When the sun rose on the rebel camp, the air was filled with tension. The soldiers had armed themselves to the teeth as they prepared to board the first wave of airships while the rest continued to prepare for the oncoming assault and atop a nearby hill stood Shining Armor and Marshall over the graves of their fallen soldiers.

"Did you know this warrior?" Marshall asked the prince as he looked upon the many nameless graves before them.

"No...But I know his story....all their stories....none of them ever think it'll end like this." Shining Armor replied as he placed his hand on one of the tombstones.

"We've lost so many comrades in this conflict...sons, daughters, husbands, wives...all warriors."

"Death is the fate of all warriors my prince. One that we too may soon share."

Though his words were true, Shining Armor clenched his halberd and stood tall while giving the warden a determined gaze in his eyes.

"That may be Marshall but as long as we live, we decide what our fate is."

Marshall smirked at his prince and nodded in agreement before they returned to camp to oversee the final preparations.

Meanwhile

The smiths of the camp were hard at work forging and repairing the armies weapons but none were more hard working as Big Macintosh. Each strike of his hammer rang out like a bell with perfect precision and while the red stallion preferred to be making farm tools instead of weapons, he knew that each sword, shield and armor made was helping to bring his friends one step closer to winning the final battle and defeating Dainn Stonehoof.

"Big Mac?" called out Sugar Belle who was carrying a refreshment tray.

"I brought you something to eat."

"Thanks hon." The stallion said happily before joining her for lunch but despite the scrumptous meal before her, Sugar Belle had barely taken a bite.

"Everything alright Sugar Belle?" Big Mac asked as she began to rub her stomach.

"I'm worried. I know you said you won't be fighting but I still don't like it." Sugar Belle admitted while leaning against him.

"I don't want to raise our baby alone."

"You won't."

Another voice said to the couple when they turned to see Wulfric carrying his claymore.

"I'll see that he is kept safe. It is the least I can do for one who will be my future brother in law." The chieftain said with a grin that made the red stallion feel a bit uneasy, being a big brother and all.

"So did she say yes?" Sugar Belle inquired.

"In a way, yes." Wulfric replied while looking away slightly after noticing an angry glare coming from Big Mac.

"Right. Now to business." He said after clearing his throat.

"The first wave of airships will be departing soon. Big Mac, you'll be joining the troops on the front so you better get fitted for your armor."

Big Mac nodded in agreement and headed straight for the supply tent while Wulfric kept his fiancé company and by midday, the entire army was gathered as Shining Armor gave a speech to the troops.

"Warriors! Of the Northlands and of Equestria. For too long we have suffered under the rule of Dainn Stonehoof! He has robbed us of our homes, our families...our very way of life and while our people suffer, he sits atop his stolen throne believing himself to be a savior but we know the truth! He is a murderer and a thief and today-WE WILL TAKE BACK WHAT HE HAS STOLEN!!"

The soldiers gave a rousing cheer as Wulfric joined him on the stand.

"Dainn calls himself a king....but a true king fights not just for himself but for his people! He fights for those who cannot fight for themselves and uses his power to make life better for his people! Not oppress and abuse them! Dainn stole his crown from those who rightfully deserved to wear it but I was given mine by you. My people...my clan...my family."

Wulfric paused only for a moment and looked upon his clansmen proudly before continuing.

"Which is why we will not lose this fight. We will march down the streets of Canterlot, we will tear down that bastards fortress! AND BRING BACK HIS HEAD ON A PIKE!!!"

The entire erupted in a thundering cheer, roused by the voice of their leaders as they boarded the ships and set sail for Canterlot. The soldiers waved goodbye to their friends and family down below, some with tears in their eyes for fear of seeing them for the last time while others focused their gaze on the city that was slowly coming into view.

Shining Armor stood at the bow of the leading flagship with his helmet at his side as he took in the view of the once great city he called home.

"It's been too long since I've seen this place..." The prince said to himself when Marshall decided to join him.

"My prince, The first waves are ready and all the cannons have been loaded."

"Good work Marshall. This is going to be one hell of a siege."

In the midst of their conversation, one of the ships was suddenly struck by a fireball and sent crashing to the ground below and the air was soon filled with flaming arrows. The enemies counterattack had begun.

"ALL HANDS TO STATIONS!! PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY LANDING!!" Shining Armor yelled over the terrified screams of the crew as the bombardment continued with more ships coming down.

"Port side! Run out the guns!!" Marshall shouted to the helmsman as the ships began to return fire.

Siege Landing

More than half the first wave was decimated by the bombardment, leaving only a handful of ships to establish a rallying point for the troops. The one in charge of this base was Princess Twilight who was doing her best to keep her soldiers organized while the rest of her friends helped with the siege.

"Get those ladders up fast!" Shouted Applejack who was hiding behind a shield wall from the flaming arrows.

"Get the wounded off the field NOW!!" Yelled Rainbow Dash as her team launched an aerial assault on the wall. Flyers on both sides of the field began falling to the ground like raindrops as the fighting grew more intense with every passing second.

"Wait a second...Where's Wulfric?" The farm mare asked after noticing he wasn't on the battlefield with her.

"He's leading the attack on the main gate!" One of the soldiers replied while hiding under his shield.

For a moment, Applejack began to worry for her future husband but quickly returned her focus to the battle as the first of the siege ladders were finally placed along the wall.

"Get your flanks up those ladders! MOVE IT!!"

Main Gate

Wulfric was one of the first to charge the main gate along with Shining Armor and Marshall as their troops began to batter it with a siege ram while the archers did their best to give them cover.

"Come on! We're almost through!!" Shining Armor shouted while using a magic barrier to shield his troops.

"PUT YOUR BACKS INTO IT BOYS!!" Marshall bellowed as the troops prepared for one last push when by a cruel twist of fate, one of the wheels on the battering ram broke off leaving the troops exposed to the arrows coming down from the gate as they tried to lift it.

"AGH! Dammit it's too heavy!"

"We gotta get out of here!!"

The crew was just about to make a break for it when Big Mac suddenly rushed passed the other soldiers and began to lift the ram himself as he shouted for the others to keep going.

"Come on! PUSH!!" The red stallion shouted as he strained himself under the weight.

"Uh...RIGHT!!"

The crew quickly took their positions alongside the ram and gave one final push that shattered the gate to splinters as the troops finally charged through.

Exhausted from the heavy lifting, Big Mac slumped under the archway of the gate while the rest of the army stormed into the city.

"Well done Big Mac." Marshall said with a hand placed on the exhausted stallions shoulder before joining his men in the attack.

"Push through to the castle! Evacuate ALL civilians!" Shining Armor yelled as the fighting began to fill the streets of Canterlot while amidst this chaos stood Wulfric who glared hatefully at the castle that held his prize.

"Stonehoof...."

Without a moment to spare, the chieftain and a handful of his best warriors charged their way towards the castle to claim Dainn Stonehoofs head.

The final battle was approaching.

End.