send this to the Captain... he needs to know the situation."

Spike nodded and sent the letter. "I hope he takes the time to read it."

...

The Captain read the letter and felt nervous. "Assassins? Here in Ponyville?" He waved to his first lieutenant. "We have a situation, a very dangerous one..."

...

Dash had once again taken to the sky, curled up and hiding in a small cloud. She had lost the other two assassins, but had located one, the one who had given the orders.

She watched as he moved through the trees and bushes, barely rustling a leaf, and even passing within a few lengths from some rabbits, not even alerting them to his presence.

(He's good.) Dash thought, watching as he moved with impressive skill.

Then she saw his target. He was heading to where Rarity was preparing some defensive traps to use with her illusions.

Dash grinned and used her leg blade to flash light at her.

Rarity glanced up and nodded, and activated her magic.

All the traps seemed to vanish suddenly, as did she. There was only an illusion left of her, sitting on a stump and looking for all the world like she didn't have a care at all.

...

(Something's off here...) The assassin frowned slightly. (Our scouts from before told us they were setting up some pathetic form of defense) He looked around. Nothing seemed out of place at all.

But he had learned the white female Unicorn could use illusions, a most dangerous magic indeed. He had to deal with her before she could use her evil witchery.

With lightening speed, he closed, leaping silently through the air, his hoof-blades flashing out and slashing the white unicorn's throat and horn.

Only to pass right through it, and for him to pass right through the stump and into a three length deep pit.

He landed hard, and it hurt. (Dammit.. She was ready for me and I fell right into her trap.) He winced, his right hind leg had been badly sprained on his unexpected landing.

He looked up again to see the white Unicorn looking down at him. "Aww, you look absolutely miserable down there."

"Let me out and we can fight on equal terms. I'll give you the chance to die with dignity, witch." He realized he had taken it a wee-bit too far as she levitated a heavy looking boulder over, too large for the pit, but perfect to keep him sealed in here for certain. "Crap..." And with a thud, he found himself in total darkness, with an injured hoof and no way out.

...

Dash sniggered. Rarity had defeated that assassin without any sort of fight. She then gasped as she spotted the second male assassin closing in behind Rarity. Without even worrying about herself, she dove, as fast as she could without breaking the sound barrier.

Only a few lengths from the ground she pulled and leveled out and streaked past a startled Rarity.

The assassin had NOT been expecting a rainbow laser beam to nearly take his head off. He managed to leap back and take a swipe with his own hoof blades, but cut though nothing but the lingering light.

"Looking for me?" Dash was hovering a length off the ground, her new wing edges had been modified to match her wings and not reflect light. In fact, if you didn't know about them, you wouldn't even realize they were there.

With a snick, her thin stiletto bladed popped out.

"Think you have what it takes to fight a trained assassin?"

"Oh for certain." Dash grinned as she watched four more of her appear around him. (Good thinking Rarity.)

The assassin spun around, realizing he was surrounded. "Oh I get it, these are just all illusions... far more detailed than the reports gave credit for though..." He leaped at one and slashed.

As it faded away, he felt a stinging slash across his flank. He winced and jumped away. He looked and gasped. His cutie mark had been shaved off.

"What in Celestia's dark name?" He caught a glimpse of something round and reflective for only a moment, glowing with a faint blue light before it vanished. (I think I've just bitten off WAY more than I can chew... This witch is dangerous, and whatever she just used to shave my flank is sharp...) He was wary about attacking any of the remaining four Pegasai now, lest he have a limb removed.

Then the Pegasus moved to attack. He felt a dull pain in his heels, then felt his hooves gave out as pain registered seconds later.

One of these Pegasai was real, and armed with real, and very sharp, blades.

He was suddenly pinned down with an unseen force, his weapons and armor ripped off him with that infernal blue glowing magic.

The Pegasus landed on top of him, the point of the blade less than an inch from his eye.

"Try to assassinate us will you? I don't think so." And the hoof came down.

...

Rarity winced and covered her eyes, but she only heard a solid thud, not the sound of a blade impaling an eye and skull. She looked and realized Dash had retraced the blade and hooved the assassin in the face, knocking him out completely.

"Very well done Rainbow Dash."

"Heck yea. We're the dream team you and I." She grinned for a moment, then winced. She looked at her shoulder and saw a small dart. "Ah crud..." She then fell over and blacked out.

Rarity instantly cloaked herself in invisibility and spread out her terrain altering illusion. Wherever the third attacker was, she couldn't sense him or her at all. She cloaked Rainbow Dash and dragged her toward her with her magic. She tossed the unconscious Pegasus onto her back and made for town.

...

The third assassin dared not move or barely breath. (Such power... Mother was right. Unicorns are helping the Pegasai... Well, I guess I'll have to create a 'surprise' for them all...)

After a short wait, Surprise tended to her two teammates.

...

"Thanks for saving us Surprise..."

"Of course Splinter." The white and blond pony tended to his cut tendons. "That Pegasai sure took you out of the fight, permanently... I don't think you'll ever even be able to walk right again..."

"Crud..." Splinter gritted his teeth. "You have to get revenge for us... With Pax's ankle fractured from that trap, we're both useless."

"I'll carry on. I'll just have to use my own special talent and take them out whenever I can guarantee they are alone."

"Watch out for those two... They're dangerous together..." Splinter frowned as Surprise's medicine started numbing the pain.

"Don't worry. That Pegasus will be dead by morning. I used a Wingweed poison dart on her." She smiled cutely, something that always made her two companions nervous. "Now you two get going." With that, she pulled her mask back on and vanished into the shadows.

...

Dash was sweating with a high fever as Rarity almost flew into the hospital. "I need help here."

The doctor turned from tending to a minor training injury on one of the guards and rushed to Dash's side. "What happened?"

"We were attacked by assassins." She almost cried. "We took out two of them, but the third hit Dash with this dart." She pulled the dart from her saddlebag and placed it carefully on the counter.

The doctor examined the dart quickly with his magic and gasped. "Wingweed poison?" He looked at Rarity and shook his head. "There's no known cure for this kind of poison. It's harmless to Earth ponies and unicorns, but fatal for Pegasai..."

"We need Twilight. She might think of something." Rarity turned to rush off.

"Miss. Rarity. I'm sorry, but this poison is highly resistant to magic. I... I'm sorry, but I don't know if even Ms. Sparkle can cure it. Perhaps one of the Princesses, but I've heard that Celestia has yet to return, and Luna is busy with the Canterlot defenses"

Rarity frowned. "We don't know until we try." She then rushed off.

...

Twilight had been found and told what had happened. She teleported right into the hospital and was directed to where Rainbow Dash was being tended too.

She entered the room and almost cried.

Dash was thrashing in pain, steam raising off the poor Pegasus "Dash..." She rushed over and could feel the heat raising off her. "Doctor, we need as much ice as we can get. If we can get her temperature down... maybe we can save her."

The doctor nodded and called Redheart in. He relayed the order and she was off to get the requested ice.

...

Twilight had levitated Dash into a bathtub when the ice began arriving. She scooped the ice into the tub and winced as it almost hissed on contact with Dash's coat.

Still, she kept at it, hoping to cool her dear friend down enough to try to purge the poison from her system. "More ice, keep it coming."

...

Twilight was almost delighted when the ice maker machine was actually delivered and set up in the room. All it needed was some Unicorn magic and it could transform water into ice within minutes.

Now with a constant and constant supply of ice, and the Unicorn named Frostbite powering the machine, Twilight felt confident she would save Dash.

...

Morning arrived. Twilight and Frostbite were nearing the point of exhaustion, but it seemed that Dash had cooled down enough.

Twilight used her magic to purge Dash of the remaining poison the ice had not destroyed.

Dash quickly relaxed as her body stopped burning up. Her eyes cracked open to look into Twilight's. "I could go for some ice cream about now."

Twilight collapsed, relief making her realize she was one hundred percent drained. She passed out and was quickly tended too by the doctor.

"You just both need to rest and recover now." He smiled at Rainbow Dash and Twilight. (Ms. Sparkle is truly amazing.)

...

Dash awoke to the sight of all her friends sitting around her bed. "Sup?" She grinned.

"You had us all so worried." Fluttershy smiled and offered a drink of water.

Dash accepted and gulped it down. Her mouth was so dry right now.

"Ms. Dash?" The doctor walked in and smiled, pushing a cart loaded with pitchers of water. "You're quite dehydrated. You need to replenish your fluids."

"I feel like I could drink a whole river right about now." She chuckled as she downed another cup of water.

"Thanks to Ms. Sparkle, you should make a full recovery now." He smiled at all present, even Twilight who was right now pouring Dash another cup of water. "I have another bit of really good news though. Because you survived the Wingweed poison, you'll be immune to it now."

"How awesome is that?" Dash grinned and downed yet another cup of water. "Ok, enough water for now... I can feel my eyes starting to float."

...

It only took a few hours to rehydrate Rainbow Dash.

The poison, other than nearly curing her and finally making her immune, had changed her.

The heat her body had given off had a profound effect on her coat. It was still cyan, mostly, but she now had a few lightening bolt shaped streaks on her face and shoulders, a bright azure blue.

Rarity frowned a little. "Great... now I'll have to COMPLETELY redesign the dress I made you for this years Grand Galloping Gala."

I dunno bout you." Dash said, looking into a mirror at Rarity's Boutique, but I think I look at LEAST twenty percent cooler." She grinned. "Say, what happened to those two assassins we beat up?"

Rarity sighed. "They escaped, no signs at all as to where they went. Twilight and Sir Glimmer feel the third one is still out there."

"I have a score to settle with that one. She nearly killed me." Dash fumed.

"She?" Rarity raised an eye.

"Yea. When I first spotted them there was two stallions and one mare." She then smirked. "Won't she be surprised to see I'm still alive, and now immune to that poison."

"I am most certain she will be."

Just about then, there was a heck of a commotion outside.

...

Pinkie Pie. She was currently mixing up an experimental batch of her flashbangs. These ones were not designed to do damage at all, but create blinding flashes on impact, along with a thunder loud bang. She just hoped she didn't drop another one... that one had left her stunned and blinded for nearly half an hour.

As she finished packing the last one into the mold to take form, her Pinkie Sense kicked in. "Hmm? Ear Flop, Tail twitch, eye flutter, nose itch and..." She spun around, feeling her hoof throb and caught a dart between her hooves.

She looked up and spotted a pair of one hundred percent shocked looking purple eyes staring at her from behind a face mask

"Hello." Pinkie beamed a friendly smile. "Are you the one who hurt my friend Dashie?"

"If you mean the Pegasus carcass? Then yes."

Pinkie's hair suddenly fell strait. "That is the wrongest of all wrong answers."

...

Surprise had barely escaped the psycho pink pony, managing to use one of her own damn explosive devices to stun said monster.

(What the hell was that? Nopony can possibly match me for my skills, but she kept up with me move for move... and those little bombs of hers... I've never seen...) She rubbed her still ringing ears. (Or heard anything like them... The entire town has GOT to be on high alert now...)

...

Indeed it was, and there were many stunned and dazed ponies laying about town from Pinkamena's insane battle with the highly skilled assassin, who looked to be totally freaked out and doing anything and everything to escape. Pinkamena had managed to evade every dart fired at her, using anything laying about, even apples, to stop the dangerous weapons from hitting her or any of the other ponies in town.

Pinkamena sighed and headed back toward Sugarcube Corner.

(Whoever that was, she's good.) She looked at one of the four darts she had actually snagged out of the air, much to said assassin's dismay. They all contained poison. (I should give these to Twilight...) She changed paths and headed to find her friend.

...

Twilight examined the darts. "Sleeping poison." She replied. "All of the darts fired used it." She pointed to all the darts that had been collected from the crazy chase through town.

"I saw only a little of the fight..." Dawn was very impressed, and downright confused. "What I don't understand is how that assassin could move like you Pinkie."

"I know, I was really surprised as well."

"Wait... what did you just say?" Dawn paled. "Sur... prised? No... That's impossible. She died... I saw her go under and not resurface." He looked at Twilight. "It's not possible... but I think the assassin... she just may be Surprise... my daughter... I have to find her and talk to her."

"Dawn, wait." Twilight gasped as he charged out of the Library.

...

Surprise was gasping for breath and tending to some minor burns, mainly on her flank. "She evaded everything I threw at her... yet she almost never missed... and we're using the same weapon." She examined her dart launcher. "Still... that was so much fun. I'll have to try to assassinate her again."

She then heard a twig snap. She vanished into a shadow and watched as a larger, white and black Earth Pony step into view.

"Surprise?" He spoke with a voice the young mare recognized. She almost gasped, but held it in.

(D... Daddy? But... Mommy said he ran into the Everfree Forest and died.) She looked at his head. (What happened to his horn?) She was confused.

"Surprise, I know you are here." He looked around the small clearing and spotted her gear. "I'm not here to fight. I... I just want to see you. I... I thought you were dead. I tried to save you from the river, but I failed. I..." He stopped when the small white mare emerged from the shadows.

"Daddy? Is... is that really you?"

"Oh Surprise..." He didn't approach "I can't believe you're alive. I'm so happy just to see you here."

"I... I thought you were dead too. I was saved from the river by Mommy." She also stood her ground, unsure about what she should do. "What are you doing here?"

"I... I... This is my home now. I have made wonderful friends and... I've fallen in love with the most wonderful mare."

"You... you're here? But... this is the enemy. Why are you with the enemy now?" Surprise could feel tears in her eyes.

"Please, don't think like that." Dawn lowered his head, but did not loose eye contact. "These are wonderful ponies. The Pegasai are not at all like how we were raised to believe. In fact... Equestria is the homeland of our Goddess, Princess Celestia."

"What?" Surprise looked honestly surprised. "But... Isn't her land supposed to be dark and evil, where everypony is her eternal slave?"

"No, she is nothing like how the High Priests and Priestess have described her. She is kind, wise and gentle. She healed me when I was terribly injured." He showed the still silver scar down his side. "She saved my life, and asked nothing in return. Please, believe me."

"I... I don't know Daddy." She looked at his head. "What happened to your horn? She took it, didn't she?"

"No, Princess Celestia didn't take it." Dawn smiled. "When I saved Twilight Sparkle, the Hunter and Tracker who had taken her had..." he choked up a little. "They had cut her horn off and thrown it into a river where we could never get it back."

"She took it from you then? Didn't she? I'll kill her and take it back."

"Surprise, no. I've never used magic, but magic is a part of her very soul. I sacrificed my horn so her soul would remain whole. I never needed my horn at all. Remember when you were a little filly? I never used my horn, and it was even useless when I tried to rescue you..."

"I... I don't know Daddy." She hung her head, loosing eye contact.

Dawn didn't move. His daughter was an assassin now, and from what he had seen, a very skilled one. "Listen to me. We are not your enemy."

"Then who is?"

"We don't NEED to be enemies at all. Our two lands can learn to live in peace with each other."

"But... the Pegasai... they fly when only the Goddess should fly. The Unicorns here use magic when only she deserves the right."

"How you and I were raised was wrong. Pegasai and Unicorns are born with the right to fly and use magic. It is in their very nature, and their gift." He smiled at his daughter. "I won't force you, but please... I don't want to see any harm come to you."

"No... I... I'm confused. Mommy is always right. You... you were just a sex slave... But... you're my daddy. You've always been there for me... until three years ago..."

"Because I tried to save you with magic... I became a criminal..." He sighed. "So... did High Priestess Topaz Star send you here to assassinate me?"

"We were sent to assassinate the leaders here. Other teams were sent to other towns to take down their leaders as well."

"Without leadership... your mother thinks that we're a threat... so she and the rest of the holy council want to invade."

"This land is also so rich in so many natural resources. They want to expand as well."

Dawn shook his head. "Surprise, please try to understand. What your mother and the others are doing... it's wrong. All ponies deserve the right to live, to fly and to use magic. 800 years ago, our land was blessed by the arrival of our Goddess, but those in power took advantage of that and created laws that would give them power, and take everything from everypony else."

"But we have too... there's too many ponies in our lands now. We have to expand if we want to survive."

"No, that is not true Surprise. Gaea does not need to expand, but those who live there do. They need to expand their minds and how they see the world." He waved a hoof. "Look around you Surprise. This land is so beautiful. We can develop trade with Gaea, rather than go to war. You and I... we can be a family again."

"You're a Unicorn... in public and in front of Mommy you're not allowed to by my Daddy..." Tears started to pour from her eyes.

"Look at me now." He ripped the bandaged from his head.

Where there had once been a horn, Surprise gasped at what she saw. "You don't have a horn anymore... but you have a purple star."

"Eh, what?" Dawn patted his head. He could feel only the coat of fur. He could feel not even the slightest sign of a horn, or anything out of place.

Wait... Purple star? He suddenly smiled and wiped away a few of his own tears. "Surprise, please come with me. No weapons or armor or poison or anything like that. Just come and meet my friends, as my Daughter, not as as assassin. Please?"

"I... I don't know if I can do that..."

Dawn took a tentative step forward. "It's not that much to ask. Just... just meet them."

Surprise slowly nodded. "O-okay Daddy. I'll meet your friends."

...

Pinkie Pie felt a few various twitches, but none of them told her of danger. She exited her basement workshop and stepped outside the bakery.

She gasped when she spotted Dawn, walking side by side with a young mare. "Surprise?" She walked forward and smiled. "Hi again. Are you okay?"

Surprise looked, well, surprised when she came face to face with Pinkie Pie.

"Um..." She looked at her father, who smiled back. "Yes? I... I'm really sorry for trying to kill you earlier."

"That's okay. That was a really fun game of tag. Next time we should use paint balls That way nopony would get hurt."

Surprise blinked, then actually smiled cutely. "I... I'd like that."

Dawn let out a sigh of relief. Now, the one he was REALLY worried about was Dash. How would she react when coming face to face with the pony who nearly killed her?

...

All had been assembled at the Library.

Dawn stood before them all. "I... I have somepony I want you to meet. Please, do not judge her for what she has done. She was confused." He stepped aside, revealing a cute young mare with white coat and blond hair in almost the exact same style as Pinkie Pie's. In fact, she shared the same cutie mark as the pink party pony.

Dash narrowed her eyes. "You're the one who shot me?"

The moment she saw Dash she paled. "H-how?"

"Twilight saved me." She gestured to the lavender pony with the stunning white horn, a horn that Surprise recognized instantly. "And I got these rocking lightening stripes on my coat from your poison."

"I... I'm so sorry for what I did..." She looked at all those present. "I... Mommy... she told me that you are all bad ponies... She never lied to me before."

"Ah think she's been lyin' to ya for a long time Sugercube." Applejack frowned. "They wanna invade us and kill a lot ah our friends and family. To an Apple, family is everythin. We protect ah kin, and ah friends."

Surprise nodded. "I... I understand. Daddy always showed how much he loved me. Mommy made me learn all sorts of things, like how to assassinate and fight and poisons and stuff. She made me do all sorts of things I never wanted to do." Her eyes met her fathers. She then looked at Twilight, the Unicorn with her Daddy's horn. "You... you're the mare Daddy loves... aren't you?"

"Yes Surprise, and I love him back just as much." She offered a kind smile. "If you like, while I can never replace your Mommy... maybe we can all be a family together? Here in Equestria, you can be what you want to be, to follow your dreams and not have to hurt anypony because of greed or fear or misunderstandings" She smiled and then spotted the purple, six point star on Dawn's forehead. She instantly realized what the Doctor had done.

What little of her horn remained had been transplanted into Dawn's skull. She realized that was not a bad idea, as it had allowed him to heal so fast from the operation It also looked nice on him.

"I really want to follow my dream. I don't want to hurt anypony. I want to make ponies happy. I thought that making Mommy happy was doing the right thing, but I can see now, she was wrong."

Dawn rested hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry about that now." He smiled at Twilight. His daughter... she was alive. His tears trickled from his eyes.

Surprise leaned against her father. "Daddy?"

"Yes Surprise?"

"I have something very important to tell all of you... And you are not going to like it."

...

"Sky ships to attack Cloudsdale and drop bombs on towns?" Dash paled. She knew Pinkie Pie had a strange contraption that allowed her to fly, and Twilight had her hot air balloon

But Surprise's description of these sky ships scared her.

A massive hot air balloon, carrying an iron armored and heavily armed ship underneath. Large fans to help with lift and maneuvering

It sounded like a nightmare merging of Twilight's and Pinkies means of flying.

Quite ingenious actually.

Not only that, but there were also smaller air boats for three man crews that were armed with spear launchers, designed for close assaults on Pegasai while in the sky.

No longer would the Pegasus own the sky's of Equestria.

...

Rainbow Dash took this information and flew for Cloudsdale as fast as she could.

She found her wings were producing a lot more heat than normal as she flapped at full speed. At one point she chanced a glance at her wings and noticed they were flickering with a considerable charge or electricity. This worried her some, but tried not to let it keep her from her task.

Dash landed in Cloudsdale, her wings burning joyously from the exertion of her flight. The cool air up here made her feel better than she had for some time.

Still, her wings flickered with the strange static charge. She dared not touch anypony, fearing just how much of a charge she may have stored. She would rid herself of it first safe chance she got.

She approached a mildly busy structure, the Cloudsdale Castle.

She was halted at the doors by two guards. "Identify yourself."

"Rainbow Dash, Member of Ponyville Auxiliary Militia."

"Pff." One guard laughed. "Ponyville militia? What's that? A dozen ponies with sticks?"

SNICK!

"Try a variety of weapons made form an awesomely light and super strong metal called Steel. And there's over a hundred of us in total." She quickly retracted the blades.

The guard gulped at the sight of the weapons. They were not hoofblades, an illegal weapon, easily concealed. These were mounted on her forelegs, and not concealed at all, even when the blade had been retracted. Different, but not illegal, though pushing the boundaries

He then noticed her wings, and the odd metallic sheen on the front edge. It did not look like a feather. "Wh... what's with your wings?" He poked her with a hoof.

Dash tried to warn him, but it was too late as he was blown clean off his hooves, his feathers smoldering slightly. "Ah crud..."

"Lightening Rod... are you alright?" The other guard rushed too his side.

"Peachy..." He got back up, looking Dash over. "What was that? Felt like a lightening strike,,, but it came from your wings..."

Dash was impressed. "Sorry... I... I recently survived an encounter with Wingweed poison and..."

"Bull dung." Lightening Rod scoffed. "Ain't no Pegasus who's ever survived that... wait, how did you get poisoned? That stuff is so illegal here in Equestria, to even think about making it while in the privacy of your own home could get you banished for life. Heck, the plant is extinct."

Dash pointed a hoof to the odd lightening bolt patterns on her coat. "Then that makes me the first ever to survive." She grinned. "Now, I have a message for our Prince. It is so important, you wouldn't believe me if I told you right here and right now." Her eyes narrowed.

Lightening Rod, who's special talent was being immune to electricity, gulped at the sight of sparks forming in her eyes. "O... Of course... Rainbow Dash from the Ponyville Auxiliary Militia... right?"

"You got it." She grinned. She glanced at the other guard. He was kinda cute. "Hi. Come here often?" She teased.

...

Surprise was full of surprises, and valuable information. She had always felt a lot closer to her Daddy than her Mommy, mainly because Daddy was a lot nicer.

She had decided, regardless of how mad Mommy was going to get, to help Daddy. To be free and to do what SHE wanted and follow her dreams sounded a lot better than to always do what Mommy wanted, even if it meant hurting or killing other ponies.

Still, she had her skills and training. three years of it. Even though she was small, and just entering puberty, she was fast, agile, and smarter than the average pony.

"And this is the route through the Everfree Forest I've been using. It only takes three days, rather than three months trying to wonder through the forest, or a month flying over it."

"How is this possible?" Twilight pondered.

"Magic gates." Surprise beamed. "They're amazing. You step through and you're on the other side. You then find your way out of those ruins, and then through the forest till you enter Gaea. Mommy knows about the passage, but I never told her where it is, or even what it is."

Dawn ruffled her mane. "Who's a good little pony?"

"I'm a good little pony." Surprise beamed a huge smile.

Pinkie looked at the map. "So, you say you're the only one who knows this route? What about the other two assassins who were with you?"

Surprise covered her mouth with a hoof. "Oh poop... I knew I was forgetting something. We have to try to get there and stop them from reaching the other side... I should go alone and maybe I can make them think I succeeded in my mission."

Rarity shook her head. "Surprise dear, we can't let you do that. You'd just end up back with your mother, and she, pardon my tongue, does not sound like a very nice pony at all."

"Mommy loved me, but... not like Daddy. I was always happy when with daddy, walking through the gardens, down by the river or playing in the private park." She tried to hide a frown by smiling, but it showed in her bright purple eyes. "Mommy needs to be stopped before anypony else gets hurt... I don't think I have any choice but to go back and try to stop her."

Dawn shook his head. "No Surprise... I can't..." He glanced at Twilight. "We can't let you do this... not alone..." He sighed. "The only way I can think of to keep this invasion from succeeding... is to do as the letter says. If I hand myself in, she will not join in the invasion. That's ten thousand ponies you don't have to worry about, just eight or nine thousand from the other three provinces, and only three or four sky ships as opposed to ten or more."

Twilight frowned. "No. We can't let you make a sacrifice that big."

"You would rather fight a force of almost twenty thousand strong? That's probably the total population of Equestria."

"What I mean is, we can't go running back there, without a plan." Twilight grinned.

"Oh, I like plans. Especially planning parties."

"I like surprise parties."

"Really? Me too."

Twilight sighed and looked at Dawn. "Gather the girls, we develop our plan when Rainbow Dash returns."

...

To Be Continued...