“So what are those been two doing out there anyways?” Rainbow asks as she and Maud ate with Sky.

“Let’s just say it will be a part of our main attack we will be marching to do in a few days. We have to take out Alexander now or she could stall our entire army’s invasion in the south. If that happens, both of you know it could mean the invasion fails in the end.” Sky says seriously.

“You are ruining the food.” Maud says blandly eating.

“I know, but it needs to be said. Maud, from what I have seen, I am also giving you command of more of my regiments along with keeping command of the dogs,” Sky says.

Maud hums as she kept eating.

“Rainbow, I am also expecting a lot from you for this next fight. I want a decisive blow without taking a blow like our last move.” Sky says seriously as Rainbow spots the pressure was getting to him.

“Hey. Take it easy. We need you loose and ready.” Rainbow says pointing her fork at him.

“I am fine.” Sky says taking a breath.

“No, you aren’t. I know you haven’t been sleeping well and have been looking for even the smallest thing the enemy is doing.” Vinyl says.

“I don’t want my own people to be hurt.” Sky admits.

“She scared you that badly?” Rainbow asks.

“Badly. That attack on the fort and our attempt to take her down in the hills, it brought back the reality that everyone has been just on standby until now. Now we are truly at war and I worry about what might come next.” Sky says sighing.

“Oh boy.” Vinyl says getting up.

“So…don’t hug me.” Sky says dryly.

“What do you think girls?” Vinyl asks smirking.

“He needs a bed.” Rainbow says smiling. “Muad, you said you wanted to learn wifely duties, right?” Rainbow asks.

Maud blinks slowly up to them as she kept eating.

“It’s a wife’s duty to help her husband on this issue.” Rainbow explains.

“How?” Maud asks eating another mouthful again.

“Well, talk to him and try to put his mind at ease. Hard to do as he likes to try and take on far more than he can handle.” Rainbow says.

“Okay.” Maud says getting up and walking towards Sky having his head in his hooves. “Sky?”

“Yes?” Sky asks looking at her.

“You need to relax and calm down.” Maud says bluntly and everyone else slams their faces onto the table at how that turned out.

“But if I am not overseeing it at all, who would do it?” Sky asks surprising Rainbow and Vinyl he didn’t just decline.

“Who will do it when you pass out in the middle of saying your plans?” Maud questions back.

“Point…Rainbow.” Sky says after a moment.

“Uh…yeah?” Rainbow asks surprised with everyone else.

“You are in command till I awake.” Sky informs.

“Uh…sure.” Rainbow tries to say as Maud carries Sky and heads inside to rest up as Sky snuggles up on her back.

“What just happened?” Vinyl asks in shock.

“My big sister actually got Sky to shut up and take a nap.” Pinkie says poking her head out from above them.

“Who are you?” Rainbow asks.

“I’m Pinkamena Diane Pie.” Pinkie says smiling as she tilts herself at every word.

“Relation to Maud Pie?” Rainbow asks as she watched the troops drill.

“Yeah. She’s my big sister.” Pinkie says smiling proudly.

“Why are you here and not with your father like Maud was?” Rainbow asks.

“Oh. He doesn’t realize I left.” Pinkie says waving a hoof dismissively.

Dekmus looks to the wooden plank with a picture of Pinkie foalishly painted on it before poking it and watches as it tips over before shrugging and walking off.

“It’ll be fine.” Pinkie says still smiling.

“Dose Maud know you are here?” Rainbow asks.

“Yeah.” Pinkie says simply.

“Alright, what can you do militarily?” Rainbow asks.

“I can rally.” Pinkie says holding up a flag.

“Alright. Do that as our morale is not low, but not high either.” Rainbow says.

“Okay!” Pinkie cheers marching off.

“Let’s hope that helps.” Rainbow mutters as she watches.

“You sleep well?” Sky asks Maud.

Maud opens her eyes at him and just places a hoof on him.

“Seems the troops are a bit more lively then recently.” Sky says hearing the commotion.

Maud kept watching him as she kept a hoof on him and slowly moves it to his face.

“Are you going to let me up?” Sky asks.

Maud pulls her hoof back and sits up and slides away from him.

“So how long was I asleep?” Sky asks as she holds him.

“Four hours.” Maud says.

“Then I am going back to sleep.” Sky says laying his head back down. “Wake me at first light or in case of an emergency.”

The two days passed slowly for many as they planned out the attack and, as they did so, Alexander had gotten word that the king was planning to attack her and her army at the Nupno. Alexander knew she couldn’t retreat any further or the alliance she was in command of would lose all faith in her ability to lead and losing this will alert the dogs tribe to the providence south of them that they were struggling so she decided to dig in and ordered all the surrounding cities except the one to her west to send reinforcement. She knew that she could hold like this and grind away at the overlord’s army. And what is more, she knew that unless he besieged this and the city west of her current one, Nalan, then the pass. It would be an excellent position for raiding parties to swing around and attack his supplies and, if done right, she could envelop his army and capture him ending the war entirely.

Sky, on the other hand, had drawn up a different set of plans. He was splitting off a third of his army and send them to besiege Nalan, but their true goal was to bottle up the passes through the mountains and the valley. For this, he assigned the force to Captain Daisen and Knight-Lieutenant Lika of the squires of Ravens with specific orders not to assault the city, but to pin the forces inside it down and act like a wall to anyone coming through the mountains and valley.

“Is it ready?” Sky asks Raven and Twilight, having run out of time to wait.

“Should be. We have given them to certain groups of archers.” Twilight informs.

“Then it has come time to march. Rainbow, lead the way.” Sky says.

“You got it.” Rainbow says going to her wildebeest.

It was a cool morning as the guards manned their posts on the walls of Nupno, waiting for the army they knew were coming. Morale was mixed in the city quite a few were so afraid of the coming army they wished to surrender to them others wanted to fight and defend. While the majority was unsure what to do. A guard, seeing the tension, cracks a joke, making many on the wall feel better as they laughed. Then they heard it. The sounds of drums and marching. The guards got into position and they saw soldiers in armor starting to emerge, some holding standards the emblem that was most common was the Overlord’s.

“It looks like they have been preparing, don’t you think?” Sky asks looking at the battlements and the small pieces of the rubble of what had to be houses at one time outside the walls.

“Makes you wonder how many were living here.” Rainbow says as they all look at it.

“Don’t know, but I do know one thing soon. They will be our people.” Sky says as the army formed up for battle.

“You just have to hope they will fall in line.” Rainbow commented.

“I know how to get a lot of goodwill.” Sky says as he watches as the defenders on the wall increased.

“So…overall plan working out?” Rainbow asks.

“We have her where we want her. She will think she can hold us in a drawn-out siege to whittle us down, but that isn’t the plan. Will your soldiers be ready when they are up?” Sky asks watching the sky.

“Of course. I can do what I can.” Rainbow says proudly.

“Right. We all know our jobs. Now let us wait and see what they do.” Sky says as his forces got into position and the ballista rolled up and were loaded. “Time for the moment of truth. Fire a barrage.” Sky commands.

The operators aim carefully before a flag bearer raises a flag as they all prepared to launch before the flag bearer slams the flag down and the bolts were launched. Most of the bolts start to become red in the air and even whistle loudly.

“Looking promising.” Sky says as they descend and then explosions started rocking the walls and leaving some parts in the rubble. “I think they worked. Salamander riders!” Sky says and black and yellow flags started to be raised signaling them. “Follow me! Charge!” Sky yells before Celebrimbor charged forward followed by the royal salamander guard then all the other salamander riders followed, charging straight for the walls still smoking from the explosions, effectively blinding the defenders from their movements in some areas.

The defenders coughed as the smoke filled the air, many now deeply afraid now thinking they were just bombarded with magic and fearing more was on its way when the walls started to rumble a bit. “What else are they going to unleash?” One asks afraid.

Another tries to peer into the smoke for anything. “I can’t see anything.” He calls before something grabs him and throws him over the edge. Then a salamander comes over the top and roars as below, more salamanders and their riders were scaling the walls with the salamander’s claws digging into the stone as they climb.

“We need spears!” One defender calls out as they try to slash at them with their swords and maces.

“No. You need divine intervention.” Sky says as he reached the top, causing many of the defenders to slink back in fear.

Sky whistles before more salamander heads came over and bite into a few and throw them off the wall before starting to climb and stomp them all as they kept biting and spraying fire at the defenders.

“Get the gate.” Sky instructs and a heavy salamander rider charges as his mount charged through the defenders like a bull does.

“They’re through! We need help!” A defender calls as he runs to message everyone.

“Secure the walls!” Sky orders.

The battle soon took a turn as the salamander riders surge along the walls. Cutting down all who got in their way as they secured all the gates so none could be opened beside the one their army was using to surge into the city. The army was completely caught off guard and some were still preparing to man the wall when they saw the standards of the Overlord flying at the gates as a roar of battle cries was heard coming from the gate as Rainbow lead the army into the city moving to take everything.

Alexander seeing this was beside herself. How could this have happened? Did they use magic to teleport in mass onto the walls? Was she betrayed by someone in the garrison who had allowed the enemy to climb unabated? All these thoughts rushed through her mind as she watched as the army stormed towards the keep. Alexander contemplated trying to make a break for it to regroup and lead her reinforcement to the city while Sky’s forces were trying to bring it in their control, but one look at the gates told her it was impossible. All the gates were now sealed and Sky’s standards flying around them. There was no escape now. Any pegasus that would try would just be shot down like those soldiers trying to do so or defending in the air. Alexander was trapped and she knew it. But instead of getting angry, she smiled. “Well done.”

Alexander left the balcony and headed into the keep, where everyone, who knew what was going, was scrambling to do something, but Alexander knew it wouldn’t help. They had been lured into a state of overconfidence with the destruction of many of the overlord’s army in the last engagement and the good news that made it sound like the offensive was stalling in their lands and the overlord had made them pay for it dearly. Now the only way to preserve her dignity was to refuse to surrender but to the head of the new imperium. For she was even forbidden to take her own life to not fall into the hands of her enemy.

Soon Alexander reached the front gate where some were trying to bare and reinforce it and spoke. “It will not aid us now men.”

The soldiers looked at her in shock as they try to keep up the barricade as the door kept being banged on to let the enemy in.

“Unbar the gate. We have lost and there will be no retreat. I will meet with the Overlord and ask you all be spared.” Alexander informs.

The soldiers look to each other before they take apart the barricade and unbars the door before opening it to her, letting her see the battle that is still raging in the background, but the forces at the door stopping upon seeing her.

“Lay down your weapons soldiers of Belgica. I wish to speak with the Overlord.” Alexander says.

Hearing this, many of the Overlord’s army started to back off as Rainbow rode up to Alexander. “And you are?” She asks looking down at her.

“I am Alexander. The general that you have been fighting since you entered Belgica.” She informs.

“Very well…but know if you are not the real general, we will kill you.” Rainbow says signaling her soldiers to clear a path and they quickly did so, standing in a formation.

Alexander followed Rainbow as the sounds of fighting quickly died down as she passed every one of the overlord’s soldiers stood there in a formation as if this was a troop review on a parade ground, not a siege assault. As she walked in between the soldiers, the more she understood why they had been beaten. These weren’t amateurs. These were strong well-trained soldiers. Reminding her greatly of some of her own when she was alive. Eventually, they arrived at the gate that the army had flooded through and then she spotted them. The salamander riders were all on the top of the walls or, in case of a few, were hanging from the side of it, their claws digging deep into the stone of it and it all clicked. It was never magic or treachery. It was these creatures all along that had carried the battle. She had failed to understand their capabilities and paid the price for it.

“The overlord…his name is Sky, correct?” Alexander asks.

“Yes. And you will be meeting him.” Rainbow informed.

“Good.” Alexander says as she was lead up the stairs by Rainbow, now on hoof, till they arrive at the top where one of the riders was looking differently apart from the rest and Rainbow went up to him immediately and whispers something to him.

“You are sure?” He asks.

Rainbow nods and they both turn to look at Alexander as she just watches.

“I am Overlord Sky General. What do you have to say?” Sky asks looking her over.

“I am here to surrender. I just request you spare the soldiers.” Alexander says.

“Have them all disarm immediately.” Sky instructs, not missing a beat.

Alexander sighs before waving a hoof in the air and they hear the clatter of weapons on the ground.

“You trained them well.” Sky says before gesturing with a hoof to a nearby rider who waves a flag and there was the sound of marching and soon the entire attack force was at the gate. “They are all spared.” Sky informs. “Rainbow.” Sky says looking down at her.

“Yes?” Rainbow asks.

“Send word to both our armies north of us. Inform them of what has happened and that we are securing Butterash. Also, get me Twilight. I have something in mind.” Sky instructs.

“Sure. Don’t get too big a head.” Rainbow mutters before flying off.

“Lieutenant, you and your command will watch the general here. No one is to touch her and she is to be treated with respect.” Sky barked his order at the closest lieutenant of his royal guard, scaring him.

“Ye…yes Overlord.” The guard shivered in fear.

“Captain, I want a headquarters set up immediately. Take some gold and rent out the closest inn.” Sky says to Captain Lyker.

“Yes, sir.” Lyker salutes.

Sky says nothing else as Alexander is lead away and he goes back to looking out over the city, waiting for Twilight.

“You called for me?” Twilight asks as she walks up.

“Yes. Of our POWs, did you find out who was from this city and the other one being besieged?” Sky asks.

“Of course.” Twilight says.

“Release them to both. No questions asked.” Sky says.

Twilight bows a bit. “I’ll do what I can.” She says before leaving.

“So what did you think?” Sky asks now that he was ‘alone’ as his guards had left to do the tasks they were given.

“You really went balls to the wall.” Vinyl says simply as she climbs down from the rafters.

“The greatest strength of my salamanders. Pony-made walls can’t keep them out no matter how big they make them.” Sky says taking off his helmet. “It changes the way you have to defend with that case, right?” Sky asks moving back in the saddle a bit.

Vinyl smiles as she climbs up and sits behind him. “So…next big plan?”

“With this victory, one of their three armies is now done. They will either call a ceasefire and try to draw out talks while they regain their strength and pull the remaining two armies to cover both the bother around the mountain or they will try to withdraw while we consolidate our gains. That is if they are smart.” Sky says seemingly out of energy now.

“Why not take a nap? I’ll drive this little thing.” Vinyl offers.

“No need. I feel really relieved right now, but we have played one of our best cards. Now word will spread and eventually everyone will know and will try and make sure it will never be effective again.” Sky says.

“Then we need to make sure that we are one step ahead always.” Vinyl says.

“That is why I am sending you all to find and make contact with the dwarves. Now that they are losing a bit, they are going to try and get them on their side and…” Sky stops hearing a hawk call and Vinyl spots it coming in. “Vinyl.” Sky says seriously.

“Yes?” Vinyl asks.

“What color is on the hawk’s leg?” Sky asks.

“It’s scarlet.” Vinyl says and practically feels him tense up in his armor as the hawk nears. Sky waits till it land and quickly retrieves the letter and reads it. “What is it?” Vinyl asks.

“It’s from Dark Tail. His army was defeated in battle and forced to retreat and lost half of Wellcoast as a result.” Sky informs.

“Crap. What are we going to do?” Vinyl asks worriedly.

“We secure these five cities of the providence then we move north to threaten the army that Moonlight is facing. This will force Dark Tail’s foe to pull back or send troops to help them.” Sky says.

“You sure this can work? And what about Dark Tail?” Vinyl asks.

“He has fallen back to regroup with the rest of his army. Thankfully, more than seventy percent of the army still remains.” Sky explains.

“So that means he can launch a counter if he wanted too…just needs that distraction.” Vinyl says, somewhat to herself.

“We need to hit them soon. Vinyl, I want you to have some of your vampires whisk our general away back to our territory. After all, she is now my prize like our spy.” Sky says.

“Want me to prepare her?” Vinyl asks grinning.

“No need. Besides, won’t be able to enjoy her for a bit.” Sky says.

“Too bad. You still have us though.” Vinyl points out as she gets up.

“And our daughter and all the other foals.” Sky says.

“They’re back home. I’ll see you then.” Vinyl says before taking off.

“Don’t be gone long.” Sky says.

Sky did as he said and the moment after he secured the providence he moved forward for real, but as he neared to do battle with one of the armies, he received an envoy from the coalition.

Sky sat there on his chair, thinking on how he should respond to this. The envoy came not with an offer of surrender like a sane pony would do, having lost so many battles and losing an entire army. No. They came with demands. They wanted five hundred tons of gold and silver, half of his wildebeests, the islands of Wee Bala and Big Bala including all the salamanders on Big Bala, the eastern half of all Gual, and for him to disband his armies.

“This is stupid. We shouldn’t respond.” An advisor spoke up.

Sky holds up a hoof, signaling for silence as he looked at the head of the envoy. “And you want an answer now?” Sky asks.

“Yes.” The envoy says impatiently, his tone told all he thought himself superior, even to the Overlord.

Sky says nothing and closes his eyes and, after a short pause, rose to his hooves and moved to walk to the side, but quickly drew his sword and decapitated the envoy to the shock of all his entourage. “There is your answer. Return to your kings and inform them we will not surrender and for this insult, one of them has guaranteed their death.” Sky informs pointing Peruro at them.

The entourage, seeing this, quickly bowed out and ran for their wildebeest and rode hard in fear. “Twilight, a word alone.” Sky says, telling the others they were dismissed.

Twilight steps up a bit worried now as the others leave. “What is it?”

“You remember when you first suggested to me to placate all the surrounding kingdoms like them?” Sky says as Vinyl grabs the body and head of the dead envoy before disappearing with it.

“Yes…what about it?” Twilight asks.

“Do you still think it is possible when they give demands like this when they are now losing a war?” Sky asks holding up the scroll before tossing it into a brazer with a fire already going.

Twilight turns her view down to the ground now as she tries to process this.

Sky gets back in his chair to wait for his purple wife.

“I…never thought they were this stupid.” Twilight answers.

“That’s what happens when you keep a status quo like your former master has for so long.” Sky says.

“Right…” Twilight mutters quietly to herself.

“Now do you see why this status quo must end Twilight. I know deep in your heart you are not convinced fully your former master’s ways are now wrong. I want to know it now Twilight. There can be no more room for doubt. Who will you choose this moment? Is it I your husband and Overlord or is it you former master Celestia?” Sky asks seriously.

“I…” Twilight stutters in fear now.

Sky says nothing as he sat there waiting. Making it crystal clear he wanted an answer now and that Twilight was forced to make a choice that would determine what the rest of her life would be.

Twilight seems to shake in her outfit before tearing up. “I’m sorry!” Twilight yells before running off with tears falling off of her.

“Goodbye Twilight.” Sky says before getting up and look at the letter seeing Celestia’s seal on the paper as it burns away.

“I could leave too.” Spike spoke up from the doorway.

“Do as you wish. Your life is your own and everyone must make a choice. Celestia has chosen hers with me. As of this moment, I no longer recognize her as anything and we are now enemies.” Sky says.

Spike sighs. “You don’t get Twilight’s history, do you?”

“No, I do. But in this, there is no middle ground. Celestia is trying to sabotage me on purpose to keep her precious status quo. How else would this coalition be able to summon and make a deal with the goddess of war?” Sky asks seriously.

“Wait, what!?” Spike calls in shock.

“Alexander told me everything before I sent her away. Celestia has declared war on me secretly Spike and now everyone will have to pick a side.” Sky says as Spike moved to the door.

“Twilight…Twilight sees Celestia as a second mother. Now…now I’m not even sure of that.” Spike says frowning.

“I don’t blame her. I blame Celestia for putting us in this position.” Sky says as Spike leaves.