In the last days of summer, the rebel army began to make preparations for the final march towards Canterlot as the smiths worked day and night to repair and reforge the armor and weapons needed while the ship crews began loading huge amounts of cargo onto their vessels.

"Let' move it! Pick up the pace!" An officer shouted while helping to load up the crates of food and supplies into the ships hold as crews kept bringing in one shipment after the next.

In another part of the camp were the armies soldiers being refitted with new armor and weapons while being given their daily rations for the long journey.

"So we're finally heading back home." Said one soldier as he strapped on his breastplate.

"After all this time..." Said another while looking at this reflection in a shield.

Many of the soldiers began to wonder what coming home would be like after the war was over while others focused on sharpening their blades and preparing themselves for the upcoming fight.

"So what do you think will happen once the king is defeated?" Asked one of the soldiers who was polishing his helmet.

"What else? Celestia and the other princesses get back into power, restore our government and we go back to living peacefully." Answered the one behind him.

"Okay but what about the warborn? you think they'll keep their promise and just return home? I mean they are vikings after all."

It wasn't long before the whole garrison began to have the same thoughts about their viking allies, while they did help them throughout the war, not many of the Equestrian soldiers were thrilled about siding with the same race that helped take over their homeland. Some even thought that the whole rebel alliance was just a trick to get their enemies to lower their guard so that Shining Armor and The Elements of Harmony could take them out when they least expected it.

"I bet the prince will order their new "King" to pledge his loyalty to Equestria or risk open war."

"You think the prince would really do that?"

"Why wouldn't he? I mean you really think he's gonna just let em take what they want and head back home? Just watch, he's gonna force those warborn to work for us."

Meanwhile

In the command tent, the rebel leaders had been going over the plans they had made to seize Ponyville with Shining Armor handling the debriefing with Wulfric and Chrysalis.

"Alright. let's go over the battle plans one more time." Shining began the debriefing as he pointed out key checkpoints throughout the town.

"Once the longboats reach the town, our first step would be to secure a beach head for our troops and supplies. Thanks to Princess Luna's spies, we know that the area by the riverside is hardly guarded so it will be a while before the enemy can mount a proper defense." The prince then stepped aside to let Wulfric explain the assault tactics of their plan as he pointed to the town square.

"Once we've secured the shore, my raiders and I will charge straight for the town square where we can use the town hall for a watch tower. Putting some archers and artillery will probably help give us a slight advantage."

"And that is where my children come in." Chrysalis interjected while fanning herself.

"Crafty Dodger will take the market along with a squad of his best warriors. From there, we can secure a place for the civilians and any who surrender. The only thing to worry about is General Wind Rider arriving ahead of time."

"That's where I come in."

It was at that moment when Princess Ember walked in fully armored from head to toe with a proud smirk on her face as she explained her plan to delay Wind Rider.

"My troops will set up a small camp just beyond the hills near Ponyville. With any luck, the enemy will spot us and focus all their efforts on trying to wipe us out but we'll have a little surprise." She paused for a moment to give a little dramatic effect to her plan.

"Go on." Said Wulfric as she began to explain the details.

"During our march into Equestria, my troops came across a band of mercenaries looking for work and after seeing their skills, we decided to hire them. They should be here soon."

As the meeting went on, the band of mercenaries that Ember mentioned had begun to make their way into the camp with all eyes focusing on their leader who was a young female griffon armored from top to bottom. Even her wings were plated with metal as they clattered with each step.

It was when the leader spotted Rainbow Dash, that things began to take an interesting turn.

"Hey Dash!!" She shouted to the pegasus who instantly recognized her voice.

"GILDA!!" Rainbow Dash shouted while running towards her old friend with a welcoming hug as they sat by the nearest fire to have a chat.

"So what are you doing here?" Rainbow asked while handing her friend some water to quench her thirst.

"Oh you know, merc stuff. Got hired by a wealthy client, took the job and here I am with my crew." Gilda replied before chugging down some water and looking at the warborn raiders around the camp.

"What's with all these caribou?" Gilda asked as they passed by a few raiders.

"They're on our side, don't worry." Rainbow replied as she started to tell her old friend of her journey's with the rebel army while listening to a few of Gilda's stories in return and before they knew it the two of them were sitting by a fire, having a meal and exchanging stories like old war veterans.

"So Dash. What are ya gonna do after this war is over?" Asked Gilda who began chugging down a cup of cider.

"You know...I never thought about that." Dash replied while staring at her reflection in the mud.

She had never thought of what she would do after the war she could still get her old job at the weather factory back but then there was her Wonderbolt career which would probably be restored once Celestia and the other princesses were back in power. However, it would be a long time before she would get back in the air since her wings had been severely weakened from lack of use.

"Well I know what I'm gonna do. Hit Las Pegasus baby!" Gilda shouted with her crew cheering in agreement when she spotted Shining Armor and Wulfric heading to the river to prepare their ships.

"I take it that's the boss of these bucks?" She asked while examining him.

"Yup, that's Wulfric. He'll be leading the first wave of the attack along with me and my friends."

At that moment, Rainbow's gaze turned to her short spear gleaming in the fires glow and began to picture herself in battle against the very savages that robbed her of her hometown and who made her friends suffer for over a year as they destroyed everything she loved.

"It'll be nice to see the frightened look on those Stonehooves when we show up with an army." Said Gilda interrupting her train of thought as her friend smiled in agreement.

"I hear that."

The friends then raised their mugs in a toast to a successful raid and chugged down their ciders before letting out two loud belches that earned some cheers from the troops as well as a few laughs.

Meanwhile

While the rest of the camp was busy preparing for the raid, the members of the Apple Family had just gotten some big news from Sugar Belle. She and Big Macintosh were going to have their first child.

The news of course was shocking to everyone, especially Big Mac who sat on the ground completely stunned while his beloved mare placed his hand on her belly with a slight blush to her cheeks and a warm smile.

"I'm gonna be a daddy..." The stallion said to himself as a smile began to creep on his face while his sisters hugged Sugar Belle from both sides with laughter and happy faces.

"I'm gonna be an auntie! I'm gonna be an auntie!!" Applebloom shouted giddily while hopping around the tent.

"Congrats big brother!" Said Applejack with a firm slap to her big brothers back as he continued to sit there completely shocked.

"Big Mac? Are you okay?" Sugar Belle asked after noticing her coltfriend had not moved a muscle.

"Okay? I'm better than okay!" He finally answered before hugging her tight around her neck.

"You just made me the happiest stallion in all Equestria."

Hearing those words made Sugar Belle cry tears of joy as she snuggled closer to her stallion and before long, the entire camp was up in celebration of the upcoming birth. Music played, laughter filled the air and everyone was feasting and drinking with their comrades.

"Attention y'all! I'd like to make a toast!" Applejack shouted as the noise quieted down for a moment.

"A toast to Big Mac, Sugar Belle and their baby. May all of you have the happiest of times in the days ahead. To family!"

"TO FAMILY!!" The soldiers shouted with their mugs raised high as the music and chatter resumed.

"Now we have an even better reason to fight." Said Shining Armor who was seated with the other leaders at the table.

"The sooner we win this war, the sooner Big Mac and his family can have a better future for their child."

"And yours. Twilight told me the news." Wulfric added with a smile and a glass raised to his friend who smiled in return.

By mornings light, the troops were fed, sober and ready to sail out with the first wave of the attack and none were more eager than Princess Twilight and her friends who were boarding the first ship along with Gilda's mercenary band.

"Be careful Twily." Shining said to his little sister before letting go of her hand.

"You all remember the plan?" Asked Sergeant Quartz after boarding the ship.

"Once the attack starts, our troops will set up a forward command base using the second ship of the first wave." Twilight replied with her friends Rarity and Rainbow Dash explaining the other details of the plan.

"Then we light a fire to signal Wulfrics troops to begin the second attack."

"After that, we push to the town square to secure a safe zone for the civilians."

After an approving nod of the head, the sergeant gave the signal for the crews to let loose the sails of the ships with Embers dragon troops providing the wind speed needed to increase their pace.

"Today we sail to war! And to victory!!" Marshall shouted with his black sword raised high as the troops let out a mighty shout that seemed to make the skies tremble. Even Princess Luna could not help but smile as the ships began to move down river and slowly fade out of sight.

"Sister....please hold on."

End.