Midday
March 2nd, 72 BNM
Equestria, Canterlot
Magical academy, Starswirl’s study

Over a month, and he’d even subtly probed King Nova and Queen Aurora for any potential shady moves on their part. Aside from political briberies and scandal cover ups, nothing added up to the Royalists being the instigators of this new war.
And now slumped at his desk, as he’d hoped for some news to work with, Starswirl pored over the letter his Salamander associate in the Nationalist areas, Chack, had sent him.
Over the past month or so since his meeting with the 3 neutral fortress leaders and Meadowbrook, some strange events had begun to happen in Nationalist territories.
Riots broke out in places otherwise stable, and yet rumours spread of the village ponies of horned, wing or earth variety not recalling what set them off into violence as much as they did.
But famine suddenly setting upon their crops always proceeded it, along with a local leader being distracted by a newly acquired ‘friend’, always of the opposite gender. But even the speed and ferocity of the feelings of discontent were unusual, as within a week of the crops all dying and the leadership seeming too distracted by base desires to do anything, the citizens rioted.
Two large villages in Nationalist territories had fallen prey to the exact same pattern, the second of which Chack had been to himself.

Meanwhile
Equestria, Nationalist Territory
Riot and famine stricken Farmer Village

Further away in the fields, Chack saw the starved looking Earth Pony farmboy digging into the soil with his hooves, while Chack had excavated down as well in his far away spot. The wheat fields, 1 week prior to the riots about the food shortage, failed harvest and likely sexually procrastinating local mayor, had suddenly died.
The many dead wheat stalks had been cleared, as the cause of it was probed by some Nationalist Unicorns who had been brought in from a nearby town.
But digging down, Chack found the reason the wheat fields had died overnight. The roots had simply vanished, picked clean or utterly disappeared from within the soil. Without roots, the wheat crops died quickly, even with the fertile land they were planted upon.
But there was no infestation of underground bugs of some sort, no ground based disease.
Meanwhile, turning his eyes to the distant village buildings, Chack saw some of the smashed windows and burnt roof tiles from the riots a week ago, where the riot had crashed the mayor’s house and killed him where he was having his breakfast, his strange ‘concubine’ as some called the flirtatious Pegasus mare with bright green fur that had arrived and so distracted him from even trying to ask nearby towns for relief supplies, having vanished the night before.
Strange things were happening in Equestria, destabilizing the already fracturing peace. Chack had seen peace devolve into war in the past in Salaman, he knew the signs of inevitable war to come.

Mid Afternoon, same day
March 2nd, 72 BNM
North Equestria, Citadel fortress, lakefront road bridge

The bridge that ran across the lake’s shoreline acted as the only large road, with the Citadel rising up the hillside on the right, and the lake on the left.
Stepping down onto the small lake shores near the bridge, as it was there to allow wagons to be drawn to the citadel without sinking in the muddy ground, many of the castle occupants found it a relaxing place to sightsee in their free time.
Sat upon the shores as the lakewater gently lapped at the sand near her snakelike body, Iena gave a small smile on her siren like face as she pointed a single clawed finger down, leaning over the water.
The subtlest of deep blue magic from her fingertip directed a small school of minnows wherever she pointed, able to sway their rather miniscule minds to swim where she wished.
That village mayor had been just as susceptible to her as the minnows were, even if she had to exert more effort. A transformation spell, some mind ‘softening’ magic, and working her well-practiced skills of seduction for political insight from before she was taken in by Siral, made the mayor pony into wet clay for her.
How easy it was to make him forget he had duties to the village as it experienced a sudden famine, as if struck by a plague, which very quickly turned to vengeful hatred of their luxurious living village mayor.
Speaking of which…
Looking over to the lakeshores a few metres away, Iena gave a small smirk as the grey, bald skinned and stone armoured ape like being hurled the small stone out, skimming it across the lake from his massive clawed hand. It bounced 7 times before sinking, as Odi Viscer grunted in annoyance before picking up another, keen on breaking his record.
The former bald Earth pony was grumpy at his role in the village. He hadn’t done anything except stand around in a disguise and basically let the inbuilt emotions of anger build, and by a subtle magic Siral revealed they all had, ‘rub off’ on anypony nearby.
That was a key asset they all had, to radiate specific emotions that others would feel for no explicable reason, though made all the more powerful if they already were happy, angry, sad, lazy and so on.
His only satisfaction was in seeing the carnage the villager wrought on the mayor’s estate. Though through jealousy, he wanted to have joined in too.
Meanwhile though, in front of Iena, an orange, shimmering fat Minotaur trudged out of the waters near where her and the minnows she toyed with were. As Satio stomped over, a small satisfied smile on his face, Iena caught sight of a large fish’s tail vanishing into the Minotaur’s gelatinous like belly, being slowly absorbed into his insides.
“You’re still hungry?”
“Yes, nothing wrong with a bit of fishing. Now that I’ve tried raw salmon I think I prefer cooked still.”
Iena gave Satio an odd expression as she remarked: “Not sure it would have tasted good either, but again, you are still hungry after eating an entire wheat crop’s root systems from underground?”
Satio was quiet, as he remarked with a small shrug as he plopped his large form down nearby her: “I wanted something that didn’t taste of dirt.”
“You taste it even if you absorb it through your, ermm.” Iena went quiet as she gestured to his large shimmering belly, the last of the fish’s tail vanishing inside. Satio gave his belly a pat, as he remarked:
“Not as much as through my mouth, but yes.”
As Satio went quiet, he asked: “Did, anyone get hurt much in the village?”
“Just the mayor, torn limb from limb, nobody else.” Iena offered.
Audibly, Odi Viscer hurled a stone without skimming it with his massive strength, watching as the stone cleared the lake span while muttering: “Yeah, nobody else. Boring...”
Satio gave a small pondering thought, to which Iena noticed his trouble expression. Slithering over to him on her snake body, she laid a clawed hand on one of his bloated, shining orange Minotaur arms:
“What is it?”
“I just, I’m not sure what to think of you going around, basically seducing others, even if for gain for Siral’s strategy. …Do you ever mean any of it?”
Iena shook her head, as she gestured to her current, snake and siren, with changeling armor, appearance with a hand, remarking:
“Of course I do not. You seeing me like, this, shows you’ll be more valuable than any of them ever will be.”
“So, only I get to see you, in a way, au naturel?” Satio suggested, a slight joking tone in his voice. Iena scowled at his dirty mind, giving him a swipe with her hands as she pointed out:
“No, the others can too. No secrets among allies.”
“I wish you would keep it secret, you have no idea how irritating your open affection sometimes gets. If you need me, I’ll be in the living areas.”
Odi-Viscer stomped by, the ape-like being knowing those lower in the Citadel knew of their master’s ‘servants’ and were used to them by now.

Citadel, lower chambers
Forging hall

Staring at the vat, which slowly fluctuated in light blue to plain grey light from its vast liquid depths, the altered dragon creature heard Odi-Viscer come down.
The grey, stone and skin bodied golem like creature looked at the spider legged, serpentine black and yellow dragon, asking in a surprised tone:
“She’s still in there? It’s been 4 days now.”
Nodding, Golmov replied:
“I guess Siral was not kidding when he said he wanted her under for longer, to make certain she came out as expected.”
Odi-Viscer was quiet, as he finally asked: “Will we be able to finally stop lying to her about what we’re doing? She wouldn’t approve if she knew.”
“She won’t, she will understand when she emerges. Siral made sure she sees everything from all perspectives while she’s in there. Don’t ask me how, but some sort of mind magic to let her see why we must do what we are doing.”
Golmov finished this statement as Odi-Viscer’s grey, stone flecked face lit up slightly as the massive potion vat flared a light blue colour before fading again. Clapping the golem on the shoulder [slightly surprised when the golem didn’t budge an inch], the ex-dragon replied good naturedly:
“Relax. It is much easier this way than trying to explain everything to her. She was soft hearted, but open.”
“Is that why Siral had us do our raids while she was under?” Odi-Viscer asked, putting two and two together. Golmov was quiet, as he replied:
“She would have objected if she’d discovered before it was done. She will accept us now, be truly one of us.”
Despite the deceit, Odi-Viscer couldn’t help but feel relieved. He didn’t like lying to Ave-Dol much about him and the others going on ‘secret missions’, nor hiding their roles Siral had in mind.
“So, what do you think she will look like?”
“Well, so far we’ve had what are basically a Unicorn-Ape-Scorpion, a Dragon-Spider-Gryphon [pointing at himself], a Pony-Ape-Stone Giant [he pointed at Odi], a Pegasus-Siren-Snake, and a Minotaur-….blob. All I expect is she’ll be, different.”
Odi-Viscer looked at Golmov impatiently, muttering quietly: “Just say you have no idea, I don’t like having my ears talked to the point of bleeding.”
“Well, nobody is perfect. I like talking and treasure, you like violence and carving, we all have our traits.”
“Please be quiet.” Odi remarked grumpily, as he turned to leave. Coming up behind him, Golmov remarked as the pair trudged up the stairs, their voices carrying up the stairwell:
“Is the little rage beast on edge just because you were told not to attack anything?”
“Yes.”
“...Okay, would you like to go antagonise the stone giants in the valley?”
“Siral told me not to, I broke one in half last time.”
“A small one, it was only 50 feet long. Come on, we need to work off that anger of yours. You’re like a mongrel pet that needs walking.”
“Compare me to a dog again and I’ll-“
“Tear my 8 legs and wings off and ram them down my throat, I know. Come on, Siral’s not here right now.”
“…Fine, but only the big ones. I don’t want to break them when I mess around with them.”
As the conversation carried up the stairwell, Lady Ave-Dol, having volunteered, lay unconscious in her vat, developing more slowly than the others had for the key reasons Siral needed.
After Satio’s odd, but successful emergence, Siral insisted he’d be in charge of ‘enhancements’. But more importantly, the one most prone to objecting to the warfare would not awaken until the war started, and upon delivering the bad news, she’d fall in line before she even could voice protests on moral grounds.
Soon, Siral would have his 6th fully enhanced. And about time too, as these events would see him acquire number 7 at long last.
There was a reason why Teal Quirt had been sent off to Trottingham, and why Siral had left shortly afterwards to ‘fetch’ the 7th of their enhanced comrades to be.

Late Afternoon
March 3rd, 72 BNM
Equestria, Trottingham

It had come out of nowhere, but the culprit was blatant in their methods. The Nationalist markings on the platoon as they had cast off their merchant and market stall disguises made it obvious.
Within moments, fires spread from flaming arrows fired from mounted archery weapons or incendiary spells. Carnage rained down upon Trottingham, and among it, the dead began to climb in numbers fast.
Within an hour, the skies of Trottingham’s township were darkened with the smoke from many blazing houses and larger thatched roof buildings.
And on the outskirts, the Valhoof estate was stormed by a group of armed Pegasi, Earth Pony and a single Unicorn, all clad in Nationalist markings. But these nationalists were not true.
This attack was launched by the Nationalists as an act of war against the pestering Royalists, suggested by the Trumanes themselves. But the attack on the estate was not sanctioned in the attack.
Siral had become skilled at subtly swaying the aggressions of the leaders of the Nationalist movement, and their leading Alicorns with the Trumane lord and lady. The idea was his, while his identity remained hidden.
But in reality, Siral found the idea already in Trumane’s head. He merely ‘loosened’ his morality enough to actually order it.
The pieces of war once again were there, they just needed that extra mental ‘push’ from an outside, subtle source, so that war may come at Siral’s time of choosing.

Valhoof main residence

A powerful magic had coursed around the manor shortly after news of Trottingham under siege reached them. The Valhoof lord and lady were present, their children all gone in their various ways today.
Cowering against the wall, as fires began to consume the manor house they’d been trapped in, Lord Valhoof panted as even his Alicorn magic, untrained but powerful, couldn’t break the curse upon the house.
“You won’t be leaving, Alicorns…”
Turning to see the intruder, Lady Valhoof saw her husband suddenly thrown backwards against a wall by a green magic aura, crashing into the family portrait to shatter it and the wall in a series of cracks. Turning to see the teal maned, white Unicorn mare approaching them, the Alicorn mare flared her horn, recognising the magic:
“What magic must you have to block us leaving?”
Teal Quirt gave a small grin, as she let herself loosen up. As she felt her body change to her ‘true’, enhanced form, she saw Lady Valhoof’s face morph into utter horror, while Lord Valhoof snapped awake as she screamed at the sight of the creature coming for them both, the manor ablaze.
Outside, as the ‘Nationalist’ soldiers, brainwashed ponies under Siral’s command, continued to throw fire bombs onto the manor, they ignored the sounds of screaming, and a series of bright green flashes accompanied by slight rumbles from inside, as a large flash of purple and red magic each were snuffed out quickly.

Trottingham outskirts
Gaudium Valhoof’s estate

He stared in horror at the distant pillars of smoke, an entire town on fire. The beige brown coloured Alicorn’s red eyes, alight with worry, then caught sight of a black/grey flash nearby.
A grey cloaked, black Unicorn, scarred over his body, galloped towards the house, his eyes catching Gaudium’s in his frenzy:
“Gaudium Valhoof! You being alive, you have no idea the relief it brings!”
“What is happening in town!”
“Nationalists soldiers, they ambushed, set fire, they had powerful magic wielders too. They stormed your parents’ house!”
“What!?” Gaudium’s eyes were ablaze, but his hopes sank as fast as his anger had surged when Blackmane cast his eyes downward, remarking:
“I saw them, hung out and burning, in front of the house. I’m so sorry, but they’re dead. And news is that they’re tracking down your siblings and you. I came to get you to safety.”
Gaudium’s world had collapsed, as beside him, Blackmane tried to break through to the now blank, distraught Alicorn stallion, whose blue wings had fallen slightly:
“Gaudium, look, listen to me. We have to leave, now! The Nationalists are coming with the ones who killed your parents, we have to go!”
“Let them come.” Gaudium blankly replied, but a grey magic blast slapping him across the face snapped him out of it:
“THINK! Your parents fought back, both of them, and lost! Alicorn you may be, but we have to go!”
Casting a look back towards Trottingham, the black smoke rising from the town, Gaudium scrunched his eyes as he hardened his resolve, nodding to Blackmane before following him, putting a brown hoof on the Black Unicorn’s cloak to let him teleport them to a safe spot.

Valhoof main residence

She sensed the message from Siral by magical telepathy, that the 7th had been acquired. She did not know who, but she did her part.
Turning to the ‘Nationalist’ soldiers, who were in fact brainwashed prisoners for crimes or even personal soldiers from the Citadel, Teal Quirt ordered as she’d reverted back to her white with Teal maned form:
“Citadel soldiers pull back, the rest, fight and kill until you die. Do as much damage before death as possible.”
Among the false nationalists, 3 quarters of the troops, around 20 of them, dashed off with battle cries and brainwashed bloodlust, while Teal and the 4 from the Citadel garrison made ready to leave.
“We are done here.” Teal ordered, as she gave a last glance around. The Valhoof estate was ablaze, and hung on the railings were the mutilated and magically incinerated bodies of the Lord and Lady Alicorns of the house, high ranking Royalists, them and their 4 children, all abroad.
She knew Gaudium was to be selected, and she found little reason to care that they were destroying his family, disappointment from them as he may have been, to acquire him and start a war all at once.
But the damage across Equestria had been done. Peace had shattered, Siral had all his assets ready, and the 3 factions were set against each other once again, with greater ferocity than before.
And with newfound ferocity came the use of means of power not seen before, or considered morally right even in war.
Whatever transpired, Siral would be superior himself or through his 7 beings, 5 of whom were already complete, with number 6 almost done and unconscious, and 7 about to begin his process of being melded to a useful servant of Siral, without knowing it.
Teal Quirt and the 4 Citadel soldiers disappeared from the Valhoof front gate and its 2 hung and burnt owners, as Trottingham succumbed to the suicidal charges of the brainwashed, faux Nationalist ponies.

March 5th, 72 BNM
Equestria
Citadel, lower levels
Forging chambers

She had been fused large with a Windigo strife feeding spirit, but also a Phoenix, and in short, she was still largely Alicorn in rough shape, but her light blue coat now glistened with a sort of aura, like breath on a cold day always fogging the air. Yet her once blond mane was now a fiery orange trail of feathers along her back, and her entire visage had taken on a birdlike look to it, her glistening electric blue fur half feathered all over, the fur and feathers merging seamlessly.
On her back were 4 sets of wings, both aflame with ghostly blue aura, but feathered nonetheless. At best comparison, she had become a birdlike Alicorn with 4 sets of wings, and a sort of fiery looking ‘cold’ element to her entire body.
But what was on Lady Ave-Dol’s mind was the sombre news that Siral had to share, that not even the arrival of another ‘unfortunate’ case, in the form of Gaudium.
“It was, unavoidable. The others went off and did what they could-.”
“Say no more Siral. I know what they are to you, why you do this. I care for them, not you. If they choose to serve your cause, they may. I will ensure their well-being, but I won’t take part in what sort of things they do.”
Siral blinked a few times. Lady Ave-Dol knew the true purpose of the others, and she refused to serve her role, subtle as it may have been. In truth though, she wasn’t stopping them, she was merely conscientiously objecting to any actual violence herself.
But if push came to shove, he had ways of making her do his bidding.
At least where they stood meant they could still work together. She knew why he was doing this, but like the others, she did not know the extent of his meddling in their lives prior to meeting them.
He had exposed Iena’s flirtings, disgracing her family into cutting her off that she’d used her charms to put in higher standing.
He had been behind the claiming of Satio’s land unfairly.
He had ruined Odi-Viscer’s health and had him cast out of his village in fear.
Only Golmov and Teal Quirt were unaffected by his schemes. And yet even now, he had yet again subtly ruined another’s life to acquire them.
Gaudium was as good as his now, seeking sanctuary in the Citadel, learning fast and actually being better accepted and not cast aside.
He too, would have his uses further down the line.

March 5th, 72 BNM
Equestria, Canterlot
Royal Palace, throne room

King Nova had told them that war had come. The meeting with ambassadors had failed before it even began.
Around the throne room, Queen Aurora looked down in disappointment, while Celestia turned to Luna with a consoling one hoofed hug, as the sisters couldn’t help but also feel her parents’ failure to maintain this fragile peace.

Elsewhere, in his magical academy office, as his Salamander contact in Nationalist territory had returned to his forge business for further instructions to come, Starswirl had angrily blasted the office fireplace with a large burst of magic, sending wood fragments all over the floor as the Unicorn seethed at his utter failure. Whoever this was, they had done this.
The Civil War had come again, this time with a malevolent force orchestrating its beginning, and letting it play out while turning it into their playground.
The magically telepathic feeling he’d felt of the 6th being awakening, the one of Sloth, had nearly sent Starswirl spiralling into a fit of depression the day before. But the Wizard knew he had to keep calm, as cool heads prevailed in times of madness.

Author's Notes:

I now bring the conflict to bear upon Equestria.
Enough said.