Everything was quiet and peaceful once more in the Crystal Empire. The ponies were tucked safely away in their own beds once more and life had returned to normal as if nothing were wrong and war was once more a myth.

Guard's kept a far closer eye on the crystal heart not at all time of day and night. At all times at least one hundred were required to stand guard at the heart while two companies now kept watch on the halls, rooms and balconies of the palace itself.

Cadence had a hard time sleeping, a fact that had not changed since the war began. Having the crystal heart back had done little to ease her fears that Steelshod might try something anyway. Her diminished army of five thousand was not enough against his elite troops and word had arrived a much larger force had landed.

They were not coming after them however, upon arrival they turned south and along with the entirety of the Noble Armies rushed into the region west of Ponyville giving chase to what she had no idea.

Ironshod guessed that whoever had saved her was orchestrating something and Cadence nodded but said no more. Something big was about to happen in the next week when those forces converged.

It was the largest army build up in Equestrian history and it made her toss and turn wondering if Shining would be sacrificed in Valkardian's grand "plan" whatever it was. Part of her trusted him though, she was the princess of love and knew a thing or two about others and their personalities.

Remembering him and the feeling she got around him made her cringe but deep down knew that he would keep his word. An agreement had been struck and so long as she made no move to violate it his word was good.

A magical pang went through her head making her sit upright in bed. Horn or no horn the crystal heart had means of warning her when something evil was near, the last time had been Sombra now it was something else. Tossing her sheets off Cadence stood and walked towards the door and called to the guards outside.

They responded and she informed them that something was nearby and to pass the word on. She could hear one of them take off running down the hall calling out and raising the alarm but a feeling deep inside told her they were already inside.

Their airship had glided over the city at night and lowered them onto a balcony without being seen nor heard. Truly the ponies had little understanding of warfare but were learning quickly enough though the price for this knowledge was blood and lives.

The spymaster climbed down one of the ropes and onto the balcony while the rest of the team quickly followed. There would be no chances tonight, he had brought most of his cadre with him and the twelve hand picked assassin's behind him were the best Steelshod had.

Runes would prevent the heart from expelling them but not detecting them unfortunately and listening to the shouts they knew their time table was already shot to pieces.

Four guards had been on the balcony but well placed bolts had killed them instantly. Looking down the hallway before signaling the airship up and out of sight they listened for a moment before moving inside.

Magical lights had come on but none had entered their hallway yet. Racing forward and checking any side rooms they passed the team halted and parted to the sides hiding behind some pillars as a squad ran past towards the balcony.

A second later the decision was made and signaling they aimed and fired three at a time into their backs dropping them like dominoes. Reloading and moving forward again he sent a few out to check the other hallways.

Hoofsteps announced more would be coming quickly enough to hold the central stairway but one of his assassin's looked back and motioned quickly. Twenty. Too many for a head on fight, they were not armed for that. Letting them pass... No.

It was their ace in the hole but they had to buy time and fast. Special tools were drawn out covered in runes that disrupted magic. If this place ran on magic then they could disrupt it enough to maybe make it go dark again long enough to slip past.

Attaching the objects to what looked like magical conduits they set them off and the lights dimmed and flickered wildly before going almost going out entirely.

Motioning they sped on and kept looking for a door that was more heavily guarded than others. Going up a flight of stairs word came back that seven guards were outside a door on the next level up.

His team raced up and peaking around the corner he smiled and nodded. Applying a few more magical disruptors the lights in their section of the castle went out entirely making the guards brace themselves.

Magic was fired up but it illuminated the head of the caster and resulted in the rapid delivery of a well aimed bolt. Raising their shields up and drawing up against the door they almost shouted out it was too late as the assassins were already among them.

When the last had dropped to the floor the spymaster listened at the door for a moment then stepped back and knocked before stepping aside. A single scared voice answered quickly and nodding they tested the door and found it locked.

For a magical crystal palace the place still used a standard keyhole and it was quickly picked as the voice inside yelled for help. None was coming however. Door picked they threw it open and poured inside fanning out and looking for their target.

There, huddled behind a dresser where they could not shoot was Princess Cadence. Around them the castle tried to fight off their magical tampering making light's flicker on and off again.

Moving forward the spymaster approached and drew his dagger, proof would be needed of the kill and her head would suffice though it might take a minute to remove.

Pained grunts sounded from behind as the two door guards were yanked away and turning they aimed their crossbow's at the door waiting for a moment but nothing happened. Turning back to Cadence he reached for her but the sound of cutting and thrashing reached his ears again.

Spinning around ready to stab whatever was behind him the spymaster watched his teams final moments as their throats opened up from unseen blades. Others were jerked backwards harshly, their mouths muffled before the same fate befell them.

Turning away quickly he lunged at Cadence hoping to at least kill her before they got him but was stopped as something grabbed him from behind yanking his head up exposing the throat as cold metal drew across the exposed fur and flesh.

His body slumped to the floor as blood gushed from the wound some of it spraying onto Cadence.

Cadence sat huddled up in her corner shaking and sobbing trying to figure out what had just happened. One moment the lights were on, off, partially on revealing twelve assassins then the next moment they were dying left and right as one approached her.

They lunged after seeing their comrades slaughtered but had been pulled back quickly and held with their head pointed up as much to her horror their throat quickly opened.

Tucking her legs in tighter and holding onto her belly looking around wildly her eyes caught the glimpse of a figure standing over her. The winged creature watched her with glowing, blue slitted eyes before turning away and leaving.

"You made a deal and it will be upheld."

She gave no response, just sat there shaking for several minutes for the yelling of guards reached her ears and moments later they poured into her room. Everything was fine they said, the assassins had killed quite a few but they were already removing the strange objects placed on the power conduits.

Lights flicked back on fully and being able to see the dead assassins in proper light as their blood flowed freely on the floor. Captain Thornberry helped her back up and led her to the bed so sit down as the bodies were removed.

"What happened Princess?"

Cadence watched them drag the bodies out while others called for water and mops. She was assured they would have it all cleaned up very quickly.

"Captain... Bring General Ironshod. I made a deal and we are going to uphold it no matter what happens."

Steelshod was furious. Unable to keep up his public facade he had left the throne room and gone to his chambers with Celestia and a few officers in tow. A magical scroll had arrived from the wayward airship and with it came thew news of his spymasters fate.

His entire team had been wiped out and Cadence still lived, the ship had to flee a good distance for risking communications. Steelshod however was not very worried about interception anymore but caution was still important.

How they had been killed no one knew, just that they had all died. Loosing his spymaster had been the biggest blow of all, he was a very reliable stallion and having to promote a new one made him cringe. Twelve of the best were dead giving him slim pickings.

It was fortunate then that he had dispatched Celestia's forces away from the city, though few it was better if they remained far away and out of sight and mind till this was resolved. All of this also meant yanking a battalion from Ponyville and he ground his teeth at the thought.

There was a silver lining however, his enemy in the west was still on the run.

Everyone was rather chipper today strangely enough. Bellies were somewhat full for the first time in forever, the wounded had received proper care and Spike was no longer being used as a living cauterizer for wounds.

For days they had watched as train cars were moved south or east. From the highest tower they could just make out the line that left the Canterlot Mountains heading towards the east coast. Something big was going down and Steelshod had even rearranged his forces around Ponyville.

A single battalion had been yanked away from the siege and sent back to Canterlot for some reason making the disparity in numbers somewhat less. It was also clear that there would be no assaults on their fortress anytime in the near future either as half the enemy ballista had been removed.

Daring the night sky a courier had managed to get in the night before with a little information before departing again. News and couriers were rare and precious to them but what the last one brought had left them floored.

Steelshod had packed up all of Celestia's forces and shipped them out in preparation for a large battle somewhere to their west. Trains ran around the clock moving hoards of soldiers and supplies to the mountains south of them before marching through the narrow pass.

If this build up did not stop it meant that around three hundred thousand soldiers would be poured into the plains to their west. As to their unknown "ally" little was known but sightings had reported a division of monsters was terrorizing its way towards them killing everything in their path.

Nothing else was known about this force and it was too dangerous for the rebel spies to gain any more information. Luna was alive though, they thought... Well she had to be or Celestia would probably rebel against Steelshod.

The light show a few days ago announced the Crystal Heart had been returned putting one more thorn in the emperor's side. So far he had made a single move against them, a lone air yacht had been "borrowed" and sent north but no word beyond that.

Shining feared assassins or thieves to steal back the heart but with Ironshod in the north protecting it while also waging his little war they knew Cadence was safe for now.

Looking at the map of Equestia and making updates to the force dispositions the crowd of officers, princess and a rainbow pegasus stared. Steelshod was aiming for serious overkill against that little division. Whoever they were it was clear that he wanted them very, very dead.

"Three hundred thousand versus ten thousand..."

Speaking the number aloud everyone glanced at Colonel Bright Lance before looking back down at the map.

"That has got to be the biggest act of overkill in history or one battle I would very much like to see. Especially if it takes that many to kill so few. Damn shame we are going to miss it."

Author's Notes:

How many deals did Cadence make before finally leaving? How many is General Baros really up against? What is Shadow Moons future in the coming battle?