Shadow Moon had driven her forces forward hard drawing the enemy quickly after her. Everything was working perfectly, three armies hunted her down as she raced towards another.

Another army was located in a town between her and the first marker, numbering roughly the same as her own but with artillery they had turned North and now camped along a lake with their other flank anchored along a rail line.

They knew she was coming but had no idea when, Valkardian had been in touch informing her that another force was being loaded onto train's farther South near Los Pegasus and to make haste to destroy the forces camped at the lake before their arrival.

Steelshod was also shifting the entirety of Equestria's Noble Armies but due to problems with the rail line and bridges was being hampered. Not that it really mattered, using the Eastern Rail Line they shuttled armies to a location North of Dodge Junction and were planning to march by land Westward.

Overall it appeared they hoped to drive her "underground" or get caught between two colliding hoards. While a long shot it was still working but the real news had been that Steelshod's reinforcements had finally arrived.

Back at home they had not stopped their buildup of ships and even sinking as many as he had the great swarm of ships had landed. Some twenty thousand or more were now ashore and being marched after her. They were quite a while behind however and would not arrive for some time.

Meanwhile Ponyville still held out and it looked as if Steelshod was falling for it, half of his forces trapped in Canterlot while the other half kept Ponyville contained. Rebels tore up rail lines and cut telegraph lines till the enemy had given up trying to repair them for the time being communicating by courier or magic instead.

Shadow wondered why they had not done that to start with but Steelshod probably had his reasons and thinking about it she guessed it had to do with others listening in on magical communications.

Having passed a minor tunnel the day before granted several new additions to her forces. Shadow had suffered minor losses in the first battle, roughly two hundred but it WAS a surprise attack after all and the ranks had been spread thinly at first...

Now the ranks had been filled back in along with a new rank of lumbering monstrosities. He had sent her only thirteen of them but the beasts were impressive anyway. Standing over her at fourteen feet tall the bone golemns would be perfect at breaking up enemy ranks. Made of recycled bones they sported four arms with long blades attached, that or they could just lift their giant feet and stomp on a pony.

Smiling to herself they marched on day and night leaving the other forces far behind. Pegasus scouts had been sent but her rear guard had flown up and cut them from the skies in one ambush after another. Now they sent none preferring to keep their scouts much closer to their own forces.

Looking at the enemy camp through her wraith's eyes Shadow watched the fires burning. It was still dark out and a dense, heavy fog had billowed up from the lake smothering everything in a haze so dense only magic allowed her to see them.

At sunrise her forces would arrive and gears ground, this force kept ready at all times and come dawn like the day before they would have half fall into position on their perimeter most likely. Unlike her however they could not see through the fog most likely and even if they did... It would not really matter.

She would attack.

Lonely lake was just that, a lonely lake in Western Equestria with absolutely nothing around it but a small mountain chain to the North East that drained into its waters. Forests reached forward through the dense fog that normally coated this peaceful land giving it a mysterious yet majestic appearance from above as the tops of pines poked through the mist.

Today like all others they drew up their ranks outside of the camp for roll call and inspection, Lord Goldbit Sr. was a stickler and liked to find any excuse what so ever to dock their pay. Since the murder of his son and daughter in law he had become increasingly paranoid and the dense fog did not help matters.

Four days they had been ordered to wait until another force arrived then they would march North to destroy another army half their size. Well so long as others did the dying for him.

Letting out a cough he walked down the line with his suit of armor straining to cover his bulging form.

"Curse this fog!" *Cough*

"Sir do you wish to cancel the inspection?"

"No!... You! Two weeks pay docked!"

The soldier looked back in confusion then down at themselves to see what was wrong.

"Three more days docked for being out of order!" *Cough, cough*

Moving down the line holding a cloth over his face he glared at them, as long as they feared him it did not matter. They were eager to get paid and would put up with him so long as the bits flowed but that did not stop him from trying. Officers backed him up saying they just needed to do better. Feh. Peasants.

A crashing noise drew attention towards the distant tree's as the sound of heavy marching filtered through the deathly silent morning air.

"Major, find out what that damn noise is."

Scurrying off the mare yanked a few from the ranks and departed through the fog quickly vanishing in its chilling embrace.

Continuing his inspection of the ranks screams pierced the air followed by the sound of armor being rent and torn to shreds as flesh and bone cracked and snapped.

A single terrified soldier blasted through the fog screaming for their lives and drove through the ranks and kept running on and into the camp.

The sound of marching had picked up its pace while even heavier thudding sounds filled the air, it sounded like tree's falling but too uniform. Looking into the fog his adjutant quickly suggested they tighten the ranks and face the trees.

Nodding quickly while backing away the order was shouted out and the army sharply turned. As they did eyes widened in fright as the first lumbering monster made of bone came crashing through the fog. Swinging their arms they charged forward slashing holes in the ranks or sending soldiers flying through the air.

Pegasi flew into the air rapidly but were quickly snatched up and into the fog screaming. After passing through the ranks and continuing on into the camp a wall of skeletal monsters surged into their ranks with an unholy fury.

Goldbit ran. Tried too. Hard to run when the tub of lard that made up his gut made the armor bounce wildly on his frame as he huffed and puffed. Only screaming could be heard from behind him as officers tried to rally the soldiers.

Not that the camp was much safer, the hulking monsters were tearing tents apart with heavy swings of their blades. Blood and body parts flew in all directions as they butchered anything that moved or stomped on those that tried to crawl away.

Those that had survived the attack now raced past him throwing their weapons away making for the safety of the water. Many were already swimming but in the fog it was impossible to see.

Unable to go any farther Goldbit stopped and tried to breath before shuffling forward, the strain on his body was so great his breakfast was threatening to come back up. Steelshod had promised him immense wealth and power if he would betray Celestia and without so much as a second thought eagerly agreed.

Now it looked as if he would be lucky to make it to the water. Skeletons swarmed past him driving his surviving soldiers onward in a complete route. The sound of splashing water in the distance made it clear many had made it and were trying to swim away but howls and screams said otherwise.

Sweating profusely and leaning over with his heart threatening to leap from his throat he looked around and realized he was surrounded. None made a move but just waited and looking back Goldbit began to shake as a beast approached him.

Perched on top was a nightmare that watched him quietly.

"I surrender. I am Lord Goldbit and I am your prisoner. As a Lord you must afford me-"

"Goldbit?"

"Yes."

His words came heavily and with great effort between wheezing.

"How is your son and his wife doing? Still smiling ear to ear?"

He looked at her confused for a moment before going rigid.

"How do you-... You... Your the one!"

No words were spoken by the rider after that but the beast leaned forward while turning its head sideways and snapped him up biting down hard. Screaming and kicking Goldbit howled out in pain as the creature bit through his armor and bone as if it were wet paper before letting go.

Two halves fell to the ground with a thud as gore dripped from the lizards jaws. Gathering of the bodies began soon after as the last survivors on the lake were snatched up and killed by the gargoyles.

Looking down at the body Shadow smiled.

"Saving Equestria's gene pool one Lord at a time."

Turning the mount away and moving on she waited for the collection to finish before placing a crystal on top. She did not stick around to watch though, the bright flash from behind was all she needed to know. Aiming her forces farther South they disappeared into the fog once more.

Lord Diamond Smith was furious. Rains the day before had damaged the train bridge farther up and would take time to repair, time he did not have. While apologetic the train engineer could do nothing so they had sat for two days as the final load of his forces were brought up.

Supplies would have to wait for another day, his priority was to link up with Lord Goldbit and so long as they stayed near the rail line they could get supplies anyway. Setting off they had marched up the road for another day before stopping near the train bridge. Another one lay across the slow moving river a little farther up.

No tree's grew here on either side giving an excellent view of the winding river as it disappeared in the distance amongst the pines. Calling a halt for the day they had set up camp along the riverbank while his communications team hooked into the telegraph line to restore communication with Goldbit.

So far not one word had been received nor a courier in sight. A soldier came a few minutes later and shook their head, they were still unable to contact him.

Staring into the dense pine on the other side of the river Lord Diamond worked his jaw back and forth.

"Still no word from my couriers?"

"No sir."

"How many axes do we have?"

"Uhh..."

"Never mind, return to your post and keep trying."

Returning to the camp Lord Diamond gathered his officers and ordered them to move the camp back one hundred meters from the riverbank and fell trees. He had no idea what was going on but no chances would be taken, both bridges were to be fortified immediately and the camps too.

Steelshod had the patience of a saint but recent events were truly testing him. Having reverted to using magic to communicate brought some risks but there was no choice and the news was grim.

Every last piece of equipment for besieging the bastard below had been sunk at sea. Troop ships had survived the raging storm just barely but the slower moving cargo ships had been too slow and destroyed. He knew who was responsible too.

Grinding his jaw and crumbling up papers that held plans that were now pointless he threw them onto the floor while his orderly picked them up.

Closing his eyes tightly he growled softly before calming himself and looking at the map. Overall nothing had really changed, in fact it had gotten better. Luna's soldiers had exposed their treason to the world and offered him new opportunities yet untapped.

Using the old roster's his forces had gone door to door checking to see who was gone and who remained, some families were still present but others had disappeared no doubt into the old mining tunnels under Canterlot. Oh well, they would have to come out eventually. When they did no punishment would be given but instead welcoming arms and all forgiven.

After all, Luna had a recent lapse, she was Nightmare Moon once more. No one was allowed to see her of course, but the explanation was the strain and her defeat had driven the poor mare mad. Her sister was keeping up public appearances under a far closer eye and had offered the public fake sorrow. They had bought it too.

Their love of Celestia was so great he could make her say anything and get away with it. That and at night she had begun to try and twist his mind and make him "mend his ways." What a load of crap.

Looking over the map his forces were on the move despite it all, the twenty-seven thousand from the fleet had landed. His fleet had doubled in size thanks to controlling Equestria's own shipping and everything in the West had been siezed for his own use. That and back at home more ships had rolled off the lines just in time to bring in the recent wave.

Thankfully the general in charge had survived the storm therefor still commanding them and now marched after the undead, driving them farther south. Even if they managed to smash through the three armies in front of them it would make hardly a dent in his overall ranks.

Any thoughts of desertion quickly came to an end with the threat of Nightmare Moon, undead attacks, changeling attacks and the list piled high. Urging the public to do their part his favor was higher than ever as he announced one fake victory after another. They came at a price however... Not that any really knew what was going on.

Farther south armies gathered quickly and would soon number enough to drive the undead below or even wipe them out in a single swift blow. Forty thousand... That is how many he might gain in this harvest but that paled compared to what was gathering.

Recruitment and training had never once stopped and now the total strength of Equestria's army numbered close to three hundred thousand. Add his own forces in and the number spiked.

While most would be poorly trained it did not matter, they would make excellent fodder in the battle to come, soaking up the blows while his own forces waited it out before attacking the weakened enemy. Such heroic sacrifice would be rewarded of course, the public would be overjoyed at such a glorious victory despite the cost.

Sunny Vale had been put on the back-burner for now, they would live until the current threat was dealt with. The crystal ponies had risen in open revolt marching north but without their army and weapons... He had time. Also their precious princess lacked her horn.

First would be the undead then swing north, crush Ponyville and continue to the Crystal Empire. Magic be damned he knew they could take the city or at least... "Remove" the princess from her throne with a well placed bolt in the night.

Ponyville... Reinforced with roughly three battalions and resupplied. He had enough to keep them contained till tartarus froze over so it did not matter, the siege would go on and Luna's fanatics would be blamed.

This was now Equestria's great chance to cleanse itself of subversive elements that had chosen now as their chance to rise. Already contained and controlled he could bend the story any which way he wanted. So far he had proclaimed great victory over them, they were trapped inside the town while the population had been spirited away to safety.

Half true but no one knew any better and even those who had been in Ponyville knew little. The last to leave had been taken aside and put in work camps freeing up soldiers to fight rather than wash, cook and other menial tasks. After the siege was over they would disappear just like the Crystal Empire's officers had. With the mass graves having to be dug who would notice an extra hundred or so tossed in?

Running his finger over the map tracing the paths each force was taking he decided that for the time being it would be best to ignore central Equestria and focus on keeping Ponyville locked up tight. Let the rebels led by "Ironshod" raise hell.

Their days were numbered and they lacked enough strength to launch another surprise attack on the well prepared forces at Ponyville, the worst they could was go west towards the docks at Van Hoover. Even then the public was so incensed with their actions he doubted there was much they could do.

With Celestia boisterously decrying their actions in public any support they might hope for was severely hampered now.

"Hmm... Orderly. Tell me. Where do you think they are going?"

Keeping her head bowed low the mare shuffled over and looked at the map as he pointed to the token indicating the undead.

"Perhaps here my lord."

Looking at where she pointed his eyes narrowed. It was a very good guess and one he had thought about. They were fleeing to a point west of Ponyville between two mountain ranges. Perhaps there was a tunnel there? It mattered not, it would be so well hidden they could never hope to find it.

Plans had to change anyway, with the rail lines being cut in the north the original plan of gathering along the Unicorn Range was scrapped. Instead they had been diverted farther south. That meant moving the Eastern Army quickly over land to Dodge City, load onto trains then passing Dodge Junction they would be carried west to the bridge far south of Ponyville.

From there they could march west towards a pass in the mountains then cut off the undead in the hopes of holding them in place and prevent them from moving towards the Unicorn Range. Catching them on the hilly and low ridge covered terrain would favor the larger army.

Timing was critical though, if they marched now they could make it but waiting a few days could cost them the chance. Both forces had to come together quickly and sandwich the enemy between them and so far it was working as they had already skirted many small villages in their race to escape the larger forces closing in.

Quickly jotting their orders out and sending them off in a puff of smoke he hoped no one would intercept the magic but with his enemy so occupied he doubted they had the time.

Staring at the map again he hummed to himself. The final battle would take place somewhere west of Ponyville near the mountains and White Tail Woods... It would be one sided too. Three hundred thousand versus maybe thirty or fourty thousand undead.

Steelshod stretched in his chair then looking at Celestia, smiled.