Three days had passed as winter began to set in on the northern borders of Equestria. The allied armies of the knights, samurai and warborn had pushed deep into enemy territory after taking the fortress and raiding the nearby towns for supplies and freeing slaves, with each victory came the promise of hope for those who had been suffering under the stonehoof regime.

The most recent battle was taking place on the outskirts of a small village that housed slaves and rebels who openly spoke out against Dainns rule and thanks to the lack of supplies, it was an easy target to raid.

The attack began when Shining Armor lead a small company of knights to attack from the north while Wulfric moved in from the south to catch the enemy off guard leaving the samurai to quietly smuggle the slaves out during the chaos.

From atop the nearest hill, Twilight and a few other knights could see her friends fighting alongside her brother but was barely able to recognize them. Applejack had been viciously hacking away at anything that dared to come near her and her twin axes while Rainbow Dash swung her spear to and fro, cutting several throats open.

"So..." the princess said quietly to herself.

"This is war."

Twilight had read many stories of war and the horrors that came with it but she had never experienced them first hand. Even from a distance, she could smell the burning village and hear the dying screams of the enemy soldiers as they were slaughtered.

"Come your highness, your brother will be returning soon." Said one of the knights escorting Twilight as they returned to the camp.

Later That Night

The army returned from the battlefield along with the rescued slaves and whatever spoils they could find. Shining Armor would send the refugees to Ashfeld while Wulfric and his smiths melted down the chains that once held them and had them reforged into weapons and armor for their allies.

The slaves were given fresh clothes and a hot meal while others were treated for injuries inflicted by their former masters after being taken into the forts living quarters.

"Here you go little one."

A shaman from the warborn was tending to the fillies that were found among the slaves and many had been severly whipped or beaten to the point where they had gotten sick from their wounds. The shaman applied bandages and ointments to each of his patients until he could barely stand and sat down to catch his breath.

"Odins beard. So this is what it would be like to have grandchildren." He huffed while receiving some giggles from the children and for him that was a good sign of their recovery.

While the slaves were being tended to, the soldiers went about their daily routines around the fort. Some of the troops were guarding the walls and gates with only the braziers keeping them warm against the bitter cold.

"Ohh what I wouldn't give for some hot tea right now!" One of the soldiers whined as he began to shiver in the cold.

"Tea nothing! I want some hot chocolate with marshmallows!" The second one complained when Pinkie Pie seemingly popped out of nowhere with a flask full of hot chocolate and two mugs for the soldiers.

"Ask and you shall receive!" The pink mare said with a smile as she handed them their cups.

"Thanks Pinkie, you're a lifesaver!"

"Aw it was nothing."

Pinkie had discovered a small supply of coacoa powder amongst the kitchen supplies and decided to make a batch of hot chocolate for the soldiers as a way of saying thank. As she was strolling around giving drinks, the pink mare caught a glimpse of something in the shadows but whatever it was quickly disappeared without a trace.

"Hm. Must've been a shadow." Pinkie said to herself before going back inside for a hot meal and warm bath with her friends while two azure eyes watched her from the darkness.

The entire fortress was sound asleep by the time the moon was high and as the hour grew late a hooded figure crept through the shadows and into the hallway leading to Shining Armors bedroom while sneaking past the two guards using magic.

"Excuse me gentlemen." The figure whispered in a refined feminine voice as she snuck into the room where Shining Armor and Twilight were sleeping. The mysterious figure then pulled out a scroll hidden in her boot and placed it quietly on the mantle before sneaking out the window, it seemed like the intruder would make a clean get away until the blade of a longsword was placed against her neck.

"Don't move." Said the voice of Marshall who was out on patrol when he spotted the intruder.

"Who are you and what're you doing here?" The warden asked his prisoner before getting hit with blinding powder as the mysterious mare made her escape.

"INTRUDER! Sound the alarm!!!" Marshall cried out while rubbing his eyes and within moments the entrie fortress was swarming with guards.

"Going somewhere?" Another voice called when the intruder turned around to see Sanguine Quartz and his personal guard who began blocking every possible escape route.

"Damn." The mare cursed under her breath as the sergeant began marching towards her with his weapon raised high.

"AD MORTEM INIMICUS!!" With all his might, Quartz swing his poleax with enough force to shatter the stone floor and creating a small dust cloud while his opponent countered with a crossbow hidden on her waist. The bolt whizzed passed the sergeants face leaving only a small cut while he began pushing her back further until she slipped on a stone hidden under the snow.

"This ends now!"

Quartz swung down his weapon to deliver the killing blow and it seemed like it would hit its mark until it was stopped midway by a magic aura.

"What the devil?!?" The sergeant shouted as he struggled to regain control of his weapon. At that moment, Shining Armor rushed passed the guards along with twilight and her friends.

"Stand down sergeant! That's an order!" The prince barked at the now confused sergeant.

"But sir she's a spy!" The sergeant argued.

"No she isn't. Go ahead, you can show them your face."

With the situation now under control, the mare removed her hood to reveal herself as none other than Rarity; another of Twilights friends who was lost during the takeover.

The five friends were overjoyed to see her again as they surrounded her in a group hug which she was more than happy to accept.

"I can't believe it, you're alive!" Twilight said with tears of joy while her friend held her close and stroked her head like a child.

"I've missed you all too." Rarity replied gently while looking at their happy faces.

"I really wish I could stay but I have to get back. The others are waiting for me."

"Others?" Shining Armor inquired while she pointed out the scroll held in his hand. It was a map leading through the everfree forest.

"Meet me at that spot tomorrow, we will talk then. Oh and tell your friend I'm sorry about the eyes." Without another word, Rarity used her magic to teleport out of the fortress leaving her friends a bit saddened but knowing that she was still alive was good enough for them.

"Come on y'all, we got a big day tomorrow." Said Applejack as they all headed for bed with high hopes about their reunion.

End.