In the midst of their campaign, the allied forces learned of a resistance group in the Everfree Forest thanks to a message from Rarity Unicorn; The Element of Generosity. The mare had given Shining Armor a map leading to a secluded area of the forest with instructions for him to bring the leaders of the other factions and her friends to discuss a possible alliance.

The group met at the fortresses west gate fully armed to the teeth knowing the dangers that were hidden inside the forest. Accompanying the prince were Wulfric and Crafty Dodger while the other officers were left to guard the fort in their absence should the enemy attack.

"So we're really doing this?" The chieftain asked while sharpening his axe.

"It's necessary my friend. After all they don't trust us, given our reputation." Dodger replied while sipping some morning sakè before heading outside the gates.

"Don't worry sugarcube, Rarity is a good friend of ours." Applejack said to reassure the others as they began their journey to the western borders of the forest yet even from a distance, the place seemed eerie and foreboding.

"Why did Rarity have to pick such a scary place?" Fluttershy whimpered while looking around for any signs of movement yet all she could see were falling leaves and beams of light piercing through the thick foliage.

"Relax Fluttershy, we'll be fine." Rainbow said with confidence as they began to venture deeper into the forest but with each step, the trees seemed to close in around them and the light from the sun began to fade away as if it were setting but something seemed very off about these woods.

"This forest has eyes, I swear it." Said Wulfric cautiously taking a step forward to avoid making any noise.

"I think you're right, we're being watched." Shining Armor said in agreement before finally unsheathing his weapon and taking a defensive position around the group.

"Stay close girls, it's easy to get lost in here." Applejack advised when they heard the snapping of a twig.

"AH! What was that?!?" Pinkie shrieked while clinging to Fluttershy. At first, everyone was on edge until they spotted a harmless rabbit with a twig in its mouth hopping past them and from what Fluttershy could tell, it was building a nest for its home.

"Oh how cute!" The pegasus said cheerfully as she watched the little critter hop away when out of nowhere came several crossbows pointed straight at her and the rest of her friends. Wulfric was prepared to take action when Shining Armor slowly placed down his weapon and held up both arms as a sign of surrender.

"I am Shining Armor and these are my companions. We were told to come here."

Upon hearing those words, the guards surrounding the group lowered their weapons and had each one blindfolded so they could not find the way to their camp. Hours seemed to pass with each step they took into the forest until they finally reached their destination.

"Alright. You can remove your blindfolds now." Said one of the guards escorting them.

What the group saw next was not a small camp but a thriving village just beneath the shade of the trees which made it a perfect sanctuary. There were huts built from mud and twigs that were large enough to house small families while above were rope bridges and more huts built right into the trees to keep an eye out for signs of danger.

"Odins beard..." Said Wulfric who was in awe of the sight, as were the others.

"This is amazing!" Twilight added as she took in the sights. The village was built by a small river that had a small water wheel built next to it and from what the princess could see, it was used to power a small mill they used to grind wheat into flower.

"How did this happen?" Asked Applejack who was watching some workers building a new hut.

"We are what's left of Canterlot and Ponyville, even some of the caribou who defected from the Stonehooves. We almost would've perished out here had it not been for our leader." Replied one of the guards leading them to a large hut at the center of the village.

"This is our meeting hut, the council should be in session right now."

The guard requested that they wait outside until the council was ready to see them. Time seeme to go by slowly as Twilight and her friends looked around the village and began to remember their peaceful days in Ponyville before the Stonehooves came, they saw children laughing playing in the street while the older members of the village went about their daily routine.

"I still can't believe there is a village in a place like this." Shining said while looking at the structures around him but noticed that the villagers were severely lacking in materials and most seemed to be stuck wearing the same rags they were given as slaves.

"Our leader will see you now." The first guard said before the other told them to hand in their weapons and of course each one of them obliged until Applejack shot Wulfric a scolding look.

"What?" The chieftain asked while shrugging his shoulders.

"Aren't you forgetting something sugarcube?" She asked while pointing at his boot and reminded him of the dagger hidden inside.

"Oh! Heh."

With the last of their weapons relinquished, the group was finally allowed to step inside to meet the village council, all of whom were once members of the royal council in Canterlot that had been banished for speaking out against Dainn. Their leader stood at the center of the room and the moment the ponies laid eyes on her, they immediately began to bow.

"Princess Luna!!" Shining Armor said aloud after recognizing the princess of the night whom he thought had been held prisoner all this time.

"Shining Armor, it is good to see you again." Luna replied while helping him to his feet with a gracious smile and doing the same with Princess Twilight and her friends.

"It is good to see you all again."

"I don't understand, we saw the castle was overrun." Twilight said in disbelief when Luna placed a hand to her cheek.

"All will be revealed in time Twilight, I promise."

Luna's attention quickly turned to Wulfric who had been standing there as if observing her.

"And who is this?" She asked Shining Armor

"Oh right. Princess Luna this is Wulfric; Chieftain of The Warborn Clan."

"Ah. So you're the one we've been hearing about." She said while looking him over. He seemed like a decent enough person for a viking but Luna was cautious of his kind and decided to ask a series of questions.

"Tell me Wulfric, what are your goals in this war?" She asked with her arms crossed.

"I will kill Dainn Stonehoof and claim lordship over the other clans." Wulfric replied bluntly, leaving everyone a bit concerned.

"And what then? Will YOU attempt to rule Equestria?" The princess inquired with the other council members listening intently.

"No. My people and I will return to Valkenheim to rebuild when this war is over and we have many back home in need of us."

"What do you mean?" Asked one of the council members as the chieftain began telling the story of how he and the other clans were forced under Dainns heel and how many more were left to wither and die back home. The tyrant king truly had no mercy, even for his own people.

It was after hearing his story, that Luna requested to speak with him and Shining Armor privately while Twilight and the others went to visit Rarity who lived just on the other side of the village. The friends were excited to see their friend again, especially after last night and were eager to hear her story.

"That must be her place up ahead." Said Rainbow Dash pointing to the hut at the end of the village where Rarity was waiting to greet them.

"Girls, you made it! Come on in, I have tea and biscuts waiting." Rarity said in a cheeful manner while escorting them inside her home.

"I know it's not much to look at but it's the best we could do with what we have."

"It's lovely Rarity." Fluttershy complimented after looking around the interior, it seemed to remind her of her cottage back in Ponyville. For a while, the six friends were glad to be back in each others company

"Now to business." Rarity spoke as she placed her cup back down.

"You're all wondering how I escaped with Princess Luna. Well...."

Day of the invasion

Rarity was in Canterlot when the attack began. She saw the once gleaming towers set ablaze by the barbaric stonehooves as they looted the city while others began rounding up mares and fillies in the streets. It was a nightmare.

Rarity knew every street in the city like the back of her hand and thanks to her magic she was able to sneak past the soldiers patrolling the streets while offering what help she could to others who were able to escape capture but with the city now flooded with enemies, it was only a matter of time before they were found.

The group had managed to reach the western courtyard of the castle where they saw royal guards assisting the invaders capture their female counterparts and house maids as they chained them up and locked them in cages after ripping away their clothing.

"What in equestria is going on?" Rarity whispered to herself when she saw a small platoon of guards escorting princess Luna away from the castle.

Just as Shining Armor trained his men to resist mind control magic, Luna and Celestia did the same with their most trusted guards should another foe attempt to infiltrate their ranks or turn them on each other.

"Quickly your highness." One of them whispered as he opened a secret entrance in the castle garden but just as the princess was about to enter, she spotted Rarity and her group and saw they were in desperate need of an escape.

"We are taking them with us and that's an order." Luna spoke firmly but there was no need since her guards were more than willing to help. The entrance was then sealed and the group navigated their way through the mining tunnels beneath the city until they made it to a river where two boats were waiting for them.

"You have all done your duties well."

"What should we do now your highness?" One of the guards asked while loading the civilians onto the boats.

"For now, we must hide. We do not have the strength to retake the city but mark my words: These barbarians will pay..."

All they could do was watch as the once proud city of Canterlot was set ablaze like a giant bonfire while they drifted down the river towards the everfree forest.

"It was after that day that I pledged myself to Luna's Nightguard and we've been gathering any refugees we could rescue or find."

Hearing their friends tale made the others feel more saddened than ever, now that they knew what happened to Canterlot during the invasion.

"What about Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked but was answered by the shaking of her friends head.

"She's locked up beneath the dungeons in Canterlot Castle. It seems Dainn failed to break her through physical torture so he's trying a different method."

"RRRG! THAT CREEP!!" Rainbow shouted furiously as she slammed her fists on the table, startling Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

"When I get my hands on him, I'll kick his balls so hard that he'll be singing soprano for weeks!!"

"Calm down Rainbow Dash!" Applejack scolded her friend while helping her sit back down.

"I know your upset but gettin' riled up ain't gonna help."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Rainbow huffed before noticing a commotion going on outside.

"What in the hay seed?" Applejack peeked outside the window with Rarity and noticed a huge crowd gathered at the center.

"Something is wrong." The unicorn said to herself as she rushed over to find another face she had not seen in a long time.

"Sweet Celestia! Spike!!!" Rarity shrieked in an almost startled voice.

The others could not believe what they had heard and rushed over to see for themselves but were horrified by what they found. Spike was covered in cuts and bruises as well as mud and twigs, his right eye had been blackened by his attacker and his left arm was badly broken in three places.

"What happened?" Asked one of the guards to the ponies that brought him in.

"We found him like this by the river, we thought he was dead!"

"Get him inside quick! Fetch a doctor!!"

As the crowd began to disperse, the little drake was able to make out Twilight and the others amd reached out a hand for them.

"Twi...light..." He wheezed while the princess held his hand.

"Yes spike, it's me!" Twilight sniffled while trying to hold back her tears but to see the little drake she considered her baby brother in such a state broke her heart.

"Twilight...he's coming..." Spike wheezed again in a more frightened voice.

"Who Spike? Who's coming?"

"Blue....blood..."

The little drake passed out before he could say any more and was carried off to the healer while Twilight looked at the others with a concerned expression on her face.

"We need to send a message to the others!"

End.