A few days passed before any of the vampires appeared in Sky’s tent. “How many?” Sky asks.

“There are two hundred thousand. They are comprised of infantry, cavalry, air infantry, and what looks like some sort of carts.” The vampire says.

“Where are the carts located in the army right now?” Sky asks.

“Along with the main army each being pulled by two huge wildebeests.” The vampire describes.

“What did they look like?” Sky asks before the vampire gives more details. “How many of them were there?” Sky asks.

“Five thousand of them.” The vampire says, causing Sky to walk around thinking.

“Got a plan?” Vinyl asks raising an eyebrow.

“How far away are they?” Sky asks.

“They are in Bellpond.” The vampire informs.

“So that means will meet in Buttercourt…that means the terrain will be hilly. Hum.” Sky says.

“Oh. The thinking pose.” Vinyl says smiling.

“If they are what I think they are then…order the army to pack and move now!” Sky suddenly orders.

The vampires were surprised as the soldiers heard the order and get up and start to pack up to head out.

“What are you planning?” Vinyl asks.

“I want to choose the ground which we battle.” Sky says starting to use his own magic to start to pack his own tent away quickly as possible.

“You want to take the hill?” Vinyl asks.

“Yes and to fortify it.” Sky says quickly throwing in everything.

“How much time we got?” Vinyl asks smiling.

“Till they reach the location. Vinyl, you take who you brought and wait in hiding. I will signal you when you engage their main air force.” Sky says.

“Alright.” Vinyl says smirking, knowing this would be bloody soon.

“Rainbow, Spitfire, we are moving out.” Sky says.

Rainbow snorts awake from the bed and slaps Spitfire’s flank and makes her wake up with a yelp. “We got to get moving.”

“What are we? Under attack?” Spitfire asks.

“No. Just moving the camp. Let’s get moving hot head.” Rainbow says getting out of bed.

“O…whoa!” Spitfire calls jumping out as the bed was lifted by magic.

“We need to get moving.” Sky says moving the bed into the baggage train.

“You could have waited for me to ge…” Spitfire started but stopped when her armor was fastened to her by magic.

“Double time.” Sky says.

Spitfire groans as she sets up the armor herself now.

“You too Rainbow.” Sky says.

Sky had his army march double time while lugging all their equipment through the night and into the morning, even eating on the move to get to the battlefield first to prepare.

“So…what’s the big special plan?” Rainbow pants, lugging her bag on her back.

“We have to deny the enemy favorable ground. It will weaken our cavalry’s effectiveness, but it denies them to make full use of their best ground-based units.” Sky says.

“Ah…so take the most important areas.” Spitfire says grunting as she hefts up the heavy armor.

“Yes, somewhere easy to defend and wait to see what they do.” Sky says spurring Celebrimbor on to go faster.

“Then we better hurry.” Spitfire says picking up the pace as well.

“Officers, take the fastest cavalry ahead of us and find a good steep hill or as close as you can we will catch up!” Sky orders and soon all the light cavalry ran ahead.

“Yes, sir!” They all call back.

“They will most likely encounter the enemies scouting force.” Sky says.

“Are they going to be okay?” Rainbow asks a bit skeptical.

“Yes, I have faith.” Sky says.

The army keeps riding hard and when they find wood stakes already in the ground and many ponies in armor that wasn’t theirs lying dead on the ground with a few of their own joining them. “Report.” Sky says a little dejected seeing his dead men.

“Sir, we encountered a troop of a hundred dismounted cavalry. When we arrive, they were already setting up an HQ and we decided to engage them. We managed to take the hill like you wanted and the one across from us as you ordered.” An officer reports.

“How many did we lose?” Sky asks.

“A dozen a few more wounded.” The officer reports.

“How many escaped?” Sky asks.

“A hand full.” The officer reports a bit ashamed.

“Get everyone to start setting up our headquarters on that hill and continue fortifying both hills immediately.” Sky instructs, looking to his worn out troops.

“Yes, sir.” They all say as they start setting up the encampment.

“All mounts are to be fed and given water. Let them rest and those who rode take the first shift. Let the infantry rest as they arrive.” Sky instructs getting off and goes to help.

“Where are you going?” Rainbow asks.

“To help. What else?” Sky says.

“You are seriously helping? A general?” Spitfire asks.

“Yes.” Sky says simply before using his magic to start to unload items.

“Unbelievable.” Rainbow says mostly to herself.

“That’s the Overlord and our husband. We best help.” Spitfire says.

Rainbow groans as she throws her bags onto the grounds. “Let’s go.”

“Well girls, go help with that hill over there.” Sky says pointing to the adjacent hill.

“On it.” Spitfire says pushing Rainbow along.

“Let’s hope we have enough time to prepare now.” Sky says.

“Report!” A messenger calls flying hard to Alexander.

“What did you find?” Alexander orders, about to frown.

“What is it?” An officer calls.

“Our forward scouts were slaughtered by the enemies light cavalry. Nearly all the units are dead and they have occupied the two hills.” The messenger says breathing hard as the officers and Alexander were shocked.

‘How did they get there so fast…unless he double-timed it the entire way there, not letting his troops rest once.’ Alexander says thinking.

“What?! Sir, we have to occupy our foothold now!” An officer yells at Alexander.

“We are still a day away, by the time we get there at full speed our army will be unable to put up a proper fight.” Alexander says.

“What are your orders?” The officer asks.

“Continue on at a slower pace and let the army rest up and be fed. That is how we will be in the best position to deal with them.” Alexander says.

“Yes, ma’am. But we will have less land to deal with.” The officer points out.

“I know.” Alexander says while thinking of what to do next. ‘So you pushed your army to take the initiative, huh? Good move.’

“You doing ok?” Sky asks waking the sleeping mares.

Rainbow groans as she sits up and rubs her head. “Kinda.”

“How are we…you laid down with us to sleep?” Spitfire asks.

“I had to. You girls seemed like you needed it.” Sky says shrugging as he got out of bed.

“When did you come to bed?” Spitfire asks.

“Um…about three hours ago.” Sky says.

“That was three in the morning.” Spitfire says dryly.

“I know.” Sky says getting up to go to work.

“Hold soldier.” Rainbow orders as she slowly gets out of bed.

“I’m no soldier. I am the overlord.” Sky says cheekily.

“Just sleep more.” Rainbow orders pointing to the bed.

“But who will command then?” Sky asks.

“We’ll handle it. Just rest up because we don’t you dropping dead and knocked out when the battle starts.” Rainbow says frowning.

“Hum…I will consider it if…” Sky says leaving off.

“If?” Spitfire asks getting off the bed and stretching.

“You two call me what I am to you and love me a bit.” Sky says.

“Really?” They both say rolling their eyes.

“You have thirty seconds before I head out to work.” Sky says grinning

They both sigh and look at each other before looking back to him. “You are our husband and…you go first.” They said to each other at the end. “No. You.”

“Twenty.” Sky calls.

“Dammit.” Rainbow growls rushing over and kisses him before tossing him to Spitfire and she grabs and kisses him before shoving him away a bit.

“Happy?” Spitfire grumbles.

Sky says nothing as he just leaned on her smiling.

“Good. Bed. Now.” Spitfire says pushing him to the bed

“You will be surprised how much we got done.” Sky says.

“Bed!” They both yell.

Sky smiles as he climbs up into it.

Spitfire and Rainbow look over the hills as they see that towers, fence lines, ballista, and repeating crossbows set up on the hills while the soldiers kept a small forward base ahead of the hills while keeping the hills surrounded. “How long did this take?” Rainbow asks.

“How long were we asleep?” Spitfire asks one of the soldiers.

“Um…I think twelve hours.” The soldier says as they watch more of their army arrive and start joining the others who were sleeping in the tents.

“Geez…we must have been tired.” Rainbow says looking back to the weaponry set up. “Now I’m wondering if we can win.”

“I know we can.” Spitfire says.

“Good…let’s get started. I rather get ready for battle.” Rainbow says looking at the farthest hill.

“So how are you?” Spitfire starts before seeing the soldier she had talked to had collapsed and was asleep.

“Okay…um…they went through the night.” Rainbow says as she sees the whole group of soldiers sleeping.

“Who is awake then?” Spitfire asks.

“I think our soldiers. Mostly. Looks like the Overlord’s soldiers were the one that mostly turned in.” Rainbow says looking at all the soldiers.

“You check on the Wildebeests and I will check on our troops.” Spitfire suggests.

“Sure.” Rainbow says before taking off flying toward the beasts.

“Ok, let’s see how they are.” Spitfire says walking towards those from her and Rainbow’s fiefs.

The rest of the army arrived over the course of the day, mostly collapsing into sleep like many before them did.

Sky yawns as he steps out of the tent and looks around. “How are we doing?”

“What are you doing up?” Rainbow asks.

Sky yawns again. “Before the big battle. Have to get up.” Sky informs before grabbing and leaning on her flank.

“Hey.” Rainbow complains trying to shake her hips and get him off.

“I just love this flank of yours.” Sky whispers smiling.

Rainbow growls. “Sky.”

“I missed you.” Sky says.

Rainbow sighs. “Great. I’m with a foal.”

“Oh…you mean we can inform your house we will have an heir for them soon?” Sky asks sleepily.

“Yeah. You.” Rainbow huffs rolling her eyes.

“Huh…oh, so you don’t have a colt or a filly on the way?” Sky asks disappointed which Rainbow didn’t miss.

Rainbow sighs and shakes her head. “Sky…I do want to…but you are acting like a foal yourself.”

“I guess…I don’t know. I am nervous, but not sure if it is for the fight ahead or seeing my mother and family after this war.” Sky says moving up her body till he was hugging her neck.

Rainbow looks at him before slowly wrapping a hoof around him. “You’ll see them.”

“Only if we win.” Sky says holding onto her, making her feel warm inside.

Rainbow hums as she wraps her hoof around him tighter.

“What is going on?” Spitfire asks landing near them.

“Wants to survive.” Rainbow says.

“Don’t we all?” Spitfire asks sarcastically.

Sky raises an eyebrow toward her.

“Also, not sure if he is more worried about this war or seeing his mother and family again. He is also talking about what my vassals are begging me for news on. Aka, an heir from me.” Rainbow says.

“Mine too. They really want to know this stuff.” Spitfire says shrugging.

“We will have to give them an answer to make them stop and the only way for that is to get you both pregnant.” Sky says holding Rainbow now.

“We know.” They both say to him.

“Oh…hum, should we try before or after going to meet my mother.” Sky says thoughtfully.

“Why ask us?” Spitfire asks.

“Because would you want to meet my mother and negotiate with the island federation while pregnant?” Sky asks.

Rainbow looks to Spitfire. “Let’s do it before.”

“Really, you want to be pregnant the entire time?” Spitfire asks.

“It might make his mother easier to handle.” Rainbow says shrugging.

“But this federation senate?” Spitfire asks.

“My choice.” Rainbow says.

“Alright girls, come on and walk with me.” Sky instructs.

They both look at each other before following him.

“So anything happened while I slept?” Sky asks noticing his entire army was now here.

“Just that everything is set up.” Spitfire says looking around.

“Good. You two tired yet?” Sky asks surveying everything.

“Not really.” Rainbow says shrugging.

“Any signs of the enemy?” Sky asks.

“Just forward scouts.” Spitfire says pointing ahead.

“Alright then. Now we just have to wait.” Sky says and so he did with his army for the next few days till they finally started to see signs of the enemy approaching.

“Sir. A league of twenty thousand soldiers.” A spotter calls out.

“Their vanguard has finally arrived.” Sky says watching.

“When do we attack?” Rainbow asks flapping in the air close to him, ready to relay the orders to the other hill.

“Not yet. I don’t buy they are alone. They are trying to draw us from our hills and onto the flat land. Send the order to park themselves for now.” Sky says.

“Sure.” Rainbow says flying off.

“We don’t mind waiting, do we Spitfire? The longer we wait, the closer night gets and when that happens, they will find some of their numbers missing.” Sky says smirking, knowing that even if he didn’t give the order, the vampires would sneak into the enemy’s camp to get blood once they get thirsty.

Spitfire raises an eyebrow. “What did you release?”

“Nothing yet.” Sky says watching them intently.

“Uh huh.” Spitfire says shaking her head.

“Are they in ballista range?” Sky calls to the observation officer.

“Not yet.” He called back.

“Get it ready. We are going to need it soon.” Sky calls frowning.

“Strange.” Spitfire says.

“Noticing the lack of pegasi infantry in the air as well?” Sky asks.

“Yeah…where are they?” Spitfire asks herself as she looks to the sky to see them.

“Another reason I am having our forces not move. I know she at least has a hundred thousand of them.” Sky says.

“Oh…what are we going to do in the meantime? Wait?” Spitfire asks.

“And watch carefully.” Sky says confirming her comment as he kept himself planted.

Spitfire hums as she kept watching the sky.

“Actually. Get me, Gilda.” Sky instructs.

“Isn’t she back at the castle?” Spitfire asks bluntly.

“Nope.” Sky says and soon the mercenary captain arrives.

“What is it, crazy guy?” Gilda asks tapping her sword.

“I want you to take your fast light cavalry and harass those we can see with stones and arrows, but don’t let them close in for a fight. If you start to get overwhelmed by their numbers, get back to our lines.” Sky instructs.

“Sure.” Gilda says before heading with her group.

“Let’s see if we can prod them into action. Also, have our repeating crossbows ready to fire at a moments notice.” Sky instructs.

The officer nods and runs off to the soldiers at the crossbows.

“Let’s see what she does.” Sky says.

“Hum…doesn’t seem like he wants to come out and meet our vanguard.” Alexander says watching hidden in the forest with the rest of her army, waiting for the enemy to make an attack on the twenty thousand vanguards.

“Ma’am, what should we do?” An officer asks.

“Hum.” Alexander says thinking before noticing near five hundred soldiers started to come down one of the hills, riding something, if the dust they kicked up told her anything, but at the distance, couldn’t make out what.

“Ma’am?” The officer questions looking to her.

“He may be taking the bait. Get the army ready in case he is.” Alexander says.

“Yes, ma’am.” The officer says as he goes off to relay the orders.

Alexander watched keenly for any sign of movement from the hills. When, to her surprise, the five hundred didn’t charge directly at her with twenty thousand like she thought they would nor as soon as they did.

“What are you doing?” Alexander asks frowning as she sees the small group coming at them.

Alexander continues to watch as Gilda’s mercenaries kept dancing around her vanguard, pelting them with stones and shooting them with arrows, but never getting close enough to engage in a melee like she had expected.

“What is the plan here?” Alexandra asks watching them carefully.

“General, the army is ready to charge on your orders.” The officer says returning.

“No…just hold them back and chase them a bit to make them run.” Alexandra orders as she looks back to where Sky is as she sees him watching from the top of the hill. “So that is the overlord? That yellow pegasi stallion?” Alexander asks as the officer squints to try and make him out.

“He doesn’t look much.” The officer mutters.

“He doesn’t seem to want to accept our offer of a battle in the plains, huh? Alright. Have half our air infantry attack the hill on the left. Let’s see if we can draw him out by attacking there.” Alexander says.

“Yes, ma’am.” The officer says before running off.

“How will you respond?” Alexander asks watching.