“Hey you! Yeah you! Fuck face!” screamed a light pink Pegasus mare as she fiercely gripped the iron bars in her hooves. Her wings were bound and clipped. “You suck! You stupid bucking sky rat!”

“What’d you say you little shit?!” shouted a guard.

“Big stupid sky rat!” the mare continued to shout. “How such a bucking ugly piece of shit like you caught one of Pegasopolis’ finest will forever haunt me!”

Two Thestral guards approached the cell aggressively. One had a keyring in his wing claws. The mare began to take a few steps away from the bars.

“Oh by the sky you are ugly!” she exclaimed. The other prisoners began to back away to the side, leaving a clear obvious path to the mare. “How such a misbegotten creature such as you crawled out of the caves is beyond me.” she continued to taunt, backing up further into the cell.

The guard’s didn’t even hesitate, the one with the keys began to fumble them.

“Come here you shitstain!” the other grumbled. The other prisoners had backed as far as they could away from the doomed mare.

“Inbred vermin! Blood sucking parasites!” the mare continued to chant. “Disgusting leeches! Your line is so filthy it must’ve been born of the first shit!” By now she had bumped into the back wall of the cell.

The guards began to growl as the keys were placed in the lock.

“You misbegotten maggots of the earth are so ugly I wouldn’t be surprised if you refused to screw your own kind to procreate!”

The guards had gotten the door open and were beginning to rush towards the mare. One stood by the door, letting his partner enter the cell while he watched from outside, but he was mad enough to be wanting to rush in and join.

“Your bloodline might as well be the misbegotten offspring of a full latrine!” The mare continued to rant.

The Guard in the cell rushed forward.

“No wonder you need to drink blood! You’re so inbred your veins are full of spring water!”

The second, outside guard was almost inside the cell.

Eh. Good enough.

I let the adhesive spell on my hooves go, standing almost upside down on the wall above the cell door.

The Moon’s Blessing burst into life near my head.

And I fell towards the ignorant guard.

His eyes began to look up, but didn’t even have time to widen before I landed around his neck, the glowing silver knife already beginning to get uncomfortably close to his neck.

My hoof wrapped over his mouth and muffled his grunt as the knife slipped in.

The other guard had stopped paying attention to the insulting Pegasus and the realization that he was no longer safe began to dawn in his eyes.

“G-” He tried to call out, but the mare behind him had pounced. She was already wrapping her hooves over his mouth and windpipe.

The guards were, according to Saros, Halfbloods. And thus no more immortal than the average pony peasant. Which was odd to me, as the tales of the Bat- Thestrals always said they were all unaging and immortal. But stories had a habit of making mountains out of molehills I supposed... But on the other hoof... I couldn’t rely on the idea that supposed rumored knowledge was always exaggerated and thus unable to be fully trusted. Especially for such a dangerous foe as Lord Bloodmoon. It was far better to overestimate than to underestimate an opponent.

This made my plan a tiny bit easier than I was expecting. Minor Vampires acting as guards, rising again from the grave after being put down, would not be missed.

The guard I straddled rolled his eyes and sighed his last.

The guard’s, who was being smothered still by the rude Pegasus, eyes widened as he saw the mythical knife pull out of his friend’s neck. He began to kick briefly to free himself. I leapt off my victim’s neck and rushed forward to silence the restrained guard.

Before I knew it, the arcane blade was inside his throat, and the life began to fade from his eyes.

“Here Saros, take their armor. You’ll be able to pretend to be a guard escorting us around." Saros wordlessly began to help me strip the armor off the dead pony. “Here Fyrefly.” I began to help the former Pegasopolian Warhero remove the armor off the other one. She had been in here for a long time, getting her wings clipped several times, and was slowly steaming over the years. Doomed to someday explode from righteous rage. I had reservations about the loyalty of the former legionnaire, but she assured me she had gathered, and lost, too many friends in these walls to not appreciate the other tribes.

My plan was not one I liked... In a prison break, you have several goals and methods to accomplish getting free. Run straight for the exit, acquire a weapon and try and fight your way out, etcetera. To do those things, it was best to stick together. It minimized the chances of being found, and allowed the prisoners to mob their captors.

But I wasn’t here to escape quite yet. There was a pony who owned something very valuable that he really, really, shouldn’t own and he really, really, really needed to die.

So that meant we needed to be as hard to find as possible. And that meant maximum chaos. Saros and Fyrefly were to 'escort' me to the armory, to gather weapons from the barracks. The others would go their separate ways, to tip over every potted plant they thought they could get away with to distract as many guards as possible. All while Saros, Fyrefly, and I rearmed and left to confront the Lord. With him gone, “Bloodstone”, the name of the Fortress City, would fall apart without their vampiric patriarch holding the Purebloods together. Not only mythically as far as the Moon was concerned, which I kept secret; but because the Pureblood’s noble houses were kept at each other’s throats in a never ending bid for Lord Bloodmoon’s favor.

An old prehistoric Unicornian proverb that I had read in one of Starswirl's books.

In chaos, opportunity.

It would not take long after going after my true goal that they would figure I would have a real chance of killing the Lord of this pit. And that could be enough to stay their hooves until they were sure the best chance they have in taking power was after he was truly slain.

And that would mean Lord Bloodmoon would be without allies.

Alone.

Abandoned.

Vulnerable.

And the very ones who abandoned him, the Pureblood Vampiric Thestrals, would realize their last mistake far too late.

But first we had to find Bloodmoon’s amulet. The one he kept in his quarters at all times.

For that we needed everypony as a distraction.

I had passed out various jars of garlic to the rioters from our cell. And a few of them grinned maliciously. Additionally, I pried off restrainer rings off Unicorns and unbinded the Pegasi. But other than that, I gave no one else instructions. I knew a few were likely spies or at least a few who thought they’d survive longer in the cell if the rest of us were all eaten first.

But I knew a few would believe that I would save them all if I gave out a plan. But that wasn’t the case, because I was using them as bait in one of the most dangerous places for Ponykind. There could be no guarantee I would save them all even if I did succeed.

So I let them organize amongst themselves. I didn’t want to give them too much hope in me, I wouldn’t be able to handle the thought that I willingly sent them to their deaths, just to keep myself safe while I accomplished my potentially selfish goal.

And end this insanity as I did so.

I left them behind knowing many of them were about to die.

Just to buy me time.

Without telling them.

I hated myself as Saros and Fyrefly closed the door behind us. All they, and our cell mates, knew; was that I was after something in the Lord’s Quarters. A weapon to finally kill him. However the only reason I told them that much was because I needed Saros’ and Fyrefly‘s help to get there. And I wouldn’t lie to them about it being a way out. And there wasn’t really a good way to hide that fact from the rest. The less ponies that knew what direction I was going, the more likely I was to succeed because recaptured ponies couldn’t provide information on what they didn’t know.

“Left.” Saros grunted, trying to sound mean, but not mean enough to be taken seriously by someone who knew what he really was doing.

I banished the Moon’s Blessing and bowed my head to the floor, trying to appear meek and broken. Evidently, the amount of guards around the prisons were a façade. Only the two left in charge of the dungeons were guarding the door, inside and out. And they were the corpses sitting inside our cell. I wasn’t sure if it was dumb luck or if it was the laziness that stereotypically came with being a slaver, but I was thankful for the opportunity.

The halls were surprisingly empty. Or at least we weren’t challenged. The night seemed to press on the light cast by the soft candles, offering many hiding places for guards to hide. The Tattered red banners seemed to flutter slightly in an unfelt breeze.

It was quiet…

Far too quiet…

And yet nothing came out from the shadows.

“Left.” Saros stated quietly, also clearly unsettled by the uneasy environment. I felt the urge to ask how he knew where to go, but I had already put too much trust in him to not rely on him. And if he was a spy? Perhaps then I’d be taken directly to Lord Bloodmoon.

I probably wouldn’t survive, but I’d be taking the whole Kingdom down with me.

“Right.” Saros said again. “Stand to the side wretch!” he cruelly exclaimed.

I jumped to the side and tried to act small. Our first encounter since leaving the dungeon marched by. A contingent of guards around a mare wearing a blood red dress with black trim walked by. She looked hellishly gaunt with a dark crimson mane, and a coat that was deathly pale white. A few guards cast a quick, hungry glance down at me, but otherwise continued to stare professionally forward.

The mare in the crimson dress suddenly stopped.

“Wait.” she stated. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her sniff the air.

“Something is… Wrong.” she drawled in an accent I couldn’t place, refined and well mannered. She turned towards us. “You three don’t smell how you should be…” she began to stalk towards us. Her guards began to glare angrily at us. “Hmmm…” she hummed, leaning in to examine us. Thankfully, Fyrefly happened to be on the far side of the Vampire noble. So the pale mare at least smelled Saros first. And while I imagined he didn’t smell ‘good’, he was still at least a Thestral.

She was about to turn to me when something exploded in the distance.

“Nightfang! Windspite!” she barked, turning towards the sound “Check the credentials of these three. Something is afoot and I’m dying to slake my thirst right now.” With her orders given, she began to slink towards the far away noise. All but two of the retinue followed their mistress. Nightfang and Windspite I presumed.

“You there! Trooper! Let me see your cred-” he began when the Pureblood swiftly stalked away. As soon as I figured she was out of hearing range, my horn glowed.

CRACKCRACK!

Nightfang and Windspite fell to the ground, their necks bent at unnatural angles. Saros had been very clear. The Halfbloods who served in the castle directly were very loyal to their Pureblood retainers.

“Oh damn.” Fyrefly muttered. “Figured you’d at least let us stall for a second.”

“No, we’ve got to move and your disguises aren’t good enough to stand up to too much scrutiny.”

“Lady Morgue Rose is a minor Pureblood. Fifth generation.” Saros concurred. “If she stopped us, Lord Bloodmoon won’t be fooled at all.”

I took the time during the conversation to lift up both bodies with my telekinesis and push them out the glassless window.

“How much farther?” I asked.

“I’m leading you towards the armory. A stache of all the weapons and armor stolen from to-be heroes that the Purebloods can’t use.”

“Oh good, I’ll get to die in my own armor.” Fyrefly cheerfully stated.

“How do you know- Nevermind. Let’s go.” Saros decided, starting to run down the hall. Fyrefly and I didn’t argue, and we followed.

More loud noises began to sound behind us. Explosions and the maniacal laughter of a merry bomber could be heard echoing throughout the castle. Something screamed in an unnaturally high and loud voice as another explosion roared.

“Sonuvabitch.” Fyrefly whistled. “He survived.”

“What-?” I began

“When I was first taken, I was in charge of a Pegsopolian Raiding Party." Fyrefly began to explain. "We got ambushed in the night and a few of us were taken. My demolition expert, Sergeant Breaking Wind, was the best madstallion grenadier I’ve ever seen. Thought he kicked the bucket.” Fyrefly shrugged. “No idea how he’s causing those explosions though.” she admitted nervously. I chuckled quietly, but didn’t respond.

“We’re here!” Saros exclaimed, stopping outside a door.

“I’ll get it.” I stated, igniting my horn. A blue glow wrapped itself around the fortified door. I grunted briefly, and tossed the door aside as it came loose.

“... I’m not sure I want to know how strong your magic is.” Fyrefly muttered.

I didn’t respond as I summoned the Moon’s Blessing, flashing it brightly inside the room.
“Aaaagh!” a voice screamed from inside. That’s all I needed to know, I rushed inside while they were still distracted. Another stallion sat at a desk nearly in front of the door. I was on him in an eyeblink, the Moon’s Blessing flashing in the dark.

“Wait!” Saros exclaimed.

The edge of the Moon’s Blessing stopped only half an inch away from the stallion’s neck. His yellow eyes were wide with fear under his fanged helmet.

“Friend of yours I imagine?” I asked, staring the frightened Thestral down.

“In a sense…” Saros murmured. “Good to see you brother. I see you were well rewarded for turning me in.”

Oh…

“Do I stick him or-?” I asked hesitantly.

“No! Don’t kill me please!” the stallion begged. “You were right Saros! I regretted my actions not a week after you were taken away! I’m sorry!”

I couldn’t tell if he was lying or not, so I glanced over at our Thestral compatriot for guidance.

“If you think he’ll raise the alarm on us I have no problem killing him.” I told Saros.

An innocent Pony was one thing.

A traitor was another.

The disguised Thestral rubbed his chin in thought. Fyrefly ignored us and rushed to one of the many racks of armor and weapons in the storage room.

“Come to momma!” she squeed.

“... Keep him alive.” Saros decided after a moment. “I’m not sure if I believe him, but he could prove useful somehow. Be ready to put him down if he turns on us though.”

“Understood.” I got off the stallion.

“Thank you Saros… Thank you…” the unnamed stallion must’ve been holding his breath, because he began to pant for air.

“Don’t thank me yet. Even if we get out of this mess in one piece, you’re going to need to earn your forgiveness.” Saros all but growled.

The sounds of armor hitting the floor and a giggling Fyrefly tickled my ears. I glanced over to see the mare half dressed in the Thestral armor, and half dressed in Pegasopolian armor that looked to be heavily modified. It looked like somepony had asked themselves how to be as heavily armored as possible, but still be able to fly. The oddest part however was the very last portion. When Fyrefly had finally gotten free of the Thestral armor and gotten all of the conventional Pegsopolian plate into place, she pulled out what seemed to be a mass of metal ribbons. To my confusion, she acted as if this wasn’t a surprise and began to thread the ribbons into ports on her barrel, through loops along her limbs, to finally be anchored again on her greives. When she was done, she looked like someone had decided to partially mummify a fully armored Pegasi with metal linens.

And then she started sparking with electricity.

“Hehehehehehehehe…” she giggled manically, sparks shooting between her hooves as she tapped them together.

“Wha-” I began.

“Don’t worry about me.” I could no longer see her face, but her grin was obvious. “I’ve been waiting a long time to give these shit stains a proper taste of Pegasopalis. You guys do what you came to do. I have scores I need to settle.” And just like that she rushed out the door. The smell of a lightning bolt not yet unleashed trailed.

“Wait! We might ne-” I tried to stop her. But it was too late.

“Come on you leeches! Let me show you how we party in Pegasopolis!” she exclaimed angrily. A moment later, the whole castle was rocked by the deafening strike of lightning and thunder, and a bright light shone through the semi open door.

BOOOOOOOM!

When my ears stopped ringing, the faint sound of a cackling Pegasus who could only be in her daredevil element could be heard all over the castle. Occasionally punctuated with another crash of thunder and a bolt of lightning.

“Fyrefly you absolute fool.” I murmured out loud, but mostly to myself. “May the wind under your wings never falter.” I stated, repeating the Pegasopalian mantra I had heard my soldiers mutter to their fallen comrades.

No more time could be spent. The Purebloods would now know their stash of legendary weapons was compromised. They would be here in minutes if not seconds.

I pulled the first chainmail shirt I saw over my head and grabbed every Unicornian and Earth Pony weapon I could find in my telekinesis. But the silver light of the Moon’s Blessing faded as I banished it.

It would not do if I revealed my winning hoof anymore than I already had.

“Come on, they’ll be on us if we stay here much longer.” I informed the two Thestrals as I too left the armory. Both of their eyes boggled at the amount of weapons I held with ease.

“... I really don’t want to know how strong your magic is.” Saros stated, mirroring the absent Fyrefly’s opinion.

“If you two want to follow me, I wouldn’t be opposed to it. But if you have any favors or friends you can call on, now would be the time.” I ignored them, poking my head out of the door.

“I- Uh…” the unnamed stallion stammered sheepishly. “I may have continued building Saros’ rebellion…”

“Gibus! You mean-” Saros exclaimed.

“Yeah…” ‘Gibus’ rubbed the back of his neck. “You were right. I shouldn’t have listened to the Pureblood’s lies…”

The clank of armor plating could be heard around a corner.

“We’re out of time guys. Do what you will, but I’m needed elsewhere.” With that I ducked out of the room. I didn’t hear any fighting behind me, so ‘Gibus’ may have been telling the truth. But I didn’t have the time to be comforted. A patrol of enthralled Halfbloods rounded the corner into this hall.

Smirking grimly, I opened my secret pocket and pulled out the last jar of garlic I had left. An Earth Pony battle ax floated before me. It being chosen because of the lanyard on its handle.

The Thestrals at the end of the hall stood in shock at my audacity. Their jaws doing their best to hit the floor.

I tied a bundle of the garlic into the ax’s lanyard.

I was as prepared as I could reasonably hope for.

“Come on! Show me what passes as valor for your misbegotten kind!” I shouted in challenge to the patrol. All of the weapons in my grasp began to orbit above and in front of me, almost like a wood workers drill. The battle ax floated near my head.

I didn’t give them an opportunity to respond as I charged forward.

Blood, and the sound of my own voice, roared in my ears.

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