Vinyl Scratch galloped as fast as her hooves could take her uphill, until she reached the summit and risked a glance behind. Gulping, she set off again, towards the small company her general had put together to fight the invading hoard.

"General Tavi!"

"That's General Octavia," Twilight interrupted, poking Vinyl in the chest.

"No, you got it wrong," Vinyl said, rolling her eyes and pointing at Octavia. "That's General Octavia. I'm Vinyl Scratch."

"That's what—" Twilight shook her head. "Whatever."

"Vinyl," Octavia acknowledged her scout. "Report."

"General!" Vinyl saluted. "It is as you suspected! The changeling forces march on us from the West!"

Octavia's eyes hardened. "So Chrysalis makes her move. At least the Princesses will be forewarned." She turned to look at one of her Lieutenants. "Rainbow Dash, fly as fast as you can and inform Canterlot that our enemies approach." She looked back at Vinyl. "How many soldiers were there? Will we be able to hold them off?"

Vinyl hesitated. "I-I don't know. General, what I saw... it was an army of ten thousand and one soldiers."

Octavia felt her stomach grow cold. That many?! They were outnumbered ten to one. They wouldn't even... wait. "Ten thousand... and one?"

Vinyl nodded.

Twilight blinked. "That's... and oddly specific number."

"Did you count them all?!" Rainbow Dash asked, impressed despite herself. Math was usually not cool.

"No," Vinyl clarified.

"Then how did you come to the conclusion it was ten thousand and one?" Octavia asked, rubbing her forehead.

"Well, there was this one changeling at the front..." Vinyl said slowly. "And about ten thousand behind him."

There was a pause.

"Vinyl," Octavia finally spoke up. "How many ponies do you think we have in this camp."

"I dunno," Vinyl shrugged. "About... eight thousand? I counted last night."

"I see..." Octavia muttered. After a moment of silence, where Twilight Sparkled really seemed to want to say something, Octavia spoke up again. "And you say this group is... just a bit bigger than what we have at the camp?"

Vinyl nodded.

"You're sure your estimate of our forces here is eight thousand."

Vinyl nodded.

"And that you calculated, with equal certainty that they were about ten thousand."

Vinyl nodded.

"Rainbow Dash," Octavia sighed. "Never mind that. Tell the Princesses that we'll take care of it. The invading force is little more than a couple of thousand changelings."

"Alright! Better have some left for me to take down!" Rainbow Dash grinned, shooting out of the camp.

"Rally our forces!" Octavia hollered trotting out of her tent, followed by her advisers and lieutenants. "We're taking out the enemy tonight!"

Soon enough the whole camp was armed, ready and marching towards the enemies. Eventually, Vinyl pointed at the hill. "They await past that hill."

Octavia nodded. "Alright everypony! Chaarge!"

"Raaaaaaaaaaah!" The answering shout emanated from the troops as they all galloped into battle.

"Hey, Tavi!"

"What do you want, Vinyl?" Octavia shouted back. "We're almost there!"

"I was just wondering! What happened to the other seven thousand ponies from last night? Did they circle the enemy?"

"WHAT?!"

"You gave the instructions last night, right? I'm sorry I passed out, I was too drunk to listen!"

"But—"

"And that..." Changeling Pinkie said to the Changeling Crusaders, "Is how Equestria was lost."