Author's Notes:

Alright folks. This is the last update (five more are already written) for a little while as I am going to be too darned busy trying to make a living to update for a day or two.

Also I made a blog explaining the characters and relations but also gave them a more "in everyday life" description. A few spoilers about character traits but if you do not mind then read to your hearts content.

Cadence gasped for air and kicked free of the bag unable to see anything in the darkness. Just a short while ago Chrysalis had the sack containing her dumped off and spoke with someone before leaving. Moments later she was floating in the air listening to the quiet thump of the creature that bore her away.

Still gagged and trussed up heavily there was nothing she could do but wait until her release but now that she was free it all seemed pointless. Trying to sit upright on the cold stone floor her head turned in rapid shaking movement's trying to see who it was that wanted her so badly.

The gag was yanked free and the bindings undone freeing her and standing shakily in a darkness so absolute it made even standing hard she teetered with ears held back.

"Hello? Thank you for freeing me but who are you?"

"Valkardian. I see you were not harmed..."

"No but why did you want me bad enough to make a deal with that monster?"

"I am more a monster than she will ever be. Now I have something for you to do, it is very important you do it quickly so I can get it delivered on time."

Cadence flinched as the magic that encompassed the room was dispelled revealing her new captor. Looking the being over she nodded slowly.

"What is it you... Want?"

"A letter. Just a simple, little, letter."

"Okay... But what-"

"You will write to your husband in Ponyville. Once that is done you will be going on a little... Trip. With me."

He beckoned out and a skeleton entered the room bearing writing instruments and paper. Cadence shrieked and slammed herself into the wall trying to push through it to escape.

"It is not very polite to scream and run from the one who is going to set you free Cadence..."

Her eyes shot back and forth between the strange skeletal creature and Valkardian and taking a few shaky steps forward approached the undead creature and accepted the implements before sitting at the table. He joined her and explained the situation in Ponyville and at large quickly before holding a small bag up.

"Just to encourage you to write the letter... Tell me. What happened to the Crystal Heart?"

"Steelshod stole it" Her eyes followed the little bag.

"No. He stole the FAKE Crystal Heart."

"You stole it!?"

"Yes and no, I stole the real one and replaced it with a fake, it is all part of a bigger plan. Would you like to see the real one?"

"Yes..."

Opening the bag carefully and showing her the contents she could just make out the heart inside. Cadence felt like lunging forward and grabbing it but thought better and sat back in the chair.

"If you stole the real one and will give it back there must be a price."

"The price will be paid much later by Celestia and Luna, not you. Oh, read this."

Sliding a scroll over with Luna's seal she opened it and read over it before her jaw went slack.

"Good. We have an understanding. Are you going to resist?"

"No. Why did they never say anything about you?"

"Oh I imagine you could get an earful from Celestia one day but... Well I will put it this way: I am the one who executed Steelshod's father. Understand why I am going to war yet?"

Nodding her head slowly she looked down at the piece of paper.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Tell your husband you are just fine, free, safe and that they must hold out for as long as possible. Order him. Order him to resist to his last breath and keep Steelshod's forces occupied."

"Do I tell him about you?"

"No. Best to leave that little bit out but tell him a MUCH larger force is on the way but it will take time."

"You want me to order my husband to die?"

"If need be. You ponies... Stop and consider the larger picture if you would. With half of Steelshod's forces occupied in Ponyville they can not fight ME. The Noble Armies are... Cannon fodder. Meaningless. Steelshod is about to land more than fifteen thousand soldiers and I would like to keep as many of them as possible occupied while I plot their destruction."

"As you wish..." Cadence began to write her letter. "What about the Crystal Ponies?"

"By giving you the heart and sending you off sans-horn your image will be regained in their eyes. Also it will serve as excellent proof of Steelshod's betrayal. While it will not matter one damn bit during the current war I am thinking long term. So let me ask you a simple question..."

"Tell me Cadence, when the war ends and Celestia ORDERS you to kill me... Will you?"

"WHAT?! Why would she do that?!"

"Answer my question. Will you?"

"NO! You are helping us!"

"Good. I am glad you came to that realization."

"Wait! What do you plan on demanding in return?"

"That an ancient wrong be made right on their part. That is all. Restitution."

"What crime did they commit?"

"Want to SEE it?"

The sun was due to rise any time now. For whatever reason the enemies time table had suddenly changed and now they were watching as final preparations were made with the dim glow of large torches and bonfire's illuminating their preparations.

Not that they were just sitting idly by, Colonel Bright Lance had been very busy as well having the soldiers dig new rings of pits and piling the earth up to be used for putting out the oil fires. Excess earth was packed into empty sacks and crates then piled high to block off windows and form arrow slits. They might not stop a head on strike but even slowing the firebombs down would help.

A new urgency had taken hold over them when Twilight and Shining had the fright of their lives. Ghosts were not real, everypony knew that, just a myth, a legend or tale used to scare fillies and colts. Well it was no longer myth. Passing through the shield somehow the ghost of a pony drifted into the camp from above bearing a message.

It only stopped when it found Shining and seemed to become more "solid" for a moment, handed the letter over then left just as quickly.

Opening it carefully his eyes had widened before a happy sigh escaped him. Cadence was alive, free and doing just fine. An "ally" of sorts was about to intervene on a massive scale but it was important that they held on to the last to keep the five battalions outside their walls occupied by any means possible.

No mention of who they were was made however but a footnote remarked that others had escaped Canterlot and were in the process of rebelling and could be expected. As to how long any of these forces would take to arrive was not mentioned.

The three of them sat in the "war room" as the good news was spread, help was on the way. It was a desperately needed bit of news and it did wonders to lift morale as they redoubled efforts on staying alive till then.

Outside the enemy was moving enough ammunition forward to level the entire town so perhaps this was why they were hurrying.

Rainbow Dash had left at midnight and flown straight up then North so with any luck she might bump into whoever was coming and be back just as quickly but as the hours ticked by they began to wonder if this other force was day's away not hours.

Stepping out onto the fortified balcony of the highest tower they looked below at the preparations being carried out by both sides.

"Think we can keep them back a week or two more?"

Twilight's concern was well warranted considering how few remained, even the wounded had to fend for themselves now, helping each other to get water or clean their wounds. Not one hand could be spared anymore.

"We'll find a way. This castle took a few hits already and is not going to buckle from those firebombs. They will have to storm the door and if we brace it right... Well I dont know how long we can last, probably longer than the food supply did!"

"Something passed through the shield..."

Their eyes followed Shining's as they looked up and waited a moment, Rainbow landed quickly on the balcony.

"There here. Let them through."

Looking up again two airship's dove down hard threatening to crash into the courtyard before leveling out and driving forward. Cargo doors were and great heaps of sacks and crates were shoved out the back, many exploded on impact but just as many did not as the soldiers in the fort scurried for cover and watched.

When they had lowered as much as they dared crates were driven out one after another as the ships slowly moved forward creating a chain of supplies on the ground.

Turning toward the enemy camp everything seemed to have frozen in time as they too stared in bewilderment. A mountain of supplies had been thrown on the ground before the first screaming started as catapults and ballista were rapidly cranked back.

Firebombs were loaded and not wanting to waste any precious time Colonel Bright Lance was already yelling to those below to bring the supplies in before it was all torched.

"Ohhh! I forgot! You need to let the others in through the back gate!"

Shining spun on Rainbow and growled "You should have said that FIRST!"

Braces were soon being yanked free but not fast enough, they watched in horror as the first firebombs were cast into the air at the ships, many hit bathing the upper deck's in flame. Increasing their speed they surged forward to escape the compound before crashing. The crew's kept kicking out supplies before jumping off the burning hulks preferring to take their chances with the hard ground.

One ship escaped the fortress just barely before its engines blew and came crashing down into Ponyville scattering enemy soldiers and destroying a siege engine in the process. The last had careened wildly as the large balloon caught and burned sending it first higher then crashing down harmlessly beyond the lines.

During all the chaos three battalions had sprung from the nearby forest and raced wildly to close the distance quickly overrunning and slaying the pickets. Rushing into the enemy lines they hacked and chopped their way through destroying anything they could along the way including setting piles of firebombs ablaze.

Catapults burst into flame and supplies burned but the surprise was already spent. Surging in from both sides the enemy ranks closed in on them and exacted a bloody toll for their passage and threatened to stop their advance.

From above pegasi swooped down and tried to pepper their ranks with arrows but were quickly driven off as hailstorms of arrows rose up hunting them down one by one. Whoever was commanding them had clearly decided it was time to use it or loose it. Whatever they had stored back for a rainy day was now being emptied out in a wild rush to stop them from breaking through.

They failed, pouring through the gate the battalions raced in then formed up to cut off any enemies that might get inside. Any help from above had been dashed almost immediately, the pegasi had to leave or risk being slaughtered even in the dark. None were willing to take a chance and find out just how many of those seeker arrows they kept in storage.

Chasing them down an enemy battalion surged in to seize the open gate but were stopped by a hurricane of ballista bolts, arrows and flaming oil pots. Colonel Bright Lance too had saved for a rainy day and had put everything on the line and now it paid off.

For the first time they watched as their enemy was forced to halt, shield themselves then fall back leaving their dead and wounded behind. Cheers rang out as they watched them retreat but it was cut short as orders were issued to get the supplies to safety.

Medicine was the first to go since hardtack did not burn so well. Fire rained from above but they ignored it as supplies were rapidly brought inside and piled high in every nook and cranny, the wounded had to be moved aside then laid on top of crates to make room for more.

Of the thirteen engines one had been crushed to pieces while five others burned. It was a major blow to whatever plans they had. Keeping careful watch on the enemy from the tower they watched as they quickly drew up ranks and brought planks forward.

"They plan to storm us tonight then... Alright, wait until the barrage passes then put them on the wall, hand out the fire pots and throw them on the planks then set them ablaze."

Watching the orders being carried out in the chaos below as both forces raced to recover from the shock the little cadre of officers watched the enemy blast a section of wall then charge forward.

Major Night Bane's forces were first there, climbing up onto the parapet and throwing oil pots at the enemy. It was not easy throwing something meant for a catapult at them but it worked all the same bathing the planks in oil as magic set the oil ablaze.

Falling back the enemy tried again two more times with the same results before retiring.

"They will wait until daylight when they can see better and focus their fire on us."

"We bought one more day at least. Tell us... Colonel?"

Shining Armor turned to the new officers and waited.

"Fleur."

"How long until this other force arrives?"

"What other force?"

"My wife sent me a letter saying you would arrive but also somepony else was coming."

"Luna did inform us of an ally but that was all, who told her about us? She was not with us when we left nor informed. We did not even know she had escaped!"

He shrugged. "Well we will just have to wait and hope they bring enough soldiers to drive them off. Might be a while though..."

"Dont worry. We brought enough to hold out for however long it takes if we ration it. Right now we just need to make certain they do not get over the walls."

Nodding in agreement they walked below leaving a few sentries, Twilight was giddy at having something to do again and taking inventory would keep her busy for days as even Fleur had no idea how much had been dropped in.