Azzal liked to consider himself quite the strategic genius. As Sil Ran’s adviser he managed secure victory and dominance over the rival eastern tribes. Canterlot was a whole different story; sitting on the towering mountain side with only a narrow pass for access. For any normal force it would prove a nightmare, but Azzal Khan had faith in his own abilities. By causing panic among the ranks and disorganizing the defense he was able to press in deep. With a foot hold secure all that was left to do was use his numbers to his advantage.

But now he had the next phase of his plan set; the attack on the inner gates. The outer gates and the lower city were firmly in his grasp, the defenders withdrawing to safety. They would have the advantage from the beginning, an advantage that had to be stripped of them; the walls. Azzal’s own Pegasi Axillaries had suffered heavy losses in the first assault, not enough to take down the defenders.

“Dellas!” The battle scarred Pegasus called over the general to his place on the wall. From here he could make out the inner defenses clearly through the low dust that had settled.

“You summoned me my lord.” Dellas gave a shallow bow and tossed aside the robes that shielded his face from view.

Azzal did not make eye contact, instead continuing to look out across the field of battle. “The next stage of our victory lies before us; I will need your support if it is to be achievable.”

As much as he loathed the sight of him, Dellas had little choice but to comply. “And what exactly did you have planned? We have seven hundred soldiers fit to continue fighting and awaiting your command.”

“Sending them against the gates head on would be folly; they would be killed as soon as they were in range of their arrows. What I ask is for you to set up a force of two hundred warriors strong, any who are willing to lay down their lives if the task calls for it.

“We shall set alight the lower city, wreath it in flame. Under the cover of night and the veil of smoke we can make our advance. Dellas, you are to lead them to battle. Bring down the gates and prepare to make a stand.”

Suicide, no other word better described his plan. Master tactician indeed, this was a madpony. “If I may…  council my lord to revise his plans if we are to achieve victory. You would have me lead two hundred ponies towards their deaths. I would call that a highly unnecessary loss.”

“I did not ask for your council, Dellas, nor do I need it. My plan is set and you are to enact it. Now go before I decide that you alone are to stand in for them.” Azzal gestured a forehoof away from him, flicking him off like a common insect.

More than anything Dellas would have liked to have simply run him through for what seemed like a death sentence, but he knew his own death her would be pointless. “As you wish…  my lord.”

Two hundred soldiers marched with torch and spear in hoof, in tight phalanx they moved towards what many knew would be their end. As they passed through the streets they set the buildings and architecture of Canterlot alight, the lower city now covered in a sea of flame and smoke. The stars were blotted from the sky and the moon faded to a dull grey. Dellas drew out his short sword, a curved and lethal tooth of iron. To his left and right formed the ranks of wicker shields and spears, a desperate defence against the oncoming tide. With them they hefted a great ram, perfect for bringing down the heavy reinforced gates if they ever so got the chance. He highly doubted such a time would arise.

As if on cue came a rain of sleek and swift arrows, a hail of death upon the attacking lines. But they had the cover of darkness on their side and the smoke obscuring the vision of the archers. Some of the Pegasi attempted to clear the skies but found themselves closer to suffocation with every swoop.

Azzal watched patiently from the outer walls, another full five hundred troops ready and waiting for whenever they may be needed. The lord turned to his generals and grinned as he spoke. “Let’s give them something else to panic about.”

The engineer captain called “Fire!” and suddenly massive boulders where hurled into the sky towards the inner city. They came crashing down upon the defenders like a hammer from above, sending ranks into chaos and disarray. A second barrage soon followed, then a third. They unleashed two more such waves until they were simply out of rocks to cast at their foes. But the damage had already been dealt; Celestia’s forces had taken quite the beating.

Towers had come crumbling down around them and everywhere guards seemed to crack under the pressure. Only where their captains still held resilient did the line hold. And with the help of Shining Armour did Celestia manage to bring order back to her forces. But it seemed that it was too little too late, the attackers had reached the gates.

“Looks like ya got some target practice there Rarity.” Applejack rested on the battlements, shifting uncomfortably in her armor. “I still think that all this get up was a bit unnecessary.”

“You say that now darling, but come battle you will come to tank it, I assure you.”

“You’re on then. Besides, Ah doubt they’ll make it past the gates. They've gone and sent only a couple of hundred against us.”

“Maybe they should have done the smart thing and invested in some quality armor.”

“We all know yawl look very nice in your armor, but that’s not exactly my point. Ah’m just saying that Ah swear there was more of ‘em, or at least there was.”

“Well be thankful. This will all be over soon and we can go home and forget this horrible thing ever happened.”

“Yeah, Ah guess you’re right. A swift battle is a good one in this here case.”

“Speaking of which, have you seen Pinkie anywhere? I haven’t seen her since she went bouncing off down the battlements.”

Applejack turned her head and quickly searched the ranks of guard with her eyes. “Nothing from what Ah could see. Maybe she’s gone back to the palace. Heck, maybe she’s just with Shining or Celestia. I have faith in the girl; she sure knows how to get out of a tight situation.”

“I guess so, although it isn't very reassuring. I would hate to lose a dear friend to all the chaos that comes with a brawl. I mean did you see them cast those rocks at us. What if she had been hit by one of those!?”

“Whoa, don’t worry their Sugarcube; she’s got her Pinkie sense to watch out for her. What we need to really focus on right now is getting ready in case they do break through that there door. You get on with firing that bow and Ah’ll go help with the effort on the ground. I think Ah may be of best help there. Good luck to ya Rar’s.”

“As to you darling. Go show them what us Equestrian mares are made of.”

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