Patience was a commodity that was running low for Eclipse. He had spent weeks trying to figure out how to acquire one of Serenade’s elite guards’ cloaks but to no avail. Those guards were seldom close by and usually, when they did frequent a part of the city that would put them in proximity for him to swipe the cloak, they were on high alert or surrounded by other guards.

The rebel group he had been trying to get in on had insisted her bring back one of those cloaks to prove he was worthy of entry, but he was starting to suspect it was just a fool’s errand to keep him away. Stealing one of the elite guard’s cloaks was near impossible, and no doubt it would likely land him in some deep water.

After days of deliberating, he had come up with a far superior plan to get the rebels to help him. In retrospect, he was kicking himself for not thinking of such a plan prior, as it truly was the more efficient option.

Making his way back down through the sewers, Eclipse replayed the path to their secret hideout in his memories, and before long, he arrived at the entrance, tapping eight times on the wall next to it to get their attention as he stood with his prize at his side just out of sight.

Poking his head into the entryway, he smiled at the group, the leader from before giving him a nasty sneer as his brain clearly took a moment to remember who Eclipse was, but once he had remembered, his sneer turned into a smirk. His expression clued Eclipse in that he indeed, did send him on a fool’s errand, as he had the look of a pony who was not expecting to see him again.

With a smug aura about him, the pony crossed his hooves and raised a condescending brow before speaking. “So, did you get the cloak, rookie? You don’t appear to be wearing it.”

Eclipse shook his head. “No cloak, I got something better.”

“Oh? This should be good. Why not show us all what you managed to get.” He clearly was holding back a laugh, pathetically feigning genuine interest.

Nodding, Eclipse reached to his side, grabbing the long hilt of the item he had brought with him and kept just out of their sight until now. He frowned for a brief second when he saw Rose sitting among the group, knowing that he was about to do something that would affect her. He hoped she could forgive him.

When he pulled the object out, he stood on his hind hooves and gripped it tight as he pointed a bladed pointy end toward the group, their leader flicked just at the sight of it. It was a powerful looking spear that the guards often used to clean up any riffraff or disputes that lasted for more than a minute. Eclipse had managed to get his hooves upon one, figuring it was easier to threaten his way into what he wanted than waste his time trying to get a bunch of ponies to respect him enough to reveal their secrets. It was a messy method, but if it got results he didn’t give a damn.

“W-where’d you get that!?” The leader of the group gulped.

Eclipse grinned and kept his stance strong. “I stole it from a guard, it was a snap. So now, you all are going to show me how to get out of the city.”

“Or else what? You’re gonna kill us?” The leader asked, clearly trying to see if he could discern if Eclipse was bluffing.

Was he bluffing though? He didn’t know. He thought it over for a brief second and weighed the pros and cons. A pro being that killing him would show the others that he meant business (on top of gaining personal satisfaction for the guy wasting his time), but they could just also clam up and refuse to tell him anything. If he killed them, the information on how to get out of the city died with them. Was he prepared to take lives to get what he wanted? He hoped that they couldn’t detect his internal dilemma and just bought his threats at face value.

“I’d like to avoid it, but if it’s what it takes to get you to help then I’ll kill each of you...” He looked over at Rose and frowned. “Sorry, Rose, it’s just business. I need to get out of this city and find someone...”

“And then what, kid?” Their leader asked with a furrowed brow.

“Once I know they are okay, I’m going to begin my quest to kill Serenade...” He grinned.

He and a few of his consorts laughed at the prospect. Eclipse was slender, not much to look at, a pretty boy even. The stallion was easily mistakable for a mare, right down to his soft voice, he didn’t look tough enough to take on a single guard, let alone Serenade.

“Kid, you’re dreaming. Serenade can split space and time, you don’t stand a chance against her...” He shook his head.

Stepping forward with the spear drawn, Eclipse narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “Stand in my way, and you’re just as much of a problem to me as she is. You’re either going to help me, or you’re going to die, take your pick.”

Rose smiled and looked at her leader. “I say we help him out, he’s clearly proven that he has what it takes.”

His bluff proved successful as the stallion ultimately smiled and nodded. “Well, you got guts, kid... I’ll give you that. Tell you what, we’ll take you to the secret exit that gets you out of the city through an underground mountain pass, alright?”

Eclipse lowered the spear, shocked that his bluff had worked, but he wasn’t about to show how surprised he was, lest he looks like a fool. Mostly though, he was thankful for Rose’s help, as he wasn’t certain that he’d be able to even pull off such a ploy without her insisting that he should be given a chance.

“Lead the way...” Eclipse said.

Their leader who revealed his name to be Buzz gestured with his head and began trotting casually down a corridor behind himself that the group had covered with a sheet. Eclipse sighed as he followed behind, but was stopped briefly by Rose Inkscape who grinned at him.

“You’re a tough one, Eclipse...” She winked.

He rubbed his neck. “To be honest, I was surprised that even worked...”

“I knew you were bluffing!” She giggled before poking his snout.

“Don’t tell anypony, alright?” He frowned pathetically, a bit sad that she could see right through his ruse.

She gave a signal of zipping her lips and winked. “Your secret’s safe with me, cutie.”

He nodded and sighed before looking away bashfully. “I uh... Well thanks for sticking up for me. Most ponies just kind of ignore me, you know?”

“We’re friends, so don’t mention it. You go find the one you love, okay?” She grinned.

Eclipse blushed and blinked. “W-wha!?”

“It’s written all over your face, a girl knows these things. There’s someone out there important to you and that’s why you’re doing all of this, I can tell.” She giggled.

“Yeah... I guess you’ve got me...” He blushed again, looking away.

“I hope you find them, Eclipse. They must be very special to you for you to do all of this for them.” Rose smiled.

Realizing he had no reason not to trust her, and that she had proven herself loyal to his cause, Eclipse finally allowed himself to smile in front of her, his gentle face lighting up for the first time in her presence. She couldn’t help but feel he looked even more adorable when he smiled, though she still felt he had a cute puppy dog face that looked sad most of the time.

“Thank you, Rose...” He replied.

“Don’t mention it.” She winked.

The easy part was behind him, now the hard part was actually making it out of the city while keeping his bluff going, and of course, making it to Griffonstone after. The road ahead was challenging, but Eclipse had faith in himself, he had to after all.

Snatcher had come into the office with a box of donuts (which he had helped himself to a few prior to coming in the door) which he set on the counter in the break room as he grabbed a coffee cup from the cupboard and began to pour himself a hot cup as he looked around the room. Most of the other detectives there looked away from him, not wanting to even give him the opportunity to chance eye contact.

Prior to his interest in the Twilight Shimmer incident, he wasn’t exactly the most popular guy in the office, but it had seemed that word got around about his endeavors and now the entire force was giving him the cold shoulder.

Shrugging it off, he feigned a smile and sat down at the break table where another officer that he recognized was sitting. He was a young gun, fresher to the force than all the others in the room, and Snatcher recalled his name was Cuff. Nudging the young man’s shoulder, Snatcher tried to strike up a conversation.

“So, Cuff, how’s the south-side murder case that you've been working on going? Feel good to be in the big leagues now? What’s this, your eighth case in homicide now?” He grinned, hoping that the blonde man would respond.

Cuff coughed as he gripped his own white ceramic mug tightly with one hand and used his other to adjust his thin glasses. “Uh... Yeah, it’s my eighth case.”

“Eight cases in only a few months, impressive work. Before you know it, they’re going to move you into the really big leagues!” Snatcher smirked.

Cuff looked away. “Yeah...”

“What’s wrong, kid? You don’t actually listen to the nonsense that these chicken shits go on about, do you?” Snatcher raised a brow as he gestured to the other officers in the room, all of which looking away from him, knowing that he was referring to them.

Trying to avoid eye contact, Cuff focused on his cup. “Actually... Even the Chief has been saying you’ve gone off the deep end, Snatcher...”

Sighing, Snatcher leaned back in his seat and shook his head. He took a long sip from his coffee and eyed the young officer. “That’s a damn shame, Cuff. I took you for a free thinker, not another cog in the machine, but I guess I was wrong. People only think I’m crazy because I don’t ignore my hunches and when something smells, I make sure to do a full investigation.”

A deeper voice echoed through the room and got his attention. They clearly had been eavesdropping on his conversation. “Well, Mr. Free Thinker, why not go talk to the chief about your hunches... He wants you in his office now.”

Snatcher turned and noted the higher ranking officer giving him the command. He shrugged, took another long sip from his cup and set it down before standing up. He looked over at Cuff and smiled as he gestured to his coffee. “Guard that for me, I shouldn’t be gone long enough for it to even get cold.”

Adjusting his cheap tie, Snatcher stepped up to the higher officer and gestured with his hands. “Lead the way, your majesty.”

His superior ignored his sarcasm and instead opted to just leave him to his own devices. The walk through the office was short, and before he knew it, he was dropped off at the chief’s office where his superior left the two alone.

“You wanted to see me, Chief?” Snatcher raised a brow as he stuck his hands in his pockets.

“Close the door.” The Chief instructed as he paced back and forth.

Snatcher did as he was told, but remained standing as his eyes followed the police chief moving back and forth. “Something wrong, Chief?”

The Chief of police chewed his thumbnail for a moment before looking at Snatcher from the corner of his eye. Once he had formulated what he wanted to say, he placed his large hands on his desk and leaned over it, his blue striped tie dragging across the table between the two policemen.

“Snatcher, I got a phone call from the mayor today...” He began.

“Good for you, I’m very happy for you, sir,” Snatcher remarked.

“Cut the sarcasm, Snatcher. Did you do a stakeout of the Shimmer estate?” The Chief raised an annoyed brow.

Snatcher shrugged. “Maybe, what does it matter? It’s not a crime to do some street side surveillance, I was never anywhere on the property-“

He didn’t even get a chance to finish. “The mayor is on my ass, Snatcher. You’re harassing a family that has a lot of influence in this city. The Shimmer Foundation in the past three years has donated tons of money to city projects, they’re big shots here in Canterlot and I got you basically pissing them off because you can’t leave well enough alone...”

“Sir, with all due respect, my job is to investigate wrongdoing. I can’t ignore that just because a family has favoritism with the mayor...” Snatcher defended.

The Chief wagged his finger. “No, your fucking job is to do the cases that you’re assigned. I told you, there is no case with the Shimmer family, and if there was, you aren’t on it.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it! Something happened to that girl, and I’m trying to find out what!” Snatcher defended.

The Chief shook his head in disagreement. “As far as we know, nothing happened. People run away sometimes, and there isn’t much we can do about it, it’s not a homicide, Snatcher.”

“This is some political bullshit! You are going to just let this injustice stand because the mayor is up your ass?” Snatcher questioned.

“Some cases we can’t touch, Snatcher. I get that you think it’s unfair, but that’s fucking life. I don’t make the system, but the shit is above me, alright?” The Chief grunted.

Crossing his arms and shaking his head, Snatcher sighed. “What happened to you, Chief? Do you not even give a shit about solving crime anymore? Where’s your drive for the truth?”

Pressing his temples with his thumb and index finger, the Chief picked up a glass of water from the desk and took a sip before replying. “I have a family at home, Snatcher. They expect my check to come in the mail to pay for the house we bought, and for my two little boys to go to college. I’m not going to fuck that up by pissing in the mayor’s cornflakes. There are other real cases out there to solve.”

“Fine... Put me back on whatever bullshit case you want me on and waste my time already...” Snatcher sighed.

The Chief shook his head. “No, not this time, Snatcher. I’m letting you go.”

“Sir?” He blinked.

“You’re done. Turn in your badge and gun. I want your shit out of here by eight o’ clock.” He pointed toward the door.

Snatcher growled and banged his hands on the table between them. “So that’s it then? Twilight Shimmer gets away with it because you’re too afraid to stand up to her and the mayor!?”

The Chief hissed back at the detective with full volume. “I got the mayor putting my dice in a vice here, Snatcher. You keep barking up that tree and you’re going to get yourself into a lot more trouble than you think. The Shimmer family has great lawyers, if I were you, I’d consider being fired a blessing. I’m preventing you from taking this to a level that will fuck you over more.”

“Sir, with all due respect, you clearly have no dice to put into said vice.” Snatcher grunted before turning to leave.

He slammed the door behind him to prevent his now former boss from giving him his retort.

Snatcher wandered over to the secretary that sat in front of the Chief’s office and reached into his pocket. He produced his badge and set it upon the table, and then followed it by his revolver. He gave the middle-aged redhead at the desk a scowl before walking off.

He couldn’t believe that he was being let go, but what astounded him more is on his way out, he caught a glimpse of the one officer on the force that he hated more than anyone else at that moment; Shining Armor.

Approaching the middle aged officer, Snatcher took a swing at him, only for Shining to dodge and block a second strike by catching Snatcher’s fist in his palm. He gave it a gentle squeeze before throwing Snatcher’s hand back at him. Snatcher ignored how his hits missed the man and pointed an accusing finger at the blue-haired detective.

“You are in on it, aren’t you, you little shit?” Snatcher growled.

“Have you been drinking, Snatcher?” Shining smirked.

“Your sister marries the richest woman in Canterlot and then the same woman vanishes, leaving your sister the sole heir? I find that hard to believe that you knew nothing about that... How much did she give you for your silence?” Snatcher accused.

“You definitely must be drunk. I had nothing to do with Sunset’s departure. The girl just decided she didn’t want to be a parent...” Shining rolled his eyes.

His voice sounded convincing enough, but there was no way that would have happened. Sunset had to go through artificial insemination, she spent money on the process and had planned it out. Who would back out of motherhood after all of that? “That’s a nice convenient story, isn’t it? And if I understand it correctly... You’re the sperm donor for her child, are you not?”

Shining shrugged. “What if I am?”

“A bit odd that she’d go through the entire process and abandon the child after all of that? More odd that you are the sperm donor too... Seems like a strange coincidence, wouldn’t you say?” Snatcher asked.

“What’s odd is that I’m wasting my time talking to a nut job like you. Did you need some help finding the door? I heard the Chief shitcanning you in there, hell, we all heard it.” Shining gestured to the other officers around him who snickered and chuckled.

Snatcher knew he wasn’t liked, but that fact had now been solidified to him. The entire department clearly was glad he was gone, and Shining especially.

In Snatcher’s mind, he knew that Shining Armor had to be in on it. He was in a position to gain if he helped dispose of Sunset Shimmer after all. He was confident that the brother and sister duo were looking out for each other. Twilight could use her money to get political protection and Shining could use his access to police resources to keep people from sniffing too deeply.

“You better sleep with one eye open, Armor...” Snatcher pointed at him.

“Is that a threat, Snatcher?” Shining smirked.

“Call it what you want, but I’m onto you, Detective...” Snatcher smirked.

Rolling his eyes, Shining watched the little shit stain leave and shook his head. He continued with his coffee but out of the corner of his eye, he knew that he would not be seeing the last of the former detective.

Starlight nuzzled herself closer to her master as she listened to him breathing. She could tell he wasn’t asleep, but she couldn’t think of anything to say as they laid there for the past hour or so.

Finally, she spoke up, trying to end the silence between the two of them. She spoke softly and quietly. “So, did Glitch actually manage to steal that airship?”

Arax didn’t seem to mind the question as his hoof wrapped around the girl, pulling her closer. “Seems that way, Serenade is more pissed than she’s ever been...”

“Do you think Glitch is strong enough to even take on Serenade?” Starlight questioned.

He bit his lip, unsure of how to answer that question. In his mind, he recalled his conversation with Serenade after her temper tantrum had been thrown and passed and logical thinking had come back to the siren, her voice would grow more serious and she would speak in a tone that suggested a bit of vulnerability.

Arax, this Glitch is a thorn in my side at this point, but should he ever get too close and potentially cause a threat to my rule, I have a move that I can make which will defeat him.

He shook his head as his hoof ran up the mare’s neck and pet her mane. Starlight cooed as he stroked her. “I don’t think so. Serenade is far too strong, even if Glitch could match Serenade’s power, she has a move that would devastate him.”

But it’s not without its costs, Arax.

He remembered he would ask her what she meant and she would tell him with serious eyes.

Oubliette, the planet cracker. The strongest demon power I possess, the most lethal tool in my arsenal.

Arax wasn’t versed in demonic powers, so he would ask her what she meant, and she then explained it to him.

It is a power so mighty, so strong that the underworld warned me it could split the entire planet in half if used. It would be more than enough to destroy Glitch, but it comes at a great price... A majority of my power would be drained in the process, it would take a long time to recover that level of power, my body may not even be ready to take the kind of damage that attack does.

There was a short pause as Serenade chewed her thoughts and then continued.

This power, I simply am not ready to wield it yet. It is intended for demons far older than myself. To use it now, I could die in the process.

He wasn’t entirely sure why she told him such a vulnerability in her abilities, but he surmised it was likely because she knew he was just as vested in her survival as she was. No matter what Arax did, he had to ensure that Serenade lived, he owed her too much, he could never betray her.

Not to mention, even knowing this one weakness of Serenade’s, there was no way for him to utilize it to his advantage. To create a scenario where she was forced to use such an attack was near impossible. There was no way he could do it, and there was no way that Glitch could either. He was far too weak, even with his fancy combat suit.

“What move is that?” Starlight blinked and looked up, meeting his red eyes.

He blinked as he observed her. Despite all she had been through, despite being his property, this mare seemed to never let go of her personality. Curiosity was dangerous in their position, but it didn’t seem to faze her. What an odd girl.

“It doesn’t matter, what does matter though is that Glitch has a long road if they hope to even scratch Serenade. It’s going to take more than a band of cowboys that he sprung from Appleloosa and an airship,” Arax explained.

Starlight couldn’t deny that. Glitch seemed crafty, but the reality was that no one really knew Serenade’s true strength, no one knew what other powers she had at her disposal. Arax probably had an idea, but he likely didn’t even know the full extent of what the demon siren could do.

Eclipse walked with the spear upon his back, ready to pull it out and make another threat if need be as he followed the rebel group to the promised passage through the mountains. With Rose Inkscape at his side, the group remained fairly silent until she spoke up with a little skip in her step. Of the group, she seemed the most excited for everything going on, which was odd given the circumstances.

“So who is this pony that you’re going to find?” Rose asked as she sped up to keep up with Eclipse’s brisk step. He was small for a stallion and thus had tiny steps, but she was even more petite than he was, so she had to walk even faster to keep up with him.

“It’s a griffon.” Eclipse kept his eyes forward on the ones leading them, not fully trusting them to not try and turn on him when his guard was dropped.

“Ooooo, exotic! Is she cute?” Rose leaned in with interest.

“He.” Eclipse corrected.

“Whoa! That’s an interesting plot twist! So you’re...” She paused, not sure how to tactfully word it.

“Into guys? Yeah...” Eclipse shrugged.

“That is adorable, so what’s he like? Is he cute?” She giggled.

Eclipse had to think about that one. “I don’t know if cute is the word I’d describe him with. He’s a tough guy, but with a hint of pretty boy in him. He can be insanely frustrating, but I love him to death... Galeal is really something else.”

“He sounds really important to you...” She nodded in agreement.

“He is, I’d do anything for him, and that’s why I’m even doing something like this...” Eclipse admitted.

“You two ever consider... Adding another party to this relationship by chance?” She winked.

Eclipse raised a brow and looked at her. He at first believed she was joking, but her eyes suggested otherwise. “Sorry... I’m not really into girls...”

“Awww, a shame. A girl could get used to two guys, but that’s cool.” She giggled.

“Have you done something like that before?” He asked.

She nodded. “Yeah, polyamory is my thing sort of.”

“I’m not against the idea of more than one partner, I just don’t want that partner to be a girl... No offense.” Eclipse shrugged.

The mare shook her head and winked flirtatiously. “None taken, but if you decide you’d like to give mares a try, or if your boyfriend needs a mare now and then, I’m around.”

“How’d a pony get to be as agreeable as you?” Eclipse laughed.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I think it’s because my parents always told me not to do things, so I did them at first just to spite them, but then I sort of loved the feeling of just knowing that nothing gets to me. I live my life doing what I want, when I want and nothing is a setback to me. It’s sort of liberating to have that kind of power, you know?”

Eclipse frowned, he understood better than she thought. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever really cared what others thought, that’s sort of what I loved about Galeal when we met, he was like me. He didn’t give a shit, but it was different...”

“How so?” Rose blinked.

Looking her over, he laughed. “I guess before him, I was kind of shy. Like I’d never really do something this crazy until he sort of ignited a fire in me, you know?”

“He sounds great...” Rose nodded.

“He is.” Eclipse grinned back at her.

The leader of their group made a fake gagging sound as he listened. “Listen, kid. I know you’re probably just bluffing with the spear thing, but I figured it takes guts to come in here like you did, so we decided to help you regardless...”

Eclipse blinked, not expecting them to have actually seen through his bluff, but he decided it was best to keep it going, in the event that this was merely a test to see if he was indeed actually bluffing. “Or maybe you’re just saying that in the off chance that I’m not bluffing?”

“Fair point.” The other shrugged.

Eclipse rolled his eyes as the group stopped at a long narrow passageway. “So it’s up ahead from here. You follow the path, and eventually, you come to a turn, you go right and then down the stairs and they will lead you to a passage that comes out on the other side of the mountain. You’ll be in the woods then, so it’s a good few hours walk from the nearest town...”

“You’re not coming with us?” Eclipse blinked.

“Hell no, this is as far as we go.” He shook his head.

Eclipse squinted as he drew the spear and pointed it threateningly at him. “How do I know this isn’t a trick?”

The leader of the group rolled his eyes and nudged Rose forward. She grunted and blinked as she looked around but then focused her eyes upon Eclipse. “Because, Rose here is going to go with you to make sure you make it there. Isn’t that right, Rose?”

The mare blinked but then looked at Eclipse and nodded. “No sweat, I’ll see to it that he gets out of here. After all, I want you to find Galeal, Eclipse.”

Even though this could have still just been a cleverly planned trap, Eclipse didn’t care and allowed it. Something in him told him that he could trust Rose, she had given him no reason not to after all.

“Alright, lead the way...” He gestured in front of himself with the spear before placing it back on his back.

She sashayed in front of him, wiggling her interestingly cut tail in front of him as she took the lead down the narrow path. Eclipse looked back at the others who just stood there and watched as the two made their exit.

With a sigh, Eclipse caught up to his guide and stretched as he kept up next to her. It had been a good twenty minutes or so before either of them spoke again. “So, you plan on killing Serenade, huh?” She asked.

Eclipse was a bit surprised by the ending of the silence between the two, but he caught her out of the corner of his eye, noting her lack of eye contact as she focused on the path ahead. The stallion looked at the path himself and focused on it too. “Yeah, once I am certain that Galeal is safe, I’m going to kill her.”

“Why though? Seems dumb to risk your life like that... I mean you know how strong Serenade is, right?” Rose questioned.

He nodded. “Yeah, I do. Probably stronger than I’m even imagining really...”

“I heard she can split atoms.” Rose giggled.

Eclipse never really finished physics class in high school, so he wasn’t certain what the big deal with that was, or if she was joking, but he shrugged and decided to add in his own overheard tales of the siren’s power. “I heard that she turn her whole body into magma and burn just about anything...”

“I’ve heard that one too, but I also heard she can slice somepony in half just by thinking about it!” Rose was practically skipping as the two discussed various theories of how evil and deadly Serenade truly was.

“There must be like some kind of rules or restrictions to her power,” Eclipse proposed.

“Maybe, but I’ve yet to see them. Her power is more or less able to bend time and space it seems. The girl is more or less invincible, I mean hell, if that wasn’t enough, she has the combined power of the royal family and almost the world population’s magic reserves in her, there’s no way a normal pony can beat her.,” Rose informed.

She was certainly right in those regards, Serenade was almost a perfect being in regards to defensive capabilities, she could likely thwart any attempt on her life while she ate a sandwich.

“Maybe, but I have to try anyway. I can’t just let her get away with all she’s done...” Eclipse closed his eyes and he swore he had heard his mother scream in his head.

He would never forget the horror in his parents’ eyes when Serenade had them viciously killed in front of Eclipse. Those eyes of pure anguish, pure despair, and pure fear; Eclipse couldn’t forget them, they were in his nightmares all the time. His own parents had been murdered in front of him, merely for the Joy that came from a killer’s thrill of killing.

Serenade was not just an opponent, she was a killer, and a clearly trained one at that. Few knew of Serenade’s past, but the precision of her work made it clear that she had learned how to kill and conquer from somewhere. A pony didn’t just wake up in the morning and conquer Equestria, that was for sure.

“You’re pretty brave, Eclipse...” Rose commented.

Another thought echoed in his mind, one that he was certain the other members of the group that had brought him this far were thinking, “or pretty stupid...”

Eclipse couldn’t disagree with that comment either. Everything he was doing did feel stupid after all. A stallion like him stood no chance against a magic sucking demon that was able to best all the rulers of Equestria, but it didn’t matter, he wanted to try.

“It doesn’t matter what happens. I’m going to try,” Eclipse responded.

“What’s your current plan to kill her?” Rose asked.

He shrugged. “No clue, I’m still working on that part...”

“You’ll think of something, and if you swing back this way, come find me, I’ll gladly help you!” She nodded.

He was thankful for such a good friend. He hadn’t had a friend since he met Galeal, so it was refreshing to have someone else for a change. “Thanks, Rose, I’ll keep you in mind should I need backup.”

“That’s all I ask.” She grinned.

The two were quiet for a scant second before Rose’s ear twitched and she looked back to the direction that they had come from. “Did you hear that, Eclipse?”

“Hear what?” He tilted his head in confusion.

She concentrated as she held her hoof out covering his mouth. She listened carefully to the hallway trying to make out the familiar sound that she had heard. After a few seconds she recognized it, it was a high pitched heckling accompanied by screeches. It was a noise she knew all too well. Turning to Eclipse she cursed.

“Shit! Maulers!”

“Wait!? Really? Down here!? I thought they didn’t check the sewers!?” Eclipse blinked in disbelief.

“Someone must have gotten suspicious and sent a wraith down here, and where there’s a wraith, maulers follow,” she explained.

“What do we do!?” Eclipse asked.

“We run, come on, we have to get you out of the city ASAP. The sun should be coming up, meaning they can’t follow us if we get outside,” she instructed as she forced the two to turn back around and make their way toward the final stretch of their journey.

The two ponies bolted as fast as their hooves would carry them, galloping at top speed to try and outrun the abominations that were the primary attack force of Serenade’s city watch.

The further they ran, the more of the creature’s chortled heckles Eclipse could hear, they were getting closer and closer, and he knew it. Gulping, he tried to pick up the pace as the two reached the final turn that he was told about. If he hung one way, they would be on a straight shot to the exit.

Stopping at the intersection, Rose looked at Eclipse and gestured for him to go. “Go on ahead.”

“No way, what about you!?” He blinked.

“If we both go, they are going to catch us, that’s a fact. However, I can lead them down the other path, and you’ll be able to escape...” She explained.

“Take the spear then!” He offered.

She shook her head. “No, once they’re finished with me they will come bolting toward you and you may need it. No sense in wasting it on the one of us who is dead no matter what. Besides, you’ll need it out there, it’s a harsh world beyond these walls...”

“I can’t let you do this...” Eclipse frowned.

“There’s no time, Eclipse. Go,” She demanded.

Sighing, he nodded and gave a soft salute. “Thank you, Rose...”

She nodded and winked. “Don’t mention it.”

With those parting words, the two split off in two different directions, Eclipse heading toward the exit and Rose heading toward a dead end. Naturally, with her whooping and calling the maulers raced toward her.

With maulers snapping at her tail, Rose Inkscape skillfully maneuvered her way through the long narrow cavern that had been carved from a hole in the sewer wall. She surmised that it was likely something dug by an escaped prisoner decades ago, but she couldn’t be certain. Perhaps it was an alternate path to the one that led outside of the city, she couldn’t be sure. All she knew is she would never find out.

Continuing her speedy gallop, she could see the end of the hallway approaching. A small circular enclosure that would put her back to a wall as she faced down the deadly minions of Serenade.

Sliding to a halt, she turned around to face the creatures that approached. As they cornered their prey their beady glowing red eyes seemed to open wider as they watched her. Their normal quick movements were slowed as they stood watching, trying to decide which of them deserved the first strike. From this close, Rose could tell that these creatures were definitely children at one point, children that Serenade had warped with her demonic powers.

She felt bad for them. Serenade had twisted even the innocence of a child and turned that child into a killing machine, not unlike herself. Rose was briefly reminded of her son whom she lost to Serenade. Was he one of these creatures now?

She had gotten pregnant at a young age, and was a single mother, but it never bothered her. In her mind, it was a blessing. Her “live without regrets” mantra really made all the difference.

Rose Inkscape contemplated her mantra and smiled as she faced down death. She didn’t regret helping Eclipse, even if it meant her end. She looked to the bright side.

“I’ll be with you soon, Thorn...” She grinned as she took a stance.

One of the creatures leaped at her, and she grabbed it in her hooves and slammed it down, snapping its neck. The motion didn’t seem to faze the others, as they too jumped her.

She grabbed another and performed a similar motion, but the third one leaped onto her back and bit down onto her fleshy neck, tearing the skin open. She screamed in pain but didn’t stop. As another tore into her, she threw one onto the ground and stomped its face in.

Rose didn’t like the idea of executing these children, but she justified it with the thought that she would free as many of them as she could before she went down. Death was a better alternative to what had become of them.

“Come on! Come get a piece of me!” She hissed in agony as another latched its teeth into her. With three of them on her back, she continued to attack and slay more of them. Before she collapsed, she had taken out eight by her count.

Finally, the pain became numbness, and enough blood was lost that Rose was fading. She couldn’t feel anything anymore as they tore her open, ripping her apart. A smile came to her face as she closed her eyes for the last time, wishing Eclipse good luck.

She had used her last breath to do something good, she had no regrets. She was the kind of mother that her son could be proud of.

Panting, Eclipse made his way down the hallway, hearing only a scream that sounded like Rose’s voice. He closed his eyes and silently thanked her as he tried to remind himself there was no time to mourn. His only other friend that he had made besides Galeal and she had sacrificed herself for him. He hated it, but there wasn’t time to change her mind. He couldn’t focus on the past, he needed to focus on the future.

“Forget it, Eclipse... We have to get out of here...” He told himself.

Now that they were likely finished with her, they would come for him next, and he knew that. He had to pick up the pace.

His legs felt like they were full of acid, but he ignored it and pushed himself further.

The sounds of heckling and screeching could be heard through the cave, and he knew that meant the maulers were likely heading his way.

Sure enough, he turned his head and could see them a good hundred feet or so behind him. With wide eyes, he ran faster toward the exit, he could see a metal grate that opened up at the end of the path. Beyond it was a stairwell that went down, and there was just a shred of light coming from it.

He blinked in astonishment. He had made it! He just needed to open that grate and get down that stairwell and he’d be free.

Easier said than done. A pack of mutants was on his tail and if even one of them caught him, he wouldn’t make it.

He had come too far, and Rose had given up her life to get him here, he couldn’t give up now.

With determined eyes, Eclipse grunted and pushed himself past the final threshold, opening the grate and quickly running down the stairs. A mauler or two snapped at his feet but missed as he reached the bottom and tucked and rolled out of the exit into the light of day. It turned out that Celestia may have risen the sun in the morning, but she did not do it alone, apparently, the sun would rise, either way, she just helped it along the way to maintain a proper day and night cycle.

In the warmth of the light, Eclipse looked up past the trees to see the blue sky. He smiled until he could hear screeching again. He turned back to the passage he had come through to see maulers trying to exit, only to step into the light and hiss in agony before retreating back inside. They had been right, the creatures couldn’t come out in the daylight, a relief for him.

He waited until all of the maulers retreated back into the caves and ultimately the sewers before he fell to his haunches and sighed. He had survived, but Rose did not. She gave everything for him to find Galeal, which meant that now he had to try twice as hard to ensure that he did.

The stallion gripped the pendant that Galeal had given him and closed his eyes. He would find him no matter what.

Looking to the forest in front of him, Eclipse rose to his hooves and nodded. His journey was only beginning, but he knew it would truly be a test of his strength.

Several weeks had passed since Glitch had acquired the airship that they now all referred to as “The S.S. Rebellion” or “The Rebellion” for short. It became their home away from home and their mobile base of operations. With its tremendous force, they were able to acquire four more airships that they used to protect The Rebellion and to house their growing army.

Over the weeks, Glitch had taken them to many small areas where Serenade’s watch was not as keen and liberated them. With each victory, another group was willing to join the resistance, and their numbers grew at rates that impressed even Princess Twilight.

What started as only hundreds had grown into thousands, and before they knew it, they were at least 8,000 strong. A tiny amount compared to what Serenade held, but a huge growth for them. If they kept things going at the rate they were, they would be in the tens of thousands very quickly, and hold a large enough force to storm Canterlot with the proper strategy. They didn’t need to defeat all of Serenade’s army, they just needed enough to rip her off of her throne.

With Glitch’s success came increased confidence from the rest of the crew. Every victory that Glitch claimed made every pony under their command that much more determined to win. It was true what was said: ponies loved to get behind a winner.

Stories of Glitch’s conquests would eventually spread across the land, and before they knew it, ponies were volunteering to join them if they happened to run across them. Words of Glitch’s army were told through the streets, and legends were already being formed around the armored pony. Glitch’s legacy was already out of control, but Glitch didn’t concern themselves with such petty nonsense.

Glitch’s focus remained on the rebellion. Almost a year in, and Glitch was starting to see results. Serenade’s grip on Equestria had slipped just a little bit, and Glitch had exploited those moments of weakness to build an army. It would only take a few more mistakes on Serenade’s part for Glitch to amass all they needed to win this fight. The only drawback though, was a single mistake on Glitch’s part would likely end the entire thing.

That is why they were a firm believer in stacking the odds in their favor in every way they could. And why they had called a meeting between their trusted higher ranking ponies.

In the room was Applejack, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Aria Blaze, Sonata Dusk, Discord and Braeburn. Glitch cleared their throat and spoke to the group.

“You’ve all done very well in these past few weeks... I can feel victory getting closer to our grasp...” Glitch began.

Twilight bit her lip, knowing that bad news was likely to follow.

“However, we can’t just rest easy. Serenade is far too mighty to bet on what we have currently, so I have decided we need sort of a surprise element...” Glitch stated.

Aria blinked and tilted her head. “What kind of surprise element?”

Glitch glanced over in her direction and nodded. “Well, if all goes according to plan... We should be arriving at the Dragon Lands by sunset...”

Sonata leaned in with interest. “Are we going to recruit some dragons!?”

Glitch nodded.

Sonata leaned back and waved her hooves in excitement.

Twilight and Applejack looked to each other and frowned before both looking back at Glitch. “Uh... Glitch, don’t mean t’ rain on yer’ parade...”

Glitch shrugged at Applejack. “Never stopped you in the past, but go on.”

Applejack chose to be mature and ignore the jab at her.

“Well... We tried t’ get the dragons on our side, and it didn’t exactly go so well...” Applejack rubbed her neck.

“Princess Celestia herself met with Dragon Lord Ember, but it was no use. Even being friends with Spike wasn’t enough to convince her. She said she wanted no part in Serenade’s war...” Twilight explained.

Glitch shrugged. “Then I’ll just have to convince them.”

“How do y’all propose to do that?” Braeburn asked the question he knew they were all thinking.

There was a short silence followed by Glitch’s answer. “Sit back and watch me work.”

Snatcher had been off the force for some time now, but that didn’t stop his investigation. He was determined to find answers, and now that he had lost his job, he had nothing else to lose on the matter. The Chief had told him to get himself checked into a hospital to deal with his “mental state”, but he clearly didn’t understand what was going on. He refused to see the truth right in front of them all, but Snatcher didn’t, Snatcher knew that they were all being fooled.

Twilight Shimmer’s facade would crumble before him, and he knew it. She couldn’t keep everyone fooled forever, and he knew he could find out what had happened to her wife.

That was why he had spent the past few weeks studying forensics, trying to understand ways to continue his investigation. He had gotten permission from a friend of his in a forensic lab to use the equipment there after hours so long as he cleaned up. He chose to work in private, lest someone else figure out what he was working on and help continue the cover-up. For all he knew, there were more people in on keeping this lie going.

On a whim, he had plucked a hair from a brush that Sunset Shimmer had used in her office at the school her family owned. The office had been mostly abandoned, but with some finesse, he managed to get inside and steal the precious DNA sample. If he wanted to track down Sunset, he needed a DNA profile to match with hers after all.

Days of testing became weeks and finally, results were starting to show up. He checked his books that he had taken out from the library to try and make sense of the charts that were appearing before him.

Flipping through page after page, he could definitely see something was wrong, something about the results was not normal.

Blinking, he looked back at his results and then at his books. After another moment passed, it had all clicked in his head. Everything made perfect sense now. Sunset’s test results showed a very interesting piece of information that changed everything.

He grinned as he examined his discovery, his eyes glittering with pride. “Sunset Shimmer... Isn’t human...” He thought out loud.

With the ship’s arrival in the Dragon Lands, Glitch and her team consisting of Twilight, Aria, and Sonata chose to be the party that approached Dragon Lord Ember. Twilight had insisted they take Spike to try and smooth things over with her easier, but Glitch had insisted that it was better for Ember to focus only on the parties that she would be working with.

The rest of the crew were forced to wait on the ships as dragons guarded them, ensuring that no one dared try anything funny. It seemed as though Ember had beefed up security since Twilight’s last visit, though this was likely to keep Serenade out.

Their request to meet with Dragon Lord Ember, however, was granted and the group of four ponies were escorted directly to her lair.

The walk there was uneventful, shy of the eight dragon guards eying them up, clearly trying to make heads or tails of what these ponies were doing in their land. Once they arrived, however, every one of them bowed their heads and took their exit, leaving the group to stand before a stone throne the size of a building with a petite dragon sitting atop of the throne, holding an odd looking scepter.

Twilight and she had met before, and Twilight bowed before her. “Dragon Lord Ember...”

Ember smiled and gestured for the mare to stand. “Twilight, we’re friends, you needn’t bow. Friends and allies.”

“If you’re an ally, why have you chosen to turn your back on Equestria in its time of need?” Glitch interrupted.

Twilight blinked and stood up as she scolded Glitch. “Glitch, you can’t speak to her like that!”

“Who might you be, armored one?” Ember raised a curious brow.

“My name is Glitch, I am the leader of Glitch’s Rebellion.” Glitch stood tall, completely unchallenged by Ember. Twilight merely gulped, not seeing this going well.

“I have heard whispers of your escapades, Glitch. Impressive work, but I am still confused as to why you’ve come here to the Dragon Lands...” Ember squinted.

Glitch nodded. “I have come to request assistance in our rebellion against Serenade, the demon siren.”

Ember laughed. “I am impressed by your work, but I have heard more stories of Serenade’s might... You stand no chance.”

“Be that as it may, I refuse to roll over and die. We will fight until there are none left,” Glitch stated firmly.

“I admire your fighting spirit, but I can not help you...” Ember frowned.

“Why not?” Twilight asked. “We are allies, you said it yourself!”

“Twilight, consider my position. Serenade’s power is massive. None of us stand a chance at defeating her, the realist in me recognizes that. If I help you, then I am making my kingdom a target for that wretched creature. As much as it pains me, I have to think of my subjects too...” Ember explained.

“Coward!” Aria hissed.

Glitch held their hoof out, holding Aria back as she continued to try and reason with Ember. “You do not seem to understand... There is already a target on your kingdom.”

“What are you talking about?” Ember blinked.

“You haven’t figured it out? Serenade is not going to stop with Equestria. She will come here eventually, and by then she’ll be even stronger. She won’t stop until she takes over the entire world, Ember,” Glitch explained.

“You don’t know that!” Ember growled.

At that moment, another raspy female voice echoed through the room. “This demon siren, I hear tales her name is Serenade, can you confirm this? Is it really Serenade?”

Stepping out of the shadows, an interesting pink dragon stood tall on two legs. Her spines atop of her head were slanted to one side, giving her sort of a side-swept haircut look about her.

Her two front claws rested at her sides, one of which sporting a meaty looking bicep an the other was not a natural claw at all, but instead, her entire right arm had been replaced with a metal one that was spiked and fierce looking.

On her back was an impressive set of wings, and her orange eyes had been locked in an almost permanent scowl as she came forward.

Immediately the group noticed the two swords sheathed at her sides, katanas with interestingly detailed hilts, obviously, custom made.

Around her thick neck was a necklace bearing a tooth in the center.

Glitch nodded at her question. “Yeah, it’s definitely her.”

“Yellow mane... Red tint to it?” The dragon asked.

“Yup, spot on. You know her?” Glitch asked.

The dragon turned to Ember with serious eyes. “This pony tells the truth. This creature won’t stop until she destroys everything. It would be wiser to strike now while there is even a chance to strike her down.”

A bunch of the underling dragons in the room were whispering, clearly a bit surprised at the outburst of the pink dragon. One of them whispered her name loud enough for Glitch to hear. “Cinder the Deathclaw...”

“How can you be so certain, Cinder?” Ember raised a brow.

Cinder turned away and faced Glitch. “If you’d rather wait here to die, be my guest, but I will go with the ponies and help kill this wretched blight on the world.”

Gasps filled the room followed by a few other dragons stepping forward, one of them proclaiming what they were all thinking. “If Cinder is going, then I am going too...”

Ember sighed and shook her head. “Cinder, this is madness. You are strong, but you’re putting all of the Dragon Lands at risk by doing this...”

“Forgive my insolence your highness, but I find what you’re doing to be exactly that. If we choose to sit here and wait, we’re as good as dead. Serenade will come, and she will kill all of us, this is fact,” Cinder explained.

Another sigh escaped Ember as she nodded. “Very well, all who wish to accompany Cinder may do so.”

A small group of about eight formed behind Cinder as she approached Glitch. She stood at least twice Glitch’s height as she offered a claw to her. “You are Glitch, correct?”

“Yes, that is me.” Glitch replied as they took Cinder’s claw and shook it.

Cinder grinned at the armored pony. “Impressive armor. I look forward to seeing it in action.”

“Just don’t slow me down,” Glitch replied.

Cinder nodded, more confidence exuding from her. “Shall we drink to celebrate this alliance before we head out? It’s tradition.”

“Who am I to shit on tradition?” Glitch responded.

“Wise choice.”

Say hello to another key player in all of this, Cinder The Deathclaw. She’s clearly got beef with Serenade, but why? Where did she come from? How did she lose her arm? Guess we will have to wait for all the details on that, but as you can probably guess, Glitch is stacking the deck against Serenade here. The question is: will it be enough?