Though I should have known my hopes were foolish, I was still heartened when Commander Celestia came to the clan’s compound as we prepared to march to war. A part of me yet dared to hope that she would take the field beside us, e’en though she had been most clear with me that such would not occur. ‘Twould seem I am ever a fool.

We intended to meet the enemy a few hours’ march outside of Canterlot. Near enough to withdraw in good order without too much trouble, but not so close that the enemy could besiege the city without meeting us in battle. ‘Twas of the utmost importance to our morale that we meet them in battle before Canterlot came under siege. If we fought all the war from our forts, our soldiers would hesitate to ever leave them, and all Equestria would say that we could only fight from behind the safety of our walls. ‘Twas imperative that we demonstrated our ability to take the offensive, e’en though defense remained the more prudent strategy. Maintaining morale was at least as important as tending to physical survival of our soldiers.

The Commander found me in the midst of o’erseeing the preparation of those few sky chariots we intended to use in the coming battle. Sunbeam Sparkle and a few of her hoof-picked magi would be accompanying my forces as part of our plan, and as such would require suitable transportation. Simply riding on the backs of my pegasi was hardly an ideal solution, given all that could happen in the midst of a pitched battle.

When my fellow clanponies saw her, they quickly busied themselves elsewhere at the Commander’s approach, allowing us to speak undisturbed. Despite that, I felt the air thicken about the two of us as the Commander placed a privacy spell about us. I had grown familiar with that particular conjuration since my arrival in Canterlot and the war’s beginning. Naturally, there was a great deal of concern about spies and saboteurs potentially undermining the war effort—though the fact that Gale had her sources of information within the rebel camp made it likely that the reverse also applied. ‘Twas not paranoia when there likely were enemy agents in our midst.

I stepped forward and saluted. “Commander. How may I serve?”

Commander Celestia smiled and offered a slight nod to acknowledge my salute. “Shadow, ‘tis always a pleasure to see thee. Canst thou spare a few moments to speak?”

“Of course, Commander.” I stepped to the side, so that we would no longer be in the middle of my clan’s war preparations. “I am sure my clanponies can prepare a few sky chariots without my direct supervision. I was simply o’erseeing the task in a loose sense.”

Such gestures were a small part of generalship, and one that was often forgotten. Ponies deeply appreciated the thought that their commanding officer would o’ersee their tasks, and ask after their wellbeing. ‘Tis a poor general who stays distant and unapproachable to their forces, rather than mixing with their troops and sharing their concerns (1).

1: I always find Shadow’s firm belief that commanders should lead from the front and fraternize with their troops rather interesting, considering how opposed it is to modern generalship. Not to mention the implications it has for her relationship with Celestia.

“Good.” The Commander walked at my side, her eyes casually passing o’er all the myriad ponies hard at work making the final preparations for battle. Armor and weapons were inspected, chains of command were clarified and what little special magical gear we had acquired was parceled out. “I trust thou art well?”

“Aye, I am.” I waved a hoof o’er my clan. “The Kickers stand ready to meet the enemy on your orders, Commander. As for the rest of our forces, though the bulk of our ponies are yet untested, they must have their first battle at some point. Now is the time for it, whilst their training is fresh and they have not yet had the time to think too much ‘pon it.” Excessive idle time would only give the new recruits more opportunities to think ‘pon the fact that, pony for pony, the clans of Pegasopolis were their betters as warriors. I could only pray that our tactics would lessen that disadvantage.

“Yes, of course.” Commander Celestia’s gaze turned to the east, and a troubled frown crossed her face. Though ‘twas distant enough to be barely visible, Cloudsdale approached us. ‘Twould seem the rebels intended to relocate the city nearer to Canterlot to support the upcoming siege. ‘Twas a fitting metaphor, I suppose. Celestia sighed and gave a single shake of her head. “Hopefully this battle will not be a bloody affair, as far as such things go.”

“Crossguard does not plan a protracted clash of arms,” I assured her. “The main engagement of our pikes will merely tie their forces down while my clanponies and Sunbeam’s picked magi outflank and strike at their supplies.”

“So he has told me.” Despite that, Celestia did not seem comforted. “Though battle plans are known for falling apart once the armies meet. I pray thy hopes for a short battle are borne out, regardless. However, I fear that e’en if all goes as thou dost hope on this day, this lesser battle will be but a taste of the horrors that are to come. Those who give their lives this day will not be reassured to learn that ‘twas but an opening engagement in a longer campaign.”

“That is the way of war.” I was grateful for the spell ensuring our privacy; ‘twould not be good for morale if all saw the Commander in such a grim mood. Rather than linger on that subject and risk her falling to melancholy again, I addressed a different matter. “'Tis your intention to remain within the city, then?”

“‘Tis so,” she confirmed. “I will be maintaining the shield protecting Canterlot while the army and the magi are in the field. I have given thought to taking on the task permanently, but such would leave me with less strength than I would like to attend our wounded. Though Crossguard doth not like to hear it, e’en I have my limits.”

My eyes turned upwards to the shield now covering the city. ‘Twas a subtle thing, a distant distortion in the air that one might well not notice if unwary. As I had heard it explained, there was now a thin cocoon of superheated air surrounding the city, strong enough to sear the flesh from a pony’s bones should they attempt to cross. I wondered if part of Commander Celestia’s willingness to take on management of the spell stemmed from a desire to alter it to a less destructive form. It had been chilling to witness what had happened to the first rebel advanced scouts when they crossed the shield’s threshold. Still, every fallen enemy was one less foe who could stand ‘gainst us, and at least the death had been a quick one. A flash of light, and all that remained was a small pool of molten metal.

Commander Celestia would not wish to linger on that thought, though. “Such measures are prudent, given how near the enemy will be to the city. Our army must have its remaining magi to stand against the rebels, but if the shield falls then the ephors might well circumvent the army and strike at Canterlot directly.”

“'Tis what I would seek to do, were I in command,” I confirmed. Though in truth, I might have delayed the move on the capital for a few weeks longer. The rebels were eager to bring a quick end to the war, and the fall of Canterlot would no doubt bring with it the surrender of Celestia’s remaining loyalists. However, I had no intention of letting the city fall swiftly, and in a protracted siege, the rebels might have cause to regret their laxness in securing the rest of Equestria. I suspect they underestimated the resolve of Celestia’s remaining loyalists, and the abilities of her soldiers who did not bear wings.

“In truth, there is another reason I wish to maintain the shield.” The Commander turned to me with a gentle, understanding smile. “I know that there are those who think less of me for my refusal to take the field. Sunbeam has spoken of it to me with her usual bluntness, and I know that in the privacy of thy mind e’en thou wouldst condemn me for refusing to do battle.”

“Commander, it is not my place to—”

“Peace, Shadow.” Her shoulders slumped once more as the melancholy that lingered e’er near her mind claimed her. “I do not think less of thee for wishing that I would join thee in battle. Those private doubts and rebukes thou wouldst hide e’en from thyself are echoed within mine own mind. Perhaps ‘tis as Sunbeam said, and the difference ‘tween ordering ponies to battle and taking lives directly is of little moral consequence. Yet I find that I can only manage the first, heavy though it makes my heart.” She shook her head. “I cannot do battle, but mayhaps I can at least offer some protection to the ponies of my capital, and remove a burden from our magi.”

“'Tis a fine and noble task,” I agreed, struggling to crush the mutinous thought that her place was on the field, regardless of her desires. Rather than linger ‘pon such thoughts, I asked a question. “You did not come merely to tell me this, neigh?”

“Neigh,” she agreed. Commander Celestia turned back to me, and her shoulders squared as she shook off some portion of the sorrow that clung to her. “There is a matter of the utmost importance I wished to discuss with thee. Thou art familiar with Lance Charger?”

It took a moment to connect the name to the mare. “Bright's eldest, aye. What of her?”

“'Tis of the utmost importance that she not fall in the coming battle,” Celestia confirmed. “Her death would have catastrophic consequences for our cause.”

That was an unexpected response. Commander Celestia was not prone to o’erstating her case. “Might I know the reason why a single enemy soldier has such importance, Commander?”

Celestia’s eyes turned once more to the east, and I felt a sense of unnerving certainty that if I were to draw a straight line from her eyes, I would find Lance Charger at the end of it. “She is a mare of great talent. More than e’en she knows, and she has yet to find her destiny or reach her full potential. I had hoped that my visit to Cloudsdale would allow me the chance to help her on that path, but alas it is not so. Regardless, she must live to fulfill that potential, and once she has done so she will play a vital role in rebuilding Equestria after the war.”

As Commander Celestia’s answers are prone to do, she had left me with a dozen new questions. “If she is destined for greatness, then I wonder if I could even threaten her.”

She gently shook her head. “Destiny is not so simple as that, dear Shadow. Ponies always have the ability to choose, and those choices can cause changes that ripple ‘cross the world. Still, ponies are as they are, and circumstances will often compel us towards a single specific course of action. E’en I, for all my years and insight, have often been struck by how little I truly know of the vagaries of fate and fortune.” She turned to me, a faint smile on her face. “Sometimes I e’en think destiny mocks our attempts to unravel it. Tell me, Shadow, hast thou heard the legend of Stardust the Mage?”

“I have not.”

“Very well then.” She took a seat and her horn lit, conjuring brief illusions to accompany her story. “Long ago, e’en before I walked Equestria, there was a magus by the name of Stardust. From the moment of her birth, all agreed that she was destined for greatness. From her earliest days, she had the best instructors, the best instruments, and the respect of all around her. In time she grew arrogant, certain that she would inevitably triumph o’er all obstacles and be completely impervious to all harm until her great destiny had been fulfilled. In time, she crossed the path of the great dragon Blightfire. As was her way, Stardust demanded that the dragon stand aside and pay homage to her, for she was certain that no harm could befall her, as her destiny had not yet been found.”

“And the dragon’s response?” I asked.

“He ate her,” the Commander answered. “Swallowed her whole in a single gulp. Or at least, such had been his intention. Somewhere in the process she became lodged in his throat, and he choked to death ‘pon her bones. With Blightfire’s fall, the dragons fell to squabbling o’er his great hoard, as was their way, and Equestria was freed from the threat of dragon raids for the next several centuries. Thus was Stardust’s great destiny fulfilled.”

“I believe I grasp the lesson of the parable.” I felt a hint of a smile cross my face at the grim humor of it. “One should not wear destiny as a shield, for hubris is often punished, and fate is not without a sense of humor.”

“Just so.” Celestia favored me with an approving smile. “By the same token, while Lance possesses great potential, she has not yet brought that to fruition. Though I have felt it stirring within her, she is yet an ordinary pegasus mare, albeit an exemplar of such. That potential can yet be denied, and e’en once it is fulfilled she is not invulnerable to harm. So I ask that thou dost preserve her life, if ‘tis within thy power.”

“And I shall honor your request, Commander.” Mine own eyes turned to Cloudsdale. “I would spare every pegasus I can, though I fear the war will leave me with few chances to do so. Though I would show mercy to my enemies, I must defend my clan, allies, and commander first.”

“We all have our duties.” Celestia’s eyes turned to the east once more. “My thanks. I know it is a difficult thing to ask, given all that passes within the heat of battle.”

“It may prove difficult,” I allowed, “but I will see it done, by your will.”

She favored me with a smile at that declaration. “Thou art e’er my champion, ‘twould seem. If there is nothing further thou wouldst discuss, I will leave thee to thy works.”

I saluted her once more. “Very well then, Commander. Good day to you.”

Celestia answered in a way I did not expect, gently kissing my cheek. “And good day to thee, Shadow. Be safe ‘pon the battlefield.”

We met the enemy in the valley ‘tween Mount Avalon and the Foal Mountains. With luck, the mountains would complicate any attempt at flanking our positions, especially as the pegasi would likely be wary of coming too near to Canterlot after their encounter with Sunbeam’s shield. The Maressippi River held our left flank well enough, while on the right was the mountain. Sunbeam had assured me that her magi had ways to ensure that the rebels would regret attempting to attack us from o’er the water.

The terrain itself was more open than I had initially planned, but our first tests with the pike squares had shown that the conscripts did not have the skill to hold a formation on uneven ground or maneuver around obstacles. Though I would have preferred tree cover to complicate any attack from above, ‘twould seem that we would have to make do without it for this battle. Hopefully the magi we yet commanded would have strength enough to defend our squares from above.

The rebel army was on the march down the old road from Fillydelphia to Canterlot. Though the pegasi had no need of roads, their baggage, supplies and any engines they might have to aid them in the siege would require such. ‘Twas those very things which were the primary goal of my attack.

We met the enemy late in the day, so that the setting sun would be in their eyes, and the lateness of the hour would encourage a short battle. Though ‘twas possible that the pegasi might choose to continue the battle into darkness, such was uncommon. Attempting large-scale military maneuvers in darkness was always a difficult proposition, and our magi had more means of counteracting the dark of night than the rebels could hope to possess.

As was custom, once the rebel army drew within sight of our own, we sent out envoys under flag of truce, as did they. ‘Twas an old tradition to offer one’s foes a final chance to stand aside ere battle was joined, though one that almost ne’er came to fruition. ‘Tis a very rare thing for one to go to all the trouble of assembling an army and marching out to meet the enemy only to stand aside when asked.

I met with Crossguard and Sunbeam, and made ready for the parley. Each of us was accompanied by a small retinue of our own forces, though they would not be participating in the actual discussion. Or at least what would pass for discussion. I offered brief nods to those among both groups whom I recognized, and my gaze lingered briefly on Morning Star. I hoped that the parley might at least bring news of her husband. The rebels would likely be willing to return those of our fallen who were in a fit state to be given o’er for burial.

Once all had assembled, we marched out to meet the rebels under their own flag of truce. ‘Twas a chilling thing to see my fellow Ephors from across the battlefield. Cyclone most of all, on account of his falsely bearing my clan’s colors despite his outcast status. At Crossguard’s suggestion, my own clan had added white tabards bearing the Commander’s sun sigil to our armor, so that we could plainly tell our own from the enemy.

Swift Blade was notable only by his absence, though such was to be expected given his lack of skill in the warrior’s arts. Rightly stood at the center, looking every bit as noble and valiant as I remembered despite his fall to treason. Steel, as was his way, regarded us with utter stoicism. I do not think he looked upon us any differently than he would have an army of gryphons, zebras, or any other enemy of Pegasopolis. There was a tension to Bright Charger’s stance that bespoke an eagerness to be done with the customary negotiations, that battle might be properly joined.

As Rightly stepped forward, my eyes shifted to the captain of his hetairoi. Lance Charger, whose life Celestia placed such high value upon. I had only met the mare in passing, but she looked the part of a noble warrior of Pegasopolis. Pity I would not have the chance to fully take her measure unless we met on the battlefield.

Rightly came to a halt, facing me. “Shadow, our army marches to Canterlot. Will you stand aside, so that we might have the road?”

I was stung by the cold formality of his words, though I suppose I should not have been surprised by it. Whate’er our personal feelings towards one another, we each had our duty, and those duties placed us in opposition to one another. Attempting to maintain the bond we had once shared would only bring misery and pain to the both of us. Though the formal demands of duty make a poor shield for a troubled heart, they were all we had to safeguard ourselves. “I cannot give you the road, for the army is not mine to command. Speak with Grandmaster Crossguard, if you would pass.”

Rightly met that news with a blink and a faintly confused frown. No doubt he was surprised to learn that I had accepted subordinate status to a unicorn. Nonetheless, he turned to face the grandmaster. “I intended no offense by addressing another before you, Grandmaster. My question stands: may we have the road?”

Crossguard acknowledged him with a faint nod, then answered, “No, you may not. As a soldier of Unicornia and Equestria, I am obligated to defend Her Majesty from all threats to her crown and dignity, whether foreign or domestic. If your army comes any nearer to Canterlot, I will be obligated to stop you by force of arms.”

“Our duty to the freedom and dignity of all ponykind compels us to stand ‘gainst Celestia,” Rightly answered in turn. “If you attempt to bar our path, we shall be similarly compelled to force you aside by whate’er means necessary. Much as it pains me to do violence to one of my fellow ponies, my duty to protect all of ponykind demands that I have the road. One last time, I pray, stand aside.”

“And one last time I say to you, I will not,” Crossguard answered in turn. “Disband your armies, and return your wrongfully conquered territory to Equestria.”

Rightly shook his head, then let out a sigh. “‘Twould seem we are well and truly at an impasse, then. So be it; our armies shall settle the matter. I must warn you that after the losses sustained by your knights and magi, what remains of your strength is insufficient to defeat us in open battle.”

“That may be so,” Crossguard conceded, “but nonetheless ‘tis my duty to stand against you.”

“So be it, then.” Rightly turned about and began to walk back to his own forces, but paused when his gaze passed over me. For a moment, the mask of the rebel commander dropped, and I found myself facing the stallion who had once been so dear to me. “Shadow, e’en after all that has passed, the Ephorate would gladly welcome you back. ‘Tis only proper that you—that thou dost stand amongst us.”

I hardened my heart, and met his eyes. “I stand in the only place I can: at my commander’s side, ‘gainst the rebels who would usurp her rightful post.”

“A curious choice of words.” Bright Charger stepped forward, gazing about with exaggerated confusion. “Given that Queen Celestia is notable only by her absence. Tell me, does she fear to face us in battle, or is she merely content to sit on a silk cushion and watch as better ponies than her die to preserve her throne?” Her attention shifted, noting Sunbeam amongst our numbers. “Though ‘twould seem she has sent her favored herald, at least. Mayhaps the archmagus’ death will suffice to draw the unicorn queen from her throne, that I might have the honor of wetting my lance with alicorn blood.”

Sunbeam offered no answer beyond a cold smile that seemed akin to that of a particularly hungry shark. “By all means, Ephor, seek me on the field. I would enjoy the fame and honor of slaying a warrior of your renown. As well as the opportunity to educate you as to the capabilities of an archmagus.”

“I have seen your archmagi in action.” Bright answered, stepping to her daughter’s side. “I took one of them, and my daughter captured another.” Bright proudly rested a wing across her daughter’s back. “They say ‘tis a greater accomplishment to take one’s enemy alive than to simply slay them. Though in truth, Copper Spark only lives thanks to my other daughter’s efforts. Dawn’s skills as a chirurgeon are a match for my other children’s battlefield prowess.”

Bright’s proclamation drew a gasp from Morning Star, and I felt my own shoulders slump in relief at word of his fate. Though sorely wounded and a prisoner of the enemy, he yet lived. Where life remained, there was yet hope for the future.

Sunbeam answered the ephor, seemingly unaffected by the news that Copper yet lived. “You may have faced archmagi in battle, but you have not yet faced me. I have heard it said that you are the best duelist in all Pegasopolis. Given that I hold the same honor for Unicornia, I think ‘tis fitting we meet. Look for me in the center, for I shall seek you.”

“So be it, then.” E’en from my current distance, I could see the eager light in Bright’s eyes at the prospect of the coming battle. Though she was doomed to disappointment, given that Sunbeam was to accompany my flanking force rather than holding the center. However, I could hardly name the archmagus a liar without compromising my own battle plan. No doubt if I had words with her afterwards, Sunbeam would defend herself by claiming that distracting Bright from her command justified the lie.

I had little interest in such posturing and deception. As I turned about and prepared to make my way to my clan, I felt my daughter’s hoof on my shoulder, holding me in place. Ere I could ask why she had halted me, Cyclone spoke from behind me. “Shadow, might we have words ere battle is joined? There may not be another chance.”

My shoulders stiffened at the sound of his voice, and I steeled myself. “Is it your intention to renounce your treason and submit to the will of your rightful commander?”

“Shadow, can we not leave aside such matters for the moment?” I heard the grass crunch beneath his hooves as he stepped forward, and his voice dropped to a low murmur. “Can we not forget politics, and speak once more as father and daughter?”

Ere his words could find purchase, I grit my teeth and spoke the only truth that I could accept. “My father is dead. I do not know you, Cyclone Cumulus.”

I would have continued away from him, were it not for Gale’s restraining hoof. “Mother, what harm is there in hearing his words? Mayhaps the rift in our clan may yet be healed, if you would but allow him the chance to speak.”

Though I had little desire to hear the traitor’s words, there was a logic to Gale’s suggestion that could not be denied. “So be it, then. He may have this single opportunity to say what he will.”

Cyclone took a few more steps towards me, but I did not turn to face him. ‘Twould make little difference, regardless. “This distance would weigh heavily 'pon Clay’s heart, Shadow. For the sake of his memory, let us put aside earlier words and speak of peace and reconciliation. It is not right for kin to face each other from across the battlefield.”

“Do not speak to me of my father's memory, traitor.” The words left my lips in a low, angry growl. “Your every action is an insult to all that he stood for. Your betrayal of clan and country defiles the very things that he believed in and gave his life to defend.”

“I will speak to you of it,” Cyclone answered, his voice firm. “Clay did not give his life for the distant Queen of Unicornia who wore the title of Commander yet ne’er exercised the office. 'Twas Pegasopolis for which he bled—for clan and clans, honor and home.”

“You name a litany of things you abandon and defile in your treason.” I turned to face him, though the gesture was wasted on his blind eyes. “You offer words? I will hear your repentance of your crimes.”

“Would you say the same to Clay were he here?” Cyclone demanded. “Were it my husband who stood before thee now, or within our clanhold weeks before, wouldst thou be so rash in thy judgements?”

“There was no rashness to my choice, only loyalty to the Commander I am sworn to serve.” I met his blind eyes with my own. “Treason and dishonor is not a message I will hear, regardless of who delivers it. I have no interest in debating the matter with an outcast traitor who would falsely usurp my rightful leadership of mine own clan. The only words I will hear from you are those of repentance. Do you offer them?”

Rather than answer me, Cyclone turned from me, seeking out the others of my clan. “Gale. Dear child, surely this madness sits ill within thy heart?”

Gale answered him without hesitation. “I will follow the commands of my mother, the materfamilias of Clan Kicker. That is the order of things.”

“I did not ask if thou wouldst obey her,” Cyclone countered. “I asked if thy heart was troubled by all that has passed, my granddaughter.”

My temper frayed at his words. “She is not your granddaughter, Cyclone the Clanless. You gave up all right to claim her as such when you chose perfidy and oathbreaking o’er loyalty to Equestria, your commander, and your clan. Thrice I say it and done, do you recant your treason?”

Cyclone paid no mind to me, instead addressing the others. “Gale, ponies of Clan Kicker, I implore thee, if there were e'er a time in thy life I would beg thy ear, 'tis now. Wouldst thou shed the blood of kin and comrades on this day? Does this madness not sit ill within thy hearts?”

Gale answered for all. “Nothing about this war sits well with my heart.” She turned her back on Cyclone, and stood at my side. “I neither see nor hear you, traitor.”

Cyclone’s shoulders slumped, and he offered a single nod. “So that is the way of it. Whate’er war may bring to us, know the following: e’en though thou dost name me as traitor and outcast, Shadow, thou shalt e'er be my daughter. I beg thee to return, and soon.”

I had no desire to hear his words. “Do not think I will hesitate to engage you or your traitors, should we meet on the field.” When I had met one his exiles in battle before I had spared her, but ‘twas an easy thing to do in a small skirmish. In open battle, I could not allow myself such weakness. All Equestria must see that I would fight for the true Commander.

I walked away from Cyclone, not offering another word or hearing any that he might have said in response. Had I known what would come to pass, I might have acted differently.

I did not witness the opening blows in what would eventually be known as the Battle of Avalon Vale due to the wide flanking maneuver I had committed my own forces to. Despite my lack of direct knowledge of the events, I have learned enough from the accounts of my clan and allies to have some knowledge of what occurred.

The battle opened with a few probing attacks from the rebel army, testing the mettle of our pike squares and searching for weaknesses. ‘Twas a sound and effective battle plan, for not all of the squares had equal discipline. Those which faltered under the force of the initial probes were the focus of the main rebel assault. Some of the squares held fast ‘gainst the enemy, their weak discipline hardened by the certainty of their own defeat if their resolve faltered. Others broke, and were quickly driven from the field by relentless harrying strikes from the rebels.

Greenwall’s contribution to the battle should be noted. In the initial strike, his square feigned a withdrawal, thus convincing the rebels that it was a vulnerable target. When the following attack came, they found themselves against ponies of rock-hard discipline and undeniable strength. Not only were the rebels bloodily repulsed, but the reversal made them wary of striking at true weaknesses in our line, lest they fall into another trap.

However, e’en in Greenwall’s square, the cruel mathematics of battle favored the pegasi. A few weeks of training and a clever tactic are not enough to make a pony the equal of a warrior who has devoted his life to his craft. By most estimates, we lost more than twice as many ponies as we slew.

Most would count any battle where they suffered such heavy losses as a severe defeat, yet Avalon Vale is reckoned a victory by the earth ponies and unicorns. The reason for it is that war is not a simple matter of mathematics. Though the loyal ponies of the squares bled, they also fought. The line bent and buckled, and some fled, but the rebels gained no breakthrough, no decisive advantage.

Though the battle of pikes to pegasi might be reckoned a defeat if one did but look at the numbers, the true battle was fought not on that field, but within the hearts of the ponies. On that day, the loyalist army learned that while the warriors of Pegasopolis were fearsome foes, they were still but ponies. Expertly trained, incredibly lethal ponies, but ponies nevertheless. Ponies whom could be met in battle, fought, and stood against, e’en by lesser warriors.

At battle’s end, every earth pony and unicorn of the pike squares left the field confident in the possibility of victory. By contrast, the rebels knew that while they yet held an undeniable advantage, those who yet remained loyal would not be so easily broken.

But as I have said, that was a matter for the future. For my part, I took my forces wide ‘round the flanks of the enemy, aiming to strike at their camp and supplies. The battle in the center was naught but a distant roar in my ears as I maneuvered my forces for their strike. We remained high in the clouds, that our presence might go unnoticed by the enemy until we were in position. I myself had the dubious pleasure of flying near Sunbeam Sparkle’s chariot—whate’er my opinion of the mare, I needed the leader of the magi detachment close at hoof for this operation.

Thus, I was well positioned to o’erhear when Gale approached the unicorn, hovering beside her chariot as a scowl darkened her face. “You lied to Bright Charger, when you promised her a duel.”

Sunbeam turned to face her, seeming quite unbothered by the condemnation. “Your point being?”

“'Twas a foul thing, to take advantage of her sense of honor so,” Gale growled.

Sunbeam answered that with a snort. “Child, if a mere lie proves to be the most foul thing to happen 'pon this battlefield, we can all consider ourselves blessed by fortune.”

“The existence of greater evils and fouler deeds does not negate your own crimes,” Gale countered. “I do not approve of your actions.”

“That I do not have your approval is truly crushing.” Sunbeam shifted in her chariot, in order to directly face my daughter. “Tell me, why exactly do you find my deception so upsetting? Because Bright will now redirect herself, and likely many of her best bondponies, to a less important part of the battlefield? That she will occupy herself searching for me in vain instead of pressuring our pikes? I was not aware that the rules of war required me to tell the enemy the truth of our maneuvers.”

“Deception is a legitimate part of warfare,” Gale conceded, though her frown remained in place. “What I find objectionable is the manner in which you executed it. A lie is all well and good, but you used the trappings of honor to deceive her.”

Sunbeam answered her with an aggrieved sigh. “Why is it that you and your mother both constantly condemn me for my lack of honor, and yet are always mortally shocked and offended when I act in ways you find dishonorable? I have ne’er e’en pretended to be an honorable pony.” Her eyes focused on Gale, and a predator’s smile crossed her lips. “In any case, thou art hardly an honorable mare thyself. Or hast thou forgotten the times thou hast used mine own daughter 'gainst me? Also, I did not see thee proudly proclaiming that I was a deceiver to the rebels. If my lie upset thee so greatly, why didst thou seem content to reap the benefits of it?”

Gale offered no response, beyond her grimace deepening at Sunbeam’s shift to addressing her less respectfully. To my displeasure, I found myself recalling some of Gale’s more questionable actions. She had been ready enough to violate guest-right and hospitality in the hopes of averting the very war we now fought, yet now she would condemn another for abusing the trust and honor of the enemy.

Sunbeam must have seen something ‘pon my face that gave insight into my thoughts, for she leaned nearer and her voice dropped to a low, cold whisper. “Tell me, Gale of Clan Kicker: hast thy mother e’er rejected any of thine own proposals because she found them dishonorable, too? Didst thou advise her to inflict some blow ‘pon the rebel cause before thy true loyalties were made plain? Didst thou advise thy mother to proudly proclaim to the other clans of thy intentions, or didst thou suggest that the Kickers depart in secrecy and deceptions?” Her smile shifted to an expression of utter smugness. “I think that thou dost not condemn me because mine acts are foul to thee, but because they lie so near to thine own heart that thou canst see them ‘pon thine own hooves. Thou dost see in me what thou couldst be, and that unsettles thee.”

Gale offered no answer, other than turning her back on the archmagus. “I tire of you, and this conversation.” Her piece said, she flew for another section of the battle line, one that would place her far distant from the archmagus. Having endured similar displeasures from Sunbeam’s company on more than one occasion, I could quite sympathize with her reaction.

The archmagus offered one final remark, as my daughter departed. “Do not be so quick to condemn that which thou art as well, Gale of Clan Kicker. Those who live in glass houses should not be so quick to cast stones.”

Once Gale had fully departed, I turned upon Sunbeam myself. “Must you antagonize my daughter so?”

Sunbeam answered me with an uncaring shrug. “How am I to blame when I did not seek conflict with her? She approached me first, did she not? She hath only herself to blame if our talk did not go the way she desired. I am sure her pride will recover in time. 'Tis hardly a worry, and 'twill be good for her to be mindful of the creature that she is. For all that she misliked my deception, she seems quite intent ‘pon lying to herself of her own nature.”

“My daughter is nothing like you.” The words left my lips of their own accord. “You act with no regard for honor, while she is always mindful of it, e'en if she does not always cleave to it. She knoweth that sometimes one must do questionable things to secure victory, but one must always be aware that the deed is not a righteous act. You, by contrast, would hold that the rightness of your cause and a positive outcome remove the foulness of the act itself.”

“What I think of mine own actions seemeth far less important than their effects. What does it matter whether I condemn myself for taking needful actions or take pride in them, so long as the act itself is done?” A lazy smirk slowly crawled onto her face. “Though regarding your daughter, I would ask a question of you. Do you think she would be so mindful of honor if 'twere not necessary for her to do so? After all, the things expected of a grand vizier and archmagus and that of the daughter and heir of a materfamilias of a great clan can be quite different. What regard would she have for the sense of honor held by pegasi if such was not a requirement of your clan?”

I gave her no immediate answer, for I found the question a troubling one. ‘Twas certainly possible that, absent mine own influence, Gale’s more ruthless and driven qualities might have come to the fore. I did not care for that though. “What of it, then? Mayhaps she could have been otherwise, but she is my daughter. That is the only truth that matters.”

Sunbeam fell silent for some time, then offered a small nod. “Aye, a daughter is a daughter. Mayhaps you are right, and that truth o’erwhelmth what might have been. Pray tell, why did you adopt her? How did she come to be your daughter?”

I saw no harm in sharing the tale. “I am an old mare, to have not yet birthed an heir. ‘Tis likely I will not do so, for I am too old to make a proper broodmare e’en if I could find a suitable partner for such an exercise (2).” I was briefly grateful that Sunbeam did not take the opportunity to make some crude or lascivious remark regarding my reproductive capability. “Thus, it seemed prudent to adopt a suitable child. I toured among my clan and bondponies, seeking out those among their number of a suitable age who had shown talents that would be of use to me, and serve a future materfamilias well. Of those whom I met, Gale showed the greatest talent and skill, so I made her mine own.”

2: As future events would show, Shadow was wrong on this point.

Sunbeam nodded, then offered a knowing grin. “And we both know which of Gale’s talents and skills drew your eye, do we not? To be frank, espionage and information gathering is hardly the most honorable skillset one can have. Yet they are invaluable skills to any leader, either in their person, or in their subordinates. But if one is to be competent at such arts, a certain degree of ruthlessness is required. Surely you did not expect your spymaster to be a paragon of Pegasopolan honor?”

I was long in answering her question. “Honor has its place, but it should not shackle a leader from doing that which is needful.” I saw Sunbeam’s eyes light in approval at my declaration and was quick to expand upon it ere she drew a parallel to her own beliefs. “Where we differ is in where that line is crossed. You would discard honor the instant it becomes inconvenient, whilst I will merely note that there are times when blind adherence to a code of honor can lead to greater evils.” My eyes narrowed in a meaningful glare. “Do not think that a valueless distinction.”

“Do not think me ignorant of mine own character,” Sunbeam answered coolly. After some time, she continued, a trace of bitter resentment in her voice. “Still, I shall credit you this much. You take ownership of those times when you would violate your own codes, rather than allow another to break them whilst pretending that your own honor remains unsullied, that you are above such base acts. In that, you have my approval. Much like you, I also know what I have done, am doing, and will likely do.”

“I know your character just as keenly.” I let my gaze linger on her. “If need be, I shall take what measures I must to stop you.”

Sunbeam answered my threat with a pleasant smile. “Now, Shadow, that is hardly a proper way to address one’s allies. 'Tis hardly honorable to be so hostile to one who furthers your cause. Did I not personally improve your own wargear and ask for nothing in return?”

I could hardly let that remark pass unchallenged. “Not so generous as that. What honor was there in putting traps in my armor that would end my life on your command?”

Sunbeam answered me with a snort and a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Again with this insistence that I should act honorably. And do not exaggerate, they were hardly lethal.” Her smile turned sly. “Perhaps your dear friend Morning Star lied to you about their nature? ‘Tis e’en possible she trapped it herself. She would not be the first wife to envy a husband’s former lover. Mayhaps once the battle is done, I should inspect your armor to ensure that such hath not occurred?”

I did not think that likely. “Of the two of you, I trust her more.”

“That is perhaps a wise choice,” she conceded. Sunbeam’s eyes lingered upon me, and she offered a slight shrug. “Though I doubt it will salve your anger on the matter, I would hardly have used those wards in anything but self-defense.”

“You will forgive me if I would not care to be killed by you, regardless of whether you believed it necessary to preserve your own life,” I answered coldly. “Especially as I would not care to try and kill you unless I had good cause for doing so.”

Sunbeam echoed mine own words at me. “You will forgive if I do not care to let you kill me, regardless of whether you think yourself justified in doing so. Let us hope such will never come to pass, for I have enjoyed our conversations.”

“They are interesting,” I conceded. Much as I found her refusal to abide by the honor of Pegasopolis offensive, I could not deny that there were times I found the challenge of debating her almost enjoyable. Mayhaps, had we lived in different times and met in better circumstances, I might e’en have sought out such discussions purely for their own sake.

‘Twas most unsettling to think that I might have named Sunbeam Sparkle a friend, had we lived different lives. I quickly sought something else to occupy my attention, and a break in the clouds beneath us offered the perfect target. “The enemy is near. We should make ready.”

“That we should,” Sunbeam agreed. She turned to the pegasi managing her chariot. “I would have words with my fellow magi, ere we meet the enemy. And I should think Shadow would wish to ensure her clan’s readiness as well.”

“Indeed.” That settled, I broke from her chariot and went about conducting my final inspection of my clan’s ranks ere we met the enemy. As expected, all was in readiness; the final inspection was largely a matter of formality, for my clan was not so inexperienced as to leave a problem unresolved until mere minutes before we met the enemy in battle.

However, no amount of careful planning could account for what we faced when we broke through the clouds and descended on the rebel supply train. The simple covered wagons of earth pony make would be easy targets for Sunbeam and her magi, but the enemy had not been so foolish as to leave their food stocks unguarded. That there were pegasi guarding the supplies came as no surprise, but their colors did. E’en from this distance, the blood red armor of Clan Kicker stood out from amongst the wagons.

In hindsight, I should have anticipated as much. Cyclone’s blindness would keep him from the front lines, but ‘twould be a grave dishonor to deny an ephor some place in the army (3). Guarding the baggage and acting as a reserve force was not the most glamorous of duties, but it still gave him a post without placing demands ‘pon him that his blindness would hamper. And it spared the rebels the prospect of facing their kin on the field, or at least so they had intended.

3: Which says something about the fact that they left Swift Blade behind.

However, that thought produced another, far darker one. Mayhaps the rebels had anticipated mine own move and had positioned the rebels here in the hopes that I would abandon my attack rather than break the taboo ‘gainst kinslaying. If so, they underestimated my resolve. War is a cruel business, but I would not neglect my own responsibilities out of sentiment. I looked to my clan. “Form up and make ready to engage the enemy.”

The order sent a ripple of shock through my clan’s ranks. Most had already noted that the pegasi beneath us were of our own clan, e’en if errant outcasts. Though by law ‘twas not kinslaying once they had been cast out the clan, a formal declaration from one’s materfamilias was not sufficient to sever all ties of love and family. Mine own daughter proved ample evidence of that, flying to my side. “Mother! You cannot mean for us to attack our own kin!”

“I mean for thee to attack the enemy,” I answered levelly. “No matter the color of their armor. They have declared war ‘pon our rightful commander, and that makes them our enemies.”

“Mother.” Gale’s voice dropped to a low, urgent whisper. “Already there are those within the clan who question your decision to remain loyal to Celestia. If you order a kinslaying now, those doubts will grow all the keener. It may be more than they will have.”

“The mater commands, and the clan obeys,” I hissed back to her. “Let them question and doubt if they must, but they will follow my orders. Is that clear?”

Gale stiffened, and answered me a with a formal salute. “By your will, materfamilias.” Though I might have been stung by her cold formality on any other day, I could spare little time to worry for her feelings. Let her resent me for doing what I must, but I would not betray our cause through inaction. Not e’en for her.

I turned about to address the rest of my forces. “Ponies of Clan Kicker! Magi of Unicornia! Today we strike a blow for Celestia, and Equestria. You know your duties, and I have every confidence they will be fulfilled. Show mercy where you can, but do not spend your blood to save our enemies. Do not let the ties of the past blind you to present realities. Every single pony in that camp is in rebellion against our rightful leader, and it is your duty to quell that rebellion by whatever means necessary. Past allegiances cannot blind us to this present reality.” I roared out our clan’s words. “Death waits in the dark!”

My clan answered my cry. To my faint surprise, many of the magi joined in, though ‘twas likely a matter of being caught up in my clan’s enthusiasm or simply not realizing the full meaning of the words (4). Whate’er the case, I did not object to their joining the call. Though the unicorns were not of my clan, they fought at my side. Any pony who sheds their blood alongside mine has earned the right to say my clan’s words before battle.

Well, any pony except Sunbeam Sparkle.

4: I can attest to this. During the changeling attack on Canterlot, there were plenty of non-Kickers who were just as eager to let the bugs know that ‘Death waits in the shadows.’ Incidentally, I’m pretty sure that small modification to our clan’s traditional battlecry would have immensely annoyed Shadow herself. The records aren’t quite clear about when we swapped dark for shadows, but it was almost certainly after Shadow wasn’t around to put a stop to it.

We began our charge towards the rebel supply train. The chariots were quickly left behind—while they can manage most basic aerial combat maneuvers well enough, a steep dive is too much for any chariot not specifically reinforced for the move, and e’en then the process is not kind to the passengers.

I could spare little thought for our unicorn allies, in any case. As we neared the rebel elements of mine own clan, I felt the tension grow within me. What would pass once the clash of arms began was unknown to me, but I feared it might prove difficult. For all my words to both Gale and the clan, ‘twas far easier to speak of battling those who were once our kin than to see it done. If I found myself facing Cyclone in battle, would I truly be able to strike a killing blow, or had all my anger and bravado merely been a cover for mine own doubts?

Whate’er the case, I would have my answers soon enough. My clan was already committed to the charge. We could not abandon it without leaving ourselves vulnerable to the enemy. We would see soon enough whether Gale’s dire prophecy would come true, and my clan would refuse to engage the rebel Kickers. In truth, I would be hard-pressed to blame them for it. Only the special kind of madness that is war can make the slaying of one’s own kin seem a needful action.

Thankfully, I was denied the opportunity to learn whether I could bring myself to shed kinsblood that day. Moments before the final clash, the rogue elements under Cyclone’s command broke and fled. Though I gave no order, there seemed an unspoken agreement to allow them to leave the field unpursued. ‘Twas plain that they had chosen to leave the field rather than shed the blood of kin, and I saw no reason to force it upon them. We had our objective.

Or at least, we largely held it. Though the rogue Kickers had naturally dominated my attention, there had also been earth ponies watching over the supplies. At the time, I had largely disregarded them, assuming them to be naught but teamsters aiding in the transport of the goods. Now, however, I noted that some of them were armed and armored as members of the milita.

That proved to be to their detriment. Though some earth ponies, like Greenwall’s unit, would prove themselves able enough fighters, such was not the case with these militiaponies. They lacked the training of Greenwall’s forces, likely because the clans saw little point in doing so. I likely would not have considered making use of Greenwall’s force beyond rear-area caravan guards had I pegasi enough to meet the rebels equally.

These militiaponies lacked the training and equipment to stand ‘gainst my warriors. The wiser of them grasped that, and followed the rogue elements of my own clan in fleeing the field. Sadly, not all of them were wise.

“For Luna and freedom!” One of the militia stallions charged me, swinging wildly with an armored hoof. The blow was clumsy and telegraphed, making it simplicity itself to dodge the strike, then counter with a single precisely measured cut of my own wing blade. My blade bit into his unarmored foreleg, and he fell back with a yelp of pain. His face quickly went ashen as he saw the blood dribbling down his wounded limb.

“Maintain pressure on the wound, and thou shalt hold to life ‘til a medicae can see to thee,” I advised him. I saw no point in taking the life of an enemy so poorly matched to me. There was no honor in defeating a helpless foe, and a few untrained and under-equipped militia were as near to helpless as makes no difference.

The echoing crack of a fire gem’s detonation reminded me that not all would take such pains to avoid needless death. Fire is by its very nature an indiscriminate weapon once ‘tis fully unleashed. I could only hope that most of the earth ponies would have the sense to flee for their lives rather than attempt to stand and fight. There was no need for more death than was absolutely required to see our task done.

As if in mockery of that statement, Sunbeam Sparkle’s chariot descended. She wasted no time being about her business, gouts of fire coming forth from her horn in all directions as she transformed the supply train into a conflagration. To my utter lack of surprise, she took no efforts to ensure that any of the wagons were abandoned ere she unleashed her strength upon them. No doubt, she would claim that checking every single wagon would be impractically time-consuming, and that those who aided and abetted the rebel army were legitimate war targets. The logic brought me little comfort when the pained screams started. I will spare the details, but I assure you that being burned to death is an unpleasant way to die.

To my surprise, Sunbeam leapt from her chariot, plummeting towards both the ground and myself. Moments before impact she let forth a massive blast of flame, arresting her momentum and allowing her to land as if she had merely hopped off the bottom step of a staircase instead of plummeting far enough to kill a mare. There was a fell light in her eyes that bespoke a sense of excitement at the destruction she wrought, and the look of madness about her was only enhanced by the fact that large portions of her mane had already burned away.

The Archmagus stalked towards a cluster of unburned wagons. Two of the enemy militia attempted to halt her, but she made quick work of them with a thin ray of fire to the face of the rightmost, followed an instant later by an ice javelin affixing the other to one of the very wagons he sought to protect. She gave a wave of her horn, and the wagons took flame. Well pleased with her handiwork, she turned to me with a too-wide smile. “Ah, I must thank you for this, Shadow. It has been far too long since last I could use fire so freely.”

I did not care for the display, but I made no move to stop her. I had need of her destructive talents and, for the moment, they were being put to a good use. Albeit one more ruthless than I cared for. I had known what unleashing Sunbeam Sparkle ‘pon the enemy would entail, and ‘twould be foolishness to pretend that I had not expected her to wreak havoc on the rebels. I bore my share of responsibility for using the mare, and I would not deny it.

However, when her eyes turned to the militia pony I had spared, I tensed. Her horn lit, gathering the flames to her once more. I tried to intercept her, but she was some distance away, and I was unable to ere she unleashed her spell. The militia pony cried out in pain, and for a moment, I was sorely tempted to apply my blades to the mare. “Why?” I demanded of her. “Is your sickness so great that you would murder a surrendered foe in cold blood?

My rebuke drew her out of her twisted enjoyment of the carnage she had wrought, and she faced me. “Always so quick to rush to judgement, Shadow. Mayhaps you should look to your prisoner ere you declare me a murderer.”

My gaze turned back to the earth pony, and found him still very much alive. Where the open wound my blade had left once stood, there was now a burn mark, but no more blood left the wound. She had cauterized his injury, removing the possibility that he would bleed out.

“Showing leniency to a beaten foe is an excellent means of encouraging your enemies to surrender,” she answered in response to my unspoken question. “As is promising absolute destruction in the face of continued resistance. The two must be used in concert: mere leniency would be perceived as weakness, while offering only destruction would stiffen their resolve to fight to ‘gainst the flailings of a mad dog attacking all who come within reach. Combining the two offers ponies the best possible incentive to lay down their arms.”

Having said her piece, Sunbeam strode past myself and my prisoner, seeking whatever had not yet been consigned to the flames. For my part, I took my prisoner in hoof, and set about organizing the destruction and assembling any other captured earth ponies. I will freely admit that I was at a loss for what precisely I should do with the earth ponies we had captured. My force did not have any easy way of transporting the dozens of earth ponies we had taken back to Canterlot. We had only brought enough chariots for the magi, and they would have need of their transports once our raid was finished.

There was only one practical solution to the problem. “Rebel soldiers, thou art hereby paroled. Return to thy homes, and do not leave them or in any way aid the rebel cause for the duration of this conflict. If thou art found ‘pon the battlefield after this, thou shalt be named as oathbreakers, and punished as such. Is that clear?” (5)

5: Paroling captured enemy soldiers was a fairly common practice at this time, though usually limited to times when holding them as prisoners was impractical. Needless to say, actually enforcing the prohibition against returning to the field was highly problematic, especially when the parole was done hastily in the field, with no written records of the parolees’ names or identifying marks.

I was in the midst of o’erseeing the disposition of our parolees when Gale flew to my side with some urgency. “Mother, our scouts have informed me that rebel reinforcements are en-route. We will need to withdraw at once if we want to avoid being forced into battle.”

Unfortunate. ‘Twould seem that while Cyclone could not bring himself to attack us, he had no such qualms about reporting our presence to his fellow rebels. Or mayhaps the fires we left in our wake had betrayed our location and activities. As Sunbeam was still occupied with inflicting her own wanton destruction, I turned to the nearest available magus whom I recognized. “Magus Shimmer, art thou and thine prepared to depart?”

Daylight Shimmer frowned in response. “We are still scattered and destroying the last of the enemy supplies. ‘Twould take time to gather everypony for an orderly withdrawal. How long, I cannot say for certain. It rather depends on how enthusiastic some of my fellow magi have become, and how quickly their charioteers can seek them out. And allowing the fires more time to burn would help ensure that less can be salvaged.”

I greeted the news with an annoyed grunt. After Cyclone’s abrupt departure, I had dared to hope we might complete this operation without needing to engage any of our fellow pegasi in battle. ‘Twould seem that had been a vain hope. I turned to Gale once more. “Their numbers and formation?”

“If our scouts are to be believed, ‘tis Rightly Doo and his hetairoi.” Assuming he had not expanded the size of the hetairoi since my departure from Cloudsdale, that would put him at weaker than mine own forces in raw numbers. However, the hetairoi were traditionally the best of Pegasopolis, and he had no need to crush my forces with his hetairoi alone. Simply engaging them would delay our departure long enough for more numbers to be brought to bear.

However, ‘twas not their numbers or tactics that filled my heart with despair, but the identity of their leader. In truth, I should have anticipated it. ‘Twas Rightly’s way to hold his personal force in reserve ‘til he located the battle’s decisive point. ‘Twould seem he had judged the assault ‘pon his supply caravan as such, and was determined to blunt my assault. Indeed, given their earlier assumption that I held o’erall command of the army, ‘twas quite possible Rightly had reserved his force until I took the field.

However, that ‘twas Rightly leading the charge ‘gainst me opened an opportunity of its own. Though it seemed cruel to think on it, war is a time of harsh actions and unpleasant decisions. “I will delay him. Gale, see to the continuing destruction of their camp, and prepare our forces for a quick departure.” I looked about and took of note of Sergeant Stalwart. “Sergeant, with me. We will hold them, for a time.”

Given Sunbeam’s earlier lie, there was a fitting irony to my plan. A challenge to Rightly would likely halt his counter-attack for a time. The hetairoi would wish to bear witness to their commander in battle, e’en if he were a false one. Rightly would be slow to face me directly in battle—though I would be no swifter in bringing myself to wound him, the delay favored mine own forces o’er his.

Stalwart offered a single grim nod in answer to my orders, and his squad joined me in the air. To my surprise, we came across Sunbeam, once more installed in her flying chariot, en-route to Rightly’s force. Given that her attention was fixed ‘pon the oncoming pegasi, I judged it likely that she had intended to take some action of her own to delay them. She espied us quickly enough, and her bearers brought her chariot alongside my formation. “‘Twould seem the battle has taken a turn ‘gainst us, Shadow. Pray, tell me that your charge with a single squad is not some foolish act of noble self-sacrifice.”

“I have no intention of dying or allowing mine own capture.”

“Most ponies who die in battle had no intention of doing so,” Sunbeam countered dryly.

Though I would not hesitate to sacrifice myself should circumstances demand it, I was also aware of mine own importance to the loyalist cause. I knew the ponies of the Ephorate as one comrade knows another, and such experience was far too valuable a commodity to be squandered. Further, while I did not credit Gale’s dire warnings regarding the state of my clan’s loyalty, I suspected that if I were to fall many among my clan would be tempted to seek unity with Cyclone’s traitors. Gale was not yet seasoned enough to take my place as materfamilias, and if any other sought clan leadership the uncertainty o’er who led ‘mongst the loyal Kickers would likely drive many into Cyclone’s hooves.

Despite the dire risks of personally leading an attack, I continued forward. War is a matter of taking risks, especially if one is to properly lead one’s own soldiers. If I held myself from the fray whilst claiming that position of leadership made me too valuable an asset to risk in battle, my clan would not allow me to hold that post for long. Such is the nature of command. If I fell in battle, at least I could die knowing I fought for Celestia and a better Equestria.

I turned to Stalwart. “Sergeant, inform them of our presence, and that I wish to issue a challenge.”

“Allow me.” The instant I heard the light, playful tone in Sunbeam’s voice I realized our peril, but ere I could prevent it she unleashed a blast of fire towards the hetairoi. They were yet distant enough that the fire faded to naught but a tiny point of light, but a few moments after it left all sight it briefly flashed, and a winged form fell to the ground. The Archmagus turned to me, wearing a self-satisfied smile. “I think we have their attention, now.”

I hissed in irritation, and made a mental note to address this breach of discipline. However, for the moment there were more pressing concerns. “The challenge will have to come after the second pass! Be ready!” Presuming we could survive a single clash with the Doos. I had hoped to avoid any fighting, but after Sunbeam’s strike, the Doos would demand at least a single pass with lance and blade ere they would hear any challenge.

Damn Sunbeam Sparkle.

My clan made ready, spreading their formation as much as possible to prevent any single pony from being too utterly o’erwhelmed by the enemy’s numbers. With luck, we might manage to cause greater damage in a single pass than we would sustain. If nothing else, their numbers offered us far more targets to strike than they would have. And Sunbeam Sparkle, whate’er her faults, had a talent for wreaking destruction.

A brief moment of concentration activated the enchantments on my wing blades, and I angled myself to pass ‘tween two ponies of the hetairoi, intent on bring both to the ground with strikes to their wings. Howe’er, that plan was quickly adjusted as we drew nearer, and I realized that one of the ponies I would engage was Dusk Charger. Though I would not hesitate to battle him if forced to, he had been a guest in my home. There were others I could strike with far less internal troubles.

However, the last-second adjustment cost me, and while I was able to strike at two of the hetairoi, neither of them suffered as telling of a blow as I would have preferred. They would occupy some time in a chirurgeon’s tent, but neither of them had any great difficulty remaining airborne. To my annoyance, others of my clan enjoyed better results, though the pass did take a toll on mine own numbers as well, and we could ill afford such losses.

Most notably, Sunbeam Sparkle had drawn the interest of the hetairoi’s leader, Lance. Either Celestia had not thought to warn her to spare the mare’s life, or Sunbeam had opted to ignore that warning. Whate’er the case, when a gout of fire struck Lance Charger I was all but certain that Celestia’s plans for the mare had been undone. However, a moment later Lance emerged from the blaze, singed and smoldering, but still very much alive. ‘Twas most surprising, for I had been all but certain that the strike should have killed her.

Sunbeam had prudently ducked behind her chariot for protection the instant after she had unleashed her fire and an accompanying blast of arctic cold that froze the wings of a hetairoi whom I did not recognize. However, while Sunbeam herself would be difficult to strike, the ones bearing her conveyance were easy prey. Lance buried her namesake weapon in the chest of one, while Rightly emerged from the ranks of his hetairoi to thrust his own smaller spear into the throat of the second. Deprived of both its bearers, Sunbeam’s chariot lost all speed, and soon plummeted to the earth.

Sunbeam leapt from the doomed chariot, and after she had plummeted clear of it, one of the gems worked into her cloak flashed bright blue, arresting her fall. Ere she could do something else we would all have cause to regret, I signalled Stalwart, and he hastily retrieved the floating mage and went about returning her to the ground.

That matter attended to, I returned my mind to the reason for my arrival. “Rightly Doo! False Commander and traitor! I challenge thee to juris ungula!”