Near the lawless center of Equestria was a town. Though the largest and most well fortified of any in the land, it was still looked at little more than a refuge camp. A temporary respite to the weary. A minor balm to the forsaken. Walls that held the an imitation of safety and soldiers that held the illusion of strength. This was Redheart's Refuge. Atop a high hill in the middle of the town, there was a manor that seemed almost out of place in a place so far from the larger cities. Redheart Manor, the heart of Redheart's Refuge, to pardon the redundancy. The whole fortress town centered around its massive splendor. Though from without it seemed magnificent, it was far more empty inside than it once was. The owner of this mansion had given as much as she possible could for the people that gathered behind her walls. Perhaps it was why she had a habit of spending so much time outside them now.

On a lookout at the very roof on the manor sat Lady Redheart herself. The white mares was old and frail, a shadow of the woman she was when this war began and she had been no spring filly then either. Oh but her eyes. Her bright blue eyes all but shined with intelligence, wit, and more raw willpower than a charging juggernaut. From here she could see all of her city, all of her children, and all of those helpless souls that looked to her for hope. But today she was not looking down at her city. She was looking up. Towards the horizon.

She looked to the East and saw the mountain range of Twilight's territories. Unnatural light colored the sky in that direction some nights. Signs of magic's being harnessed beyond any ponies imagination or ability to truly control. To the south she could make the vague shape of the white city of Mannehatten. The walls so high now that they contained enough stone to build and rebuild her entire refuge ten times over. and enough wealth to buy her city twenty times over. To the Southwest she saw the distant billows of smoke from the ever burning great forges in the heart of Earthborn lands. It had become a constant site since the houses formation. There ponies were constructing devices for war on a level never dreamed of. To the west....was the Everfree always that close? When she had been a child it had always seemed so far away. Now every day the unnaturally large trees loomed just a tiny bit closer than the one before. To the north, the great sky cities. They used to be one of her favorite sites. The large white cloud structures, great cities in the sky. Each one now a massive dark thunderstorm black. Every city ready for war. And when she closed her eyes and listened closely, she could swear that she could catch the stray laughter of some poor dead thing on the wind, a victim of the Cult.

Equestria was dying. And not a clean death. It was ripping itself apart from every cell and in every way imaginable. And no matter how hard she tried, her refuge wouldn't survive the inevitable outcome of these clashing giants. She knew they were all running out of time. That was why what they had planed was all the more crucial to complete.

A pegasus landed on the platform next to the elderly mare. Dressed in the armor and colors of The Children. The name of the forces that were pledge to her and her towns defense. "How are my Children fairing today Captain?" the old mare asked.

"They are...on edge today. Hardly say I can blame them. I know more of the details of what is happening than them, and my feathers feel like they're more on edge than ever. So few of our soldiers know the whole story...I understand why you keep them in the dark, but I wonder if it is wise."

Red heart rose her head and cast a dignified smile to the pegasus. "The Children's job is to protect the refuge and its people. They don my colors, take my oaths, and they will do as I say. They have enough on their shoulders without worrying about the fate of the whole kingdom."

The captain smirked "Fair enough...I can still hardly believe any of this will work."

"Then why not fly off? Pick a side you believe will win?" Redheart asked, only half joking if she was honest. With so much chaos, and her trying so hard to be independent of any of the houses she was almost certain they were constant attempts to slip spies into her ranks. She liked gauging her higher ups loyalty from time to time. "You are a strapping young Pegasus. I'm sure you'd find a fine place in any army. Seems better than dying for one single city."

The captain nearly laughed full out loud "Because I don't think any side will win anymore, not in a way worth winning, and much less make a place worth living in. I rather die trying to make the world a better place than live in a world made by monsters."

Redheart nodded her head and turned to head inside her home. "And that is why I made you Captain. We'll all need that kind of resolve if we want the slightest chance of this working. Tell the Children to stay vigilant. Most of the chosen, if not all, should be arriving very soon. If anypony shows up matching the right description, then they are to escort them to the manor."

"Yes Ma'am." The captain said, giving a quick salute before taking off into the air.

The war for the rule of Equstria had been raging for years now, and it was a battle that nopony would win. It had brought only pain ruin to their once strong nation. So she was about to begin something entirely different and far more important. A brand new war. The war for Equstria's soul.

Woodswatch. A small collection of buildings unfit to be called a town and not friendly enough to be called a village. If Woodswatch had a slogan, it would be "Welcome no no-ponies-land. No houses are welcome here." Skywhistle had already got funny looks from the inhabitants when she came last night. The innkeeper she gave her bits to was no less frosty. They didn't hate her, she told herself, they hated her gilded hoplite armor. They hated the Stormwing crest on her bronze shield. They hated the blue and brown dyed hair in her helm. In all likelihood, her armor and weapons were the only thing keeping ponies from gathering the courage to pick a fight. None of them hated her.

She longed to regain her honor. She would get strong urges to fly back to Rainbow Dash and beg her forgiveness, and plead for a warrior's death. She was already getting sick of the Woodswatch folk hating her for wearing the fruit of every labor in her life. She had worked hard for the status of hoplite, and even if House Stormwing fell, a hoplite she would stay. She didn't know any other life, nor did she want one.

She left Woodswatch as soon as she was fed and rested, and flew fast towards Redheart's Refuge, where her dreams beckoned her. She had had another one last night, saying the same things as before. She made good time, touching down on the outskirts around midday, when the sun was straight up in the sky. She knew that if she tried to fly over the walls, there would be consequences. She had to talk her way in.

She approached the gates. Wearing her armor would not help, but she could not part with it. They would just have to trust her word.

"Hello. I wish to enter the refuge.

I've been having strange dreams. I feel It's my destiny."

She did not know why she said that to them, but it was true.

"...and I was talking to this pretty young thing down at the camps, you know? A unicorn! She said I looked familiar, and asked me where I had come from... I gotta admit, I was actually kind of flustered. What was I gonna tell her, Oak? That I used to saw off horns for a living?"

There were only two forward gate guards today, as the road was quite empty, and they were staving off boredom by discussing the dynamics of the Refuge. Both Oak and his more talkative friend Olive were former Ponies-At-Arms, now dressed in the armor of the Children.

"That'd be the truth," his companion said gravely.

"I know, I know... She could see I was uncomfortable, but before she said anything I went ahead and kind of mumbled 'New Ponyville, moved there after the flood'. -sigh- She started crying, right there in the road. Turns out she was born back in Old Ponyville, lost her parents in the flood just like my Mama. And guess what? She was my neighbor! We used to play together when we were foals! Then we ended up in completely different places, on opposite sides of the war... Just makes you think, don't it? I might have killed that girl at some point, if I hadn't..."

Olive trailed off, as a fully-armed and armored hoplite came striding up the road towards them. He and Oak got into defensive positions, and started glancing around in the skies... No clouds to hide behind. Could she be alone? The pair remained wary, and Oak held up a hoof to stop her as she approached. When the hoplite spoke, though, it was as if she were a refugee herself. "I..." Olive started, then stopped to think a bit. This was one of the ponies the Lady had talked about, the ones with the dreams, but how could they let her in with all of that equipment?

"Ma'am, we've been expecting you," he said at last, "but I'm afraid you'll need to relinquish your weapons. Once the Lady confirms that you are indeed an ally, they will, um, be returned to you." Oak stayed at the gates, while Olive ushered the hoplite inside, towards the guard station. While they were walking, he looked at her sidelong, noting the quality of the armor, and how sharp that spear still was, despite the traveling she had no doubt done to get there. "If you don't mind my asking, ma'am, what kind of dream could convince a hoplite to desert the Stormwings?"

'It had to be done..there is no turning back now. Despite my loyalty to House Stormwing...my loyalty to my commander...my friends and comrades...I had to leave. These dreams...they've been coming to me every night. Stronger than ever. As if...as if something or someone was calling to me. Now here I am, heading their call...'

It was days after Swift Star left Windsoar, when she left House Stormwing, that her doubts where getting stronger. The bodies that fell before her during every sky battle she had...the one's she has seen through her telescope when scouting...it was all beginning to sicken her to the core. She had to get away from it all and turn to the one place that'll find the true answer to turning Equestria to what it once was. It was going to be long and hard, and she might still have to take more lives, but as long as they find that true peace then she can endure it a bit longer.

Swift Star couldn't stop in any towns that she has passed through, not while she still dons her Wind Rider armor. The colors on her armor can easily tell that she is apart of House Stormwing, meaning that there is a risk that anypony can get her into trouble. As well possibly taken back to Stormwing and get her wings removed...a fate worse than death itself for a Pegasus. If she wanted to stop anywhere and take a break, then she'll have to find a place to hide and rest there.

It took her days and nights on foot to finally arrive at her destination, to the place that her dreams where leading her to Redheart's Refuge. It was a long journey, but she finally made it. "I wonder..if they will take me in." Swift Star took a deep breath, steeled her courage then started taking steps closer to the gates and to the guards.

Skywhistle paused, then set down her shield, spear, and took off her helmet. As she loosened the straps of her armor, she looked in thought.

"It's...hard to explain. I just know I have to be there. Besides, I don't think I want to stay a Hoplite. They have to do horrible things. They have to do them so often that they could eventually murder a whole city full of fillies and feel nothing. This war's gone on long enough, and fighting until there's one house left cannot be the best way to end it. That's what I believe. I came here...because I hope that there is an answer in these walls."

She took her armor off, and cast it aside. Her whole life's work. The last strings of pride she had left. Now she was naked, besides her sword, but she had to give that up to. She fiddled with the strap holding the sheath to her body, but then her ears pricked and she turned. There was another Pegasus approaching. If they were still loyal, they wouldn't give up until they had given the severed head of the Disgraced to Rainbow Dash herself. Wouldn't that be the highest honor?

Skywhistle drew her sword, and pointed it at Swift Star.

"You there!" She shouted, trying not to let the fear show in her voice. "Why are you here?" There was no question she could kill a common soldier, but could she bring herself to kill her sister-in-arms? Even after deserting, committing a little more treason felt incredibly wrong. She really had to hope that this Pegasus was a deserter like her, and not a glory seeker, still loyal to the flag.

(Amon Crystis)

Amon trotted up to the rather infamous Redheart Refuge. A city that was much more than a glorified refuge camp as it was perhaps the only place left in Equestria where all manner of ponies managed to coexist, well except changelings anyway. Of course at the moment Amon looked nothing like a changeling as he had been traveling in disguise the whole way from House Whitegold, depending on what type of ponies he could meet along the way he had changed his appearance accordingly. For the most part he had managed to avoid other creatures along the way but he had a few close calls but his infiltration skills pulled him through. As he neared the large city, disguised as rather common, pony of fortune he really had to consider the options before him.

Amon was a changeling through and through so at first he had considered attempting to hide his identity but despite how good he was there was always the chance at being discovered. Also when he had paid closer attention to his dream he quickly realized that he had been in his regular changeling form. The dream had a magical air to it, meaning it was some kind of message rather than some random, repeating dream, meaning a vision. He still could not fathom the reason why he, a changeling, had received such a vision but the reality was quickly approaching him as he made his way to the location of destiny. As a vision there was a high chance he was not the only one who had received the dream and therefore, he would be expected to attend the meeting as his true self. The implications of a changeling helping out Equestria was still quite a mindblowing premise, both as a potential act of treachery against his queen and as one of the most unique partnerships in perhaps the history of Equestria.

So Amon had decided that he needed to reveal himself at Redheart's Refuge but the question was when. After considering his options he had decided it would be best to reveal his identity at the gate, so if need be he could escape if needed. Waiting to reveal his identity in the heart of the city would be suicidal. He hoped that he would not need to flee and that by following his vision, he could find a new way of doing things for the greater good of Equestria, and consequently, the Changeling Kingdom.

As Amon approached the gate, still in disguise at this point he noticed what appeared to be the beginnings of a confrontation between two pegasi, who both appeared to be going to the city, meaning they were probably deserters from House Stormwind. He tried to remember if they had appeared in his dreams or not but at the moment he could not remember too many details. As he decided what to do his thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from behind him on the road, "Whoa there fillies! Y'all just relax fur a spell before any pony does sumthin' they'll be regretin'!" Only one type of pony would speak in such a unique way, an Earth Pony from House Earthborn.

(Sunny Orchards)

It had been a long and dusty road for Sunny as she had slipped through areas full of Earthborn patrols on her way to freedom and a better way of life for everypony. At first she had not given much thought to the dreams but when they had repeated themselves for so darn long she had finally realized that it was calling, for something that she could stake her hoofs in without feeling terrible for helping out a house that would treat another pony so cruelly for just having something that regular earth ponies did not have. Due to her experience seeing firsthand how cruel House Earthborn had become under the Ever Vigilant's iron rule, especially after the incident involving the sawing off of a unicorn's horn when he obviously needed medical attention first, had been more than ready to desert the House, but the dreams had given her the direction she needed to find somewhere she could still make a difference.

As a regular on patrols, as well as being one of the finest Appleoosan Rangers around, Sunny Orchards knew exactly how to survive off the land and avoid her ex-house's army patrols. It had not been easy of course but her skill more than made her able to complete the task and now, the city of her often happening dreams was filling up her vision. She had never been the RedHeart's refuge so it was quite a sight to see for herself. The city was considered to be full of traitors and ponies who did not have the guts to stand up with their brethren and now she was about to become one of those traitors. She felt of course, some sadness for having left her companions in the army but that same army had taken her away from what she loved to do, ranching, and was too hardcore and downright despicable for her to stay. With each step, she was getting closer and closer to a new way of life, though there seemed to be a little trouble up ahead.

In front of her were a pony of fortune, who she admitted she had no real love for since they did whatever the heck kind of job possible for the right amount of coin, and two pegasi, one of which had a sword ready to do battle with the other one. There was going to be no pony blood spilled today on her watch! Without missing a step, Sunny charged forward, "Whoa there fillies! Y'all just relax fur a spell before any pony does sumthin' they'll be regretin'!" Sunny rushed past the pony of fortune and managed to at least get near enough to intervene if necessary. "For land sakes lets not get our mane's in a bunch at the front gates!"

Swift Star stopped in her tracks, when one of her sister-in-arms from House Stormwing was pointing her weapon at her. Has she figured that she would be the only Stormwing soldier that would bother to come here? Or maybe she thought, that she was going to be captured by one of the loyal soldiers of Rainbow Dash. "Lower your weapon as I mean you no harm sister", Swift began to speak, referring this Hoplite as a sister like she has always done with her female comrades.

Before she could continue, it seems that two ponies, one from House Earthborn and House Whitegold, had arrived as well to this refuge. "Please, do not be angry at her for drawing her weapon at me. Since the first thing you would think of a pony from House Stormwing, would be that he or she would love to bring back anypony that has thrown their loyalty out the window." She turned her attention back to Skywhistle, hoping that she would listen to what she had to say as well believe her words. "You left Stormwing for the same reason as I correct? As well you two from Earthborn and Whitegold? We all want to bring back Equestria to the way it was, but without spilling much blood. That is why I am here, and that is why I choose not to fight if you do not believe my words sister."

If this Hoplite chooses to strike with her sword, then she wouldn't blame her. Why believe another Stormwing soldier that could probably just be saying this to get close to you? To get you to lower your guard? Swift Star wasn't one for trickery, especially to her own comrades, so she would say only the truth.

Skywhistle sheathed her sword, before taking the sheath off and casting it with the rest of her armor.

"Apologies, sister. I had to be sure I wasn't followed by a loyalist. There's no doubt a lot of glory to be had for the Pegasus that takes my head. Hoplites don't desert. They just don't."

Skywhistle looked to the two new arrivals.

"This bloodshed needs to end, and I take it we've all had the same dream. I hope that's the reason we're all here. Not glory," She said as she looked to Swift Star, "not favor from our own houses," She said as she looked at Sunny Orchids, "and definitely not gold," She said as she leered that the pony of fortune, "But to bring peace and harmony."

Starlight flew as fast as she could. She didn't think she was watched, but it wouldn't take long for someone to notice she wasn't there. The farther she flew, the hazier everything seemed. She didn't remember the time of day, she just knew she could see, and she didn't know where exactly she was, but her instincts were taking over and seemed to be doing it for her.

The forest was suddenly much more terrifying than she remembered. When it was her home, the life and death it was full of was interesting and beautiful. But she was a stranger to it now, and she was suddenly aware of just how unfriendly the environment was to a pony. She felt scared of how she had no control over it, and was constantly on edge and watching for the many vicious life forms that could bring cruel and unusual deaths.

She eventually grew tired, and stopped near a river. The water was dirty, but she could still make out her reflection. She appeared to have aged, but she couldn't tell by how long. How many years has it been since the war started? Starlight tried to think of it, but she realized she had no clue. She brushed it off. It isn't important.

She appears to have grown much stronger since she last saw herself. She wasn't a bodybuilder or anything, but she was clearly very fit, at least for a pony her age, or what she guessed was her age. She appeared to have some piercings in her nose and ears she didn't remember receiving and armor she never remembered wearing, and took them off. It would clearly identify her as a Wildling, and she wanted to disassociate herself as much as possible, only keeping a small knife. All that was left was marking on her forelegs and face, which she assumed was permanent, and many blood stains over her whole body. She considered faking her death and using the armor as proof of that, but it would take to much time to do that. She also thought about jumping into the river to wash off the blood, but she didn't know what was in there, and simply began to fly again.

She continued her journey until she left the forest over she horizon, then she fell asleep in a fairly obvious hiding spot, as her need for sleep was more intense than her need for guaranteed safety. She had a dream that night, the same dream she had had for the past several weeks. She didn't know what it meant, but it had a part in persuading her to leave the house and gave her a place to go. She continued onward, spending about three days on her journey to the Refuge, finding food and safer places to sleep on the way, as well as a river to wash of all the dried blood.

When she finally saw the Refuge she picked up the pace. She had only given herself time for the bare minimum of sleep and eating, and she was exhausted. From her point she saw two entrances, and both had guards, but one had four other ponies at its entrance and one had only guards. She hadn't practiced true socialization in years, presumably, and she wasn't ready to start just yet. She knew with the guards she would only need to politely do as they say. She didn't really know what to do when she got in, but it was better than staying outside.

She strode to the entrance, not at all confidant, especially with her tattooed markings, but she certainly knew how to fake it, "Good day, officers! I would like enter the Refuge today." She said, certain it was awkwardly worded. She started to worry about the outcome of this, but she tried her best not to show it.

-At the Gate whre Skywistle, Sunny, Swift Star, and Amon are gathered-

"Well Said!" called a voice from above. In a royal purple blur and an audible thud a Pegasus landed among the gathered outsider by the gate. he was a fit pony, not quite heavy lancer material but bulk of his armor and the size of the pole-arm strapped to his back indicated that he was they type who used his strength in combat more than his speed. "Though I pray you still have to will to fight. More blood will be shed before we can make thigns right."

The design and quality of his armor was more elaborate than the guards atop the tower hinting at his more superior rank among the Refuge's Children. A further indication of this was the pair of guard ponies had come to a hasty attention pose and one of them stuttered out "C-captain Noble! We were just about to send for you."

"At ease." he replied. His voice had steel in it, but not quite the gruff of age. perhaps in his early 30s at most. "And open the gate. These are the ones we're waiting for. Keep you eyes out for others, send them in with an escort to the Manor. These four I'll bring in myself."

He turned to address the group, his eyes going over each of them as if he was making sure they were real. -The solider, the scout, the ranger, and even the OTHER one. I can't believe they are all really here- he thought to himself. "I am Noble Will, One of the Children's Captains. I will be personally escorting you all to Lady Redheart. She will be able to explain more and better than I what you have been gathered here."

By the time he finished speaking the great gates opened up, just enough for each of them to enter one by one. He stood next to the entrance and gestured them to make their way inside. As he did he took again a moment to look over them. Each of them was clearly a skilled solider in their own way. Even still he had trouble believing this plan had any chance of accomplishing the impossible goal Redheart had put before them.

As Amon approached the entrance into town Noble spread a one large wing to block his path and leaned in close. He whispered only so the two of them could hear "I know what you are. You even think of causing trouble for anyone in this town and you'll rather the cult got their hands on you." Without saying more he folded his wing back and allowed him and any who were behind him to enter and went in after them.

They were lead through the various areas of the town. The other most ring were mostly tent villages and temporary structures, the further in was the town proper, just as impossible crowded as any other refuge at this point in the war, and it slowly transitioned back out into tent towns once more as they grew closer to the open land around the manor.

They were led into the manor and from there into a waiting room. "We will wait a little longer for others to show, but not much. Time is a precious commodity these days. You should start to get acquainted. You will be with one another for a great deal of time form now on." With that Noble Will left them to themselves.

-At the Gait where Starlight is-

The pair of guards looked down curiously at her. For a moment they seemed unsure of what to do. Refugees from the forest were rare, as many ponies when turned to the Everfree where often refugees themselves. And by her markings some somewhat...unpracticed greeting. They looked to one another, clearly feeling ancy about this. Perhaps the assumed it was some sort of wilding trick to get the door opened long enough for a raiding party to attack. Though it did seem to cleaver for the more straightforward and brutal raiding parties of the Everfree. One motioned to someone below and in a few moments a third pony appeared on the roof. Slightly more armor and somewhat plain ornamental trappings; a lieutenant of sorts perhaps.

He seemed to recognize her right away. Clearly they had been informed of her coming, a sign that the dreams had been more than simple dreams. "We will open the gate. you will be escorted to Lady Red Heart and she will inform you why you've been called here." The lieutenant said as the gate creaked open.

A pair of guard ponies awaited her inside. Both of them barely old enough to fit in their armor but there was a hardness in their eyes that spoke of the cruelty of the current age. It was clear by the dents and ding in the protective where that it was more than ceremonial and that the youths had seen combat defending this town.

Deep into the center of town she was lead by the young soldiers and up to a manor on a hill, where she was taken to a room with several other ponies, who were clearly just settling in. "Food and water will be brought to you all soon." the now one pony larger group was informed before they were once more left to themselves.