"So there we are. Sundance had just killed the first bear, and I had finished recovering from being flung twenty meters when we hear a roar so loud it shakes the ground. I turn and see this massive ghost bear nearly the size of a Stormcrow towering over Mint. Its claws are razor sharp, and I can tell by the look in its eyes that it intends to kill every one of us, starting with her. The problem is, none of us are close. I'm about fifty meters from Mint, and..."

Vermilion leaned in toward Sundance as a group of fourteen ponies walked through the interior of the Icecap, SaKhan Snow's York-class WarShip. The group was the entirety of the Silveroot Keshik's MechWarriors, save for the SaKhan himself, who was already waiting in the main briefing hall with a short speech to give to all the troops on board. "The story becomes more exaggerated every time Mist tells it," Vermilion commented.

Sundance nodded. "I agree, but it's somehow more entertaining this way."

"I guess," Vermilion said with a shrug before turning his attention back to Mist and his recounting of how they killed the ghost bears during their Clawing ritual.

"...when suddenly Hazelnut's spear comes rocketing out of the blizzard. It hits the bear with so much force it staggers sideways, giving me the opening I need to reach it. Once I'm there I plunge my spear into the beast's neck and force the butt of the weapon into the frozen dirt. The spear shaft buckles, making me worry that it's going to snap. But it was too well made. It can hold up to the sheer weight.

"As the bear's struggles get weaker, I grow a little over confident. Its claws slip past my defenses, and it shears the spear with one massive swing of its paw. Time slows as this massive shape plummets toward me, but the snow is too slippery, and I can't get out of the way in time. I feel the broken spear shaft graze my right flank, and then I'm crushed by what must have been a two ton bear, at least.

"I'm underneath there for nearly half an hour, fighting for air, trapped beneath that behemoth. My vision is going dark and I feel myself slipping from consciousness when the others manage to roll the beast off of me, their bodies wracked with exhaustion from the effort of moving such an immense weight. At that point, it was done. The six of us had killed two of the largest ghost bears in recorded history, and I had earned my cutie mark at the same time."

Enzo nodded with fake excitement, having already hear the story a dozen or so times. He opened his mouth to speak, but Mint cut him off with a sigh.

"It was not a two ton bear," Mint said, nudging him with her new right foreleg. After she'd lost her last prosthetic, she made a request for a significantly different artificial limb. Rather than a leg that almost seemed natural, she'd opted for a much more robotic design that would look more at home on a machine than a pony. She said it made her look tough and scary, but the laughter in her eyes that was always present begged to differ.

"No, but it was close," Mist said defensively.

Enzo chuckled. "I know the bear wasn't that large, but he has a right to embellish the story. That makes it more interesting. Besides, it's more immersive if the storyteller recounts a tale how they remember it. The bear may not have been as tall as a Stormcrow and Mist may not have sprinted fifty meters in two seconds, but I'm sure that what it felt like to him at the time."

Mist nodded vigorously. "I told the story exactly how I remembered it."

"If you three are almost done, we have a war to finish," Cobalt called from the head of the group as he stopped by a door, which hissed open to reveal the briefing hall.

"Sorry, Sir," Mist and Mint said in unison. Enzo simply shrugged and followed the ponies who had already begun to file into the room. When the line got to Sundance, Cobalt stepped out to stop him.

"Not you six. I have something you may want to hear first," Cobalt said to Sundance and the others. The Star Colonel led the small group to a quiet corner of the hallway and pulled a tablet from his uniform. "I am sure you are all familiar with the Windigo, the Clan Draconequus WarShip that pursued the Constellation to Strana Mechty?"

Hazelnut nodded, scowling slightly. Out of the six ponies, he harbored the most resentment toward that ship and the ponies on board. "Yes sir. What of it?"

"The ship was discovered two weeks ago by a merchant vessel. It was floating on the edge of Clan space, and was completely inoperable."

Obsidian blinked, surprised. "That far? But why would they go out to the middle of nowhere?"

Mist tapped his chin, trying to remember the stories he'd read about JumpShips. "Considering the Windigo was still damaged when it was found, it's probably safe to assume they had a really bad misjump when they left Strana. If that's the case, it's lucky that we found them at all."

"But that has to be at least a hundred light years. Is that even possible to do in one jump?" Mint asked.

"Mhm. Normally a 'Ship only ends up within a few astronomical units of their intended jump point during a misjump, but tens or even hundreds of light years isn't unheard of," Mist replied. "The damage they sustained was probably from gravitational interference on the warp drive. That doesn't normally happen during misjumps."

"We don't have time for lectures. What about the crew? Don't tell me they're still alive." Hazelnut interrupted.

Cobalt shook his head. "A rescue team was sent to the ship when it was found. They discovered ten surviving ponies who then attacked the rescue crew, murdering twelve of them before they were in turn killed. After an investigation, it appeared that the crew that survived the misjump turned to cannibalism when their rations ran out, and most of them appeared to have gone insane, at least somewhat."

"They ate each other?" Sundance asked in shock. "I can't imagine getting that desperate. I think I'd rather starve to death."

Hazelnut sighed with relief. "Me neither, but at least they're dead now. They deserved it after everything they did and their failed plans."

Obsidian nodded, more subdued than usual. He was glad those bloodthirsty ponies were dead, but he couldn't help feeling a little queasy at hearing they'd eaten each other out of desperation. As much as he hated them, he still found himself wishing they'd instead died during the ship's jump through hyperspace.

Cobalt slid the tablet back into his uniform. "I know this was a weird time to bring that up, but I decided you all should hear that before this final battle. As much as I want to say it will be quick and clean, we have next to no intel on what we are getting into. It would be a shame to go through everything that you have and die before hearing of the fate of your enemies."

"So that's why there are so many 'Ships preparing for this attack," Mist said, as if he had just solved a difficult puzzle. "I've been wondering why it seemed like there was half a Clan's Touman here. Do you really think they have that many soldiers hiding on that planet?"

"It is possible, but we do not know for sure. You will hear the details from SaKhan Snow. Come," Cobalt said as he turned away and walked to the briefing room.

The main briefing hall of the Icecap was massive. It was large enough to hold the entire crew of the ship including the soldiers, some five or six hundred ponies. It was mostly full, with the only ponies not present too busy with running the ship. Rows of foldable chairs all facing a small stage at the opposite wall were set up on a concrete floor, with plain gray walls and a tall ceiling surrounding them. The room was shaped for acoustics so that a pony speaking at the front could easily be heard from anywhere without needing to shout.

Sundance could see SaKhan Snow from where he stood; an entirely white muscular pegasus with a buzzcut and very short tail. He was staring intently at a tablet that looked almost comically small in his massive hooves, and his appearance combined with his emotionless gaze made him seem like a ghost to Sundance.

"I didn't realize it earlier, but you're right, Mist. There are a lot of WarShips out here for just one planet. The Khans of the attacking Clans wouldn't have brought so many soldiers if we were going to meet minimal resistance. They must be expecting something big," Mint mused as they followed Cobalt to where their fellow MechWarriors were seated.

"My thoughts exactly," Mist replied. "This is Clan Draconequus's last stand. We'll be facing off against everything they've got. What concerns me more is the fact that Cobalt said we have little intel on what we're up against. Scarlet is an incredible scout, both on the ground and in space. She might even be the best freeborn scout in the Clans. If our enemy is being careful enough that not even Scarlet can determine the full size of their remaining army, then they're either hiding a powerful force, or they've got some tricks up their sleeve they don't want us knowing about."

Vermilion frowned. "If that's the case, then things will get ugly fast."

Sundance nodded, feeling a little sick to his stomach. He'd almost expected this final battle to be brief and easy. Nothing more than a quick drop in to kill Khan Bolt before calling it a day. He needed to prepare himself if the confrontation could be as intense as the others had thought.

As Sundance and the others sat down with the rest of their unit, SaKhan Snow stepped up onto the small stage and the room almost immediately went silent. The large pony looked out at the assembled ponies silently for a moment. Sundance could feel power emanating from him, and it almost felt like the SaKhan's excess strength was flowing into him.

"Comrades," Snow began in a booming voice that carried easily through the whole room, "The time for us to end this senseless struggle is nigh at hoof. Our enemy is backed into a corner. The last of their forces remain on Ironhold, their home planet. As all of you know, they have lost the right to be considered one of us, and they disgrace the Clans with their very existence. That is why we will wipe them out."

Snow scowled slightly. "None of the scouts sent out by any Clan have managed to collect any meaningful information for the coming confrontation. We have seen a significant increase in space traffic to and from this system in recent months, and we have confirmation of the location of their Khans, but nothing solid on what we will fight. A sizeable portion of their Touman has not been recorded as defeated in battle, and there is no telling how many foals they managed to brainwash into doing their bidding. All of them will be at key locations on Ironhold. As a result, we expect heavy resistance. The aim of our enemy for this entire war has been to cause as much damage as possible. You can bet they will not go down without a fight.

"Clan Ghost Bear is not the only Clan participating in this final battle. In addition our Ourse Keshik, Trinary Galaxy Command, and the entirety of the First Bear Guards, Clan Wolf is bringing their Trinary Clan Command, the First Wolf Assault Cluster, and the 279th Battle Cluster. As well as that, we will be joined by the Wasp Keshik and the Sixth Striker Cluster of Clan Bugbear."

"Woah, that many? I knew there were a lot of WarShips here, but I hadn't realized just how many soldiers the Clans were bringing," Mist said. "That's almost two whole Galaxies worth."

Enzo sighed quietly. "That's a lot, but why does he always to use the formal names? Calling us the Silveroot Keshik instead of 'Trinary Galaxy Command' is so much quicker, and 'The Rage' sounds so much cooler than 'First Bear Guards.' Just use our nicknames," he muttered.

Cobalt rapped his brother sharply on the back of his head with one hoof. "Quiet," he growled. The two fell into silence, with the SaKhan still talking at the front of the hall.

"Every pony on this ship, the Ourse Keshik and Trinary Galaxy Command, will be attacking a sector in the southern portion of the main continent on Ironhold. There are four military complexes that we will storm and level. We will only stop when they are totally destroyed, or if they surrender.

"Each Star leader has received their individual orders, and you will go over those in private before the DropShips detach in exactly six hours. The warriors of each Clan will move as one. The more precisely this attack is coordinated, the swifter our victory will be. Now go, all of you. Use the days in transit to prepare yourselves. This will likely be a very intense conflict. Good luck, and may the spirit of Rainbow Dash watch over all of you. Dismissed," Snow concluded with a salute. All of the soldiers stood and returned the gesture before the squeaking boots filled the room and everypony began to file out.

"Man. Four Clusters and four Trinaries all attacking a single planet at once. This is huge," Obsidian said as they left the briefing hall. "I don't think I've ever seen so many soldiers in one place, even for non-combat reasons."

Enzo nodded his agreement. "Normally we wouldn't use such a large force on one planet, but this is Clan Draconequus we're talking about. They abandoned their honor a long time ago, so we have to do the same thing to avoid unnecessary losses, at least temporarily. The Clan way of warfare only works if both sides uphold the rules. Obviously Clan Draconequus doesn't, so we have to go all out."

"Yeah. It would be easier if this battle could just be decided through a Trial of Grievance or something. How many ponies are going to die from this?" Mist asked.

"Too many," Cobalt replied. "There is time while the DropShips are prepared. In four hours, all fourteen of us are to be on The Silveroot Keshik's assigned 'Ship. Every Star in our Trinary has the same orders, so we will meet together to go over them. SaKhan Snow will meet us there, and he will be the one leading that briefing. Use this time to gather everything you need for the trip to Ironhold. Your combat gear is already with your 'Mechs, so do not go looking for that. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Sir," the assembled ponies said with a salute. They dissolved into smaller groups, with Sundance and his friends heading off on what they hoped wouldn't be their last walk together.

The six ponies walked in silence for a few minutes, their minds all preoccupied with the coming fight. It would be another three and a half days before they landed on Ironhold, but they couldn't think about anything else. Hearing just how large the conflict was expected to be, they had all realized just how serious things were getting, even this close to the end of the war. They hadn't come this far just to die in the final battle.

"So," Mint said after a while, wanting to break the tense silence, "Who thinks they can beat me at a game of pool?"

Mist snorted. "Pool? At a time like this?"

Mint tapped him sharply on the nose with one hoof. "I'm trying to lighten the mood, you block of lead. We can't mope around for the next few days after hearing how difficult this is going to be. If all we can do is worry about dying, then that's where we'll end up."

Obsidian nodded, his face lightening up again as he forced his stress and worries from his mind. "She's right. Besides, all of us have been through tougher situations than this. There's nothing we can't get through if we stick together, I know it; we killed two of the largest ghost bears in the recorded history of The Clawing, for Celestia's sake!"

Hazelnut nodded and scratched the scar where his left ear used to be. He'd been very lucky that the first bear had only grazed him with one claw during their fight with the two creatures. "We can't operate at one hundred percent if we're distracted by fear. That's how you get killed in battle. Going to one of the rec rooms for a while wouldn't hurt. Besides, it's not like we have many personal belongings that we need to pack up."

Mist sighed in defeat. "Alright, you win. Let's have some fun before we board the DropShips. And I'll kick your ass at pool, just watch!" He and Mint raced ahead of the group, and Obsidian and Hazelnut charged after them. Only Sundance and Vermilion lagged behind.

"Are you still worried?" Vermilion asked as he studied Sundance's face.

Sundance nodded. "Yeah. What they said makes sense, but I can't stop thinking about it. We've really only seen skirmishes and small battles since joining the Silveroot Keshik. The last time we were in a large scale fight..." he trailed off, turning his head away.

"I know what you mean," Vermilion said quietly. "We lost Fern, Chartreuse, and of course, Tangelo on Strana. It almost feels like déjà vu." He smiled and put one hoof on Sundance's shoulder, bringing them to a halt. "But this time is different. We're much more skilled than we were back then. If we stay determined, we'll get through this. We'll win."

Sundance nodded again, feeling some of his anxieties fade. His friend who once could only compare himself to his older brother and secretly harbored strong feelings of inadequacy had become a strong, confident pony. After realizing that, there was no way he couldn't feel motivated. "You're right. We can do this."

"That's what I like to hear." Vermilion jerked his head in the direction of their disappearing friends. "Now, should we catch up?"

"Of course," Sundance said, taking off after the other four ponies. Vermilion followed closely behind, and he couldn't help but feel hopeful. It wasn't just Vermilion who had grown since their first battle on Strana; they'd all become so much stronger. They could survive this. He knew they could.

"I hope you're watching," Sundance thought. He knew Tangelo and their other dead friends would be so proud of the ponies they'd become. "Your deaths weren't in vain. After all this time, the cause you died for is finally becoming a reality. We'll end this war, and we'll be thinking of you when we do."

Chartreuse stepped into her Trinary's assigned DropShip that was attached to the Lupus; the Black Lion-Class WarShip that was inhabited by the 279th Wolf Battle Cluster. The other four MechWarriors in her Star followed closely behind, nervous from their recent meetings. A few hours ago Khan Howl had finished briefing all of the Clan Wolf units on the coming battle through a broadcast, and she and the rest of her Trinary had just finished going over their specific instructions not long ago.

"This battle is going to be huge! Do you think we'll survive?" Pixie asked, her worry slipping through the cheerfulness she used to hide her fears.

Chartreuse glanced back at the group of ponies. Pixie and Steel Thunder, a light gray pegasus with electric blue eyes and a short silver mane, had been with her from day one. The third, an orange male unicorn named Bonfire with ruby eyes and a curly three-tone mane that matched his namesake, had replaced a fallen warrior a few weeks later.

The newest addition had joined less than a month ago when another of her warriors had fallen in battle, and they were a pony Chartreuse had never expected to see again. It was Honey Bee; the young pony who'd piloted the Shadow Cat during Chartreuse's return to Dike about a year ago. She had a pastel yellow coat, golden eyes surrounded by no shortage of black freckles, and a soft, long black mane and tail. The fur around the base of her neck was unusually long and fluffy. She'd started dyeing it black when she joined Clan Wolf, making her look even more like a bee.

Chartreuse nodded, trying to comfort the group. Even Steel, who was normally itching for a fight, lacked a little of his usual confidence. "Of course. Our entire Cluster is going to be nearby for this battle. With so many of us in one place, we'll be just fine."

Bonfire nodded in agreement. "Clan Draconequus may put up a fight, but we'll have the advantage in numbers and skill. There's absolutely nothing to worry about."

"You know what? You're right. This battle is gonna be a piece of cake for us." Pixie tapped her nose and stared off into the distance. "Speaking of cake, what are you guys gonna do after the war is over? I think I might become a baker. I could open a shop in my home city. There's a street there where all the best chefs and bakers set up their livelihoods, and if the timing is right, I just know I'll be able to find an empty building and make it big."

Steel snorted. "You would want to do something like that. I, for one, plan to remain a soldier. Putting scum in their place is what I live to do."

"You wanna keep killing, who would've guessed," Pixie muttered. Honey giggled, but Bonfire cut in before the gray pony could retaliate.

"I'll probably go back to working in the family business. My parents own a year-round campground. They're pretty close to retiring, and I get to inherit the place when that happens," Bonfire said proudly. "There's a sanctuary of trees on top of a volcano that erupted thousands of years ago, and the campsite spans an area of almost a hundred square kilometers in that forest."

Pixie nodded approvingly. "That sounds wonderful. I've only been camping a few times since I live in a big city, but maybe I'll visit someday. Our home planets are in the same system, so that's not an unreasonable trip." She turned to Chartreuse and tilted her head curiously. "What about you? I know you don't have anything to go back to, but that doesn't mean you can't start fresh. If you can cook or run a store, we could start that bakery I mentioned together," Pixie said, tapping her hooves happily and smiling from excitement. "Ooh, that sounds like so much fun!"

Chartreuse smiled back and shook her head. "That does sound fun, but I think I'll remain a soldier, too. I have my own reasons to keep fighting that I can't just turn my back on. They're too important."

"Aw, and it was such a perfect idea. Oh well, to each their own. We'll get you to tell us what those reasons are some day," Pixie said jokingly. "What about you, Bee? Care to start that bakery with me?"

Honey shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't really thought about it much, but I do like saving ponies. I could become a firefighter or a police officer, but running a bakery seems really enjoyable, too. Maybe I can do both part time."

"Oh yeah, I forgot you're not much younger than Chartreuse. You're what, sixteen? Seventeen? You've got plenty of time to think, so don't rush it," Pixie said.

Honey nodded. "I'll give it more thought. Thanks."

Pixie stretched her shoulders as the group came to a stop just inside one of the DropShip's cargo holds, where their Star's 'Mechs were located. "Mmm, I don't know about you guys, but I could really use a mimosa and a nap."

"Did you remember to stock up? The crew rarely resupplies the champagne. You're the only one in the Trinary who ever drinks it," Chartreuse reminded her.

Pixie stopped mid stretch and scrunched up her face. "No."

Chartreuse and Honey laughed. Pixie forgetting things wasn't out of the ordinary, but the pink pony always acted surprised when it happened. "We don't have long until the DropShips detach, so I wouldn't suggest running back for more," Chartreuse said.

"Yeah, it's probably a bad idea. I'll just have to see what else they've got. You guys coming?"

Chartreuse shook her head. "I'd rather not. I don't like how disoriented alcohol makes me feel."

"I'll pass, too. I don't want to drink underage," Honey said.

"Aw, you sticks in the mud. What about you two? Wanna drink with me?" Pixie asked, turning to Bonfire and Steel.

Bonfire nodded. "Sure. We don't really have much better to do for the next few days, anyway." Steel shrugged and remained silent, but he still followed when Pixie trotted off toward the back end of the cargo hold, where one of the 'Ship's main stairwells was located.

Chartreuse took a step toward a different stairwell that lead to the 'Ship's sleeping quarters, but she stopped when she noticed Honey was staring up at their 'Mechs with a nervous expression. It was easy for her to understand how anxious the relatively unexperienced pony was feeling about her first large-scale battle. Chartreuse always got chills whenever she thought back to how she felt when the enemy Clan Draconequus DropShips were landing on Strana during her first battle, which had involved nearly three Clusters worth of soldiers, counting the forces from every Clan involved.

"How are you feeling?" Chartreuse asked as she walked up behind Honey.

Honey sighed and turned back to face Chartreuse. "Not great, honestly. Even with everypony's words of encouragement, I'm still scared. Are we really going to survive this battle?"

Chartreuse glanced up at the 'Mechs again while she thought of what she should say; Honey's Shadow Cat B that was taken from the training camp and overhauled, Bonfire's Stormcrow C, Pixie's Mad Dog A, Steel's Timber Wolf H, and of course, her own modified Warhawk Prime that removed the missile launcher for another heat sink and extra armor on the front torsos. It was an incredibly dangerous quintet of machines, especially in the hooves of the skilled warriors in her Star. Honey was still new and somewhat unexperienced, but she did have a good head on her shoulders, as well as a decent amount of natural talent. Chartreuse had to admit, Commander Charcoal had known what he was doing when he selected which cadets would stay at the training camp on Dike.

"I don't know," Chartreuse said finally with a heavy sigh. "To tell the truth, I'm scared, too. We have a lot of strong MechWarriors joining us for this battle. Clan Ghost Bear is bringing their best units, as is Clan Bugbear. However, there's no telling what tricks Clan Draconequus has up their sleeve. It could be anything, even a bluff.

"I'm not saying we're definitely going to die. If put against a Clan Draconequus Star of equal tonnage, I have no doubt we could win without a single casualty. There aren't many good ambush locations on our planned route, so if we're careful in those areas and we use our training and knowledge, we'll maximize our chance of survival," Chartreuse finished.

"That's what I wanted to hear. You're not pretending everything's going to be fine, and you're not hopeless about it, either. If you truly think we have a chance, then that's good enough for me," Honey said with a nod. She smiled slightly. "I remembered seeing you and your friends around before you left the training camp, and ever since you came back to Dike and defeated Charcoal and Juniper, I've always admired you. We heard about the battle on Strana Mechty, though we weren't told the outcome, and I didn't know if any of you had survived. Seeing you come back and save us, having gone against all odds and forged your own destiny, it made me feel hopeful for the first time in years. I'd resigned myself to dying for a cause I didn't believe in, but you showed me another way. Even if I die in this battle, I think I'd be okay with it, knowing how many other innocent foals I saved. That's all I want with this second chance of mine. To help others in need."

Chartreuse smiled and ruffled her friend's mane with one hoof. "You're an incredible pony, you know that? After everything you've been through, all you can worry about is others." She sighed again and looked away. "I wish I could say my reason for fighting was that selfless, but it's mostly just out of obligation. I did something terrible during that battle on Strana that I don't know if I'll ever forgive myself for. I don't want to say what it is, and I don't even know if I could. I'm only still here to atone for what I've done."

"Whatever it is, I don't think you should punish yourself for it," Honey said comfortingly. "We all make mistakes. Even if it was something you did intentionally, the fact that you feel bad about it means you're better than you were back then, and if it's affected you this much then you'll never do it again. Isn't that enough?"

Chartreuse shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm still stuck living in the past." She glanced at the doorway the rest of their Star had disappeared through and stretched her forelegs. "Sorry, I didn't mean to turn that into a sob story. Want to join the others? We can drink something other than alcohol."

"Sure," Honey replied. The two of them walked through the cargo bay, their hoofsteps echoing through the large space.

"Is Honey right? Am I putting myself through all of this for no good reason? Am I just going to lose more friends because of this?" Chartreuse wondered. She shook her mane, not liking the anxious shiver that worked its way up her spine. Still, she was determined. Some of her friends at least seemed to be at peace with their future no matter how short it could be, and deep down, that was enough for her to be at peace, too, even if she didn't survive until the end. At least that was a suitable atonement for how triumphant she had felt after Tangelo's death.

"I hope you're watching," Chartreuse thought. She knew Sundance and her other late friends would be so happy that the war was finally almost over. "Your deaths weren't in vain. After all this time, the cause you died for is finally becoming a reality. I'll end this war, and I'll be thinking of you when I do."

Shadow's body shuddered from exhaustion as he finished re-casting the enchantment on his computer room. He had been confined to the small space for the entire two days it took to apply the spell, but luckily the mental strain hadn't been so much that he couldn't keep up with his responsibilities as an alicorn, at least to an acceptable degree. It's not like he was a particularly benevolent leader, anyway. He left most of the public appearances to his second in command, which left him free to do his will acceptably often.

"What a pain," Shadow muttered as he glanced back at the space where Twilight's body should have been. After he'd finished rinsing his eyes of the powder and filled Vendetta in on the situation, he had expected to find her corpse lying in a puddle of her blood. Instead, all he'd found was the blood. No corpse. Luckily the storage drive that she'd copied his conversation with Vendetta to was still present, so she had no incriminating evidence, wherever she may be. Still, he was very angry.

"How the hell did she get away? And did she survive, or bleed out somewhere?" Shadow wondered. She couldn't have had help- only one pony had followed him from Terra, he was sure of it. If she'd had an object that was enchanted to allow her to teleport without using her own magic or something similar, then that could explain it. The magic inhibitor in the room only kept ponies other than himself from casting new spells. He couldn't have it cancel out enchantments too, or he ran the risk of an intruder activating it and him not being able to teleport back. Having only certain enchantments not be inhibited was something he still had to figure out.

Shadow shook his head. "No matter. She has no evidence, so I only have to be very careful about keeping this room secure. She won't ruin my plans. I won't allow it." He walked back to his computer and pulled up a message from his Captain-General, the first in command of the House of Generosity's military. He'd already read over it multiple times, but it still filled him with triumph to see. The secret troops he'd sent to Clan space months early were in place, and his plan to become the ruler of the entire Inner Sphere was in motion. He could already almost taste it, the glory of rising to the top and stamping the worthless ponies of the Inner Sphere beneath his hooves. It was all his for the taking. He could become the most powerful pony to ever exist.

Shadow grinned and stepped out into his castle's hallway, excited for what was to come. The Inner Sphere armies were supposed to leave in about a week, and every relevant alicorn would be present. Princess Flurry Heart wouldn't be too difficult to deal with after the rest were out of the picture. "Ah. How ironic, that the one pony who is supposed to embody generosity the most is about the least selfless pony alive," he said smugly. "And when everything is said and done, I'll come out on top. There won't be anypony who would dare to stand against me."