"Casualty report."

"100 dead, 300 wounded although 1/3 of them have died or have been permanently crippled because of their wounds General."

Shcwartzhaffen shook his head in exasperation as he walked through the ashes that were once the prison camp followed by two guards and a soldier giving his report. Surprisingly the damage was not that bad with only the sleeping quarters and some of the store houses burnt. That was little consolation however for the fact that all 2,000 of the prisoners had escaped except for a few who had died protecting their fellow prisoners.

"The rebels also stole enough supplies to feed a division of 500 for 1 month time and enough weapons and armor to arm them even though some of them will be using second rate weapons."

"Thank you, I have heard all I needed to hear now go and help the men transport the wounded and what could be salvaged." The exasperation in his voice sent the soldier running without even a "yessir".

He stepped up to the gate house that was completely unscathed. In fact the walls and moat were both completely unscathed aside from a few singe marks here and there. They could use this as a training camp or a fort or even as a prison once again but it would take time to rebuild the parts of the camp that matter especially with winter this close. As if to exemplify his point a lone snowflake brushed his nose. He ignored it and stepped into the gatehouse to see the damage to the drawbridge rope 'A lot of good these defenses did.' In thought in Irony.

"What might you lot be doing?" He asked in annoyance as he saw the three men here staring at something.

"You… need to see this for yourself sir."

He stepped up and his annoyance turned into disbelief. There was a cat laying on its pillow bound around the paws and had rope tied around its muzzle so it couldn't open its mouth.

"*Muffled Meow*"

"Ye know what, I'm not even mad that's amazing. Get that cat free and give me the damage report."

"Both ropes are cut clean though sir although the gate is completely undamaged." One of the soldiers gave his report as another one got the cat free after which it scampered off.

"Don't begin repairs yet, we still need to insure we can use this base. Twould be a shame though to have to abandon this area."

"Yes general." With that the three soldiers took off to help in other parts.

"Was this a defeat sir?" One of the guards asked him.

"Not exactly, it wasn't too much of a battle but it was a humiliation on our part. The blame lies on me despite the fact they used some ingenious tactics. No matter, they won't snap victory from us so quick again." He began walking to where the other reports of damage would likely be hoping they could still salvage this place.

"… as well as 95 dead and wounded your grace, although many should be up and ready to fight again within 1 weeks' time. Of the 2,000 some political prisoners about 750 of them are soldiers willing to fight for us which does beg the question of what we are going to do with the remaining 1,250 some prisoners. We can't feed and house them indefinitely as winter is here and we need all the supplies we can get just to feed our own army."

Moon was rubbing her head in annoyance as Toffee listed the statistics of what they had captured and their losses. She didn't want to deal with this not because of her hatred for paper work, which she did hate, but because of how depressing everything sounded when Toffee said it. He was reading off the deaths of soldiers as if it was another historical fact and seemed to be hinting at the idea that they should just abandon the peasant's they had rescued.

"Why is it so damn hard to feed everyone?"

"Well the winter functions on a 2 year cycle Moon. Every other winter is mild with the upcoming winter being harsh and cold not allowing anything to be grown. How else do you think the family reunion could have been held last year in what could have been…"

"I GET HOW IT WORKS! I just don't get why it had to happen now when everything is so fragile."

"Moon these are issues that need addressing, if we don't it will come back to bite us."

"I know that Toffee! *Sigh* I just wish we could help everyone here." Toffee smiled at her reply.

"That is why you will make a fantastic queen Moon, because you don't just brush off your subjects as statistics." He then went back to Monotone. "But what are we supposed to do about all of the freed captives. We were able to house 150 some soldiers until they were ransomed back but we can't house nearly 9 times that many people with our current accommodations."

Moon slammed her head on her desk in her private office. The official meeting with her commanders after the battle was nothing more than a celebration of their accomplishments, which was just fine by her standards. Everything that needed to be addressed could be done so easily except for the prison…

"Of course." Moon shot up snapping her fingers.

"Hmmm?"

"We could send them to Ornlun to help the Dawi Zharr clear debris and rebuild their engines. We would still need to find food for them but the housing would be taken care of and they wouldn't just be sitting around doing nothing." Toffee smiled at her again.

"You are as intelligent as you are beautiful when you bother to put your mind to it Moon."

"Thanks… wait wha.." He then kissed her forehead making her mind go blank for a second.

When she came to he had left to execute her orders. 'Dangit, how is he able to do that to me all the time?' Moon thought in frustrated happiness as she sat there a minute smiling about the fact that he kissed her and she could still feel this way even after months of them being together. As she left her office to go check up on some other things she saw a boy running down the corridor towards her with 2 Monsters pursuing him.

"Stop boy. We do not *huff huff* want to hurt you."

"There you are, I was looking for you Moon." The boy spoke to her in a manner that she was sure she knew somehow.

"Uhmmm, do I know you from somewhere?" He appeared about 12 years old or so and looked like a boy she had met in the past.

"After surviving the rats together I thought you would remember me a bit better." Moon waved off the guards as they got closer with them obeying in a suspicious fashion.

"You… Olvier Twist?" The boy nodded to her, to which she immediately ducked down and hugged him leaving him and the Monsters flabbergasted. "I was wondering where you had gone off to. Don't worry about me or him men, I am fine." The Monsters looked at each other worried before moving back the way they had come from.

"I had hoped you would recognize me but why the warm welcome?" He seemed a little red in the face, and not because he was just running.

"I had hoped you would be alright of course. Now why did you come to see me?"

"Well, what is going to happen to us? I mean you can't take care of everybody now can you?"

"You're right, I can't. But I can have you all help me so I can help you. Everyone will be going to a secret fortress run by a race of beings thought to be extinct so you can help repair it to make it your new home as well."

"Uhhmmm… yeah sure ok." He seemed to just accept it at this point. "But I have better idea, why don't I and some of the other people act as a system of spies to help you out Moon?" Moon thought about a second before answering.

"Are you sure that's a good idea going back to the people who through you into prison?"

"Don't worry about me and the people who will volunteer for it, we were jut taken prisoner due to bad luck. And besides, we will be far more useful to you in the city then as workers because many of us are not built for that kind of labor." He showed her his arm which was not that big even for a 12 year old.

"Oh I don't know, a few good meals and hard labor and the ladies will be all over you." Moon ran a hand over his arm making him blush even more which made her chuckle. "But that is a good idea, find volunteers and contact one of the Monsters when you are ready to proceed." She gave him a little silver Moon medallion. "Just show him this when you are ready."

Oliver nodded and took off back to wherever he had come from. Moon chuckled a little and went back to her ordinary tasks feeling a little better about what was going to happen to the freed prisoners.

"Toffee, a moment if you will."

Toffee stopped his movement and turned to see Master Oogaway coming towards him.

"Archdruid Oogaway, what do wish of me?" Toffee bowed to him in a sign of respect all Monsters gave the druids.

"No need for that here. I know you lost your battle ax during the prison break last night."

"Yes but I will get another weapon soon enough."

"Perhaps this would be a good substitute?" With a slight movement Oogaway pulled out of his ropes a sickle shaped sword.

"Wha… The Sacred Silver Star? You just gave me the most sacred relic in all Monster history that still exists." Toffee didn't even reach out for it as he couldn't bear too just reach out and take this artifact.

"Well perhaps not the most sacred of living relics but certainly up there. *he he* Well I am a might bit too old to wield this and you seem to be the most capable of unifying Monster kind for this great purpose." He took Toffee's hand and placed the sword in it. "Now I am expecting it back after the war is won or for you to give it to my successor if I pass on in this time. But for now use it as you see fit with the blessing of the spirits of Storm and earth. Good luck." With that he smiled and walked off.

Toffee just stood there a second trying to comprehend what had just happened. He looked at the sword seeing it's ornately carved handle of blackened bone with an Amethyst set in the pommel surrounded by a silver mesh of antlers. The scabbard seemed aged but still serviceable with the workings of what seemed to be ferns and knot work all over it. He drew the blade to get a good look at it and marveled at the waved of lines indicating it was not just specially forged but magically forged as well, likely by the Dawi Zharr. There were even runes chiseled out in it that Toffee recognized as "The earth grounds us down, the sky enlightens our minds, inner peace binds both." He put it back into the scabbard hoping he could get people to believe how he had gotten it instead of them thinking he had just stolen it.

"Ahhh, Buff Frog. Do come in comrade I have something I wish to show you."

As Buff Frog entered Helsinki's workshop he noticed a slight difference in what was taking up the room. Usually the room was full of scrap metal and tools scattered everywhere but now the metal was all gone and the tools seemed a bit more organized but now there seemed to be blueprints all over the room for various machines and contraptions. As he stepped forward his eyes fell upon something he had always wanted as his own, Helsinki's Torchbow. If he and many of his comrades could get their equivalent they would have the perfect edge against the Mewman soldiers.

"Slithers get out of there before you burn the blueprints again." Helsinki was scolding Slithers again as it leapt out of its hiding spot and climbed onto Buff Frog.

"So, what is it you wished to show me?" Buff Frog idly stroked the creatures head with it purring slightly.

"This." Helsinki pulled down a tarp that was covering what appeared to be a Torchbow but one that was easily 3 times the size of hers. "This Torchbow is designed for a being your size Buff Frog. Having a 900 pound draw with the ability to us rapid fire action without pause and it was a bitch sizing it up to your strength comrade. It also has a larger fire canister capable of shooting flames for a full 60 seconds constant. The stock also holds 18 arrows instead of 10. Now this is a prototype so don't count on it being flawless and if the Dawi Zharr are willing to help I could make more of these for others. Are you ok Buff Frog?"

Buff Frog had stepped up to the Torchbow with a tear in his eye as he picked it up. It felt surprisingly light in his hands, then again he was far stronger then she was. He looked over the details carefully until he realized Helsinki was staring at him in a worried expression.

"*Ahem* Yes comrade I am fine. Can you show how to properly us this weapon." He said this while trying to hide the giddiness out of his voice.

"Right this way comrade." She said smiling leading him to the practice range.

"Milady is everything alright?" Fiorbhin the Slaughterer asked Willow in his deep gravelly voice.

Willow sighed and hung her head in exhaustion and anguish. After holding her head like this a few seconds more she looked up and turned to Fiorbhin.

"The largest reeducation center was just attacked and emptied last night, the attack was pulled off by my own daughter, and winter is nearly here yet we barely have enough food to feed everyone and the supplies are going down. You tell me, is everything alright?"

"My apologies milady, it has been a hard time for everyone especially you." He bowed to her and then left.

Willow hung her head again wishing everything would back to the way it was just 3 months or so ago. Moon shaping up to be a fine queen with Odrick by her side and Mewni not split by a fierce rebellion that could escalate to civil war any day now. Despite how much everyone was talking down about the rebels Willow knew they had a lot more support and influence then she would care to let on. Many of the peasantry, while not rebels, did not support the crown at least as fiercely as they should grumbling about how the crown feels weak and is punching down on the little folk. Even several nobles were questioning her authority with Odrick turning traitor and taking hundreds of soldiers over to his side in the process. And the dwindling food stores with winter coming around was only making things worse as they might have to pull food meant for the peasants soon. If they did that their grumbling would only get worse.

"My queen I apologize but it most urgent you read this message."

Willow looked up to see Etheria enter the room and come over with a scroll. Willow stood up and accepted that scroll opening it to look at whatever it was. As she read it her look changed to that of disbelief until she just rolled up the scroll and placed it on the table.

"You do know what this means don't you?" Etheria prompted her. "If we don't act now we could lose control of the people." Willow stood for a minute contemplating what to do next.

Slumping her head in defeat she conceded, "Lock all food stores under emergency quarantine. No one is to get food from the queen's stores unless if approved by us."

As Etheria left Willow knew she was making a mistake, but with people already rioting control had to be reestablished. She pulled out a locket with a picture of… who she once was kissing Odrick on the cheek. 'Please forgive me, I have no choice' she thought as a tear slide down her face cutting through her Mewni mark revealing bare skin beneath.

Glossarick was sitting on the book of spells eating some pudding which he wasn't even sure why he was doing so. He knew he loved pudding in a way that was unhealthy but he couldn't shake himself of eating it because… well it couldn't hurt him to badly so he might as well enjoy it. As he was eating he noticed a shift in the shadows nearby.

"Come on out Ash Rose before I think you are an ordinary shadow."

"Is everything prepared Glossarick? Moon must be ready to take the next step in her training soon." She slithered out in cobra form and sat right next to him.

"Yes, and are you ready to tell her what she needs to know about you?"

"My time will come soon enough Glossarick. I am ready to do my part to defeat the Shadow Clause."

"Paying the ultimate price may be alright with you, but what about Moon?"

"She will understand when I tell her. If not you must help me convince her otherwise for unless if we want the Shadow Clause to win…"

"… you must give up your own life in the process. We've been over this before my dear stop wallowing in it."

"Easy for you to say, you could live until the end of time and nothing bad would come of it. I am cursed to exist only until my task is done." She turned and slithered away into the shadows once more.

Glossarick went back to eating only to find the pudding tasted bland now so he put it aside and delved back into the Spell book.

"YOU DID WHAAAT?"

"I'm just supporting my friends as you said I was allowed to with the volunteers you said could go with me." Prince Ponyhead was not having a fun time dealing with his mother.

"Do you realize that you have basically declared war on the kingdom of Mewni. It doesn't matter that they were volunteers and that you did it without my support the fact that Ponyhead's are fighting Mewmans alongside Monsters is basically a declaration of war."

"And you are ok with the Shadow Clause controlling Mewni?" The 2 stared at each other for several minutes in silence.

"You know what, you are banished until this war is over. Hopefully I can prevent our kingdoms from going to war with each other by doing this. And incase you are ready to call me a coward it is not my line on the line it is every Ponyhead in existence that is on the line. If we fight we will be massacred and those that are left will be forced to wander aimlessly with no home. Go and die in your war with whomever wishes to follow you as I will not sit idly by while my child dooms my kingdom."

With that done she turned her back on him and left the throne room in apparent disgust. Prince Ponyhead turned and stormed out as well mumbling obscene words in the process. It didn't matter what his mother said, he knew that what he was doing was right and so did the ones that followed him. As he got outside he saw that the group of his followers had grown in size just by talking to passerby's. 'This war is far from over mom. And I am going be in it until the very end.' He thought in confidence.