Celestia's carriage glided across the sky towed by a team of pegasi and flanked by a small swarm of guards. Another small force had been sent well in advance to Tall Tale to make certain all security measures were in place not that it was necessary. It had been two weeks since the invitation arrived and still Luna refused to accompany her on the journey insisting on manning her post in Canterlot to the bitter end.

Luna's lapse back into her old ways was deeply concerning, they had both agreed long ago to bury that ancient past and be better than that, ponies truly worth aspiring too. Another lapse long ago had resulted in a thousand years of banishment but the damage had been minimal and quickly forgotten. Now it was happening all over again.

Looking out the window watching the Unicorn Range in the distance Celestia prayed that her sister would not grasp onto their past once more and allow that ancient murderous rage to overtake her. She understood how her sister felt though, a thousand years banished to the moon only to return and find that just after being accepted it was slipping away again.

Celestia could only imagine how maddening it must be for her but in a few days it would all be over. All the ponies needed was assurance that this was not the beginning of the end and Silverblood had been quick to head off discontent and offer up a chance to reconcile the various injured parties to ensure harmony would prevail. A tiny part of her did scream however but it was a part of her that was better left buried with the past.

There was nothing to learn from such ancient history after all, it was the past and held no bearing on anypony in the present and it should stay that way. Locked up and forgotten for all time. Better to focus purely on the good in her fellow ponies and the future than dwell on matters that were settled so long ago.

A pegasi flew up to her window for a moment and announced they were within sight of the city and would be landing within the hour at Silverblood's private mansion where the meeting and press conference would take place followed by a small party of select guests. Security was already provided and would serve to allow her to view the new "Noble Armies" that had sprung up.

Frankly it sounded utterly boring and dull. The real entertainment right now was back in Canterlot as her sister ruled the throne room with an iron fist no doubt howling threats and insults at terrified nobles. Oh well, she would fix all that when they got back.

With a soft bump the carriage landed and rolled slowly to a halt outside a grandiose mansion on the far edge of Tall Tale. A security detail was already waiting but dressed in tabards that marked them as Silverblood's private army.

Stepping from the carriage and exchanging a few words with her lieutenant Celestia was quickly led into the mansion's interior where a small group of nobles had already gathered a day ahead of schedule. Rushing to her they began to babble away about unimportant matters trying to curry favor. The next two days would be very long indeed.

"What do you mean its GONE!?"

"Princess... The Crystal heart is missing and several guards were found unconscious early this morning. We have no idea who stole it or where they are! No train has arrived nor left the station either-"

"What about tracks? Surely there is a trail somewhere in the snow!"

Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had been eating breakfast in the royal dining hall when a guard had burst inside, both were early risers and they had hardly a chance to eat when the disturbing news arrived in a rush of panic. Shining Armor was already thinking desperately of a way to figure out a solution, without the Crystal Heart it was only a matter of time before the icy north would overrun the city.

"None my prince..."

"Impossible! There has to be something you missed!"

The panicked guard became more flustered as both royals argued with him being the center of attention. Shaking under the weight of their questions and yelling Cadence calmed the situation down after a few minutes.

"Alright. We need to send a message to Canterlot at once, warn Celestia and Luna... No wait Celestia is in Tall Tale... Luna will have to be informed then. Oh and send a message to Twilight at once!"

"What about the citizens?" The guard was looking worried.

"Tell them it is being polished! Seal off the castle to any guests... Did any of the guards who were attacked remember anything?"

"They are still unconscious princess..."

Slumping back in her seat Cadence looked to her husband for any ideas but got a grim shake of the head.

"Alright. Lets get the letters written and sent then."

"It was a pleasure having you here princess. I am sorry you could not stay longer but the pressures of leadership are indeed heavy."

Silverblood handed a glass of wine to Celestia with a smile and received one in return.

"Luna has me a little worried and she was supposed to send a telegram this morning but it never arrived..."

"Ah well. You will be home in a few days and find out! A toast then to a successful meeting and conclusion to events."

They raised their glasses and a soft *clink* sounded before they both drank.

"This is very good but a little odd. What wine is this?"

*Hah!* "Very ancient wine, very ancient. So old the label is long gone but it is many centuries old. Been passed down for a special occasion and I believe today warranted popping the bottle open!"

Celestia took another long sip of the wine.

"It was a pleasure to visit you and dissuade any public fears. I had always thought you were rather... Oh dear I do not want to use the word but "hostile" towards me."

"Indeed it is true. However I understand you are only doing what you believe is best for the citizens of Equestria and while I do not agree with you all the time that does not mean we should fight each other."

"Thank you. Now I must be go-"

Celestia staggered a moment.

"Are you alright princess?!"

"Yes. Yes I am fine, I think the past two days have worn me down somewhat."

"Lets get you a chair to sit on then for a few minutes to regain your strength. Best not fall down on your way out."

He led Celestia off to a side room and helped her to sit down. Within a few moments the princess was sound asleep and poking his head back out the door called quietly and two servants quickly brought him a bag.

"Alright. Just as planned, take this bottle and mix it in with the barrel of wine very well then serve it to her guards. Tell them she fell asleep and I do not want her disturbed for a few hours. Oh and if a few "insist" on seeing her allow them in but no more than two or three!"

Nodding the servants departed quickly and Silverblood walked over to a table and opened the bag and removed a few items from within laying them out. Soldiers arrived a few seconds later bearing the markings of Steelshod and took their positions inside flanking the door, waiting for their guests should they come to check on their princess.

Returning to Celestia's sleeping form he looked her over quietly and began to attach the various chains, rings, choker and braces to her sleeping form. It took a little effort as she slowly slipped from the chair but soon she was sealed up quite well and harmless as a newborn filly. Now whether or not Steelshod's tools would do their job and keep her subdued until he sent for her was another matter.

Minutes passed and soon a servant returned announcing a lieutenant wanted a word with him. Nodding the young mare stepped into the room and went wide eyed seeing Celestia sprawled out on the floor but before she could act the doors were shut behind her as the soldiers skewered her with their swords.

Blood rushed onto the fine carpet and Silverblood grimaced at the sight.

"Should have changed the carpet to a cheaper one..."

He approached the twitching body and used a hoof to roll her over and stared into the lieutenants burning eyes as anger and rage faded slowly as the life drained from her.

"WELL! That is that then!"

Silverblood clapped his hands and left the room to see about the welfare of his other guests. Soldiers were busy dragging bodies away while others prepared the carriage for flight.

"Sire! The carriage is prepared as you ordered and wagons will carry the guards to the drop site. Everything is ready to proceed."

He looked at Steelshod's officer a moment before nodding and returning to Celestia. It was a damn fine plan he had to admit. Stage a fake meeting, drug the lot of them and bind Celestia's magic while a smaller force "mopped up." Carriage and guards alike would be hauled away from the area and into the direct path of the oncoming army.

Throats cut and bodies left thrown around it would look as if they were overcome and killed protecting Celestia when her carriage was blown from the air. The real reason though was to remove any kind of blame against the nobles, they had no part in this what so ever after all! Celestia was in her OWN military corridor protected by her own forces that just so happened to fail at the one critical moment when she needed them most.

Of course, by the time HE found out about this dastardly plot it was far too late. She was gone and the army had taken the train to Canterlot with princess in tow. Oh well. Celestia failed once more so all the more reason to accept the new king and in his benevolence Celestia and Luna would live as his "wives."

He snickered at the thought. No doubt they would howl about how they were set up but them being locked away and used against one another as leverage it would be no issue to keep their mouths shut. Also Steelshod assured him it would also keep any pesky "revolutionaries" from taking up arms for if they did well... Punishment would be in order for Celestia and Luna.

They would hate and despise their new king and his order but they would learn to accept it, after all he was not really interested in rocking the boat. Steelshod was from a long line of conquerors and Equestria had eluded them over a millennia ago. Now he was going to finish the job and the nobles could either join and enjoy the fruits of victory along with increased power as was their right as noble born or die.

Smiling Silverblood sat at his desk and quickly wrote out a message on the scroll provided by Steelshod's agent after exchanging a few words. Everything was falling into place nicely.

"Mission Accomplished. Proceed."

"Fluttershy, darling, we mustn't be late!"

Rarity and Fluttershy hurried along the street to their destination. The tickets were very specific on time and place but they were running quite a bit behind schedule since Fluttershy wanted to help some furry little critters.

While this sweetness was very endearing to Rarity it made her antsy about getting there faster. One does not keep a noble waiting, after all they had both been invited there specifically by name to help pick out a line of fashion which Fluttershy would model before the decision was made.

Fluttershy had not wanted to go having left modeling behind her but was easily convinced to go since it would boost Rarities band name. It was a little strange at first getting the letter but it made sense in the end. One a famous designer the other model of the year. Between the two of them the noble in question would be able to see the fabulous clothing but also see it modeled.

Reaching the building they were stopped by two guards but pulling their invitations out they were quickly ushered inside.

"You are very late Miss Rarity!"

Rarity stiffened up at the accusing voice to her right, Lady Emerald was tapping a hoof and looking very displeased.

"I apologize bu-"

"Enough! Now hurry up!"

Leading the way Emerald left the room quickly with Rarity and Fluttershy tailing behind. A few turns as doors were opened and closed they arrived in a large circular room where Emerald stood facing them waiting.

"Begin."

"Yes of cou-"

Rarities words were cut off as something struck her on the back of the head. The floor rose up to meet her as she slumped forward landing with a soft thud. Fluttershy had little time to react before she too was knocked out by one of the guards.

"You may enter now!"

Steelshod's agent stepped into the room and checked the bodies before nodding and instructed the guards to bind them up while he placed a ring over Rarities horn.

"I will send for them tonight. Until then keep them locked up and sedated until instructed otherwise."

Lady Emerald glared at the agent for a minute before sighing.

"What about the other three?"

"Celestia's spies are to be put to death immediately. Do you have them?"

"Yes of course I do! Never expected one of my own kitchen servants to be a spy..."

The agent gave a fake smile.

"Of course not. Now kill them and have the bodies buried after dark no less than twenty miles out in the forest. Understood?"

"Yes!"

Her word was more a long hiss than speech as her fury rose at being ordered around by a lower born but to make matters worse he only smiled at her and left.

"What do you mean the telegraph lines are out?!"

"We do not understand ourselves Princess Luna! Teams are already being dispatched as I speak to check the lines and fix whatever break's there may be!"

Luna was outraged. First her message had never garnered a response and sending another resulted in the same, then one was sent to the Crystal Empire with the same result. Buried deep inside her a beast screamed and howled wanting out, something was going horribly wrong but her sister would never let her live it down should she listen to that inner voice.

Tapping a finger on the arm of the throne Luna stared out and rocked her head from side to side slowly as her ethereal mane bent and twisted with the motion.

"Send a flight of pegasi to Tall Tale and the Crystal Empire at once... Another to Ponyville and warn Twilight that the lines are out and to exercise some caution... Send her the fourth battalion as well. They must be on the train before morning, seize one if you have too. Raven, quill and ink."

One of her officers snapped to attention quickly and ran from the room while the overseer of the telegraph lines bowed and departed just as quickly. Luna quickly scrawled out one message after another sending the first off to her sister in a puff of magic, another to Cadence the same before finally writing out a much longer one to Princess Twilight.

There was no doubt the sudden arrival of an entire battalion would be most unwelcome by the Princess of "Friendship" but there would be no arguing. They would be under order to remain till Luna personally recalled them and that all of this was just a precaution on her part. It would not be the first time in Equestria's long history an enemy tried to blind them before striking.

Twilight watched nervously as the fourth battalion disembarked from the train dragging with them everything needed to wage war against a small country. At first she had argued with Colonel Bright Lance but he simply handed her a scroll from Luna, it was out of her hands.

The Fourth would be camping around her castle and digging their hooves in against an enemy that did not exist and only scare the bejezus out of the local ponies. One thousand soldiers from Luna's private army would be taking over control of everything until further notice and Twilight was forbidden from leaving without a full company accompanying her wherever she went.

"Colonel... Could you at least let Mayor Mare keep control of the town? Please? You are making everypo-"

"NO. I have my orders and my gut tells me something bigger is going on. When I departed no response had come from Celestia nor the Crystal Empire yet. Luna knows what she is doing and you need to trust her judgement."

"I do but-"

"Let me remind "princess" that in your time here you have taken not one single bit of advice from Luna about fortifying the town. My soldiers will now spent days trying to construct fortifications to keep just your dinky castle safe from attack. Not only that but you have also refused BOTH Celestia AND Luna's instructions to stockpile supplies!"

Twilight felt very small under the hard glare of Bright Lance, she was already imposing enough for an earthpony but now that she was finding out the details of the situation her anger was rising.

"I understand but Celestia also agreed it might send the wrong message to ponies!"

"That they should prepare in case Equestria is attacked again? Take a few extra precautions like stockpiling food just in case it is needed, as it is now? Do you have any idea how hard it would be for me to keep my ONE battalion supplied here if the line to Canterlot is cut?!"

"No... But I can imagine."

"Please do princess... As of now the local food supply and mill is under military command. When the train is unloaded it will be sent back for additional supplies and hopefully another battalion. I can not defend this town, it is too strung out and has no walls."

"No town in all of Equestria has walls anymore..."

"Damn shame that is. Damn shame."

Steelshod held the letter that had been magically sent from Luna to her sister in his hands and read over it carefully while his officers stood around a his temporary war table. The gentle rocking of the car as the multiple engines strained to haul their long, drawn out car train made a few glance around nervously, there were no trains where they came from.

"It would seem cutting the telegraph lines worked wonders. Luna is still blind but has made a few good guesses however it would appear she forgot the golden rule of military secrecy: Never lay out your plan on paper then send it to an unknown location."

"Perhaps she is lying?"

Steelshod looked over at his old general and shook his head.

"Noo... This is accurate. The fourth is in... Ponyville... Here... Flight teams are scanning and looking for Celestia as we speak and the missing Crystal Heart is still not known to her. That means she has around nine thousand soldiers to protect the city."

"Substantial numbers my king."

"That is why our guest here accompanies us."

Celestia was bound and gagged on one side, her horn was missing, cut off and locked away as one more precaution just in case she somehow broke free or was "rescued."

"Thank you, Celestia. From the bottom of my heart thank you for making my fathers dream become a reality."

He yanked the gag free and took a seat pouring out a glass of liqueur and watched her quietly.

"How could you betray your fathers memory like this?! He wanted peace not war! A unified Equestria AND Italia!"

Steelshod choked a moment before bursting out in laughter.

"Still never figured it out? He was bedding you two only to control you. It was all a ruse to see me on the throne. You Equestrians have lost your sense of legacy. My father was obsessed with it, to ensure our family name would live on forever."

"It still could have if only you had come in peace not war!"

"Not true, it would only mean you are in control and my people would be reduced to what? A bunch of pastel colored nitwits that run at the sight of their own shadow? Never."

"I know how you treat your people, they are nothing but serfs and slaves!"

"But they are mighty! Ruled by a strong nobility and royalty that is not afraid of shedding blood to do what is necessary! While you did manage to drive us from the western part of Equestria so long ago we licked or wounds and waited. My fathers death caused a civil war that lasted for centuries yet here we are, once again a mighty nation."

"The ends does not justify the means!"

"That is... HAH! That is truly astounding! Hearing that from you of all ponies!"

Celestia glowered at him and growled.

"Come now, growling like that only makes me want you more. I can see what my father liked in you so long ago but now... *Sigh* Now you are a shell of what you once were. Once you were a mighty queen, truly deserving of the title. Vicious. Cruel. Temperamental. How far you have fallen..."

"I am not that thing and will never become her again!"

"True. I can see it in your eyes. The spark is long gone but that does not matter anymore. You are my hostage and will be one of my wives thus granting me right to rule over Equestria! Maybe you will sire me a few children worthy of your ancient name and heritage. I am an exceptionally patient stallion Celestia. I have waited lifetimes for this and I can a while longer."

She gagged.

"Never. Never!"

"It is no longer your choice. In just a few days we will arrive at Canterlot and you will force your sister to surrender to my army."

"The other nobles will stop you!"

"What nobles? Those with armies? I OWN THEM!"

Celestia's eyes widened and she shook a little.

"Yes Celestia, they are in my pocket, bankrolled by me and commanded by my agents. Did you really think I pulled all this off alone? You must think very highly of me but even I have limits much like you do. If you think any armies are coming to your aid you are sadly mistaken, it has already been taken care of. Oh and about your forces here on the frontier... They will be dead within the week."

"Bastard... Twilight and the others will stop you!"

"A glint of your past was there for a moment... But no you are wrong. I already dealt with the elements mostly. Oh and Discord... Well he is locked away again, putting Fluttershy in danger worked like a charm to lure him in."

"What did you do to them!?"

"Nothing. I am not a murderer Celestia. Until they rebel they have committed no crime against their rightful sovereign. Discord is locked away courtesy of a few choice artifacts and ancient magics you have long forgotten I imagine. Oh dont give me that look. I am not going to even hint as to where."

The other officers chuckled and shook their heads as they turned their attention back to the map and began altering their plans to fit the change of events but Steelshod glanced back for a moment.

"You know something Celestia? The day my father was murdered by that lowborn bastard actually scared me. It did. I honestly thought he would come for me next but you were so swift and vicious I guess he was too busy staying alive fighting you to come after me. Thank you for that, you saved my life and chased away your only ally. Well done."

The mocking applause she got from Steelshod made her bristle with anger. How dare he bring that thing up, that murderer, monster from the underworld. Steelshod's father was a good stallion who dreamed of great things and would be ashamed of his son.