It had taken months through constant raids from an unseen enemy, reports of limbs hanging from trees which no one ever found, having to forage for most of their food, to the failed assault of a fortified city after he had tried to tell them their true lord had arrived and they proceeded to shoot a few arrows at him, but finally they had cornered the king of the north in a castle. They take this and his army will run in fear and disperse, leaving him to stab his supposed ally in the back and take all of Libya and Gual for himself. These were the thoughts of Spitfire’s cousin as he looked at the castle of Lark.

“Such a glorious opening to a quick battle.” He says chuckling as he looks to the castle in the distance.

“Lord Decen, there is no army taking the field. They intend to hold out inside the walls.” A rider of his ally reports.

He scoffs. “Cowards! The lot of them. We’ll take the castle or even burn them out. Maybe then they will see the true ruler.”

“You mean rulers right?” The noble on a wildebeest asks.

He sighs and turns to him. “You will get your place.”

“Yes. All of Gual will be mine, remember?” The noble asks.

He sighs and facehooves for a moment.

“Come on Vinyl, let me out.” Sky says.

Vinyl shakes her head. “You made me go through that, you need to pay. So, this is payback.” She says as her three attendants stood beside him.

“Hey, I didn’t force you to agree to that or is this because you are having mood swings?” Sky teases as Vinyl knew what he was alluding to.

Vinyl groans. “Just do it.”

“Why should I?” Sky asks.

“Girls, obey your mistress. Undress and take him, even by force.” Vinyl instructs.

Sky blinks as the mares grab him as Vinyl starts walking out. “Hey. You can’t do this…even if I will enjoy this.” Sky says as the mares drag him to bed.

“Yes, I can.” Vinyl says smirking as they removed his clothes.

“Vinyl!” Sky yells as she shuts the door and locks it behind her.

“Have fun?” Vinyl asks smirking after Sky emerged in his armor.

Sky stops and looks at her before slapping her flank hard and sends her to the ground. “Next time I have a chance, I will show you how it goes. When I make you beg me to take you again.”

Vinyl groans. “Note to self: don’t make mares go on Sky.” Vinyl says groaning on the ground.

“I think I will inform Snow of this.” Sky says smirking.

Vinyl sighs. “Fine.”

“So prepare to be taken by her.” Sky informs.

“Oh, I am getting a reward.” Vinyl says in a sing-song tone.

Sky slaps her flank again and sends her to the ground again. “Keep up that attitude and I’m sure Snow would be happy to deal with you.”

“Jackpot.” Vinyl says.

Sky sighs as he walks off. “Honry mare.”

“And proud!” Vinyl proclaimed.

‘Sometimes I can’t believe she rules the vampires.’ Sky thinks sweat dropping.

Zora blinks and looks behind her to see Sky walking up to her and the line of knights. “Where were you?”

“Vinyl.” Sky simply says making Zora want to press him for more details later.

Zora shakes her head and looks out to the field. “They are waiting. Hoping we step one hoof out of the gate.”

“We won’t give them the pleasure. They either take this castle by assault or be surrounded and destroyed by the armies coming to encircle and destroy them all.” Sky says.

Zora hums. “Should we soften them or leave it tender?” Zora asks tapping her chin.

“We ignore them mostly try to goad them into attacking us. If they do, they will be targets to test our new weapons on. If not, they will still die. They don’t realize it yet, but they are all in the jaws of the predator.” Sky says.

“You are such a devious overlord.” Zora says smiling a bit.

“No, I knew my opponents and know my force’s power the moment they didn’t try to expand a front and just bypassed our garrisons, they put themselves in checkmate. They are truly foolish. They only got this far because we allowed it.” Sky says.

“And they are too much of an idiot.” Zora says as she walks away and sits down at a nearby table in a tower.

“Have all those manning the wall start chanting about the coward who abandoned his fief and army to save his life and the fool who lost everything by his own pathetic tricks and was banished.” Sky instructs.

Zora hums in agreement as she writes down the chant to say.

“You like that Spitfire?” Sky asks.

Spitfire leans on the wall nearby as she watches the army. “Yes. It works fine.”

“Want to really rub it in?” Sky asks.

“No. I don’t want to be seen as him.” Spitfire says shaking her head.

“Also, add that all of Libya acknowledges Spitfire as the rightful heir to her dynasty and not the pretender.” Sky adds.

Spitfire kept staring out to the waiting army as she kept listening.

The chanting and jeers from the wall had been going on for hours. Taunting and shaming the besiegers and mocking the leaders who were being so pathetic.

“Like it?” Sky asks, walking up to Spitfire who is watching it on the wall.

Spitfire smiles, as she knew it was driving her cousin crazy from this and more likely to do something idiotic.

Sky sighs as he leans on her. “You like it.”

“You get more respect.” Spitfire whispers to him.

Sky kisses her cheek. “And I get you.”

“Silly stallion.” Spitfire says as the besiegers started to move.

Sky sighs as he pushes himself off of her. “Back to work.”

“Archers, prepare to fire!” An officer calls.

All the archers hold up their weapons as they prepare to fire at the approaching army.

“Hum, seems they are in a bit of formation. I didn’t think they were competent enough for that.” Sky says as the ballistas began to fire.

Spitfire waves him off. “Not anymore.” She says as the arrows hit and break some of the lines.

“Tell me, is this their entire force?” Sky asks suspiciously.

Spitfire slowly nods. “If I know him, he will be stubborn enough to bring it all in one single attack.”

“But the entire force isn’t his alone, is it?” Sky asks.

“Are you kidding? I would think three-fourths are from the noble.” Spitfire says shaking her head.

“My point is, would someone who has experience in warfare like him attack without siege weapons or at least ladders?” Sky asks.

“He would get ladders. He knows that much. However, he believes in trickery more than siege weapons.” Spitfire says shaking her head.

“Send out scouts. I want to know if they are trying to circle around and scale the mountain.” Sky orders the Dark moon knight captain.

They salute and rush off towards the south end.

“So what will your next move be?” Sky asks.

“This is simple. Remember, they are only barbarians. Not smart enough for this.” A captain says leading a group of a hundred soldiers through the dense forest up the mountain.

“I don’t know why we are worrying. Besides, we are better fighters than the barbarians themselves.” A soldier remarks.

“Yeah…where did the captain go?” One asks seeing him there a second ago.

“Where did the supply group go?” Another asks in the middle after looking behind them where the wagons and carts where.

“Where’s the stupid archers?” Another asks in the crowd as they now all look around and went on guard.

“I don’t believe this!” One soldier says before walking on and doesn’t see the thin wire rope before it was too late and was lifted away choking without a yelp.

“Oh, my. Oh, my. Were they really so foolish as to tread into our territory?” A voice says.

“I believe so. Shall we give them the warmest welcome?” Another voice asks as the rest all huddle up and takes out their weapons.

“Yes. One bathed in their own blood.” The first voice says and then they hear a hiss at the end.

“We can take them.” A bull-headed soldier says frowning as he kept his sword steady.

“Fellow vampires, the Overlord has said we can feed on them like we have been doing since they entered his territory. Don’t let any of them get away. It would be so rude to him for providing us with such a meal.” The first one says appearing in Dark Moon knight armor.

“Va…va…vampire?” One asks shaking and struggling to hold his sword pointed at the knight.

Soon, seven more emerged, their fangs showing with an anticipating smirk.

“Shall we dine on this delicious buffet?” One asks chuckling.

“And there is still so many to feed on as we separated them with our illusions. We may have sent a few back to get barrels for it all.” Another says.

“Oh. The much and many types of blood we can spill and drink. Can we drink now?” Another asks looking to the captain.

“Do it.” The captain says.

They all hiss as they all rush at the soldiers as the soldiers yell out and try to swipe off the vampires.

“The charge has been halted and they took around a fourth of their numbers before falling back. Those vanguards were the epitome of stupid.” Sky says neutrally.

“And it was so small. No thought put into it.” Spitfire says sitting with him.

“Your cousin must be enraged again. Start chanting how stupid he is again.” Sky orders.

A messenger nearby nods and runs off to spread the word as the soldiers nearby started to chant the speech they had already.

“Now how stupid will you be?” Sky asks.

“It’s been a week and they only tried two more assaults. What are you up to? Building siege equipment or maybe trying to starve us out?” Sky thinks aloud, looking out from the walls.

“Maybe starve? We haven’t had good blood bags.” Vinyl says hanging beside.

“I thought you stored up some from that raid.” Sky says.

“We did. But it might be running out soon.” Vinyl says swinging back and forth.

“Yeah right. Tell them to stop partying and start acting like this is a siege and ration it.” Sky instructs.

Vinyl swings off and lands on him. “We are not stupid. But I’m surprised this guy is holding out before us. Usually, they would rush out at the end in a few days.” Vinyl says shaking her head.

“It must be the other reigning him in. The guy’s ego and arrogance are too great for this…actually Vinyl, do me a favor.” Sky says smirking.

Vinyl hums and looks down to him. “Yes?”

“Send your vampire to hypnotize some of them to spread rumors like. Spitfire’s cousin is planning to kill the other leader and when he heard the other leader sent troops to ambush and rain arrows down from the mountain, that he sent his own to follow and kill them. Also, have them plant evidence of this like putting trinkets in their possessions like a signet ring or some jewelry they were wearing when your vampires killed them.” Sky instructs.

Vinyl nods. “You got it.”

“The battle is heading in our favor more and more each day. Send out a few other of your vampires in dark moon knight armor, carrying the emergency message flags and get a report on how long they will take to get here from Rainbow, and Shadow’s land and while they are at it, get Dark Tail’s report on how the invasion force for Celtica is coming.” Sky informed.

Vinyl hums. “You got it. Anything else?”

“You back in that maid outfit.” Sky teases.

Vinyl hits his head at that. “Don’t even.” She says before disappearing.

“Oh, but I liked stripping you out of it and taking you.” Sky teases.

An apple hits his head and he catches it.

‘You are so going to be dressed in it by Snow.’ Sky thinks turning back to the field with a serious expression as the sun sets.

“Sire, have you heard the rumors circulating?” An officer whispers to the former Gual lord in his tent.

“What is it?” The lord asks looking over.

“That other bastard is planning to kill you and he killed those we sent to ambush the enemy to decrease the numbers of our soldiers.” The officers whispers.

The lord frowns at that. “Tell me everything.” He whispers back.

“After hearing that I went to search some of the soldiers who were absent from the battle and found this.” The officer whispers before giving a signet ring of one of the officers that fled with the lord so many years ago who disappeared with the rest of the ambush party.

The lord sighs. “Great. Prepare for his betrayal.”

Sky blinks. “I suddenly have an inkling feeling I will need to chop someone into bits.”

“Need a knife?” Vinyl asks suddenly beside him and holding up a chef’s knife.

Sky shakes his head before his shadows flare a bit. “I got a better idea.” He says looking to his shadows. “I never go to ask Spitfire, what was his name?”

“Bagrat, but I prefer Ratbag.” Spitfire says, cautious of the Dark Moon knights and her now.

“Perfect name for such a loser.” Sky says grinning as he walks down to the gate.

“Hey.” The noble calls and he look over as he packs his bags.

“What?” Bagrat asks, obviously miffed at the interruption.

The noble frowns as he stays on his wildebeest. “Tell me honestly, you never did intend to give half of the rule of me, did you?” He asks frowning more as he went.

Bagrat grits his teeth as he realizes he must have caught on but tries to maintain his composure. “And what if I am?”

The noble huffs. “Answer it.” He calls as his soldiers grip their weapons while his side of the army was gripping theirs at the sound of the argument.

Bagrat scoffs. “I do intend to give and…”

“Honestly!” The noble calls as he holds up the scroll.

Bagrat frowns heavily at the sight. “So now you know.”

The noble huffs as he throws the scroll away. “This has gone on far enough. And it’s no wonder we have been losing and…” He stops as he grunts and looks to see an arrow embedded in his shoulder and slowly glares to the other army, an archer with no arrow. “Kill them all.” He says slowly as he rips the arrow out.

Sky smiles as the gate open for him and he looks to the army clashing with each other and walks to it. “Heh. All too easy.” He says to himself as he closes in on the fighting. “Oh, this will fun.” He says to himself as he extends his shadows toward three of the soldiers and grabs them around the legs and pull them away toward him. He leers over them as they realize who they are looking at before being covered up by shadows.

Bagrat blocks a blade from a heavily armored soldier and then kicks him away, sending him tumbling to the ground. “You don’t disappoint Bagrat or should I call you Ratbag? I thought you would lead any army you commanded into ruin.” Sky says as his knights started flooding out of the gate.

Bagrat turns to the approaching Sky and brings his sword up to fight before three sleek mares in barely any armor jumps out from behind Sky and goes straight at him with small thin swords as the first knocks his sword to the side and moves to the side. The second moves up quickly as Bagrat has barely any time to move before she stabs her sword into his shoulder and then pushes him straight into the ground and pins him. He groans as he tries to reach for the sword before the third came straight at him from the air and brings her sword down and moves it slightly to the side before slicing near him and then screams as he felt his wing severed and tries to hurry to get the sword out of his shoulder.

Sky walks up and places a hoof on the mare and stops her mid-swing. “Not yet.” He says looming over Bagrat and looks at his pitiful form as the knights and riders slammed into the force.

What followed the siege was a parade by all the knight orders through every Libya city with members of the bandit army in cages. It was a statement that the knights were back to doing what they were supposed to and would once more be the protectors of the common citizen.

The people, upon seeing this, rejoiced as not only had the enemy been routed, but was routed by righteousness. This was a new kingdom a true kingdom. It would take years, but Sky and many other high ranking officers could tell the populace would now start throwing everything they had to support the kingdom they were now a part of.

“Well…we are doing something good.” Applejack says, looking out the window.

“Yes. From now on Libya will start training calvary for the state. The knights will oversee this.” Sky informs.

Applejack hums and looks back to him looking over a desk with papers and maps. “What are your plans now?”

“With Libya secured and us sending our message we turn our attention to the west. We move to finish bringing it under my rule.” Sky says rubbing the flank of the naked mare.

Applejack shivers and pushes his hoof away. “Stop that. But how are you going to handle that?”

“I have already had several lords in place to handle the day to day things. Plus, the vampires will be my eyes and ears here. Letting me know if they remain loyal to me.” Sky says laying his head on her shoulder.

Applejack rolls her eyes. “And if they are not?”

“We either call them out on it or send a subtle reminder who rules.” Sky says hugging her, knowing she was tired from the bed activities they just did.

Applejack sighs and leans against him. “Well, we need to start on the new direction.”

“We are.” Sky says as Vinyl starts rousing from her sleep.

“What did I miss?” Vinyl asks groggily as she sits up.

“Nothing really. It’s morning now.” Sky informs.

Vinyl yawns and grins to them. “Can I have a snack?”

Sky nudges one of Vinyl’s sleeping handmaidens to wake her.

The maiden moans as she lifts her head up to them. “Master?”

“Your mistress requires blood. Please go retrieve her a snack.” Sky requests.

The maiden quickly gets up and leaves to find one.

“Now we strengthen defenses here and attack Celtica, but what about Belgica? We still need to think of a way to give us an advantage against their superior airborne armies.” Sky says thinking.

“I can help with that.” Vinyl says smirking.

“You have my attention.” Sky says.

“I will give you a gift for all the blood and for our marriage.” Vinyl says.

“These are…” Twilight says in disbelief.

“Giant hawks and Rocs.” Sky says smirking.

Twilight blinks as she looks to the large two birds, resembling a regular sized hawk and eagle but at double the size of Celebrimbor who seems to be frowning at them, standing before them, looking around or looking at them.

“And we can get much more for you.” Vinyl says.

“Fluttershy.” Sky says.

Fluttershy peeks around the doorway from the castle and smiles as she flies up as both birds stare at her. She smiles and starts to pet the top of their beaks, making them chirp happily.

“Start focusing on training these species. We have a new form of cavalry in the making.” Sky says.

Fluttershy looks surprised at him as the birds look to Sky carefully at that.

“Just like the Salamanders.” Sky informs.

The birds snap their beaks at him at that as Celebrimbor roar softly nearby.

“Do you have a problem with that?” Sky asks, inviting them to challenge him.

The birds keep staring at him as he walks off, Twilight following shortly afterward as she kept looking back at the birds. “You sure that was a good idea?”

“Others asked me the same about the Salamanders when we started training them.” Sky says as the birds of prey backed down.

“I…see…” Twilight says unsure, not knowing what else he has planned as Fluttershy glides down to them.

“I will leave it to you, my cute yellow wife.” Sky says before raspberrying her.

Fluttershy giggles as she tries to push him away. “Stop it.”

“I’m going to head north, ok?” Sky asks.

Fluttershy smiles and hugs him. “Okay.”