A heavy silence hung in the room and around the ponies sitting in the table. It almost looked like a deja'vu from when Twilight had arrived to Ponyville just a few days back. Save for Rainbow, almost the same group of ponies had been gathered there. And much like the first time, every pony had understood perfectly every single word Twilight had told them in the past moments. Of course, it was all too much for all of them to take in at once, as Twilight herself perfectly understood. If not for the fact Luna personally had told her (and shown her) what the king himself had said, she wouldn't believe it either.

"... So... what do we do now?" The concerned voice of a Cherilee filled the place, making everyone turn to the teacher as she continued to talk. "If what you say is true... then the wooden wall might not be the best strategy right now. We are still repairing the damage the last attack made, and we might not have enough wood to raise another wall if this one gets destroyed!"

"Nonsense my child, there IS plenty of wood." Granny Smith's voice sounded above the concerned murmurs of the group of ponies, gaining once more the attention of every pony in there. Instead of the laid back mare they usually saw in the house, they were looking at the mare with her eyes heavily fixated on the table before them, as if she was trying to see something the rest of them could not. "... But that is not the issue. We know the Caribou are coming back, but we don't know when and even less how. So the issue here is more about how we can prepare better for the next attack."

Twilight couldn't agree more. Ever since the last attack, she had personally taught some unicorns to cast a spell on some of the wood to make inmune (or at least less flammable), and they had almost finished with the repairs of the wall... but with the division they had to make, with half of Ponyville's available "forces" having to stay on the farm, near the barn, to take care of the injured ponies and Caribou, they were very shorthanded on other things. Of course, the few loyal guards she had at her disposal were helping as hard as they could. But between rebuilding and keeping a constant watch, it was a constant struggle.

"The next attack... but what about the next? And then the next one and then the next one and so on?" Another concerned pony asked, quickly rising a point Twilight had not think about yet. They were in war, and wars generally did not last only one battle. There had been the historical battle of the hundred days, and that had been because it was a massive battle. But the last they had? Twilight found her hopes sinking slightly when she found the word "skirmish" more similar to what had happened.

"... It does not matter how many attacks come. We need to hold on." Twilight started to say, holding her own hands together as if to reassure herself of what she was saying. "... This is what Celestia has taught me during all this time. Until a couple months ago, i was just a simple unicorn... and yet, with the help of my friends, we were able to overpower Nightmare moon, Discord and the Changeling invasion. We have bested entire armies, and literal gods... if we stick together... we can win this."

Her speech seemed to have the desired effect, as several of the ponies in the room seemed to become quiet all of the sudden after her speech. However, that also caused the tense atmosphere to return to the room until someone spoke once more.

"... then... we just repel all their attacks until they decide to give us a chance?"

"That is out of the question, sonny." Granny Smith's voice sounded once more, sending a bad feeling on Twilight's spine. She had contemplated that possibility, too. But hearing it from somepony else's mouth was somehow terrifying. "When we deal with pests back at the farm, we do not simply chase them away over and over. At least until dear Fluttershy took charge of the animals, we had to deal with them on another way. Namely, we had to go to their hideout and make them run away."

Everypony in the room looked at each other with a wide and shocked look, truly understanding what Granny Smith was talking about.

"You mean... that we have to go to Canterlot and fight them... there!? Are you bucking nuts or are you that senile, you old- gah!"

The pony that was talking as quickly silenced by a harsh punch from the big red stallion Mac, who had taken several steps in what seemed like an instant just to give the pony a good hammer like punch to the head of the other pony.

"Do not call my grandma crazy, ya hear? Or else, i will punch you so hard the only one crazy is you!" The stallion threatened with a harsh glare, one that Twilight had only seen a couple times. One of such was during the battle some days ago.

Quickly some of the other ponies stood between the red titan and the now angry looking stallion who simply rubbed his head in pain. Seeing that he had overstepped a line, his fists opened before tapping softly his pants and releasing a sigh. After a few moments, the red stallion simply turned to the elder pony with an apologetic expression.

"Still... he made a valid point Ma."

"Yes, Yes, i know. Not enough ponies, not enough weapons, i understand sonny. Heck, even with all them critters out there, like harry the bear, it might not be enough."

"Then, what are you proposing, Granny?"

"... I propose to do what we Apples do when we need to do something big: call for help."

"Call for help? And who can we call? The Guard is with the Caribou, according to the princess here! That leaves us with little to no option!"

"Oh, nonsense sonny. You are counting the most common option when dealing with something. But you are forgetting... that there might be more ponies out there."

Twilight hummed softly when Granny said that. Yes, there were other ponies out there. Cities, large towns, even the smaller settlements scattered all around Equestria. Yes, Canterlot was the capital of the country, but its population only made up 10-15% of Equestria population... and considering most of its population was female, which the caribou surely wouldn't make them fight, then they could clearly have a good advantage if they gathered the whole population against the invaders.

"Besides... if we only drive them away, it is like cutting a weed from the field: It will grow again. To truly get rid of a weed... you have to pull it out from its roots."

A chill ran down Twilight's back as she heard that, and she was sure she caught some more ponies gulping at what Granny Smith was implying.

"S-Surely... you do not talk seriously... you want us t-to-"

"For now, let us try to focus on getting help. I believe the princess might already have a plan for that, so check with her on that matter."

Granny looked definitely tired at the moment, and almost at the verge of falling asleep on her chair. Twilight did understand her, she had been feeling very tired lately, and sometimes wanted to do nothing else than to fall asleep. Still, the memories of her friends and her loved ones returned with each sleep she took, making her remember just why she would keep on fighting.

"... indeed... For this, i am going to need the help of all the pegasi available. I am going to write some letters that you will need to deliver to the mayor of each place you visit, so they know what we are currently dealing with as well as request for their help in any way they can. I'll let you know when i am done with the letters." Most of the pegasi in the room nodded valiantly at that, ready to do their work, specially ones that already worked as mailmares before. "Then... if nothing else needs to be addressed, we can close this meeting."

Twilight gave the table a soft tap with small hammer, making almost everypony in the room turn around and begin to walk away from the table and out of the building. The only ones left behind would be Twilight, big Mac, Cherilee, and Granny Smith.

"A word before you leave, princess Twilight?"

Twilight turned to the elder mare with a surprised expression. For all the time she had been there, Granny Smith always insisted on calling her Twilight, or just Twi, just like Applejack did sometimes. Very few times had she called her "princess", just like in that moment. It definitely carried the same power her own mother had when calling her by her full name when she was about to discipline her.

"Yes, Granny Smith?" Twilight's ears flattened against her skull, almost as if she was waiting for a berating.

"... i understand you... believe me, i do. But having such attitude will not do you any good, princess. I remember when i was left in charge of the farm... It was also overwhelming. And i definitely did some questionable things to keep it afloat." Every word that was released from her mouth only served to make her look older by the minute, as if remembering all the things in her life brought back all the years onto her. "... but do not take this wrong... i do not regret what i did when i look at my family and the farm we've managed to make. During the years, it has taken one or two beatings... or more like several... but we have managed to stay afloat... And i am sure this very kingdom that Celestia and Luna have formed also has one or two stains in history that cannot be forgotten. Still... those stains are what formed this land that we live in... Do not forget the first life you took... but do remember why you took it."

With that, Granny Smith began to stand up with the help of both, her trusty cane and her grandson before making her way slowly towards the exit, leaving Twilight with a concerned face.

What Granny Smith had told her made sense. After all, she had read dozens, if not hundreds of book detailing Equestria's history... and some of its past. She had read of the several wars the princesses had to fight in order to gain territory, or to release it from the grip of tyraniccal or evil landlords. Wars in which ponies had died.

Suddenly, the memory and words of what Luna had told her just the night before came back.

"... I do remember the first time i took a life, Twilight Sparkle... It still haunts me at this day..."

"Princess Twilight, if i may?"

Twilight's thoughts were interrupted when Cherilee's voice sounded once more.

"Of course, miss Cherilee. What can i help you with?" Cherilee seemed to be taking her time to answer back, almost as if she was thinking of the correct words to say.

"Well... i have been thinking... and i want your permission to take a leave..."

"What? A leave? Why?"

"Well, let's be honest here, princess... as far as i can tell... there seems to be no end in the close time... and i have been thinking about my dear students... and i was thinking that maybe... it is not a good idea to have them this close to the... battlefield."

Twilight nodded at that, truly understanding what she was talking about. War zones were not good places for foals to be in.

"I understand Cherilee... just let us know what might be your plan, where would you be going, and make sure to notify the parents of the foals you want to take, or whoever might be in charge of them. If they have no problem, then neither i do."

"Thank you, princess. I will make sure to ask them for permission." Cherilee even bowed slightly before going away from the building, leaving Twilight alone for the moment.

Alone... and with her thoughts.

And there she was, once more, with her nose buried in a book. Twilight had to hold the urge to slap herself as the thought came back to her mind, that she was doing the same thing she did as a filly. Still... when she turned the book in her hands, she reminded herself of why she was reading that specific book. Equestrian History.

She needed to learn. More about the old stories and how Equestria came to be. And overall... more about the great conquerors of the ancient age. They were al geniuses, hardened in combat, and above all, great military leaders. That made her think... she was a genius, modesty aside, she... did not have that much experience in combat... but she did know one or two things about combat spells... spells that she had applied to her several encounters with the Caribou recently... as for great leader?

She sighed. What a great leader she had proved to be, having to abandon her people and her fellow princesses behind. What a great leader indeed.

Still... something nagged at the back of her head. She was one thing... but what about the other side? Was the Caribou king... all the three traits? She did have to admit that the planning of the invasion seemed to be a very smart move... and the ponies hadn't seen it until it was too late... Hardened in combat? He did seem very tough... as for a great military leader?

Twilight couldn't help but remember how all the other Caribou respected him... and almost worshipped him back at the stadium when he was fighting against Celestia. And later on... how the other Caribou talked to him, as if he was some sort of powerful savior of their kind.

It seemed like it was the ponies who were at a severe disadvantage after all. Twilight's mind began to fill with worry as she thought about it, constantly filling with thoughts of her being somehow inferior to him... that she couldn't win against someone like him... that she'd end up losing and-

"Twilight, darling? Are you here?" A soft knocking on her door made her jump on her seat, even having to shake her head to clear the thoughts away, as if they were a cloud floating on her head.

"Rarity? Yes, come on in. The door's unlocked."

Twilight said quickly, beginning to get up from her couch where she was reading, only to suddenly feel a damp spot where she was sitting. Her eyes widened when she felt the space between her legs moist... when and how had that happened!?

"Thank you Twilight. I wanted to discuss with you Cherilee's plans."

Twilight quickly threw a small pillow on the space where she had been, trying to cover the space where she had stained the couch.

"Oh? Cherilee's plans? What are you thinking?"

"Well... i simply wanted your advice, Twilight. Since i know that the situation will be... bad, for a lack of a better term... Do you really think it will be that bad?"

Twilight turned to her friend with a curious look. Once again, it seemed like the fear had gripped her friend's heart. Not only was she scared for what might happen to her... but also to her sister. Of course, if she was in the same situation, she'd think the same think. What would be the safest... or at least... the least dangerous situation? Have your sister there with you so you could keep an eye on her, but with the chances of failing... and then getting both captured?

Twilight's mind drifted once more to her elder brother... or at least... before he was corrupted. Twilight couldn't help but wonder... what would Shining do at the moment? Cadence was an alicorn, yes... but would he send her away to a safe place, even if it meant that he couldn't look out for her?

"... Rarity..." Twilight said calmly enough to her friend, earning the other unicorn's attention. "... I don't think applejack would like it if i lied... she taught us to always speak with the truth."

Twilight's heart broke down a bit when she watched a bit of light vanish from her friend's eyes... right before a single tear fell from her eyes.

"... i-i... i understand Twilight... You were there, not me... so i trust you enough to know... when things are really bad."

Twilight could only watch in silence as he friend let out some more tears from her eyes, and even take out a small napkin from a bag in her dress and do a very unlady like noise as she cleaned her nose.

"... alright Twilight... i better leave you... i have so much to prepare... so much to plan... so little Sweetie Belle is ready..."

Though Rarity showed a confident smile, though unnatural, it was very noticeable the nervousness and tension on her voice. Before she could go out Twilight lifted a hand and carefully placed it on top of her friend's shoulder, earning her attention.

"Do not worry Rarity... you will not stay away from your sister for too long... it will be only until we can end this conflict."

Rarity didn't seem to be less tense at that, but at least Twilight did get a reaction out from her. Rarity appeared to be still for several moments, not saying anything and not doing anything... but as the moments passed by, a hand was placed on top of Twilight's own, before her friend turned around and smiled weakly at her.

"... thank you, Twilight darling... You have a way with words, i'll tell you that... no question is left as to why Celestia decided to make you a princess."

Unconsciously, Rarity had hit a nerve on Twilight, who remained as still as the other unicorn had been a couple moments ago, staying like that for several moments until her friend left the building. Only until there was nobody around to see her... did she close her hands into tight fists and let out some tears of her own. What a princess she turned out to be.

"HNNNNGHHHH!"
"YEEEEESSSSSSS!"
"HMMFFFFFNGG!"

Twilight's eyes opened suddenly when she heard that muffled moan, lifting her head from the ethereal world she was in. She looked up from the place she was laying on before she looked at something that made her eyes widen in shock.

There, before her, were the three princesses, hanging upside down with only a strap holding their bodies from their waist, and with chains and shackles holding their legs in place so they would always be wide open, with another strap holding their knees tightly closed, keeping her legs tightly bent with no chances of breaking such bonds. Their hands had been tied behind their heads, tightened to their collars with a small chain so they could not interrupt anything happening at the moment.

Of course, each princess was in a different state, with Cadence holding a bright, cheerful smile on her face as she enjoyed the "torture" the caribou were putting them in. She wasn't with a blindfold or a gag, and the bright red collar around her neck only served to further prove her cooperation with the actual regime... Over her, a huge, black and white wolf was standing in a very uncomfortable position, with its hind legs standing over the pedestal in which the princesses were tied, with only its fronts paws holding his weight so he wouldn't fell muzzle first into the ground. But such position allowed the wolf an easy access to the current activity showing before the terrified princess of friendship... The wolf was fucking her former babysitter, and all Cadence was showing was true pleasure as the beast had its way with her... and apparently not for the first time, or not being the first one, at least. Her navel, belly, breasts, and almost her whole face was covered with thick semen, apparently coming from her overflowing pussy, slowly falling towards the ground, which seemed to be at a lower height than the rest of the floor.

Besides her, Princess Celestia was suffering a similar fate, but she had a gag on her muzzle that did not allow her mouth to be closed. Twilight did feel a bit of relief at seeing that the princess still had a thick, black collar surrounding her neck, sign that she was still resisting. But as she looked at her mentor's eyes... said resistance seemed to be failing miserably, as her eyes held a lost look, almost too lost as her pupils had almost gone lost in the back of her skull... and that was because she was being fucked brutally by two wolves at the same time! None had taken her asshole yet, as it still seemed to be occupied by some sort of object that shone brightly with each thrust from the wolves, and as such, both wolves were occupying her pussy! Much like Cadence before her, it seemed like the "fun" had been going on for some time, as there was a lot of semen falling down her body... Even more than Cadence. It seemed like the princess was trying to close her legs, to give herself a bit of modesty, but that was when twilight saw the dirty trick the Caribou had done with all three of them.

Chains had been tied to each strap holding their legs closed, and each one was just the right length so it would pull, or be pulled by the other princess' actions. Of course, Cadence didn't seem to mind at all the fact that anyone could see her being fucked by a beast, but her eyes held an evil intent as she tried to close her legs around the best, if only to be able to pull each princess' leg so they could not close them either. Celestia, unknowingly perhaps, was trying to close her legs, and that made the final princess' legs to be pulled open as well.

And speaking of which... Princess Luna seemed to be the one faring the worst, as she seemed to be the one tortured the worst, since she had both, a gag and a blindfold over her eyes as yet another beast was mounting her in the same way as the other two... but still, if she could not see, that meant she was forced to feel more. And worse yet... Princess Luna seemed to have undergone yet another torture over the other two princesses. Her nipples had already been pierced, and "adorned" with thick, silvery hoof like figures that held small weights that pulled on her nipples all the time. The same could be said about her clit, which seemed to sport another figure on it, but the wolf did not allow Twilight to see it clearly.

But finally, Twilight noticed the worst detail of all... It all seemed to be a mock for the princesses... or at least for Celestia and Luna, since all the cum overflowing from them seemed to be falling down to the lower level of the floor beneath them... and making a puddle that only seemed to grow with each eyaculation the beasts made... and there was still plenty of beasts surrounding them with hungry eyes!

Twilight did recognize that place suddenly... it was a small fountain inside Celestia's palace. More than once she had gone there to read about the water and realize her own studies about it... but now... the Caribou had turned the fountain into a wretched work of their own "art"... or more like, turned the princesses into "art".

"Impressive, isn't it?"

Twilight's nerves were racked when she heard that voice... HIS voice. King Dainn.

Turning around, she finally noticed the king sitting on Celestia's former throne, which now had a bright, round circle engraved at the top with the princesses' severed horns now displayed in full view of everyone in three straight angles, almost as if forming a perfect 90 degrees between them... except between two of them. Twilight's own heart seemed to beat harder with each minute as he mind finally guessed what was missing. She gripped her own horn while starting to hyperventilate when she realized they were holding one last place empty for their last "trophy"... her own severed horn.

"It seems like the princess have always been doing the same thing... just a mere show for their subjects."

King Dainn said still with a mocking tone, quickly earning a loud laughing from everyone around him. Caribou, ponies, changelings, all of them were laughing at three of the most powerful beings in the world... while they were used as mere entertainment... as mere decorations...

All of the eyes seemed to be glued to the three princesses in the middle of the room, watching the lewd show with hungry eyes while some even had a female of their own either sucking or bouncing on their cocks... all except a pair.

King Dainn's eyes were not paying attention to the princesses... but rather at her... Twilight's heart was just about to explode out of her chest, being able to hear it in her own ears at the moment... but the moment she realized the king was looking at her... it all stopped. Almost as if it was a nightmare, nothing else seemed to matter except those two.

Hoping it was just an illusion of sorts, Twilight took a step to the side to tear herself away from his sight... but she let out a scream of pure terror when she noticed the King's eyes followed her at the same time she moved.

She did not know how much time passed as she kept screaming, even turning around to try and run, but finding out that as much as she moved her hooves, or even her wings, she could not move from the same spot, and all the time, Dainn's cold eyes kept following her own.

"ENOUGH!"

Twilight's ears almost exploded as a loud voice sounded right at her side, followed by a noise similar to that of broken glass as the room around her seemed shift again from Celestia's palace to an ethereal, empty place, all while the king suddenly let out a scream of pain before covering his eyes and turning away.

"You can breathe now, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight turned to her side with hope growing in her heart as she recognized that voice. It was Princess Luna! She turned to her with a wide smile, deciding to ignore the basic rules of nobility as she almost jumped towards the princess to hug her... At least until she looked at the princess.

Instead of the regal look she had days before, her hair seemed messy and disheveled, and her eyes held a tired look, almost as if she was at her last effort.

"Princess Luna! What is going on!?" Twilight immediately asked, wanting to have an answer to that, but all she received was an open hand lifted in her direction. Understanding, Twilight remained shut as Luna seemed to be doing something to the King... or was it... dream version of the King?

As if to answer her question, Luna frowned at the king before she made a gesture with her hand, and the hunched vision of the king screamed in agony before being turned to stone in a flash. Only until then, did the princess turned to her.

"Twilight Sparkle... we are... i am... glad to see you... again." Princess luna said still with a small smile, but lasting only a couple seconds before she suddenly fell back on her butt. Seeing this, Twilight rushed to her with a fearful look.

"Princess! Are you okay? What is going on?"

"Do not... fret... Twilight... Sparkle..." Princess Luna said while panting heavily, and all the while, her eyes were threatening to get closed. "It has been... a really long night..."

Twilight helped her to sit back, if only to be able to help her recover a bit of the dignity the princess might have left.

"I suppose you have... already guessed it... but this is a dream, Sparkle..." Twilight was about to proudly admit she did know of it the instant she saw her... but the tired look of the princess made her think about it, instead deciding to remain silent and instead nod at her. "... the night... has been long... because Dainn is trying to abuse the power... OUR power..."

Luna looked back at the king's throne, and specifically, at the horns hanging over the king's petrified head.

"They are savages... they are using our magic... to try and spread their influence over Equestria by other means than conquer..."

"Then... this dream..." The frightened pony was about to try and make her own guess before she was interrupted by the night princess.

"Not a dream Sparkle... a memory..." Luna said with a frown as she turned to look at her own dream version, making twilight frown as well when she realized what she meant.

"... Still... Are they showing... this... to all the other ponies in Equestria?"

"Not yet Sparkle... They are showing this... only to those who they believe should see it... I have seen this same memory... dozens of times... all over Canterlot... but only you... you are the only one whom they have shown this outside of Canterlot..."

Could it be... because of the corruption? Twilight immediately thought about it...she had been there... and there had been plenty of times where she saw small signs of the corruption within her... and that set an alarm on her mind that would not leave her alone.

"Be on your guard Sparkle… he will be using your dreams against you… and he will- GAHH!"

The princess suddenly let out a loud scream while clutching her head, all while another noise began to sound, one that made Twilight's heart sink to the bottom.

Dainn's statue seemed to be breaking, revealing once more the thick, brown fur below it. With each crack that formed and fell down, Luna released a pant of exhaustion.

One of the King's eyes finally was freed, turning to both ponies with a hateful look.

"Our time is running short… be aware… but for the moment…"

Luna released one last pant before lifting a hand, starting to make a pattern in the air with her finger. Said pattern remained in the air for a few moments before it floated quickly towards Twilight wrist.

"… This will protect you… Sparkle… be well."

Suddenly, an invisible force began pull Twilight away from Luna, with the last things she would be able to see being princess Luna looking at her seriously with her hand extended and a soft glow surrounding it… and Dainn's "statue" finally breaking away and releasing its prisoner with a shout full of fury and anger.

The world became a dark void as Twilight pondered on what had happened… and as she looked down at her wrist, she could only mutter a silent "thank you" to the void, hoping the princess would be able to hear it.

Still… it was time to wake up… there was plenty to be done.