They were coming; she didn't have much time left. Twilight's hear was racing harder than ever before, the blood racing through her veins at 150 miles an hour. Looking back down the halls she could see the flickering shadows of the Desert Troops, drawing closer to where she stood.

Her legs kicked in once again, sending her bolting down the staircase and towards the lower levels. One misplaced hoof and she was sent tumbling down a few flights, catching herself with her wings before she hit the ground once again. Looking up she could see the palace kitchens, the large room devoid of all signs of the usual bustle. It was her last chance, she didn’t have much time. She galloped into the kitchen at full speed, nearly crashing into one of the counters and sending pots and pans flying. Across the room she could see a number of cupboards ad pantries but none big enough to hide a pony.

She could hear them, the sound of their racket as they thundered down the staircase towards where she stood. She didn't know if they had even seen her, but she was in no hurry to find out. Finally her eyes managed to lock onto the walk in freezer. Without a seconds thought she galloped towards the heavy metal door and forced it open with her magic, giving her just enough space to squeeze through before pulling it shut and locking it tightly.

It was dead cold, and although it helped cool her down she knew that it would become an issue sooner or later. Her horn lit up with a warm and comforting flame, just enough to keep her alive and well. Out of all the possible outcomes she did not want to perish locked in a kitchen freezer.

The smoke lifted over the city revealing the charred remains of the once proud city, homes reduced to blackened bones and shattered tiles. Embers burned in the ash filled ruins and the wind softened to a gentle breeze. The sky was chocked by a grey overcast, the world bellow covered in a shadowy veil. The city had fallen dead silent, only broken by occasional clang of weaponry.

The guard had fallen in the end with little resistance, outnumbered and surrounded as Azzal’s forces had closed in around. Their moral had taken a mortal blow at the capture of Shining Armour, but all hope was shattered upon seeing their princesses in chains. Weapons were reluctantly thrown to the ground and the defenders were herded into the caves bellow with the survivors.

Azzal himself had fared well, only having suffered minor cuts and bruises, his mask having been repaired and modified, his talon also back up to scratch. For now he simply waited, he waited for Equestria to fall. His plan was to strike hard and to strike deep before the body had a chance to react, and he had done so. There was little to stop him now, all of the land was his for the taking if he so chooses. It seems they would not go down so easily, he would have to meet them personally.

But something nagged on his mind, something he couldn't shake. On the eve of battle he had seen three princesses, three regal mares all of whom stood before him as a messenger. And yet he held but only two. It seems he had a princess to find.

Twilight’s eyes darted open, waking from her sleep to find herself still surrounded by the chill air. The fire she’d lit was growing dim, only embers remaining where it once burned. In the dark freezer she could barely see anything more than with her eyes shut. She huddles her wings closer to her body, trying to keep herself warm any way possible. Falling asleep was a bad idea, Twilight knew that, but she was exhausted.

She couldn't tell what time it was, or if it was even morning yet, but she had a feeling the sun had risen. Call it some kind of spiritual connection or whatever you like. But what worried her most was the fate of her friends. Applejack was captured along with her brother, so hopefully they were okay. As for Pinkie and Rarity… she didn't really want to imagine. Hopefully they were also captured and taken prisoner. At least they had a chance of staying alive then.

If Twilight was to find out she had to escape, get out of the palace and find where they were being held. She had her suspicions, but she had to be sure. The palace would probably be crawling from head to toe with those Desert Ponies; all would have no second thoughts on killing her on the spot. How anypony was capable of that she didn't know. Her horn lit up as she cast a spell on the door, the lock mechanisms clicking into place and letting the heavy freezer door slowly creep open. A wave of warm air flooded the small cramped room, Twilight holding back a sigh of relief as she realized other ponies were still present.

Pressing an eye against the crack in the door she could see two ponies, both dressed in desert robes and light armour, just casually talking as they enjoyed a quick snack from the palaces storerooms. They hadn't yet noticed her opening the freezer door, Twilight daring to open it another inch. Both of them had their backs turned to her, allowing her to open the door just enough so that she could silently squeeze out. She wasn't in the clear yet, quietly shutting the door behind her and hiding behind the kitchen counter.

She was out of sight, now she just had to get out. There were to exits; one directly in front of the guards and another just to their left that lead to the stairwell. The first was out of question and the second would be difficult. She needed a plan, and fast.

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the rubbish chute, an opening that traveled straight down to the cellars where it was to be taken away. It rather small but might just be big enough to fit through. On the downside it would be noisy as Tartarus getting in and down. Twilight now needed some kind of distraction, something to throw them of. Clasping a hoof over her mouth as to silence her heavy breathing, she managed to silence herself for a while, giving her more time to think.

‘Okay Twilight you've got this. Keep calm and carry on as a wise pony once said. Now we just have to find a way to draw their attention somewhere else.’ There were a couple of pots stacked on the opposite counter, catching her eye as she searched for ideas. ‘Perfect.’

Azzal bucked open the doors with a tremendous amount of force, nearly ripping hem from their hinges. He entered the princess’s quarters with a heavy hoof, his steps echoing around for a second before settling. Lying in the center and bound by chains laid Celestia, the princess brought low by her captors. She did not open her eyes nor look up as the warlord approached, and she wasn't ready for the strike he landed on her muzzle.

“Where is she?!” He cried, bringing his outstretched hoof down on Celestia’s face. With a swift crack she felt the bones within her face crack slightly under the pressure. But she still showed no signs of giving in. “Your silence only prolongs the inevitable. Tell me where she is and her fate will be far kinder.”

He had half given up on getting the answers out of her, turning his back to leave once more, pulling his cloak over his body. “You won’t find her Azzal.” Upon hearing her words the grey stallion pivoted on the spot, looking at her with curiosity. “And when you do…  it will already be too late.”

Next Chapter: The Sun Rises Estimated time remaining: 28 Minutes