Chapter 15

Lapis Umbral sat before his team of six, who were seated in a semicircle before him. Dustmite rested on his larger brother's back; Slurry to Sandstone's left, Desert Sun facing her lover directly. Hatchet sat still for once, attention riveted to his employer. Night Ash to Lapis' immediate right, still puzzling the meeting.

"Cloud Slayer, Violet Force and Silver Shimmer are taking care of the exterior weather for a few hours while I have you here, my Wildforce. Morning Star and I will be having a private discussion later regarding our next course of action.

"I have made many promises to all of you these few years; most I have kept. A few I feel I have not." His gaze stopped on Slurry. "However, you and Desert Sun both inspired me in hopes of helping all of you become more effective in the field of battle, and right some wrongs." The alicorn nodded to a weathered saddlebag, magicking it open to reveal the six necklaces. "To all of you I have had these crafted. Night Ash braved the world and spent time in the Crystal Empire to have these custom crafted. Each one is enchanted with an individual Shadow, an essence of Night lost to me centuries ago." He placed each one before its correct bearer, gem facing them. "These Shadows will obey your mental command, activated with a simple tap to the gemstone or one of the totem animals next to it.

"Slurry, I have made you too many promises, so I would hope that this necklace of Deception will compensate. You said you just wanted to be 'you' again, but with this you can be anyone you wish.

"Sandstone, you show enormous courage under the right circumstances, and yours will help bring that out. It will fit with your Phalanx armor, as will Hatchet's...." he turned to the armorsmith. "Depending on how much 'modification' you've done."

The red and gray pegasus offered a nervous grin. "Nothin I can't retrofit."

"You'll not modify the necklace, its design is essential."

"Aw boss, I just finished -"

"Hatchet!"

"Yeah boss...." Hatchet's mope lasted exactly three seconds. "Manticores! I don't need t' modify THAT! That's awesome, boss!"

"Just listen carefully to your new gift, each one has a voice all its own."

"Wouldn't Night Ash be the only one who can 'hear' em, boss?"

Night Ash's ears twitched playfully.

"o/' Oh I can hear its tiny voice allaying all my fears
It says it doesn't want to replace my eyes or my ears
It wants to show me the entire world, a new reality!
That's something I truly want to see,
that's what this shadow's whispering to me. o/`"

"Hey, I can hear mine too!" Hatchet's grin only widened.

"o/` yeah it's the volume of a whisper but it should really be a scream
Stories of distant Tartarus and every demon's dream
The stuff I hear it sayin, yeah it's scarin even ME!
Looks like our ideas, yeah we agree
About what this shadow's whispering to me. o/`"

"Can you hear yours yet, Stony?"

Sandstone physically put his ear on the necklace.

"o/`I can kinda hear it but its voice is really low
Says to wear my armor with it everywhere we go
It'll help me when I'm fightin, wow how did it know?
So it'll give me bravery....
I think that's what the shadow says to me. o/`

"Listen to yours, Dusty."

Dustmite nosed at his necklace.

"o/`It's voice is really quiet, ain't got much to say
just that I would be hidden well and out of ponies' way
No sound when I am walking, no shadow cast in day
Simply invisibility...
That's all that the shadow says to me.o/`"

Lapis' expectant gaze fell on Desert Sun, who held the new trinket with her magic.

o/` It laughs about my fire, would rather see a 'boom'
that could take a single flame and burn the entire room
Setting off my fires suddenly, says our enemies are doomed
Magically, explosively,
Is that what this shadow whispers to me? o/`"

While Lapis was inwardly happy, he made one caveat: "These 'Shadow Elements' are for your use in missions and in battle. It is not a decoration to wear and show off. They are covered in shadows once wielded by Sombra but were birthed in Tartarus. Wear these with pride and caution. But they will help us since we have so few in number."

Slurry sighed to herself. She knew there'd be a catch.

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As the evening train slowed in the chill of the forest evening, most ponies dreamt away the time as they awaited arrival at sunrise in Manehatten or Fillydelphia. Only two ponies had their eyes open at this hour - the night conductor, and one dark green earth pony. Strife knew the train slowed through this area in case something had fallen on the tracks, or if a wild animal happened through. The woods here had similar stories as Everfree, where magic rarely rose against the denizens. Whispers of traces of remaining magic around the Foal mountain range and the stray woods west of Baltimare were dismissed as lost history or incorrect mapping. Untapped and wild, this is where Strife would find who he sought.

A glance out one window showed him Neighagra falls receding in the distance. They had passed the switch station where he would have been the only one to depart the train. He crept out a door between cars, making absolutely sure no one would see or hear him abandon the train. Most would think nothing of it in the morning, as the tickets are paid for before boarding. As long as you had a ticket with a destination, you would be taken there. His ticket did not reveal his true destination: Hollow Shades.

The landing wasn't the smoothest, but he had his hooves under him quickly. No standing still in this darkness! The sky would be his compass as he cantered through the brush, pausing at the sudden slope that kept the village out of view of most of Equestria. Yes, they had a train line. But the visits were fewer and fewer, as the reputation of the town haunted many a traveler. He expected to be spotted by the patrols soon enough, so stealth would be of little use.

He paused a few moments longer at the top of the slope to look at the tiny village. A dozen buildings total, hoof-hewn by earth ponies from all over Equestria. Not a horn or a wing among them. They had chosen this way, believing that no magic was needed to make the world work. No real "crops" grown there, but enough to sustain those that choose this life. The dark green earth pony lowered his head, slightly ashamed that he had been tempted with magic, given the chance to reach out to his "brothers" in Spellbreak with the Voice of the Mind, and gifted with a Hearth charm to free himself. The leaders would not be pleased, but Strife knew he was out of options. Pulling himself to his full height, he slid down the long slope with enough scraping to alert a patrol to approach.

The small patrol - six in all - quickly encircled Strife, leaving him backed against the slope. The captain recognized him immediately, but there would be no hoof-shake, no greeting. Just questions. "Why have you come?" The rust-colored earth pony asked. "Should you not be in the Canterlot Dungeons after your last escapade fell apart?"

"I escaped," Strife began, "and had to come here once I was clear of Canterlot. War is brewing in Equestria. I'm here to warn you, and to suggest we prepare."

"You contacted Silverback via some sort of telepathy," the leader accused, backed with growls from the rest of the patrol. "Their attitude towards you is not a pleasurable one. I suggest you cease any further tomfoolery and just go to the hotel for a simple visit and leave the next morning. Consider yourself lucky I have some respect for you, for the rest of the leaders would probably not hesitate to whip you unconscious and pin your carcass to the wall with swords!"

"You have to take me to them," Strife pleaded. "Silverback - Belmonte - Salvino - if THEY want to kill me, that’s their choice, but I want them to hear my plea first! I come with knowledge. I come knowing of a way to insert ourselves in the war, and I have brought proof that the Lyrium weapons are as deadly as foretold." Strife opened his saddlebag and showed them the whip Lapis gave him. "This was found in a mine, southwest of here. The Lyrium dusting it received is still potent! I saw it carve into the wing of an alicorn!"

"I can't just walk you into the main quarters no matter how impressive your story."

"Please!" Strife begged again. "This could be our chance to show just WHAT Spellbreak can do!"

The leader locked stares with Strife, watching the green earth pony hold his ground. A stomp from one of the soldiers did not spook Strife, and the glow of the torches revealed his resolve. "Fine," the leader said finally. "I'll bring you to them, but don't expect my protection." the unit grumbled in agreement.

"I know I'm taking my life into my own hooves. Salvino MUST hear my tale!"

The patrol leader said nothing more, nodding to the others as they walked the perimeter of Hollow Shades. The patrol herded Strife directly toward the rock wall, even if he showed no interest in escaping. He wouldn't make it far up the hill before that patrol would haul him down, slashed and tied down with Lyrium-soaked weapons. He kept to their deliberate pace around half the villa before the leader paused at a seemingly arbitrary place in the wall. He pawed at a spot before finding solid purchase, rapping his hoof against it authoritatively. All turned to the wall to watch as a crack etched up the wall and arced, pulling back to show a well-hidden door. A faint bluish glow gave its only hint as a light green pony peered out. "You're back early," he grumbled.

The patrol leader and his men parted, allowing Strife to approach the door. "Belmonte!" Strife called.

"STRIFE~!" The response was not friendly. Belmonte threw the door open with one hoof and raised the other, uncoiling a blue-black whip that rested across his shoulders. Strife saw it an instant too late, reeling from the attack. Strife wanted to gather his artifact whip to counter, but Belmonte was already upon him, whip already coiled like a metal spring. "How DARE you show yourself here!"

The soldiers shoulderd Strife inside, Belmonte kicking the door shut. "First, you use forbidden magic to contact us!" He snarled, now that he could raise his voice. "What sorcery did you use to escape?"

"You're the one who chose not to respond, so I clicked my hooves together three times and said your name!"

Belmonte's temper- and his whip- hurtled toward Strife in a shower of curses. The darker green earth pony was ready this time, flourishing the old whip and tangling the two together. Belmonte froze, then fumed.

"You are not worthy of carrying this sacred weapon! How dare you even raise it -"

"It was found in an old mine. It's tasted alicorn flesh, despite not being used for a century or more! NOW will you take me to Silverback and Salvino?"

"I am their equal, you don't wish to speak to me?"

"There's too much TO explain, and I don't want to explain it more than once."

Belmonte pulled his whip free. "No one escapes the Canterlot dungeons unless they had magical means! Let's see if I can beat THAT out of you!"

"Belmonte, Do you honestly wish more bad publicity for us than what we already have?" A new voice interrupted the impending battle. The two green ponies turned to a hallway, where a mottled red and white earth pony emerged.

"Sliverback," Belmonte protested, "do not tell me you’re growing soft! He could be an imposter!"

The newcomer shook his head no, eying the whip Strife carried. "If he can hold one, he can take one...."

Strife didn't budge. Belmonte raised his whip to strike. "But ONLY one!" Silverback warned.

"'Just' one? Salvino would not be pleased." Belmonte reared, making sure that if he can only strike once, he will strike with everything he had! Gritting his teeth through the swing, the scowl locked in place as Strife did indeed stagger from the blow, a bluish haze smoking from the wound on his shoulder. The lighter green earth pony was hoping Strife would collapse in a heap from the blow, but only the slightest buckling of his legs would have to do. He turned his attention to Silverback, who had not taken his eyes off Strife.

"You seek to come back To Hollow Shades after you contact us through magical means?" Silverback inquired darkly. "Why would you think that was a good idea? Have you forgotten our Way?"

"I was taught," Strife impatiently replied, "that in a desperate situation, any tool should be used. This was the case in contacting you. I was freed by an enemy of the crown. The alicorn Lapis Umbral thought I had potential to assist his overthrowing of Canterlot after I sundered Ponyville. So he recruited me, rescued me, and gave me a gift to reach out into the minds of ponies I knew. I fear that even if he does overthrow Celestia and Luna, nothing will change. His overconfidence, along with his magic followers will do nothing but twist the land to their own liking, while we still not get the proper respect we deserve. That’s why I came to you. Lapis seeks to attack Canterlot, and when the alicorns are at war, if we were to give a false alliance to Lapis, we could begin the purging of the magic users early, and strike the alicorns when they are at their weakest! I can make that happen, you have to believe me…This is our only chance…"

Strife continued to walk with Belmonte and Silverback as they descended into the Spellbreak complex. The two soldiers wanted to believe Strife, but there was too much risk. More questioning was required.

"Why would an alicorn seek an alliance with ponies who would kill him at first sight, and even if we did ally with him, what does he have to offer us?!" Belmonte demanded.

"I made him promise our freedom to do whatever we want. Purge. Destroy. Erase all magic, except for his followers, and Canterlot."

The mottled pony shook his head no. "Again, little sense is made! Spellbreak exists to purge ALL magic! Why would he think we would make ANY exception!?"

"An alicorn, is an alicorn, is an alicorn," Strife replied definitively. "That’s why this is our chance to right the wrongs of Equestria! Let the world shape it the way it’s meant to be shaped. This is what Spellbreak has been yearning for after all these years…has it not?"

"Incompetent rulers…" Belmonte grumbled.

So what’s stopping you from turning on us? How do we know you’re on our side?"

"Silverback, I know Spellbreak. Do you honestly think I’d willfully ally myself with magic users against my own brethren? And what you would do to me if you found as such?" Strife held up the whip. "As I mentioned, this was found in a mine in Drakengard, where this dark alicorn resides. He wanted me to return it as a sign of 'friendship'."

Belmonte snorted in disgust. "We don’t need a broken down whip. And there is definitely no friendship here."

"I saw the scar on Lapis' leathery wing," Strife smirked, "the Lyrium is still potent in this item. I think his returning it to Spellbreak as a symbol of an 'Alliance'?"

"You'll talk to Salvino in the morning," Silverback ordered. He nodded to a bare room in their facility. "Rest here. You'll see Salvino after sunrise."

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The roosters at Sweet Apple Acres had orders to crow at first light, not even to wait for the sunrise. That would give Applejack, Big Macintosh, and some of the local hands time for breakfast and be on the field when Celestia brought the sun up from the eastern horizon. Granny Smith and Applebloom cooked up a hearty breakfast and served fresh-squeezed apple juice or milk with the morning repast. Applejack was eating quickly, eager to get back to her chores. Two days of being on the road, not a sale to be had in Canterlot, one jar of Zap apple jam wasted from the party, and sales in Ponyville still too light because many of the locals went to the Armoring Ceremonies. She wasn't talking during the meal, just focusing on the food and figuring out how much they'd have to earn from the regular harvest just to get to Cider season. She barely excused herself as she bounded outside to get started on the harvesting.

Big Macintosh sighed, looking back to Granny Smith. She simply shook her head and sent the stallion on his way. He hauled out a stack of baskets, watching his sister vent her aggressions with every buck to the trees. He could almost hear her saying it as she kicked... "THAT kick is for Spike interrupting the Zap Apple Harvest! THAT kick is for bits lost because nopony wants to buy at the stand! THAT kick is for not being able to sell anything in Canterlot! AGAIN! THAT kick -"

Another kick heard nearby distracted him. Applejack kept kicking away at trees, not even realizing someone was trying to help, awkwardly.

Twilight Sparkle, sans crown and finery, reeled some from her first attempts at actual applebucking. She had an apple impaled on her horn and several scattered at her hooves, likely from poor positioning. She shook the stray apple off and gathered one basketful with her mouth, trying to swing it on her back.

Applejack heard apples spilling nearby but didn't look away from her tasks. "Applebloom, I told you to stay inside and help Granny."

Twilight wasn't paying attention. She managed to settle the basket on her back, wings instinctively balancing it before quickly folding back in place. "Morning Applejack," she said simply as she trotted by.

Applejack stopped kicking. Everyone else had seen Twilight making the attempt, but the orange farmpony's frustration needed an extra minute to register that they had some unexpected company. Wheeling to face the princess, she steadied the bushel on her own back before removing her hat. "Pardon, wasn't expectin company t'day."

"Company? I'm here to help!" Twilight half-protested as she felt the bushel on her back removed. "There's gotta be something I can do to help here at the farm. I promise, unless an emergency I won't use my wings or magic."

"You can supervise," Applejack replied humbly as she gathered apples that Twilight had missed on the ground. She called back to the house as well. "APPLEBLOOM! BRING OUT A PILLOW AND SOME ICED APPLE JUICE FOR A GUEST!"

"Supervise? Applejack, I'm here to work." Twilight walked back to the tree she had previously bucked, trying to scoop apples into another bushel. Applejack stepped in front of her to finish.
"Please, let me help you catch up," Twilight continued as she followed her farmpony friend, "I know you lost time with your recent trip to Canterlot."

Applejack kept moving, bucking trees and gathering bushels. "Ah wouldn't be so behind if ah hadn't had 'help' from Canterlot," she groused. "Ah have had plenty of charity an royalty this growin season."

"'Charity?'" Twilight repeated in confusion. "'Royalty..?'" she repeated with resignation. "Are things that bad here?"

"We been losin money for a while now," Applejack confirmed, still bucking away. "So I got catchin up to do."

"Wait, What about your stand in Ponyville? Isn't that-"

Applejack wheeled to face Twilight eye-to-eye. "If ah had TWO BITS for every pony askin about YOU, ah could buy out Filthy Rich!!!" She slammed her hat to the ground and shrugged the bushel off her back. "Every day ah been in town, when Mac's in town, when Applebloom's in town, it's 'how's TWILIGHT?' An 'Where's TWILIGHT?' An 'Have ya talked to TWILIGHT today?' " She backed Twilight up to a tree and continued to stare her down. "Ah Don' need no more o' your CHARITY!"

"I never wanted something like this to happen..." Twilight apologized, looking away from her friend's angry glower.

Applejack backed off, picking her hat up from the ground, anger faded now that what she honestly felt had been said. "You got a promotion... cain't be mad about that, should be mindin my farm."

"There's nothing I can do to help? I want to do something besides staying cooped up with no chance to talk to my friends without being swarmed."

"I ain't acceptin handouts from nopony, not even a friend an' especially no princess," AJ announced. "If ah learned anythin from Aunt an Uncle Orange, it's 'mind yer place'." She kicked a handful of bushels in place under another tree. "Somepony sees you here, we get all of Ponyville runnin' in to watch and that's another day's harvest gone."

Twilight thought all this over. "Then can I at least make a suggestion? Advice isn't charity."

"Some kinda 'royal decree'?"

The alicorn rolled her eyes. "Applejack, if you're not going to let me physically help, at least let me make a suggestion that might help you make money with your stand. Do you know how long some ponies wait outside of the library to even catch the slightest glimpse of me?"

AJ snorted derisively. "Ah got a front row seat for it."

"So why not move your stand across the street? Set up outside the library."

"Won't they complain about me blockin the view?"

"If your stand was near the library, they'd be able to smell your treats better, and they'll get a better look at those while they're waiting to look at me. Since you'd be right there, they'd probably want to purchase from you."

"Now why didn't ah think of that...? Ah'll just move everythin over there today." She hefted the previously discarded bushel to her shoulders. "You probably got other work t' do, we got it."

"Are you sure you won't let me lend a hoof to the harvest?"

"Aint'cha a bit too royal for the farm?"

Twilight glanced back at herself, then grinned back to her friend. "Fine. *I* won't...." her horn shimmered, bathing the alicorn in purplish magic. The glow faded to reveal a reddish-brown pony with trailing light green braids and glittering sugar on her rump. "Myh Nahme is Mahple Sap," she introduced in a horrible facsimile of a farmer's "twang". Applejack finally smiled.

"Only thing you gotta work on is that accent!"

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Strife awakened to a blue gleam throughout the room. His body ached. His head stung. Blearily he looked around to find the "door" to his room now bars. He also spotted Belmote glaring at him. "Awake yet?" he asked dryly. "And likely cleansed. Simple procedure before we bring you to Salvino."

Strife stifled a groan, sitting up slowly on the bunk. "The room....."

"Lyrium traced," the Spellbreak soldier explained. "The taint of magic on you might make Salvino ill. You're lucky you made it through the night. Since you did, NOW we can bring you to him."

Silverback nosed the unlocked cell door open. "Those 'curses' bestowed on you are gone. Tell the alicorn that it was a requirement to speak to us. Conventional communications from here on, Strife."

"What next? Lyrium shackles to walk me to him?"

"We're not slavers," Silverback sniped. "You'll walk with us to the main chamber. When you are presented, you will drop to your knees and you will not look him in the eye. Speak ONLY when Salvino tells you to. You will tell your story, and forget no details. He will judge you from there."

Strife staggered out of the cell, Belmonte and Silverback flanking him. Belmonte reluctantly returned Strife's saddlebags to him. "Show him the whip if you think it'll help. But only in turn."

They started a slow walk to the main chambers of the Spellbreak compound. Strife noted that the walls had splatterings of the blue energy, an angry abstract shouting silent curses at all things magic. Each pillar had the insignia carved into it - the broken unicorn horn- which was highlighted also with the Lyrium's anti-magic properties. The few others in the compound wore full shrouds, only their eyes and snouts shown to even the few here. The two soldiers offered Strife no explanation; he guessed they were acolytes to the order, training either to work with the Lyrium or to become more soldiers. Like many things in Spellbreak, it mattered little as long as it was not magic.

The irony of this puzzled the dark green pony. If they are so anti-magic, why do they lean so hard on this element? Magic in its own right? Something of this odd power occurring naturally.....

"We are here." Silverback halted the trio before Salvino's chamber, closed off by two hoof-hewn cedar doors, traced with more of the crystal's dust. The Spellbreak symbol split with the doors opening, the mottled pony's thick shoulders heaving to open them.

The chamber gleamed a silvery blue of its own, chilled with the absence of anything but a united cause. The black carpet glimmered blue from Lyrium dusting, the walls almost a solid Lyrium azure. Eight guards to either side of the room, heavy barding obscuring all but the threat of death. Before them, on a black lacquered bench with a dark blue cushion, sat the undisputed leader of Spellbreak, the earth pony Salvino.

His coat, while naturally a pale gray, glimmered sky blue from the glow of the room. The green in his mane looked almost aqua, the white streaks like crystals growing within. Draped over his back lay a thick felt cloak, stamped with the Spellbreak insignia where his cutie mark would be. His gaze distant, his manner statuesque as the trio walked to the center of the room. Belmonte and Silverback sandwiched Strife, knocking the wind from him briefly and forcing him to a kneel. They then joined him, eyes closed.

"Convince me why I shouldn’t kill all three of you for bringing him here," A voice as cold as winter began.

"He offers us a chance to begin our ultimate dream, the purging of the magic users," Silverback explained.

"Strife....?"

"Lord Salvino, the alliance I have forged can bring the alicorns together, in battle." Strife re-told his tale. "Were we to strike when the alicorns are facing off, or better still, when the fighting has ended and they are already drained, the purging can begin at the epicenter of Canterlot. We erase their magic! The Lyrium will cleanse the land, and it will grow again, much like the Everfree forest does to this day. It will thrive like the seas abroad and the mountains around us. Equestria will belong to the earth ponies once more."

Salvino rose from his seat, stretching his back before speaking. "The mission of Spellbreak is to balance the scales of Equestria. Those without magic still toil under those that possess it. The fallacy of 'equality' amongst the pony races is long ignored, especially by the ruling alicorns. Princess Celestia has abused her gifts, leaving those of us without such abilities to grovel in the dirt at her hooves. This will not be tolerated for much longer.

"For centuries, Spellbreak has cultivated Lyrium, a gift of our ancestors, to undo the magic of the world so that we may resonate to the harmony of the planet, not to the beat of a magic drum. The Everfree forest, our living temple, is proof that no magic is needed to survive. All of Equestria shall be made thus, by our hooves and under the ghostly glow of Lyrium.

"Earth ponies freed once more. The Lyrium will fill the very air and allow nature its true path. That is our Way. No alicorn, no unicorn, no pegasus will ever understand this."

Strife trembled, both in anger of the truth Salvino spoke and the fear of a further consequence. "The fact you even took the temptations bothers me, Strife. Who are you truly working for in this? The fact you have touched magic in such a way that you HAD to be cleansed." He turned to Belmonte and Silverback. "What say you?"

Belmonte's gaze turned more toward Strife. "His punishment should linger much longer, commander. But he DOES present us an opportunity."

"The stars align for us," Silverback continued.

The commander paced around his bench, seemingly lost in thought. Strife used the distraction to open his saddlebag and remove the whip. "This was found in a mine in Drakengard. It still radiates Lyrium, and stood up against Belmonte's."

"What should I do with it?" Salvino asked distantly. "I am relieved you handle it without pain."

"It is proof that Spellbreak endures even when we return to the earth. Lapis Umbral left it to me to bring to you. An offering for this 'alliance'."

"What does he seek in return?"

"One set of Lyrium shackles, with plain iron grips so that he may place them."

"No soldiers? No weapons? No potions?"

"He seems comfortable with the request he makes, as he understands your reluctance."

Salvino almost chuckled. "He knows not what he is doing, thinking that Spellbreak aligns with any sort of magic using pony. We'll play along for now. You'll have your shackles, but I want your very word that your hooves stay on the ground..... with us."

"As you wish, Commander."

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A solar guard stopped the red earth pony outside the royal chambers. "State your business."

She flapped the wanted poster at him. "I have info," she managed through her clenched teeth.

The guard magicked the door open immediately.

The chamber itself was quiet for the first time in several days. Celestia was preparing thank you correspondence to the delegates who attended the Armoring Ceremonies, as well as invitations to the Magic Council. She did look up to see her visitor. "Love Flare? I wasn't expecting you here."

She galloped to the base of the throne, stopping in a quick kneel before dropping the poster. "I ran into Strife on the train. He's heading northeast, I'm guessing to Manehatten or Baltimare."

Celestia blinked. "Are you sure it was - "

"I know anti-unicorn rhetoric when I hear it, Princess. Forgive my bluntness, but if what he did to Ponyville was an issue, imagine if he started rallies in larger cities."

The Sun Princess agreed. "I'll have Hazard Watch contact his allies in Manehatten to keep their eyes open. I'll also send missives to Fillydelphia and Baltimare. Hopefully we can stop him before he starts something new."

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Rainbow Dash snoozed in the late afternoon sun, glad for a easy cloud-clearing day. The only one floating about would be the one she dozed in, lost in another Wonderbolts dream. The last couple of days had been hectic for the rainbow-maned athlete and weatherpony, but the calm into the next week or so would help her rest and practice for a potential invite to the Gala.

The dream replayed from the one she had had some years ago of her leading the Wonderbolts through a display where they performed a flyby so close it would muss all the high-class ponies' manes and evening wear. They wouldn't be angry over the close pass, either - they would cheer, chant her name--

"Rainbow Dash?"

"Hm... Twilight? Do I have to kneel....?" the pegasus was still lost in her dream. Twilight decided she needed some cloud clearing practice of her own, casually bucking the cloud out from under her friend.

"WHOAA~!!!" Dash dropped a dozen feet or so before catching herself with her wings. She rocketed back up to where Twilight was standing on her own cloud. "What's the big idea~?!"

"You told me to be here at 4 o'clock for more flight training."

Dash's anger vanished quickly to a proud smile. "Oh yeah - wasn't sure if you were gonna make it since your schedule keeps you everywhere but where we need you."

Twilight frowned. "Are you saying that you're not going to teach me today? Breaking a promise could be ground to send you to the moon."

"THEY ALREADY TAUGHT YOU THAT~!?" Dash backwinged in panic, looking for an escape. "You wouldn't do that.... to a ... friend, right?"

The young alicorn shook her head at Rainbow's histrionics. "I was kidding... I'm not THAT powerful."

"Well, you ARE a princess now, isn't that part of the training? And why you were in Canterlot an extra day? Magic's your 'thing', so how hard would it be for you now?"

Twilight's smile slowly returned. "Maybe someday, I don't know. Right now, I'm supposed to be learning more on how to use these." She wiggled her wings playfully. "As for scheduling - Princess Celestia and I had a nice long talk about that."

"So why WERE you in Canterlot an extra day?"

"Seeing if Spitfire would train me since you don't seem AS interested," Twilight snarked back.

"Spitfire doesn't work with beginners," Dash responded with pride. "And since I've saved her flank a couple of times she OWES me."

"'Owes' you?"

"Making me panic all the way to Canterlot! Or should I try blaming Princess Celestia and see if you can get me off light, maybe a 1000 days on the moon?"

Twilight erupted with laughter at the thought. "Rainbow, why on Equestria were you so worried? You are probably the most amazing flier I know...outside of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, of course, but still..."

"YOU can say that," Dash grumped back "but when you get an invite to the second-biggest Wonderbolt tryout outside of the Grand Galloping Gala ITSELF and it's only a 'Maybe' how would you feel? If I'm as good as you say I am (and you're right), then there shouldn't have been a 'maybe' in the first place!"

"That's what you were all worked up about?"

"I also thought you were the one putting the 'maybe' on it. Spike got mad when I said something like that...."

"Looks like I have someone else to talk to. But lessons first - actually, no, a request first."

Rainbow Dash snapped to attention and saluted. "YES MA'AM!" she declared in her best Academy voice.

"A request, not an order. I'm not Spitfire. I'm still me. Actually, this is more of a request to help Equestria. You know about the plans to expand train lines from the Crystal Empire?"

"Spike mentioned it to me before the ceremonies..."

"There are plans to expand the lines. But you know how the weather outside the Empire can get, right? Remember running through that when we were helping my brother?"

"Didn't Canterlot cover that? I thought they had a bunch of 'specialists' out there since the snow and wind are so rough. Some unicorn and a couple of higher-ups from the Cloudsdale Bureau."

"If they're going to be building in more train lines from all over Equestria to get to the Empire, they'll need a weather expert with amazing flying skills to help them keep things clear long enough to lay down tracks. They've already got the pony-power to build the track, but we're going to need a lot of experienced weather ponies."

"Sounds like a lot of work... it'll cut into my practice time!"

"But it would look good on your resume, controlling some of the most dangerous weather on Equestria."

"Grunt pony work doesn't look good on a-" Dash stopped herself, recalling Spitfire's critique.

"Even if it's the MOST dangerous weather on Equestria? Conditions you trained for at academy?"

"Dangerous?" Dash dismissed, "I could turn any stretch of that trainline to beach weather in -"

"Ten. Seconds. Flat," Twilight finished for her. "Will you do it? I'm asking you as a friend...please help lead the weather team for this? For me?"

"I know you're asking me as a friend, otherwise there'd be this long scroll and Spike dressed up all Frou-frou and making-" Dash paused for dramatic effect - "A ROYAL PROCLAMATION!"

"I could make it that, and just aim Spike at your stories..."

"At least let me finish 'Daring Do and the Cloud Ruins of Stratusfear'!"

"Another one?" Twilight queried. "What about the one where you said Daring Do would be rescued by a mare with a shimmering rainbow mane, calling herself 'The Wonderbolt'?"

"Nope! This one's gonna be full of zombie skeleton pegasi and an angel trapped inside an abandoned ruin in the clouds!"

The alicorn rolled her eyes again, only to be interrupted with a bright flash. Leaping off the cloud, she turned to face another crowd of ponyrazzi taking pictures of her. "RAINBOW!?! Did you set this up?"

She felt a hoof over her shoulder. "You stood still, that's all I needed!" Dash posed as Twilight facehoofed. "Thank you, thank you, Everypony~!"

Twilight sighed and poked Dash with a wing. "You better not back out on the railroad deal!" She ordered before teleporting away.

Dash didn't hear her over the cameras and questions.

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Cadance and Shining Armor arrived at the Crystal Empire train station under heavy guard. The soldiers, loaned from Canterlot, had volunteered to be a part of this huge "Project" announced after the armoring ceremonies, knowing that the royal couple would also have their hooves involved. Thankful for the almost unnecessary escort, the couple still chatted as they awaited the train.

"Remember, these are all soldiers who didn't quite make into the Solar Guard or the Phalanx," she reminded her husband.

"That doesn't mean they can't be made into soldiers. I think what I'm offering them would be great incentive. It would give Princess Celestia her soldiers back, and we would be seen as a lot more independent. We just need an armorer up here."

"I can see if Golden Silver is available now that recruiting is over. Any work on armor would be repairs and any of his apprentices can take care of that."

"Perfect. You ok with me making the announcement?"

Cadance was caught off-guard with the question. "Why wouldn't I?"

"They listen to ponies who CAN save the Empire," he replied with a wink.

"You saved Canterlot," she winked back. "You first." she assured him as the train slid to a stop.

Locals and soldiers alike cheered as dozens of ponies from all over Equestria poured from the trains. Many had only been to Canterlot from their native homes, and now twice as awestruck to such a legendary place. Eyes wide at the sights and adulation, widening still at being greeted by the current rulers. Excited glances turned into bows and kneels, making Shining Armor very uncomfortable. Cadance nudged him with a wing to remember his station. Nodding, he took a breath before making his announcement.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, I am Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire and former Captain of the Royal Guard. My duties have brought me here, much as the requests of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna bring you here today. You've come from a rough couple of weeks, attempting to join the elite under the Canterlot Princesses to defend them against any threat. While you are not soldiers there, you are still able-bodied ponies who are being given a second chance!

"Today, and over the next few months, we will be expanding the Crystal Empire's rail lines, so that we can accommodate as much of Equestria as possible for the Games. We are offering fair wage, meals and residence here during the entire process. When the work is complete - doubling the lines between the Empire and Canterlot - I offer each and every one of you a choice. All are welcome to stay here, as we are always in need for more specialists and new families into our new home. However, I offer you, upon completion of this task, a second chance at military service, as we will be forming our own military so that the Solar Guard will not be stretched so thin! Anyone with armoring knowledge, I would like you to report to the local jewelcrafter Malachite Braid! Everypony else, please follow us to your new homes for the course of the project. Thank you for assisting the Empire in such an enormous endeavor!"

The newcomers cheered and the local soldiers barely hid impressed glances to Shining Armor. "That was perfect," she whispered to him. "You're better at this than you think."

"Still not the most comfortable," he whispered back. "How does Twily even do this?"

"About the same as you."

He relaxed, glad it wasn't just him.

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Twilight Sparkle exhaled in relief at teleporting home. She had worked at Sweet Apple Acres through the morning, trained with Rainbow Dash, checked in again with Rarity and Fluttershy, and was more than ready for a good night's sleep. Her fatigue cost her some of her concentration, and she appeared directly above poor Spike and the books he just finished organizing. Books scattered like bowling pins as the poor little dragon squished under the alicorn's weight. She gingerly gathered herself before helping Spike to his feet. "Sorry, Spike, it's been a long day."

"S'okay," he muttered, rubbing his head and reaching for the spilled books. He startled a bit when he saw Twilight's magic start organizing the pile agains for him. "should be used to it, I guess...."

Twilight didn't quite hear her friend, so she trotted closer. "Are you sure you're okay?" Spike grumbled an answer. "I don't mean just from this. We haven't had a chance to talk since I've been gone."

Spike shrugged. "So you were gone a couple of days... looks like you survived it."

"Are you upset that I wasn't home?"

"No...."

"you're not mad that you didn't get to come along, right?"

"No...."

"Did you have another argument with Owlowlicious?"

"No...."

"then what-"

Spike whipped around to face her. "I had a GREAT couple of days before you left! Rainbow Dash thought YOU put me up to telling her to pack Wonderbolt gear to the armoring ceremonies! Top that with getting clobbered with farm tools, almost getting bucked out of sugarcube corner, and then I get THROWN OUT OF THE CAROSEL BOUTIQUE!"

Twilight staggered backward from his anger. "I was trying to get YOUR stuff done on top of some errands that Princess Celestia sent me personally, and I can't even get THAT Right!" He groaned in frustration and kicked a stray book on the floor. He found a spot to just stop and sulk, and sat himself facing away from Twilight.

"Spike...?" the little dragon didn't move to Twilight's query. She walked forward, head lowered. "Spike, I never wanted you to get this stressed out in your life. This has been a trying time for everypony...so I'll understand if you start thinking that your workload is too much, and you wish to take time off to rest."

"That's not the point, Twilight! I tried to get all this stuff done for you, and then for Celestia because she wanted to do something nice for YOU and I couldn't even get that right!" He took a couple of deep breaths before speaking again. "I heard the party was a complete bust, anyway."

"That wasn't your fault, Spike. I do want to thank you for trying your best, all things considered. It was very sweet of you."

"But it didn't work!" Spike repeated. "I couldn't get anything ready, and even if I HAD you didn't get there until late that night, and Pinkie Pie was the only one left!" He crossed his arms and looked away.

"Oh, it worked," she confirmed for her assistant, "just in a different way. It made me realize that I need to better balance my time as a princess with time with my friends. ALL of my friends."

"ALL of your friends?" Spike asked emotionlessly, not turning back around. His frustration faded when he felt Twilight rest her chin on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he softened, "just... it was supposed to be special..."

"It was," she replied as he turned to hug her. "Just in a Grand Galloping Gala trainwreck sort of 'special'." That relaxed Spike completely, and he hugged Twilight a little tighter in gratitude.

"Normally I wouldn't let you snack this late," Twilight offered as the two separated. "I've got something special I've been saving for you... I was saving it for your next birthday, but given the day you've had, you've earned it." Her horn flashed to life, and an apple-sized sapphire leapt from behind some books on a high shelf. Spike's eyes bugged out at its deep blue shine, tender facets, and that it would take more than two bites from the tiny dragon to finish! His forked tongue dribbled in anticipation. Twilight hovered it within reach. "Go ahead. It's properly aged and kept out of sunlight. I did my research on this one."

Spike greedily snatched it out of her magic with both hands and licked at it like a giant lollipop. She left him to his treasured snack so that she could get some rest.

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With Strife back in confinement, Salvino addressed Belmonte and Silverback in his private quarters. The elder earth pony stood before his two lieutenants, measuring their reactions to the meeting.

"You two see more of the world than I do anymore," Salvino began. "Do we trust Strife? CAN we trust Strife? The possibility of alicorns in our control is too good to be true."

"Word on the wind is that many other nations around Equestria are already nervous," Silverback began. "Canterlot recently had a recruitment drive for their militia, and a lot of movement between there and the Crystal Empire. The right words in the right order could continue to stir unrest."

Salvino then turned to Belmonte. "If we give him the shackles, does this mean we are allying with an alicorn?"

"I see it as assisting a stray from our herd, Lord Salvino. This will bring him back to us, completely."

"I did examine the whip he brought," Silverback said quietly. "It belonged to a guardsman named Richter. From the records, this is from an outpost far south of San Palomino that Spellbreak abandoned . If this whip was close to this alicorn's lair, what's to stop us from just going after him?"

"Strife may not always walk Our path," Salvino observed, "but he sees what I see. He is correct that we should strike once the alicorns are in range of each other or when the fighting is over, but I don't want our hoof shown just yet.

"Send him back with the shackles, a potion, and dust all of his gear. He will NOT stray again. He will leave under the cover of night, I'm sure all of Canterlot will be looking for him."