The king was now on the verge of being overthrown. His armies had either been defeated or had deserted, his gold had nearly been spent and he had just received news of the enemy marching their way across the border towards Canterlot.

To make matters worse, he began to hear news of uprisings happening all across Equestria with slaves escaping by the hundreds and killing their masters. The only thing standing between his throne and the growing rebel army was the walls of Canterlot and the city of Cloudsdale that had been turned into a flying fortress.

As the floating stronghold came into view, Dainns fear seemed to instantly fade away when a guard marched into the throne room with an urgent report.

"My lord, General Wind Rider is here."

"Excellent. Send him in."

Wind Rider was once a proud member of the Wonderbolts aerial team before he was kicked out for trying to frame Rainbow Dash whom he viewed as a threat. It was after the takeover that he was enlisted into the kings army as one of his top generals because of his superior flying skills and his knowledge of Equestrias cities.

As Wind Rider made his entrance, he appeared before the king in a standard military officers uniform decorated with medals and badges while wearing a cape of pure silk decorated with animal fur.

"General. So glad you made it." Dainn said cheerfully as he called for his servants to take the generals cloak.

"My pleasure your majesty." Wind Rider replied with a grin before joining his king for breakfast.

"I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

"I did and you'll be pleased to know that Saddle Arabia has decided to join us."

"Excellent."

As the two began to enjoy their meal, the king told his general of the events that had transpired while he was away in southern equestria and it came as no surprise that Wind Rider wanted to lead the counterattack against the rebels after hearing Rainbow Dash and her friends were among them and had even requested that she be made his personal slave once they had recaptured her and the other elements of harmony.

"One question sire." The general said after a sip of wine.

"Speak."

"What about this new king I keep hearing about?"

"What new king?" Dainn asked after his curiosity was piqued.

"It seems the other tribes have named a new king; they call him"The King in The North" what was his name...Wulfric!"

As Wind Rider prepared to take another sip of wine he noticed the king beginning to grit his teeth and grip the table furiously before flipping it and letting out a bloodthristy roar.

"They dare name that mongrel king?!?" Dainn shouted with anger while his servants began cleaning up the mess.

"Wind Rider, I want you to assemble your best troops and move out at once!"

"With pleasure sire." The general grinned with his glass raised up for a toast.

"The only thing this boy will be king of is a pile of ashes! No one defies me and lives!!"

Meanwhile

Unaware of the encroaching danger, the rebel army was busy repairing the damage to the fort while making preparations to march back to Canterlot. The damage to the stronghold was severe and would take months to repair or it would if not for the changelings and their incredible building skills.

"Lunch break!!" Shouted Pinkie as she and Fluttershy began handing out snacks to the workers.

"Plenty for every pony." Fluttershy said with a smile before returning with Pinkie to join their other friends for breakfast. All except one.

"Any pony seen Applejack?" Asked Twilight who was serving morning tea.

"Oh she's probably still keeping the new king company." Rarity replied before nibbling on a pastry.

In a tent just beyond the east wall, Wulfric laid in bed with his beloved mare after another night of passion as he held her close and kissed her forehead to gently wake her.

"Morning, your majesty." She teased slightly while snuggling up to her stag.

"Good morning." Wulfric replied before giving her a kiss and caressing her body.

"You were amazing last night."

"You weren't so bad yourself stud~."

The farm mare rolled herself on top as she stradled her lover and prepared for another session of love making while he gripped her breasts and kissed her passionately.

"So how did you like your surprise last night~?"

"I loved it. Especially when you showed me what you were wearing~."

In his right hand, Wulfric held a red laced bra with a mischievious grin before kissing his mare again and rolling on top of her. Applejack let out a slight giggle as he began to take charge and show his more aggressive side by groping her flank very firmly on both cheeks and biting down on her neck.

"I gotta ask Applejack, where did you get such naughty underwear?" He asked while rubbing her hind quarters.

"I asked Rarity for it. Told her about our special night~." She replied while enjoying the attention.

Before they could go any further, Applejack noticed the sun had just begun to rise and realized it was getting close to breakfast.

"Well I'd love to stay sugarcube but I got cookin' to do."

"No complaints. You and those bodacious hips of yours wore me out~." The chieftain complimented his mare with a kiss to her neck and a playful smack to her rump before allowing her to leave.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

After she finished dressing, Applejack joined her friends for breakfast and some quality time before helping around the fortress.

"Morning Applejack." Said Rarity with a friendly smile.

"Mornin' Rarity." Applejack replied as they continued to chat about the events that transpired after last nights feast.

"I trust everything went well last night?"

"Better than I hoped. He couldn't even keep his hands off me this morning." The farm mare boasted with a wink before helping take the dishes to the river to be washed. Rarity decided to help in hopes of getting more juicy details about her friends romantic evening and to help lighten the load while the rest of their friends returned to the fort.

"So how is the rest of your family doing Applejack?" Rarity inquired while rinsing a few pots and pans with her magic.

"They're doing great. Granny is a lively as ever and I may get a sister in law soon." Applejack responded with a grin.

"You mean Sugar Belle?"

"Eeyup."

"Well if you ever need wedding gowns, be sure to inform me." Rarity said with a wink before joining Applejack in a friendly laugh when a thought had crossed her mind.

"You know, with way you and Wulfric have been getting along so well, I should expect a proposal for you very soon."

The second she heard that, Applejacks face turned red as a fresh apple before dropping a plate into the river and startling a small fish that splashed her in the face.

"Are you alright darling?"

"I-I'm fine!" She stuttered while gathering the dishes and heading back to camp.

It wasn't long until the thoughts of marriage started to flood Applejacks mind as she began to picture herself in a wedding outfit with her and Wulfric standing in front of an altar as they said their vows in front of their friends and family. Her fantasy was cut short when she spotted him with Shining Armor in front of the command tent and from what she could tell, it appeared to be an important discussion as both he and Shining Armor called for the troops attention.

"Listen up men!" Shining shouted as they began to form a crowd in front of the tent.

"We just got word that General Wind Rider has returned from Saddle Arabia with the floating fortress of Cloudsdale."

It was no surprise that the troops were discouraged after hearing such news but not all seemed to be displeased.

"Good! I owe that jerk some serious payback for framing me!" Rainbow Dash shouted with a few fellow shield maidens cheering her on.

"So what's the plan?" Bronze Pommel asked with the soldiers repeating the same thing.

"Glad you asked." Wulfric replied as he stepped into the middle of the crowd.

"Our plan is this. We take half the army and occupy the town of Ponyville, now understand that we will be traveling by longboat since the airships are slower. Once we have taken the town, our next step is to delay the enemy by any means possible."

Though the plan seemed sound, not many were enthusiastic about taking on a flying fortress with an army of pegasai ready to swarm down upon them. It was at that point, when Shining Armor joined his friend in the center.

"Listen. I know many of you are scared and believe me, so am I but if we win this battle then we will be one step closer to taking back our home....many of us were there when the Crystal Empire fell and we have seen first hand the crimes Dainn has committed against our people...and his own."

The soldiers began nodding in agreement with their prince as Wulfric added to the speech.

"Make no mistake, this will be the greatest battle we've ever had and many of us will not make it but remember: We are fighting not only to dethrone a tyrant but to bring back peace, prosperity and freedom to this land!" He shouted with his sword raised high as the troops let out a short cheer.

"You saw how that bastard fled from me on the battlefield! He is a coward. He hides behind his stone walls and sellswords while good men die on the battlefield! He is not worthy to be a king, nor is he worthy of Valhalla! He knows how powerful we are and together-WE CAN WIN!!"

The cheering grew more tense as the troops began banging their shields and raising their weapons when Shining gestured for them to quiet down.

"Any soldier willing to go on this mission, report to Sergeant Quartz and prepare to move out. This time, we take the fight to the enemy!"

"VALHALLAAAAAAA!!!"

With that last war cry, the entire camp erupted in a thundering cheer with all knowing that the end of the war and Dainn Stonehoof's reign was in sight.

End.