Note: Just a quick warning, this chapter is a bit cluttered. I am using this time to catch you guys on every character. After this chapter is finished, I will begin devoting specific chapters to specific groups characters. For example, one will be about Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Discord; another will be about Rainbow Dash; and another will be about Daniel, Night Shade, and Franklin... and so on and so forth. Have fun! And don't forget that R&R stuff!

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Twilight's Library

Time: 2 hours after the arrival of the Brothers in Arms corps

Flaming Star looked at Franklin. "She's your sister… I forgot about that…"

Franklin glared at Flaming Star, "Why am I not surprised? I thought she was dead!"

Sunset snorted as he and Fluttershy tried to calm Miranda down. "Oh yeah, I think everyone else thought that everyone else was dead. Now that we got that sorted out, we have a badly hurt pony that we're trying to rehabilitate here, so if you all could shut up and go away, that would be awesome."

Franklin slowly kneeled down by Miranda's bed and grasped one of her flailing hoofs. He then began to whisper something in her ear. Immediately Miranda calmed down and went back to sleeping soundly.

Sunset looked at Franklin. "You know," he said, "for a goofball and a deadshot sniper… that was pretty awesome."

Franklin smiled. "Yeah, I was always good at comforting her. Use to do it all the time during thunderstorms."

Flaming Star's eyes softened. "You two were close, huh?"

Franklin nodded. For the first time in a while, he didn't have a funny comeback, or a flamboyant remarks to make. He clasped his sister's hoof in his human hands. "We were the best of friends. We did everything together. Then the Vietnam War started in my dimension. I was spirited off thanks to the selective service, and I fought for two years until I was wounded and my legs were amputated. Even after I came back, disfigured, Miranda stayed close to me and took care of me. A few months later, the Paradox showed up and took me away. He gave me my legs back, and gave me incredible powers. I served with him for two years, then Miranda joined our ranks… then she sort of drifted away and I lost contact…"

Franklin's eyes were full of sadness as he looked over his sister. During her frenzy, Miranda had rolled onto her back, exposing the scar where the demons had cut her open like an animal for dissection. He sighed. "How is her mind?"

"Not well, I'm afraid," said Twilight sadly, "the torture she has undergone was too great. I'm afraid that…"

Franklin ignored her. He leaned in close and began to whisper things into his sister's ear. From what he could pick up, Flaming Star realized that he was whispering their adventures and shenanigans together from years gone by. Suddenly, Miranda smiled calmly and settled down into a peaceful sleep. Franklin then stood up and looked down at her. "She'll be fine," he said, "she just needs me."

Suddenly Spike, who had convinced Daniel to let him sit on his head as a perch to watch from the window, belched out a blast of green flames, revealing a letter from Princess Celestia addressed to Flaming Star.

Twilight levitated it to him, who opened it up using magic and scanned it quickly. His eyes hardened. "The alliance has formally declared war on us," he said, "Also, our tank carriers have reached the Freezelock, and they need us there immediately."

He turned to Twilight, "are you ready to go?"

Twilight nodded and Spike hopped down from Daniel's head onto Twilight's back. Flaming Star took her hoof in his, and they shimmered away as they teleported to the tank battalions in the north.

Franklin looked at Sunset in confusion. "War? What?"

Sunset sighed, and he sat down next to Miranda's bed. Fluttershy then settled down next to him.

"Well," he said, "there was an assassination attempt on this country's royalty. We caught one of the perpetrators, and he identified two other countries as the ones who had paid them to attack us. Those two nations called themselves the alliance. We tried to talk peace with them, but they simply sent us a ridiculous ultimatum that we could never fufill. Just recently we sent back our refusal to their ultimatum… and now they've declared war."

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire," muttered Franklin.

Daniel's eyes light up with fire the moment the word "war" had dissolved into the air. He looked at Sunset with interest. "Is there anything we could do?" he asked.

Sunset shook his head, "as of yet… no. We should be fine. One of Fluttershy and Twilight's friends, Rarity, is talking to one of our adjacent nations about peace. If all goes well, things should turn out fine, with no need for further bloodshed."

"If all goes well… I hate those 'if' statements," said Franklin.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: The Freezelock Pass in the Frozen north

Time: 5 hours after the arrival of the Brothers in Arms corps

Deep within the Frozen north, Flaming Star trotted out of his magically-enhanced tent to oversee the scene below: large groups of tanks, akin to M4 Shermans and T54E1s, rolled around to set up at specific positions. He picked up a radio device and spoke into it.

"Group 28," he said, "move half a klik to the west, firing elevation is not nearly sharp enough yet."

Flaming Star was then joined by Twilight Sparkle and Spike. Twilight was levitating a letter in front of her. "The alliance received the refusal," said Twilight sadly, "and they have declared war. Already there are talks going on between Bray and them."

Flaming Star lifted her chin and smiled at her. "We have Rarity there though," he said, "and we got there first. No doubt we are in the favorable position as of yet, and that gives us reason for hope."

Twilight smiled and nodded. Flaming Star turned back to look at the tank positions. As he did this, he said, "The tanks are all almost in formation. When they are, we will be in an excellent position to retaliate against the alliance. The alliance knows that we cannot blow our tracks, for fear of cutting our ally supplies, so they will be sending battle trains and armored vehicles to clear the pass. However, they don't know that the pass has a high elevation grade in the pass in our favor. As they climb it, our tanks and Self-Propelled guns will be able to fire down on them. They will either have to retreat and retaliate, or simply take it and try not to explode."

Twilight smiled. "It sounds complicated."

Flaming Star grinned, "Says the one who reads all the books. Ironically enough, you see group 5? I got their formation from one of your books of ancient warfare."

Twilight gave Flaming Star a wink and looked at the scene unfolding below them. A few minutes later, all motion ceased, and a voice crackled from Flaming Star's radio.

"Commander Flaming Star? We are all in position. Over and out."

Flaming Star nodded quickly as he surveyed the icy blue skies. "Well, we're good, and there has been no notice of the alliances movements. All is good."

Suddenly Spike doubled over, and then belched out a parchment from Princess Celestia in a plume of brilliant green fire.

Twilight levitated it in front of them and opened it up. Flaming Star quickly read it. It contained all the details from the train derailing plan Rarity had discussed with Pontius and Martique.

"Well, this is good news," said Flaming Star, "I suppose these tanks won't even need to see combat, a joyful surprise for most I'm sure."

Twilight read over the letter again. As she did so, she said, "Yes… Princess Celestia wants you to oversee the demolition plan though…"

Flaming Star looked at her. "Is that a problem?" he asked.

Twilight blushed as she said, "Well… I was hoping you would let me oversee that operation."

Flaming Star raised an eyebrow. "Why would you want to do that?"

Twilight's blushing increased as she said, "You've had this operation, so I was hoping that I could do something useful too. I mean, I haven't done a single useful thing since this whole issue started!"

Flaming Star wrapped a hoof over her back and gave her a squeeze. "Sure you've been helpful!" he exclaimed, "You patched me up when I took shrapnel in the side, and you've been helping me plan out all the positions over the last couple of days."

Twilight sighed, "But I haven't done anything really amazing yet! You, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna have been the ones who have been doing all the important work. I've… I've just been your assistant."

"And what is wrong with being an assistant?!" exclaimed Spike indignantly.

"Nothing," said Flaming Star decisively. He sighed and looked Twilight in the eyes. "Are you sure you want to lead this operation?" he said slowly.

She nodded her head vigorously. "I do," she said, "I most certainly do."

Flaming Star sighed again. "Very well. I will let Princess Celestia know that you were insistent that you lead this operation. You will accompanied, however, by the best guards that Equestria has to offer."

Flaming Star paused as he read the details of the plan again. He looked up and then continued. "This is what is going to happen," he said, "You will meet on top of the Yolk pass, which is in the center of Bray territory. There is a train track that runs through the gorge that you will be overlooking. As the military trains run through, you will set off the explosives as the prime senator Pontius and senator Martique photograph you in the act. You will then return to use posthaste… no stopping, no nothing. You fly straight back here to the Freezelock camp. Spike and I will be awaiting you here."

Twilight, who had been listening with bright eyes nodded. "I got it," she said, "when do I start?"

Flaming Star quickly glanced at the paper once more as he said, "Right now. You will simply camp near the Yolk pass and await further instructions from prime senator Pontius, who will be monitoring the movements of the alliance's supply trains. They are, in fact, awaiting you even as we speak."

Twilight smiled and nodded. She then gave Spike a hug and Flaming Star a kiss. She then spread her wings and flapped off in the direction of Bray. Spike looked up in worry as Twilight became naught but a tiny spot in the horizon. He then said, "I really hope she'll be okay."

Flaming Star nodded to a group of three Pegasus guards clad in golden armor. They then took off after the Princess. "With those guards, she should be fine. If the war trains of the alliance are running according to Pontius's calculations, Twilight will be back in a little less then forty-two hours."

"But that is, like, forrreeevvveerrr," sighed Spike, flopping onto his back. Flaming Star levitated the baby dragon into the air and deposited him onto his back.

"No kiddo," he said, "eight thousand years is forrreeevvveeerrr. This is no time at all… I hope."

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: The Yolk pass in Bray

Time: 8 hours after the arrival of the Brothers in Arms corps

Martique greeted Twilight warmly as she alighted next to him.

"Welcome to Bray, your majesty," he said, "I apologize that there is no procession to greet you, but this plan has been held in the utmost secrecy. In fact, if no information was leaked out, you, the Princesses of Eqeustria, Pontius, Rarity, Flaming Star, and myself should be the only beings in this world to know of this plan. I have two tents set up over there. We will simply camp here until… what is that?!"

Suddenly, Twilight was surrounded by three golden clad Pegasus guards. They looked at Martique suscipiously.

"Don't worry about them," said Twilight, "they are my guards. Flaming Star insisted that they accompany me. Stand down, soldiers."

The Pegasus guards stepped aside. Martique composed himself once more and he nodded curtly. "Well," he said after clearing his throat, "I suppose all we can do now is wait."

And wait they did… for two hours. Twilight was watching the sun slowly set in west when, abruptly, a voice crackled from Martique's radio. "The trains are being sent through," the voice said, "they will be within the Yolk pass in thirty minutes. We will give you a five minute warning, they you're on your own."

Martique leapt up from where he sat, reading a book, and looked at Twilight. "It is almost time," he said.

Twilight blinked in acknowledgment. She was nervous, but a little excited at the same time. It seemed like forever, but the thirty minutes ticked by. Suddenly the radio jumped to life again as the same voice said, "They're entering the pass, five minutes until it passes your location. Good luck."

Twilight looked over the edge of the Yolk pass into the gorge that held the train tracks. She quickly scribbled a note that said "The train about to enter pass. I am going to disable it. All is well." She used magic to teleport it off to Princess Celestia and she resumed her lookout over the gorge. Soon she could see a plume of smoke from a massive armored train in the distance. She turned around to say something to Martique, but stopped when she noticed that he was staring at something. She turned to see what it was, it was Corona Oscura, the leader of Irrum. He grinned at them. "Why, hello there," he said. Immediately the Pegasus guards drew out pistols and swords, but the pony simply waved them down. Gurgling, the guards dropped dead. Corona Oscura winked at Martique and Twilight. "Oh dear, you ponies are rather fragile, aren't you?"

Twilight released a massive bolt of magic at him, but this too he waved down effortlessly. Twilight blinked in surprise. "You're not actually Corona Oscura, are you?"

The pony smiled. "Observant little pony, aren't you? No, I'm not a pony. I am something entirely different. In fact, I'm from another multiverse entirely. But don't try to wrap your little head around it, all you need to understand is that my leader wants to meet you, and you are going to come without resistance."

Twilight released a flash of blinding magic. She then leapt towards the button that triggered the explosives and hit it. Nothing happened.

"You really think we would ever let you risk our plans? The derailment of that supply train is not part of the course we have set out. You can thank your Bray friends for that deception."

Twilight attempted to rush Corona Oscura, but he simply blinked at her. Suddenly she felt very tired. She then teetered over and her mind spiraled into darkness.

Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Twilight's Library

Time: 8 hours after the arrival of the Brothers in Arms corps

Rainbow Dash arrived at Twilight's Library, where the Brothers in Arms corps, Sunset, Fluttershy, and CMC were.

"Hey guys!" she said, "where is every pony? Um… what's with the dragon. And what is that?"

Franklin, who Rainbow was pointing to, said, "Oh, I'm a human and a dimensional traveler. I refuse to shape shift into the form of a pony. As for the dragon, he's another dimensional traveler who got it good and was made to look like a dragon. Unfair right?"

Rainbow blinked. "Rrriiiggghhhttt… Anyway, I heard Flaming Star was looking for me, is that true? Where is he?"

"That's right," said Sunset. He pulled out a scroll and levitated it to Rainbow Dash, "he handed this to me earlier today."

Rainbow opened it up and read it. Her eyes widened. "Both he and Princess Celestia agreed that I become commander of the Cloudsdale airforce! I am to report to Canterlot as soon as possible! Wow!"

Sunset smiled. "A dream for you I'm sure. You better go off now, the sun is setting."

Franklin looked at Sunset, "are you sure there isn't anything I can do yet?"

Sunset shook his head. "Not yet," he said, "we have to wait until we hear back from Twilight and Flaming Star about our situation in the north."

Franklin sighed as he sat down to the bed of his sister, still clasping her hoof. "Well," he said, "I suppose we just wait then. You don't mind if I stay here tonight, do you?"

Fluttershy smiled, "I'm sure Twilight wouldn't mind."

Franklin grinned. "Sweet, I will chill out here then. It's almost dark now; I suggest everyone goes home."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Not me," she said, "I'm going straight off to the Freezelock pass so I can talk to Flaming Star about this letter. This is so awesome!"

Rainbow spread her wings and took off into the darkness.

With that, the CMC went to their homes, Sunset and Fluttershy went to their home, and Daniel settled down outside. Night Shade then hopped onto Twilight's bed and went to sleep. Franklin, however, just sat next to the bed of his sister, waiting for the sun to rise once more.