It was dark when Twilight finally opened her eyes. Looking around, she noticed that the tent was still empty, but she could hear voices outside. Twilight stood and did her best to stretch out the stiffness from sleeping on the ground, but it was a loosing battle, as always. Stepping outside, she found a few of the Black Berets sitting around a small fire, using rags and oil to clean some equipment. Hawkeye was polishing his quiver, spears on the ground beside him. Tank had one of his pauldrons, and was doing his best to work out a dent it had acquired. Bill was cleaning one of the heavy iron shoes he wore into battle, a vacant look in his eyes and he looked into the fire. Beside him sat Winter, who wasn't cleaning, but rolling a cigarette out of some rolling paper and tobacco she kept in a little pouch. As Twilight approached, Winter finished the cigarette and lit it by leaning forward into the fire. As she did, she noticed Twilight.
"Good morning, Commander. Sleep well?"
"Oh my, is it morning?"
The rest of the Berets got a small laugh at Twilight's perturbed response. It seemed not even a pitched battle could dampen their spirits.
"No, it's barely an hour after sunset."
Twilight had to smile as she sat next to Winter. The smoke from the cigarette was acrid, but not altogether unpleasant. For some reason, Twilight thought it smelled like old whiskey. Another sniff, and Twilight realized the faint aroma of burnt hair. Looking over, she saw that the tips of Winter's bangs had gotten singed when she had lit the cigarette. Twilight was about to comment on it when a messenger ran up and saluted, quite out of breath.
"Twilight Sparkle! Princess Luna requests your presence at the command tent!"
"Thank you."
Twilight returned his solute and turned to leave, but a sudden thought made her pause.
"Oh, where are the rest of the Berets?"
Hawkeye paused in his polishing and scratched his head.
"Scattered over the camp, helping where they can. Nightfury and Promise are over on the north side, helping those who might recover to continue fighting soon. Frostbite, Willow, and Red are over in the central area, trying to repair some of the wagons and other such equipment that was damaged. I think Little Bit is over on the field, helping to move our dead to the pyre. Not sure where the rest are, but they should be easy to find of you need them."
Hawkeye had risen, as had the others, anticipating Twilight's requesting all the Berets, but Twilight waved them back down.
"Alright. Just wanted to know."
Twilight walked off, heading to the big tent. She found Luna alone inside, frowning over a map. A smile danced across the Princess's delicate features when Twilight entered, and Luna immediately approached to participated in a quick hug and kiss. Twilight held the embrace not nearly as long as she desired, but there was too much to do.
"So, what's the plan?"
"That's what I'm ironing out. We're in a bad position. We camped here because Axion's army was already here and we had no choice. Now that we can move, however, I think we should. It's just the matter of where."
Twilight followed Luna to the map and followed the dark blue hoof as it stabbed several different places.
"The best place would be here. Elevation advantage, and the cliffs to our back. However, we would be too far east. If Axion's army comes from the same direction as last time, they could run right past us to Ponyville. Over by the river is also good, but it's the same problem, but to the west. The problem I'm having is that we can have either a strong position, or be in front of Ponyville. Not both. I believe that if Axion were to send another army, they would come from more or less the same direction. They can't send enough soldiers on one train to take the town, and I highly doubt they would attempt to navigate the Everfree Forest. That leaves this road here, this one, or following the plains to the west. Either way, they would have to come through just north of here. We're right in the way where we are, but I don't like this position."
Luna sighed, closing her eyes and rubbing her temple with a hoof.
"If only we could move Ponyville."
"What if we did?"
Luna cracked and eye and lifted an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Twilight examined the map, ideas forming in her head.
"Ponyville is a country town. Every citizen has gone camping and hiking at least once, most quite often. We could persuade them to pack up and we could leave. Axion would conquer empty buildings. The population is just low enough that as a group, we would be small enough to go wherever we wanted to, at a nice pace."
Twilight looked up and saw Luna's eyes wide, her hoof suspended in midair. After several seconds of silence, the Princess smiled.
"I think you're onto something."
Twilight beamed.
"I read a story a while back where something similar happens. That village, however, went across the lands and sea, while we shouldn't have to go nearly that far."
"Why not?"
Now it was Luna's turn to examine the map, deep in thought.
"If we're going to move, why not move somewhere we won't have to worry?"
"Where?"
"South. Zebra lands. They've always been quite protective of their borders. If Axion moved a single soldier there, it would be all-out war. I, however, am on quite good terms with King Acoreg. He is stern, but friendly. We could ask for shelter, or at least some vacant land to build a more permanent camp on."
Twilight looked at the map. It was quite a distance, and she had her doubts.
"That's a long way..."
"It is. However, the choice is either migrate or subjugation."
Twilight couldn't disagree, it was a compelling argument. The ponies of Ponyville were a hardy and strong type, and could make the journey.
"Sky Surge!"
The aide outside jumped inside at Luna's call.
"Yes, Princess?"
"Go get Mayor Mare, as well as the top lieutenants. Tell them to come here immediately."
"Yes, Princess!"
The pegasi left, barely outside the tent before flapping his wings and taking to the sky. Twilight suppressed a surge of jealousy and turned back to Luna.
"I'm going to go consult the Berets. I'll bring Nightfury back with me."
"Do that. They will be helpful."
Twilight went back to the Beret's tent to find that a few more had appeared. Nightfury sat beside Promise, both eating ravenously. Frostbite was there as well, sitting beside Hawkeye, sharpening a spear. They all looked up as Twilight approached. Nightfury was the first to speak.
"What's the verdict?"
"We're moving."
"Who? Us, or the army? And where?"
"Ponyville."
The Berets looked at each other, confused.
"We're going to Ponyville, or the army?"
"No. Ponyville is moving."
A silence ensued, the crackling fire the only sound. Frostbite stabbed the spear into the ground next to him, turning to Twilight.
"I get it. We can't defend Ponyville where we're at, so we're just going to move somewhere defensible. Right?"
"Something like that."
"Where are we going?"
"Undecided, but probably south, to Zebra lands. Luna called a meeting to decide. I wanted to get your opinions. Know anywhere a whole village can hide?"
The Berets all turned back to each other and began debating. It seemed to Twilight they had a very good knowledge of lands that Equestria hadn't had any formal military engagements with in centuries.
"What about those caves on the coast, south of Giddia? Quite expansive."
"I don't think they're big enough. Not to mention, miserable. High tide always gets in. The highlands to the far west?"
"Too cold. If we're there for too long, winter would destroy us."
"Remember when we camped in the forest north of the capitol, whatever it was called? Not a lot of undergrowth. Whole village could camp there pretty comfortably."
"True, but it's rather close to the capitol. If the Zebras suddenly decide they don't like us anymore, we would be too easy to find. A bit further north, there's another forest. That would be a good one. I remember when we marched through, it was nice enough. As well, we could flee in any direction if need be."
A few more small statements were put forth, but Nightfury's last suggestion was soon decided on. When no one had any better ideas, Twilight bade Nightfury come with her, and they both returned to Luna's tent. Mayor Mare was already there, mane flustered and bags under her eyes. Some of the army's high ranking officials were already there, and Luna called the meeting as soon as Twilight and Nightfury entered.
"Attention, everypony. I have been studying and thinking, and I have reached a consensus. Ponyville just isn't in enough of a defensible position. If Axion sends more forces, I fear we would not be able to emerge victorious again. However, we have a plan. We can't protect Ponyville where it's at, so we move the village. Evacuate the population, and go somewhere safe."
Stunned silence greeted the short speech. Mayor Mare was the first to gather herself.
"That... Are you suggesting that everypony who lives in Ponyville gather their things and leave?"
"Yes. We travel light. No personal artifacts. We must move quickly, and a great distance."
"A great distance? Where would we go?"
"I believe we have a few ideas."
All eyes turned to Twilight. She swallowed and walked to the front, Nightfury trailing behind. Those gathered all looked to the pair, expectant. Twilight levitated the large map from the table, holding it vertically so all could see.
"North of the Zebra capitol city, there is a forest. The trees are large, and quite spread out. As well, there isn't much undergrowth. Nightfury has been there, and he says that a village could camp in there quite well."
"Yes. It was several years ago when I was there, but I doubt much has changed. The land around there is flat, so travel would be easy. As well, if we were discovered, we could flee in any direction. To the south, there is more forest, and then a rocky desert, with many cliffs and caves to hide in. To the east, the open plains and ocean. To the north, we would eventually end up back in Equestria, but the hills and thick jungles lay that way, making attack from that direction unlikely. To the west, the mountains."
There was some quiet muttering as the gathered ponies muttered amongst each other. Mayor Mare was quiet, though, stepping forward to examine the map.
"That is a long walk. We have some elderly in the town, as well as a good number of injured and disabled from the battle."
"We also have many strong bodies. We could pull carriages."
More muttering, but this time, Mayor Mare looked much less trepidatious. Instead, she looked more sad than anything. Her voice shook just a little as she spoke.
"We will be leaving behind everything we have ever known. But I am afraid you are right. We cannot stay here. Axion sent too weak of a force the first time, and she will not make the same mistake twice. I will tell the townsfolk."
Without a further word, she left. Some of the brass followed, a few staying behind to examine the map. Luna, Twilight, and Nightfury went off to the side to convene.
"That went better than expected."
"Let's hope preparations and evacuation go as smoothly."
Nightfury shook his head grimly.
"We have an old saying: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. We have to operate under the assumption another force is moving our way right now. We can't afford to delay. We have to begin preparations immediately."
Luna nodded. The last of the lieutenants had left, so Luna made her way to the map and examined it. She spoke without turning.
"I agree. Go get some rest, the both of you. We have a lot of work ahead of us."