The morning sun arose above Equestria. In much of Equestria, Celestia's glorious sun rose above banners of King Sombra who awoke early to plan his final attack. The Changelings from Canterlot returned to Manehattan to confess to their failure. They nervously approach Chrysalis who was clearly not pleased to see them.

"What are you doing here?" asked Chrysalis angrily.

"We where unable to enter Canterlot." answered Thorax.

"Why?!" asked Chrysalis angered.

Thorax gulped.

"The same shield used against us during the wedding was used here." answered Thorax.

"That is it?" asked Chrysalis unhappy.

"Yes ma'am We where unable to breech the shield." answered Thorax.

"How did you try and breech it?" asked Chrysalis.

"Any attempt to tunnel under the shield failed." answered Thorax.

Chrysalis frowned angrily.

"You tried to tunnel under it like a damn fantasy!" snapped Chrysalis.

The Changelings recoiled in fear.

"We had to stop." said Thorax.

"Why?" asked Chrysalis, through gritted teeth.

"An Equestrian sentry almost caught us." answered Thorax, his knees weak.

"If I was Sombra, you'd be dead right now." noted Chrysalis.

Several Changelings threw themselves on the ground.

"We're sorry!" cried one Changeling.

"Have mercy on us!" cried a second Changeling.

"We beg your forgiveness!" cried a third Changeling.

Chrysalis thought for a minute.

"I will forgive you." began Chrysalis.

"Thank you!" exclaimed a Changeling.

"We're not worthy!" exclaimed another Changeling.

"No you aren't." muttered Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen looked at Thorax.

"Well, what abut you?" asked Chrysalis.

Thorax bowed down.

"I am eternally grateful for you mercy." answered Thorax.

Chrysalis let out a laugh.

"Now Sombra's forces will take a bigger hit." mused Chrysalis.

"Why?" asked Thorax.

"They will be in the front." answered Chrysalis.

"We can join them." proposed another Changeling.

"Sombra will not budge on it." replied Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen rolled her eyes.

"He won't anypony else take his thunder." said Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen laughed.

"No skin off my muzzle." scoffed Chrysalis.

"But, we're allies with Sombra." noted Thorax.

Chrysalis' mood became more somber.

"We merely share a common goal." stated Chrysalis.

"I see." replied Thorax, uncomfortable.

"Thorax, do you doubt me?" asked Chrysalis.

Thorax quickly became worried.

"No. Of course not." answered Thorax.

Chrysalis thought for a moment before a sinister smile came to her face.

"Then prove your loyalty." ordered Chrysalis.

"What do you request of me?" asked Thorax.

"You will be the one to explain your failure to Sombra and only Sombra." answered Chrysalis.

Thorax knew this could be a suicide mission.

"I hear and obey." said Thorax, trying to stay calm.

Chrysalis excused her Changelings and they left. The other Changelings returned to their base to relax and prepare for their upcoming mission. Thorax nervously left their base and headed to town hall. Thorax arrived and felt his legs shaking as he entered. He walked over to where Sombra was wanting to get this over with. However, one pony stood in his way.

"What do you want?" asked Twilight annoyed.

"I have been sent by Queen Chrysalis." answered Thorax.

"State your business." sighed Twilight.

"I am to give an update our on mission to infiltrate Canterlot." said Thorax.

"Tell me and I'll send the message to him." replied Twlight.

"Queen Chrysalis was very clear that I should only tell Sombra." said Thorax.

"King Sombra." stated Twilight angrily.

"Queen Chrysalis was very that I should only tell King Sombra." said Thorax.

Twilight let out a deep sigh.

"Follow me." huffed Twilight.

Twilight knocked on the door behind her.

"Who is it?" asked Sombra, from inside.

"Me Master. The Changeling Queen sent an envoy." answered Twilight.

"Come in." replied Sombra.

Twilight led Thorax inside and shut the door behind her.

"Please, tell me why you are here." requested Sombra.

Thorax took a deep breath.

"Our mission to infiltrate Canterlot failed." said Thorax.

Sombra's face quickly turned into a scowl.

"How could you fail?!" asked Twilight angrily.

"The same shield that kept us out of Canterlot during our Wedding Operation was deployed and we couldn't get by it." answered Thorax nervously.

"How pathetic!" spat Twilight.

"Please stay calm." said Sombra coldly

Twilight scowled, but looked at Sombra and nodded.

"So, you made very attempt to enter." mused Sombra.

"Yes." confirmed Thorax.

"I knew those Changelings where inferior." scoffed Twilight.

"Hey!" cried Thorax offended.

"I would have easily entered Canterlot." said Twilight.

"You're a pony so the shield wouldn't have effected you." noted Thorax.

"Never send a Changeling to do a pony's job." replied Twilight.

"Then you do it!" snapped Thorax.

"That is not a bad idea." mused Sombra.

"What do you mean, Master?" asked Twilight.

"You can infiltrate Canterlot." answered Sombra.

Twilight beamed proudly.

"It would be my pleasure Master." said Twilight.

Sombra turned his attention back to Thorax.

"Tell Queen Chrysalis that I will have Twilight infiltrate Canterlot." said Sombra.

"I understand." replied Thorax.

"Once again a pony will hand the situation." said Twilight.

Thorax wanted to say something about Twilight's bigotry, but knew better of it.

"It was a pleasure meeting with you King Sombra." said Thorax.

Twilight rolled her eyes , annoyed her comments where ignored.

"Goodbye." said Sombra.

Thorax turned and left.

"I will get ready for my mission." said Twilight.

Sombra nodded his head.

"Good." said Sombra.

The defenses in Canterlot where raised as high as they could possible be. Common ponies erected barricades and armed themselves with whatever they could. Donut Joe, Coriander Cumin, Saffron Masala, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine and Moon Dancer manned the main defense at the entrance for the city. They where surprised when Fancy Pants joined them. More upper class ponies such as Jet Set, Upper Crust, Hoity Toity, Photo Finish where at the palace to defend it. Fleur Dis Lee was there as Fancy Pants didn't want her at the front. A very reluctant Prince Blueblood led these volunteer forces. Inside the palace, the four royals, Sunset, Trixie, the rest of the Mane 6, Spike and Discord where gathered around for one final meeting.

"Sombra's forces will be either anytime now." sighed Luna.

"Are the Changelings coming as well?" asked Shinning Armor.

"Of course they are. Chrysalis will not pass the oppertunity for revenge." answered Cadence.

"A sentry heard noise hear the shield." noted Shinning Armor.

"Was it Changelings?" asked Cadence.

"The sentry claimed it was rabbits." answered Shinning.

"Wouldn't rabbits pass through the shield?" asked Luna.

"They where digging a borough." answered Shinning.

"Understood." replied Luna.

"What about the remaining Wonderbolts?" asked Rainbow.

"Misty Fly has them ready and they will be used without a doubt." answered Luna.

"The city is defended as it could possible be." said Shinning Armor.

"Even the citizens are helping out." noted Applejack.

"As the upper class." added Rarity.

"We need never able body that we have." said Shinning Armor.

"Where are your parents?" asked Cadence.

"They're helping with the defenses." answered Shinning.

"I'm surprised they're willing to pt themselves in such a position." mused Trixie.

"They wouldn't be talked out of it." shrugged Shinning.

"What about Twilight?" asked Spike.

Celestia used her magic to levitate an ancient tome placing it before her on a table.

"This is from the Starswirl the Bearded Wing." noted Sunset.

"Yes. I've spent as much time as possible looking for a spell and I might have found something." said Celestia.

Celestia opened the book.

"It's an old spell for countering dark magic. Only Starswirl has used it." sad Celesta.

Discord appeared behind Celestia.

"I hate to pop your bubble Tia. But, there's no guarantee it'll work." noted Discord.

"I am aware of that. However, it is the best chance we have." replied Celestia.

"Let's hope it doesn't bit us in the flank." said Discord.

"Must you always been a pill?" asked Luna annoyed.

"I wasn't such a pill that Tia and I weren't an item." answered Discord.

"Yes. You used me for power." said Celestia hurt.

Discord stopped and rolled his eyes.

"Since we very well might not see each other again, I did actually love you." confessed Discord.

"Why should I believe you?" asked Celestia.

"You don't have to. But, it's the truth." answered Discord.

"We can focus please." requested Spike.

Celestia shook her head.

"Yes. As I said, it is our best chance." said Celestia.

"Twilight is extremely powerful." said Rarity shuttering.

"We'll need a lot of magic to restrain her." added Sunset.

"We have three unicorns here plus a being of chaos. You fur will detain Twilight with your magic." explained Celestia.

"Cadence is maintaining her shield and I will be leading our defenses. So, we cannot help." said Shinning Armor.

"We have faith in you." added Cadence.

"Wait, I didn't sign up for this." said Trixie.

"You want to be great and powerful. This is your best chance to prove it." replied Sunset.

Trixie thought for a moment.

"I'll do it!" declared Trixie determined.

"I'll help as well." said Discord.

Celestia looked at Discord, but shook her head to focus.

"What about the rest of us?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yeah. We want to help." added Pinkie.

"You can provide a vital asset." answered Celestia.

"What is that?" asked Fluttershy.

"You can be there for your friend." answered Celestia.

"We can do that." said Pinkie.

"For Twilight!" declared Spike.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That is where we'll end this chapter. Next time is the start of the battle which take the majority of the final chapters. Please review.