> The Empire
>  by Mediocre Morsov
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Dawn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The citizens of Ponyville had been known for their friendliness, their openess and overall happiness.  It was a common sight to see the rainbow of earth, pegasi and unicorn ponies wandering the streets of the small town, all smiles and cheer.  Yet, for the last week, the only ponies in the streets were yelling speeches at the top of their lungs or cheering from the sidelines.  Aggressively, the two speakers competed, arguing over one another with increasing fervor.  Below their makeshift platforms, two separate crowds of ponies were cheering and jeering, very nearly attacking one another.

"Princess Celestia is the rightful ruler of Equestria!" one of the speakers rattled off, "She has always watched over us!"

"She is a tyrant!" the other speaker roared, "A dictator who has lied to us about dangers we should have been aware of!  Premier Luna is the true hero of Equestria!"

The speeches continued much the same and the audience had divided into two groups - those who supported Celestia, and those who supported Luna - which jostled and spat insults at one another.  The crowd was growing, but most of Ponyville's citizens remained inside, behind locked doors, frightened at this violent change in their town.  A few days ago, these ponies were calling each other friends and loved both the Princesses equally.  Now they were at each other's throats.

Suddenly, above the shouting and roaring of the speakers, there came a new sound.  Thousands of hooves pounding against the packed earth outside of Ponyville.  The speakers stopped and blinked in confusion at this interruption.  The crowds approached the eastern edge of Ponyville, where Canterlot was within sight in the mountains and saw a horde of golden-armored stallions marching ahead of a massive dust cloud.  The Celestia supporters let out hollers and cheers as Luna's supporters paled at the sight.  Nopony had seen such a large gathering of Royal Guard before, and while it bolstered the confidence of Celestia's followers, it crushed the spirits of Luna's.

"Now you shall see the true might of our Princess!" the Celestia-speaker laughed, half-mad, "You will know who the true ruler of our kingdom is!"

The Luna-speaker turned to his supporters, all of whom were frightened and several of which were edging away from the crowd.  She shifted from hoof to hoof before steeling herself and raising her head high.

"The dictator sends her forces to silence us and bind us in chains once more!" she declared, "Will we stand idly by as they flood our town and take away our rights, or will we stand firm and for our beliefs?  Who will stand with the Banner of the Night and defend the Republic against the forces of tyrrany?!"

Several of the ponies exchanged nervous glances, but most of the crowd cheered.  The speaker held her head up high as the Celestia supporters closed around their small group, boldened by the approaching Royal Guard and the rising sun.  In the distance, faded yet still visible, was the moon and the Luna supporters drew upon it for courage.

"Now we will see the true might of Celestia!" the other speaker cackled, "Gather the traitors up and present them to Her Majesty's Royal Guard!"

"Not without a fight!" the female speaker growled.

At once, the market square erupted into violence.

*-*

Applejack eyed the walls of her cell, searching for a weak point.  Anything at all.  Yet, for all her know-how of carpentry, she couldn't find a weakness in thick, stone walls and sturdy iron bars.  Her cell was old and unused before her arrival, but it was still well-maintained.  Applejack couldn't detect a single flaw in the ancient stonework and grimaced.  At least they gave her hat back.

"No need to thank me, or anything." she remembered Rainbow Dash saying, "I could've just kept the stupid thing."

"Don't do me any favors." Applejack had spat back.

In hindsight, Applejack was grateful for the return of her old stetson, and she would be lying if she said she didn't regret - at least a little - the harsh words passed between her and her old, close friend.  If only Rainbow didn't have to stay so blindly loyal to Celestia.  Before she realized it, a tear had run down her cheek and fallen to the floor of the cell.  With a growl, she rubbed a hoof across her eyes roughly and returned to pacing around the cell.

There had to be a weakness somewhere.

*-*

"What's going on outside, Twilight?" Spike asked, "It's crazier than when Discord took over!"

"Get away from the window, Spike." Twilight said softly, "Go read some of your comics."

"But Twilight," Spike said, turning back towards the window, "Ponies are getting hurt outside.  Shouldn't we do something?"

"I'm not sure what to do." the alicorn said more to herself than anypony else, "I'mm sure Princess Celestia knows what she's doing, Spike.  We just need to have faith."

"Is this the Reign of Terror Apple Bloom and her friends kept talking about?" Spike asked, "Maybe Luna was right."

"That's enouh of that, Spike." Twilight said with some steel in her tone, "We need to trust that Princess Celestia knows what she's doing, and that's that."

Spike looked at Twilight with some concern than back out the window, grimacing as a house was set on fire.  "If you say so." he said, though his tone was even more unsure than his expression.

Twilight left the room and decided to emerse herself in her studies rather than face what was becoming of Ponyville.  Sure, she was a princess now, and as a princess, Ponyville was her responsibility to govern, but she couldn't face the violence outside her door.  Nopony could.  There hadn't been any violence in Equestria for hundreds of years, and never any in Ponyville.  Fortunately, not of it found its way to her library.  Distantly, she hoped her friends were far enough away from the fighting.  She knew, for sure, that Applejack was safe in a Canterlot cell, and that Rainbow Dash wasn't too far from her.  Fluttershy was on the edge of Ponyville, far from the fighting, but Pinkie Pie and Rarity were probably in town and very well might be in the thick of the fray.

With a nervous laugh, Twilight opened a book Celestia had given her shortly after their botched negotiations with the Lunar Republic.  It was an ancient tome, an anthology of Celestia's deeds before and after the Reign of Terror.  It was comforting to read, because it gave the impression that Celestia knew what she was doing during the Reign of Terror, and that she knew things would work themselves out in the end.  Not for the first time, the purple alicorn considered that Rainbow Dash had been onto something about Celestia having the bearers of the Elements of Harmony as a back-up plan.  Maybe Celestia really did have everything worked out in advance.

Twilight licked her lips, anxiously.

What if Princess Celestia was omniscient?  A trotting goddess among ponies.  She was virtually immortal, and her power centered on the raising of the sun and mastery of the heavens, a feat that only thousands of unicorns could accomplish before her arrival.  Twilight wondered about this possibility.  It was what the authors of the book she was reading hinted at, but even they didn't dare suggest that Celestia was an object worthy of worship.  But wasn't she?

"Is Celestia a goddess?" Twilight asked herself.

*-*

Discord watched the carnage from the edge of town.  The market center of Ponyville was burning and gold-armored stallions were crushing fallen ponies underhoof.  He couldn't stop staring at it.  It was senseless, almost entirely chaotic, if not for the soulless precision of the Royal Guard and the rebels orchestrating against one another.  Yet, for all of its disorder and chaos, it made his stomach curdle.

A thousand years ago, this would have been a great show.  Foolish mortal ponies who had been friends and loved ones only hours before, ripping each other apart over something as fickle as ideology.  Now, of course, he knew these ponies.  He had come to think of them as friends, and helped many of them with problems.  Seeing the cold, expressionless stares of immobile faces half-sunk in mud, faces he recognized, made him want to weep.

"I have to get Fluttershy away from here before she sees this." Discord said to himself.  He couldn't stand the thought of Fluttershy - his dear, sweet, innocent Fluttershy - having the witness this slaughter.  "I just have to."

He teleported to her front door and opened it without knocking.  The pink-maned mare in question looked up from her table, surprised at first, but quick with her meek smile.  The scowling rabbit, Angel Bunny, was busy eating a finger sandwich, but spared Discord a withering look at the interruption.  Discord ignored him and immediately went to Fluttershy's side.

"Hello Discord." she said, sweetly, then yelped as the draconequess gathered her up in his arms, "What's wrong?"

"Something's happened in Ponyville, and we need to get out of here." Discord expained, hurriedly, "Pack whatever you need and get ready to leave out the back way.  I think Zecora's hut would be a good place to stay low."

"Something's wrong in Ponyville?" Fluttershy gasped, "Oh no, I can't simply leave.  I have to make sure that the girls are alright.  It's bad enough that Applejack has to spend time in a Canterlot prison; I wouldn't want anything to happen to the others, too."

"Fluttershy, believe me when I say it's beyond your control." Discord said quietly, "We need to get you somewhere safe."

"Why not Appleoosa?" Fluttershy asked, "That's where Premier Luna went after our peace meeting ended badly."

"I'm..." Discord averted his eyes, "I'm not welcome in Appleoosa."

"Oh my.  Did you do something wrong?" Fluttershy asked, a little too much like a mother scolding a child for Discord's taste.

"Of course not!" he said, "I tried to get Luna to make amends with her sister, and she banished me for it.  Frankly, I think she's losing her mind."

"Running a democratic government is probably very stressful, especially since she's going against her sister's wishes." Fluttershy said, pouring a cup of tea and handing it to Discord.

"As much as I'd love to have a tea party with you, right now isn't any good." Discord sighed, "We need to get you out of harm's way."

"Only if you promise to make sure the other girls are safe, too." Fluttershy insisted.

"Fluttershy..." Discord started.

"Pinkie promise me, or I'm not budging." Fluttershy crossed her forelegs with determination.

Discord's eyebrow twitched.  He could just teleport her, of course, but then she'd be angry with him, and he didn't really want that.  What was so bad with making sure the other girls were safe, anyway?  He knew that Applejack and Rainbow Dash were in Canterlot, so all he had to do was make sure Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle were okay.  Of course, he was pretty sure Pinkie was fine; there was something about her that suggested she could emerge from a warzone unscathed.

"Very well, Fluttershy." he sighed, "I promise I'll make sure the others are alright, but only if you leave now and don't look back."

"Pinkie promise?" the yellow pegasus asked.

"For the love of..." discord facepalmed, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.  Happy?"

"Yes." she gave a meek smile as she got up, "I'll leave through the back door and head to Zecora's hut.  I hope I'm not intruding on her."

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Discord said, "Just please, hurry.  I'd hate to see anything bad happen to you."

"Alright.  You'll come visit as soon as you've checked on the girls?" Fluttershy asked, filling a bag with possessions.

"Of course." Discord smiled.

After the pegasus had finished her packing, they said their goodbyes and headed their separate ways.  Fluttershy went out the back door, as she promised, and Discord teleported into town.  Already, smoke and dust covered the town in a fog, and Discord slithered stealthily across the cobblestone streets and over the debris.  A few muddy lumps stared up at him with glassy eyes, and he went around these entirely.  Finally he arrived at the Carousel Boutique and teleported himself past the barricaded door.

"Who's there?!" Rarity turned from the barricade to face him.  Her expression hardened.  "Oh, it's just you."

Discord eyed the unicorn with concern.  Her hair was out of shape and there were bags under her eyes.  Her shop was in a mess, as if she had gone around throwing everything all over the place.  Her eyes flitted about, anxiously.

"Rarity, are you alright?" Discord asked, "You seem... distracted."

"Oh it's not like here's riots in the streets, or anything." Rarity managed a tense laugh, "And I have no idea where Sweetie Belle is.  I haven't seen her since the negotiations, and I'm sure our parents are worried sick."

"I'm sure she's alright." Discord offered, "Perhaps she went to stay with them for awhile after the talks failed?"

"Perhaps you're right." the unicorn didn't sound so sure.  "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I sent Fluttershy out of town, but she made me Pinkie promise to check in on all of you." Discord explained, "She was very adamant about it."

"That's very thoughtful of you, making sure she got out." Rarity offered a genuine smile, "I don't think her heart could handle what's happening here."

"I know." Discord turned to leave, but Rarity stopped him, "What do you want?"

"I'm worried about my sister." Rairty confessed, "Last I saw, Luna had taken her when she left.  Could you check in on them, wherever they ran off to, and make sure she's alright?"

"I actually can't, that." Discord said with regret, "I've, eheh, been banished from the Lunar Republic."

"Banished?" Rarity's eyebrows shot up, "How in Equestria did you manage that?  I always thought you and Luna were- Well, nevermind."

"That Luna and I were what?" Discord furrowed his brow.

"I always assumed you were her beau." the unicorn giggled.

"I've barely said anything to her since we fought a thousand years ago!" Discord scoffed, "Where do you ponies get these ideas?"

"Will you check on her?" Rarity changed the subject, "Somehow?"

"Alright." the draconequess sighed, "Somehow."

"Pinkie promise?"

"Again?!" Discord growled, "Fine.  Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.  Happy?"

"Oh, thank you Discord!" Rarity began crying, "I know my sister and I don't always see eye to eye, but if anything were to happen to her, I'd be beside myself with grief!"

"Alright, alright!" Discord growled, "I still have Pinkie Pie and Twilight to check on.  So...  Goodbye."

Perhaps he had teleported out of there a little too quickly, but Rarity's drama was beginning to bring him down even more than the warzone outside.  Snaking along the streets and avoiding the marching columns of the Royal Guard, Discord managed to find the Cakes' shop.  Unfortunately, Sugarcube Corner's doors were broken in and its windows burnt out.  The Cakes themselves were sitting on the porch, cradling their children and largely unscathed, fortunately.  They were weary, and had more than a few scratches, but managed to smile at their sleeping babies.

"Have either of you two seen Pinkie Pie, by any chance?" he asked as he approached them.

"The Royal Guards took her away." Mrs. Cake explained, "Along with a bunch of other townsponies."

"I don't see why they had to tear our shop up to do it, but they quit bothering us once they had her." Mr. Cake sighed, "Just look at our store..."

"Why in Celestia's name did this happen?" Mrs. Cake shook her head.

Discord left the Cake family behind and made his way to the library.  Although he couldn't help Pinkie, he was sure she was fine - even arrested by the Royal Guard, she was technically out of harm's way.  That only left Twilight Sparkle, princess of Ponyville.  Judging by the carnage all around, Discord couldn't imagine what she was princess of anymore.  Ruins, maybe?  With a snap of his fingers, he teleported himself beyond the door and into the living room of her house.

Books were stacked up around Twilight.  More books than Discord figured she owned, since the shelves were crammed to bursting with their own books.  He picked one up and saw it was a history book.  Most of the stacked ones were.  With a shrug, he moved closer to the hunched figure of Twilight, almost hidden behind her furled, purple wings.  With some concern obvious on his features, he tapped her shoulder.

"Twilight?" he said, "Are you alright?"

"Never better, actually." Twilight turned towards the draconequess and he was startled to find her entirely calm and composed.  "How are you?"

"I'm fine." Discord said, unsurety evident in his tone, "You seem completely at ease, given the circumstances."

"I am.  Everything is going as it must, you see." Twilight said in a tone that was almost lecturing.  Discord quirked an eyebrow.  "Everything is going according to Celestia's great plan."

"Great plan?" Discord was aghast, "Twilight, ponies are-" he choked on the word, so unheard of in the ages of peace and prosperity Equestria had known for so long.  "Look, you need to put a stop to this.  The Royal Guard will listen to you."

"I did put a stop to it." Twilight explained, "I ordered the Royal Guard to take prisoners and quit being so aggressive.  Soon, the rebels will be brought to heel and we can start rebuilding Ponyville."

"Twilight, you need to let the prisoners go." Discord said, "It isn't right what happened here."

"Celestia did what she must, as she has always done." Twilight breathed the words out, almost as if they were a catachism.  "We just have to trust her."

"Trust her?" Discord scoffed, "I think Celestia's even further off her rocker than Luna is!  Have you looked outside?!"

"Do not question her." Twilight said, voice sharp as a blade, "She knows what she is doing.  We just need to have faith."

"Twilight, I think you're in denial." Discord reached towards her, wanting to pat her shoulder, but a painful shock came from her horn and he withdrew his hand with a hiss.

"I think you'd better leave before the guards return, Discord." Twilight returned to her books.

Discord blinked as he realized their conversation wasn't going any further.  With a scowl, he looked around the library in frustration.  He should teleport a bucket of ice water over the alicorn's head, try to snap her out of whatever delusion she had worked herself into, but he found he didn't have the energy.  With heavy resignation, he teleported himself out of her library, out of Ponyville altogether, and near Zecora's hut.

Fluttershy ran out to greet him, suddenly worried by the lack of expression on his face.

"Were they alright, Discord?" she asked, "What's wrong?"

"They're fine, Fluttershy." he said, though without much conviction, "They're just a little stressed, is all."

"Would you like to talk about it over some tea?" Fluttershy offered, "Zecora has quite a wonderful collection of teas and she helped me make some finger sandwiches that are to die for."

"Sure." Discord managed a smile, "That sounds nice."

Tiredly, he followed Fluttershy into the hut and played tea time while the world burned around them.
> Amnesty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Eventually the dust settled in Ponyville and the smoke disappeared with the coming winds.  Ponies who had hidden during the riots slowly exited their houses and were surprised to see that the damage was quite limited.  The Royal Guard had cleaned up the bodies - fewer than a dozen, so it was said - and now stood rank and file before Twilight Sparkle's library.  Their golden armor was crusted with mud, just as their coats were, but they still held themselves with the majesty one would expect from the Celestia's finest.

Already, a crowd was forming to either side of the Royal Guards, some cheering the soldiers, others muttering rumors about what had went on during the fighting.  Between the library and the guards, ten ponies stood in shackles, and many in the crowd began murmuring questions.  Each of the ponies in chains was a good and loyal friend to many of the other townsponies; how could they have partaken in the riots?  Especially Pinkie Pie, one of the most beloved citizens of Ponyville, whom was friends with many in town.

Pinkie Pie was hardly recognizeable beneath the grey mud caking her coat.  Her mane had fallen flat against her head, and her eyes were wide and strained.  A perpetual frown was plastered on her face.  She had gone into the streets to cheer the speakers, at first, but found herself quieted by their continuing aggression towards one another.  Than the fighting began and she couldn't believe how far south everything had gone.  The acts she had seen shocked her to the core.

Finally, from the library emerged Twilight, head raised high and wearing her tiara proudly.  The Royal Guard bowed to her, and many of Ponyville's citizens did likewise.  She walked the line of prisoners, eyeing each one with what very well might be pity.  Her eyes stayed on Pinkie the longest.  Finally, she sighed and returned to the doorstep of her home, turning to face her citizens.

"Ponies of Ponyville," she began, voice resonating with authority and yet underlined with compassion, "The actions of yesterday were unprecedented and tragic.  Senseless violence unfolded in our very streets and we've lost many good friends and neighbors, family for some.  And for what?  For a new idea that Princess Celestia warned us would only lead to trouble."

A few of the ponies murmured about how the trouble had been started by the Royal Guard arriving, not by the ideology, but a few evil looks from ponies around them silenced their comments.  The prisoners stayed silent, grim expressions plastered on their faces.  Pinkie still didn't take her eyes off the ground under her hooves.

"But now this awful incident is behind us, and we can begin rebuilding Ponyville." Twilight continued, "Indeed, we should begin by improving relations with the rebels themselves."

A few of the prisoners lifted their heads, curious expressions on their grave faces.  A few of the ponies in the crowd began murmuring again, guessing at what Twilight intended.  The Royal Guard were still as statues, eyes fixed firmly, coldly ahead.  Pinkie's eyes were still downcast, her mane still flat against her head.

"I will grant a royal pardon to any of the rebels that simply recant their support for the Lunar Republic and repatriate themselves to their rightful ruler, Princess Celestia." Twilight explained.  The crowd's murmuring became louder and filled with protests.  Why should traitors be forgiven?  In answer, the alicorn continued on.  "It is in the spirit of unity, friendship and harmony that we forgive.  Let us not forget Princess Celestia's forgiveness of her sister the first time Luna betrayed her, or of Discord after all of his crimes.  I am offering this amnesty to any rebels who apologize, here and now, for it is what Princess Celestia would do."

The ponies began cheering their princess.  A few of the prisoners' expressions had softened, and one even smiled.  The Royal Guards' eyes brightened at the declaration, and pride bloomed in their chests at this mercy demonstrated by one of their faithful leaders.  Pinkie Pie's eyes twitched, but she still didn't look up from the ground.  Still couldn't look up.

"So, my rebelious citizens," Twilight offered a warm smile to the prisoners, "which of you shall be the first to renounce the Lunar Republic and step back into the light of the sun?"

The prisoner who had smiled looked from side to side at his fellow captives.  Clearing his throat, he stepped forward.  The other prisoners eyed him with disgust and pity, or just kept their eyes glued to the ground.  He avoided his erstwhile comrades' eyes and tried to focus on Twilight's tiara, reflecting Celestia's sunlight.

"I-I would like to return to Celestia's light." he said.

"Simply renounce Luna's regime and ask for forgiveness, and it shall be yours." Twilight instructed.

"I renounce the Lunar Republic and humbly ask for forgiveness." the pony said, hastily throwing in a bow.

"Guards, undo his shackles." Twilight ordered, "He is an enemy no longer."

Two of the guards approached the pony and undid his shackles.  Rubbing his legs together to soothe the ache, the pony ignored the contemptuous glares of the other prisoners and hid in the crowd.  Many of the ponies cheered him and gave him affectionate pats on the back.  Another of the prisoners stepped forward and spoke the words, and Twilight had her released as well.  One after another betrayed their oaths to Luna and even the most bitter of her supporters soon anxiously begged for forgiveness.  Within minutes, the only pony still in shackles was Pinkie Pie herself.

"Pinkie Pie," Twilight said, soft and caring, "Everypony else has renounced the Lunar Republic and been accepted back to Princess Celestia's good graces."

"So they have." Pinkie Pie gave a cold smile.

"Isn't there something you'd like to say?" the princess asked.

"As a matter of fact," Pinkie Pie looked up and met her friend's caring stare with a withering one of her own, "I do."

"Then speak." Twilight's voice was suddenly hard.

Pinkie turned her head around, eyeing each of the ponies around her with an unreadable expression.  Finally, she set her eyes on Twilight, herself.  Inhaling a deep breath, then exhaling, she steeled herself to keep her voice from shaking.

"When I first heard Apple Bloom read "The Republic", I was deeply moved by its words." Pinkie began, "The idea that all walks of life could come together and have a choice in how their government was run was a new one.  I never thought about governing ourselves until she mentioned it.  Why would I?  The Princesses had been doing it for so long, and doing it so well, it never occurred to me.  I mean, could anypony imagine a better Equestria than the one we had under Celestia?"

The crowd came alive with murmurs of agreement and nodding heads.

"Well I could." Pinkie said, and the crowd was silenced, "How many times has Ponyville, and Equestria as a whole, come in danger from ancient enemies that Celestia had known about, yet never prepared us for?  How many times have we fallen apart at the seams because we don't know how to run ourselves without the Princesses?"

Nopony spoke in the pregnant pause that followed, but the ponies who had recanted on their oaths to the Lunar Republic looked at their hooves, guiltily.  Pinkie continued.

"All of you think I'm just a silly pony whose sole desire in life is to plan parties and make ponies laugh, and for the most part, you're right." Pinkie explained, "But I'm more than that.  I want to see everypony happy, and I believed that the Lunar Republic was right in their form of governing.  I think everypony would be happier if they could elect their leaders.  I still think that, even if everypony else says they don't."

"Pinkie," Twilight sighed, "Democracy is good on paper, but how long do you really think it'll last?  Luna's supporters here have already seen the light.  All of them, except you."

"I think I see the light just fine, thank you very much." Pinkie's frown deepened, "I've seen horrible things happen today, and they were started by Celestia's Royal Guard arriving, just in case anypony forgot that."

"They were only doing their job, Pinkie." Twilight snapped back, "You ponies were out of control!"

"And that justifies what they did?" Pinkie laughed and Twilight cringed at how dark it was, compared to her usual laughter.  "I think you're in denial, Twi."

Twilight's eyebrow twitched at the comment.  That was twice now, in just as many days, that somepony tried to convince her that she was in denial.  First Discord, now one of her closest friends.  How could Pinkie Pie betray this act of friendship she was willing to extend to her?  A chance to be forgiven and live her life in the light of Celestia - whom Twilight was even more convinced must be a deity of some sort.

"Very well, Pinkie." twilight said at last, "If you won't see reason, then I have no choice but to let the Royal Guard take you to Canterlot for trial.  I'm truly sorry for this."

"I'm sure you are." Pinkie said, eyes hard as diamonds.

As the Royal Guard took her away in chains, Twilight wondered if she had made the right decision.  Maybe she should have just forgiven her anyway.  Wouldn't Celestia have done that?  With a sigh, she returned to her library where Spike was talking with Scootaloo.  How Scootaloo had made it into her library, Twilight wasn't sure, but she didn't mind; Scootaloo was a good friend, and Spike could use all the company he could get since things started getting crazy.

With a weary smile, she retired to her bedroom upstairs.

*-*

"I just don't know what to do anymore, Spike." Scootaloo confessed.  The two of them had become fast friends after Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle disappeared.  "Rainbow Dash really doesn't like this Republic thing, but I thought it was pretty cool."

"I know how you feel." Spike sighed, "I think it's awesome, but Twilight tells me I'm too young to understand why it's bad.  I'm really getting worried about her; she's kind of losing it."

"Have you seen Rarity lately?" the filly asked, "I saw her the other day, and she looked awful.  She's worried sick about Sweetie Belle."

"That's awful." Spike said, "I can understand that, though.  I'm worried about them, too."

"Me too." Scootaloo frowned, then brightened, "Hey!  We could go look for them!"

"What?" the dragon jumped at the suggestion, "Where would they be, anyway?  Twilight and Rainbow Dash don't know."

"That's because they're not Luna supporters." Scootaloo explained, "All we need to do is ask somepony who knows about the Lunar Republic."

"The Apples!" Spike snapped his fingers, "Applejack is Canterlot, and Apple Bloom is missing, but if anypony knows where to find them, it would be the Apple Family."

"You're right!" the filly laughed, "Big Mac could never lose track of his sisters.  He's got, like, a sixth sense when it comes to them."

Spike and Scootaloo laughed for a little while before wiping their eyes.  How long had it been since either of them had laughed?  Too long, for ponies and dragons so young.    Finally, eyes dry, they quit laughing.  Smiles were replaced with solemn expressions once more.  They eyed the door, cautiously.

"You think it's safe to go out?" Spike asked.

"Well, I walked all the way over here and nothing happened." Scootaloo shrugged, "Couldn't have gotten much worse since this morning.  In fact, I saw plenty of ponies walking around by the time I got here."

"Yeah, Twilight called some sort of meeting outside." Spike vaguely remembered the alicorn coming back in not too long ago, "She told me to stay inside, though I think whatever it is, it's done now."

"So let's go, then." Scootaloo smiled.

"I have to tell Twilight I'm leaving."

"Just leave her a note."

"That's a good idea." Spike produced paper and quill and began writing the note.  With care, he placed it on the door as they left.

Twilight, hearing the door close, came downstairs and searched for her assistant, calling his name a few times before finding the note.  It read:
"Dear Twilight,
Went to check out Sweet Apple Acres with Scootaloo.  Be back soon.
Love,
Spike."

She frowned at the note.  It wasn't that it was dangerous outside, or that she distrusted Spike, but she was aware of the Apple family's support of the Lunar Republic.  She inhaled to calm herself and exhaled with a smile.  Everything would work itself out.  She just had to have faith.  With a twitch of her eye, she returned upstairs to her reading.

She just had to have faith.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Big Macintosh sighed as he bucked another apple tree.  It had been two days since Applejack and Apple Bloom had disappeared, and he was having a hard time accepting that.  Ever since their parents had left them, he had been tasked with watching over his younger sisters and protecting them from all the myriad dangers in Equestria.  Although it seemed Applejack did most of the protecting, being a bearer of the Element of Honesty, and all.  Still, wasn't protecting one's sisters the job of every dutiful brother?

Where were they, anyway?  Last he heard, the two of them had joined Luna, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie on a meeting with Celestia and the other girls.  He didn't really understand why those mares were arguing, and he didn't really care; he just hoped they could have worked things out between them and things would have gone back to normal.  Fluttershy had stopped by and told him how badly everything had went.  Celestia had tried to arrest Luna and her supporters, Applejack was in prison, and Apple Bloom was with Luna in Appleoosa.

He kicked another tree and nearly broke it with his anger.  He exhaled sharply.  It could be worse.  At least he knew Applejack was safe, even if it was in a prison cell, and he knew Apple Bloom was with family.  Fluttershy had been a most receptive companion, too, listening to his complaints and worries without judging him.  He didn't talk much, and he trusted Fluttershy to be silent with what little he had shared.  One thing was certain: he was glad neither of his sisters had been in Ponyville when the riots began.  Now they were over and Celestia's Royal Guard had returned to Canterlot.

In the distance he saw one of Apple Bloom's friends - a pegasus filly he remembered was named Scootaloo - and Spike, the only dragon in all of Ponyville.  He was surprised at their arrival; surely they knew that Apple Bloom wasn't here, so why would they show up?

"If y'all are lookin' fer Apple Bloom, she ain't here." Big Mac announced once the two youths were within earshot.

"Actually, that's why we came." Scootaloo said, "Do you know where Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are?"

"Normally, I'd say 'nope' an' send ya on yer way," Big Mac began, warily, "but seein' as how it's you, Scootaloo, I'll tell you.  She's in Appleoosa."

"Of course!" Spike said, "That would make sense."

"Thanks Big Mac!" Scootaloo beamed before turning around.

"Wait." the stallion said, "Why do you two wanna know where Apple Bloom is?"

"We figure she's with Sweetie Belle," Spike explained, "so we're going to try to bring Sweetie back, so Rarity quits freaking out."

"Could you bring Apple bloom back, too?" Big Mac asked, "The farm just ain't the same with only Granny an' I livin' here."

"Sure thing." Spike gave a reassuring smile.  The youths were about to leave again when Big Mac stopped them again.  "Yes?"

"You two be careful." he said, "And make sure Twilight an' your parents know where you two are headin'."

"Sure." Scootaloo didn't lie very well, but Big Mac left it at that.

And so the two youths left Sweet Apple Acres behind and made preparations for travel to Appleoosa.

*-*

"This is a disaster." Luna said after eyeing the reports from Ponyville, "Ponies dying, and now two of my closest supporters in a Canterlot prison."

"Ponies dyin'?" Apple Bloom's voice was so quiet, Luna almost missed it.  She turned towards her student in surprise.

"Apple Bloom?" she asked, "Whatever are you doing here?"

"It's been awhile since we talked, outside a' the meetin's, Ah mean." the filly traced a pattern in the floorboards with her hoof, "Is it true?  Ponies are dyin' out there?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so." Luna sighed, "Less than a dozen, but a tragedy all the same."

"Ah didn't think anypony would die over this." the filly seemed aghast, "It's just like the Reign a' Terror."

"I wouldn't go quite that far, yet." the Premier managed a laugh, "Perhaps my sister isn't aware of the damage done, quite yet.  Perhaps it was beyond her control."

"If there's one thing Ah learned about Celestia, it's that nothin' seems to be beyond her control." Apple Bloom seathed and Luna was startled by the unbridled hatred in her tone.  Then the filly calmed down and gave her mentor an apologetic look, "Sorry, Miz Luna.  Ah know she's your sister an' all."

"It's quite alright." Luna smiled, "Tia certainly hasn't done herself much good trying to earn her ponies' trust."

"Maybe yer right about it bein' a misunderstandin', though." Apple Bloom offered, "Maybe she had no idea her guards would take it so far."

"I can only hope." Luna sighed, "Still, my ponies are braying for blood.  They want revenge for the killing, and the capture of two of our most famous supporters."

"We can't send ponies out ta..." the filly stumbled over the words, "...kill an' die fer this.  It ain't right."

"I couldn't agree more, however..." the Premier eyed outside through her window.  Braeburn was forming a mob from the pioneers outside, "I'm afraid your cousin is taking matters into his own hand.  He's forming a posse to infiltrate Canterlot and break out the prisoners."

"Ah shoulda never gotten him so riled up." Apple Bloom groaned, "If Ah had known this'd lead ta killin'..."

Luna stayed silent on the subject and closed the curtains of her window.  There was something... endearing about ponies willing to die for her.  It stirred something in her chest and made her more than a little giddy.  Was this how Celestia always felt, held up on her pedestal above all others?  She shook her head slowly.  Her ponies were dying; she shouldn't be getting happy over this!

She should be getting angry.

*-*

"And that's not the worst of it," Diamond Tiara let out one of a hundred "ughs" as she continued her story, "The streets were so filthy, you just wouldn't believe it!  Mud everywhere!  I'm just glad this silly "republic" fad is almost over."

Snips' eye twitched as he listened the filly drone on and on.  He had half a mind to mess up the mane he was currently working between his hooves.  He should have never mentioned he was a mane stylist; of course Diamond Tiara would come to him, asking for a demonstration (on Silver Spoon, first, naturally), and of course she would spend the time griping about her oh so troublesome day.  He hadn't even known there was a salon in one of her father's factories.  Who put a salon in a factory, anyway?  He eyed Snails enviously.  His friend was having a nice conversation with Silver Spoon, and - did she just laugh at one of Snails' jokes?

"That little..." Snips grumbled under his breath.

He finished with his snipping and arranging of Diamond's purple locks and placed her namesake upon her head.  He watched as she weighed the manecut in the mirror and had to fight the urge to roll his eyes.  He blinked when she gave a genuine smile and turned to him.

"You're actually really good at this, Snips." Diamond Tiara giggled - actually giggled! - at him.

"Ooh, we should show them," Silver looked around the empty salon before leaning in, whispering conspiratorally, "the Thing."

"I don't know if I want to show the Thing to these two losers, good stylists and listeners they may be." Diamond held her head up high.  Still, was that a playful smirk on her lips?

"What's the Thing?" Snips asked, vaguely feeling like he had just sprung a trap.

"Oh no, Di is right." Silver waved a hoof, dismissively, "The Thing is too cool for you two."

"We're cool!" Snails protested.

"Yeah!" Snips added.

Both fillies exchanged coy leers and sly grins before turning and leaving the two colts behind.  Startled and slow to recover, Snips and Snails followed the girls out, calling after them.  After awhile, they grew silent as they were led deeper and deeper into the factory.  Strange vehicles stood in various states of assembly to either side of the catwalks they were crossing.  Both of the colts were taken by the sheer size of the factory's bowels, and distantly entranced by the vehicles beneath them.  They were boxy, ugly things, rugged and plain, and yet the colts couldn't keep their eyes off of them.  What were the telescope-looking things on top?  Why didn't they have wheels?

"Here we are!" Diamond announced at last.

Snips and Snails looked at the assembly line beneath them where ponies in welding goggles and cloth masks worked away.  Different shaped pieces of metal were formed, heated, reformed and shaped again down the various lines.  It took the colts a moment to realize the metal was being turned into armor for ponies, but very different from the armor they'd come to recognize from Celestia's Royal Guard and history books.

"It's so... sleek." Snips noticed, "It doesn't look anything like the armor Celestia's soldiers wear."

"That's because this is new, high-end stuff." Diamond announced proudly, "Princess Celestia, after the debacle with her sister a few days ago, decided her Royal Guard could use some new hardware."

"Hardware?" Snails asked.

"Materiel, specifically." Silver pushed her glasses back in place, "Mr. Rich explained that, a long, long time ago, some ponies designed newer and newer weapons, but they never built them or used them."

"Something about peace and utopia and the like." Diamond said the words as if they were a bad thing.

"How'd your dad get the designs for this stuff if they were never even built or used?" Snips asked.

"I really don't know." Diamond confessed, "Hard as it may be to believe, he doesn't tell me everything."

"Ah man, that stuff looks so cool!" Snails was almost drooling over the armor.

"Not as cool as those... things back there." Snips said, "They looked like carriages.  What were they?"

"We're not really sure." Silver shrugged.

"They have something called engines in them." Diamond explained, "Daddy says engines can pull carriages all by themselves."

"Carriages pulling themselves?" Snails laughed, "Like trains?"

"Exactly," Silver beamed, "but more compact."

"What were the telescope-looking things on top?" Snips asked.

"I asked Mr. Rich the same thing, but he told us we shouldn't concern ourselves with that." Silver said.

"Man, these are even cooler than those camera-things Apple Bloom made." Snails said, absent-mindedly.

"Apple Bloom's camera-things?" Diamond quirked an eyebrow, "What camera-things?"

"Twilight showed her how to make them." Snips explained, "They're really neat."

"You can take somepony and "broadcast" them to all these screens across Equestria." Snails said, "But your dad's armor and horseless carriages are way cooler."

"These cameras sound useful." Diamond said, "Daddy could use them, I'm sure."

"Do you guys know how to make them?" Silver asked.

"No," Snips said turning to his new friends, "but we know which book they're in."

The colts didn't even notice the two separate styles of armor and vehicles, one emblazoned with a shining sun, the other with a crescent moon.

*-*

"Premier Luna hasn't sanctioned this." one of the pioneer ponies said, anxiety plainly written on her face.

"She'll forgive us once Applejack an' Pinkie Pie are safely back in Republic territory." Braeburn said in a disinterested tone, hat shifted forward.

"She doesn't approve." a stallion said, just as anxious as the first, "Braeburn, ponies are gonna get hurt if we just waltz into Canterlot an' break 'em out."

"Exactly why we'll be goin' in under the cover a' night." the cowpony gave a grin, "We are the Lunar Republic, after all.  Night raids should be our signature, wouldn't you agree?"

"Signature?" the first pony asked, "You act almost as if we're gonna make this common practice."

"Ah didn't sign up for fightin', Braeburn." the second pony scowled.

"Go home an' hide under yer covers, then." Braeburn turned on the second pony, "Ah got a posse a' half a dozen buffalo raiders an' twenty ponies ready ta go get mah cousin outta jail, so you can just stay here an' bake pies fer all Ah care!"

"Easy, Brae." the first pony got between the arguing stallions, "We're just breakin' in an' breakin' out, right?  Nopony's gonna get hurt doin' that."

"Exactly." Braeburn nodded, "So ya'll comin' or not?  We could always use a few extra hooves."

The two pioneer ponies exchanged nervous glances before nodding in agreement.  They followed Braeburn to the crowd of ponies and buffalos waiting beside a train.  They were loading the train with supplies for the trip, since it would take awhile to reach Canterlot from Appleoosa and back again.  The engineers wiped soot from their brows and prepared the coal car, warming up the engine.  At the approach of their leader, they stopped what they were doing to look at him.

"Mah friends," Braeburn pushed his hat back so the ponies around him could see his eyes in the light of the full moon, "That tyrant Celestia's been in power too long, an' all we wanted was the right ta vote fer our own leaders.  Now she's started killin' and kidnappin' ponies just fer believin' an' supportin' the Republic!"

The crowd erupted in boos and hisses.  Braeburn let this go on for awhile longer before raising a hoof and stilling the crowd.

"Ah'd say we should go into Canterlot an' take her down, but circumstances won't allow it." he said, "So we'll settle fer breakin' their prison open an't savin' Applejack an' Pinkie Pie!  Who's with me?"

The crowd's boos and hisses became whoops and cheers as ponies finished their packing and jumped.  Two of the ponies even danced a jig together and somepony had started playing the fiddle.  Braeburn nodded to the melody as the ponies boarded the train and was about to follow them before he felt a tugging at his vest.  He turned and saw his young cousin, Apple Bloom, staring at him with pleading eyes.

"Ya'll ain't really goin' ta invade Canterlot, are ya?" she asked.

"Shoot, Apple Bloom, Ah thought you'd be happy we were goin' ta rescue Applejack." Braeburn furrowed his brow, "What's the matter?"

"Ah don't want anypony else ta get hurt over this republic thing." Apple Bloom confessed.

"Sometimes ponies get hurt standin' up fer what they believe, sugar cube." Braeburn mussed the filly's mane with a hoof, "Don't worry; we'll all come back, with Applejack, an' everythin' will be fine."

As Braeburn left his cousin behind, Apple Bloom looked up towards the balcony of Appleoosa's town hall where Luna stood, watching.  'Why ain't she doin' anythin'?  Why ain't she stoppin' them?!' was all Apple Bloom could think about the situation.  Braeburn had stopped just short of boarding the train and looked back at the Premier of the Lunar Republic, expectantly.  Almost imperceivably, she gave a slight nod of approval, and the pioneer pony caught the gesture.

With a wide grin he boarded the train and was greeted with cheers and fiddle music.

"Remember the plan, everypony." he said, "We should reach Ponyville right before dusk.  We kill the lights an' the noise, an' ride straight into Canterlot by nightfall.  We sneak into the prison, bust out mah cousin an' her friend, an' were outta there before dawn!  Understood?"

A chorus of "Aye aye!" and affirmatives bounced around the train cars.

"Alright then," Braeburn closed the door to the train car, "Let's ride!"
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The two youths, one a pegasus filly and the other a baby drake, had been heading west for several hours.  They wished that trains were still running to Appleoosa from Ponyville, but it seemed that so long as the Appleoosians supported the Lunar Republic, there would be no train rides west.  Fortunately for both of them, they had Scootaloo's scooter and wings to make up the distance.

"Are you sure you don't need to take a break?" the dragon asked.

"I'm sure." Scootaloo panted, sweat pouring down her face, "This is nothing!"

As if to prove her wrong her wings suddenly seized in a painful cramp.  The two youths spun out of control and flew from the scooter, landing in a nearby bush.  Spike picked himself out of the shrubbery and stretched his back, while Scootaloo writhed in the foliage.

"Ow!  Ow, ow, ow, ow, OW!" the pegasus groaned, rolling around in the dirt.

"I'd ask if you're alright, Scoots, but it's kinda obvious you're not." Spike said, "Wing cramps?"

"Yeah." Scootaloo stretched her back and grimaced at the discomfort.

"Here, lay down." Spike sighed, positioning himself to Scootaloo's side.

"What are you do-" the filly began to protest but stopped in a squeak as Spike ran his clawed hands through her wings and back.  "Wow, that feels amazing!"

"Twilight gets wing cramps from time to time, and I've been helping her with backaches for as long as I remember." Spike explained, "You'd be surprised how bad you can mess up your back by bending over a desk, reading all day."

After a few minutes, Scootaloo gave her wings a little whirl and smiled at the lack of pain.  Spike suggested they walk for awhile instead of ride the scooter, to let her wings rest, and she wasn't about to argue.  By the time the sun was at its zenith, they saw a train pass by on the way to Ponyville.

"I didn't think they had trains running between Ponyville and Appleoosa." Spike said.

"You think Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom was on that one?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know." Spike frowned, "Maybe."

"Maybe we should head back." Scootaloo suggested, "Even with my scooter, it'll probably take days to reach Appleoosa."

"Worried your parents will find out you left?" Spike asked.

"Yeah..." Scootaloo gave a dry laugh, "...My parents."

"Twi will be pretty mad, too." Spike groaned, "But we're already a quarter of the way there."

"At this rate, we won't get there 'til late tomorrow." the pegasus groaned.

"Did you have other plans, Scoots?" Spike laughed, "Besides, the train'll probably be back by the time we get there; we can ride back to Ponyville on it."

"I guess it won't be too bad." Scootaloo agreed, "Still, I can imagine how mad Twilight'll be."

"Yeah, but I'll deal with that when we get there." it was Spike's turn to groan, "I just hope the letter I left is enough explanation."

Scootaloo didn't have a lot of experience with how parents reacted to their children suddenly disappearing, but she got the distint impression that it would take much more than a letter to calm Twilight down.  Then again, what did she know about parenting?

Hours passed for the youths as they alternated between walking and scootering across Equestria's landscape.  The plains turned to desert with time and Spike began to wonder exactly how long it would take to get from Ponyville to Appleoosa by foot.  Finally it was dark and the two of them set up camp for the night.  Luna's night sky was beautiful, to be sure, with its stars twinkling in the inky heavens.

"Spike?" Scootaloo's voice came out of the darkness near the drake.

"Yeah, Scoots?"

"This is probably the most fun I've ever had." the filly said, "Out here on an adventure, trying to save our friends.  Is this what it's like for you when you hang out with Twilight and the girls?"

"Usually it's a lot scarier." Spike confessed, "Well, and the fate of the world rests in the balance."

"Yeesh." Scootaloo laughed nervously.  She watched the stars for awhile, content with the silence aorund them.  Silence wasn't quite right; the night was alive with crickets and the chirping of frogs.  Yet, even with all the background noise, it was peaceful.  "I'm really glad you came along, Spike."

"Me too." the drake agreed, yawning, "I'd hate it if something bad happened to you out here, all by yourself.  Your parents would be worried sick."

"Right." Scootaloo laughed weakly, "Parents."

But Spike had already fallen asleep.

*-*

"Dear Twilight,
"Went to Appleoosa with Scootaloo to find Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.  Packed supplies for a couple of days since I wasn't sure how long it would take to get there.  Hope you don't mind.
"Love,
"Spike."

Twilight crumpled the note with her magic and watched as it caught fire, burning to cinders.  She ground her teeth in frustration.  How in Equestria did Spike become so reckless?!  Running all over the country without her permission and leaving only notes behind?  Where had he picked up those traits?!  Furrowing her brow, she realized those were exactly the kinds of things she did, running off on adventures with her friends and only leaving notes behind for Spike to find.

She sighed at the thought of her friends.  Rainbow Dash was still in Canterlot, and now both Pinkie Pie and Applejack were in jail.  Fluttershy had disappeared, which was probably for the best, considering the riots.  The only friend left in town was Rarity, who was currently in her dining room crying into a cup of tea.  Twilight felt awful about the disappearance of her friend's sister; at least Spike had left a note.

"I suppose it could be worse." Rarity sighed, sipping her tea, "At least I'm fairly certain she's safe with Apple Bloom and Luna.  Oh, our mother is so worried."

"I'm sure they're alright." Twilight offered another tissue to her friend, "If it makes you feel any better, Spike and Scootaloo have gone to look for her in Appleoosa."

"Oh, Spikey-wikey!" Rarity's tears changed from grief to joy, "I'll have to give him a kiss if he can bring my Sweetie Belle back."

"I'm sure he'll enjoy that." Twilight chuckled, "Still, I don't like them going to Appleoosa.  That's Lunar Republic territory."

"I'm sure they'll be fine." Rarity waved a hoof, dismissively, "It's not like Luna's guards killed anypony."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight glared at the unicorn.

"Oh, nothing!" Rarity laughed lightly, "My point is that there hasn't been any violence west of Ponyville, or really, anywhere outside of Ponyville.  I think they're safer in Appleoosa than here, honestly."

"I still don't like it." the princess said, walking towards her window.  Ponies had begun to walk around town again, but their smiles were forced, "Everypony got so wrapped up with the Crusaders' book reading that they were ready to abandon Princess Celestia altogether."

"If you're so worried about it, why don't you write something to counter that silly "Republic" piece." Rarity suggested, "You adore books, after all, and I'm sure everypony would love to hear from their princess.  Oh!  You could put on your own book readings!"

"I could talk about Princess Celestia's divinity." Twilight mused, "And ponies would listen."

"Celestia's divinity?" Rarity almost coughed on her tea, "Whatever are you going on about?"

"She's lived for, what?  Thousands of years?" Twilight asked, "And ruled over ponykind, guiding it, protecting it.  Every disaster we've come to face, Celestia's had us prepared for it."

"Oh, Rainbow Dash's "backup plan" fantasy." the unicorn sighed.

"Not a fantasy," Twilight said, startling Rarity with her surety, "fact.  Celestia is omniscient.  She's seen all possible outcomes, planned for every possible future so Equestria comes out harmonious and peaceful."

"If that were true, why do bad things happen all the time?" Rarity asked, "Dear, you're sounding even crazier than I've been feeling these past few days."

"She's testing us." Twilight said, "Testing our faith.  Only the faithful will get to live in her utopia; all the non-believers and detracters will have given in and surrendered to the hardships.  Only those who persevere will enjoy Celestia's greatest paradise!"

As Rarity listened, she first felt Twilight was losing her mind, becoming unhinged, and yet as her friend continued, Rarity felt a lightness in her chest.  Hope for a better world, if she could only endure this one.  Maybe not a better world for her, but for her descendants and ponies after her, or after them.  If they could only endure.  She was so moved that her hoof shaked as she lowered her teacup to the table.

"You simply must write your ideas down." Rarity said in a hushed tone, "Write them down and read them to everypony!  It's so inspiring!"

"You agree with me that Celestia's a goddess?!" Twilight beamed at her friend.

"Oh heavens, no." Rarity laughed, "I'm not sure what Celestia is, but I do believe that she's trying her best to make a beautiful world for us to live in, and maybe she is testing us with hardships, to make us a stronger, more faithful populace."

"You really think I should share my ideas with everypony?" the alicorn asked.  She had been writing her thoughts down, of course, but wasn't sure she was ready to share them yet.

"Absolutely, my dear." Rarity beamed, "Oh!  I'll even make you a flag, like the Crusaders had when they read the "Republic"!"

"A flag?  Is that necessary?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"No, I suppose it's not." the unicorn confessed, "But it certainly adds a little something, doesn't it?"

"I guess." Twilight shrugged.

"I'll worry about the decorations, dear," Rarity said, "you worry about getting those words out of your head and onto paper."

"Alright." the princess said, "What should I call it?"

"Something simple, yet powerful; a name that'll stick in ponies' minds." Rarity explained.

"Like the Book?" Twilight asked.

"That's silly.  It doesn't have to be a single word." the unicorn sighed, "How about the Book of Light?"

"The Sun Book?"

"I've got it!" Rarity smiled, "Le Livre du Soleil."

"Ooo!" Twilight shared in her friend's enthusiasm, "Fancy!  Just like they speak in Canterlot!"

"I don't like to brag, but I am quite fluent in it." Rarity eyed her hoof with a proud smirk.

"Comme moi, mon bon ami!" the princess giggled, "Maintenant, nous avons un langage secret de parler!"

"Nopony likes a showoff, Twilight." Rarity scowled.  She might have exaggerated her fluency a tad.  She smiled suddenly.  "Well, I better get started on that flag while the creative juices are flowing!"

"And I'll get to work on 'Le Livre du Soleil'!" Twilight said.

They said their farewells and got to work on their separate crafts.  Neither of them noticed the train heading eastward through Ponyville as the sun was setting.

*-*

"Production is coming along nicely, Your Majesty." Filthy Rich bowed before his Princess, "In no time at all, your Royal Guard will be outfitted with the latest in military hardware.  I'm talking ceramic inserted kevlar armor, back-mounted projectile weaponry, and dozens of armored vehicles."

"It all seems a little... much." Celestia noted, "My sister surely doesn't intend to escalate this any further than it already has been.  What happened in Ponyville is a mistake, and I don't wish to see it taken any further."

"Of course, of course." Mr. Rich smiled, "Yet it never hurts to be on the safe side.  The Elements of Harmony are divided, leaving all of Equestria exposed to external dangers.  Who says this upgrade is for pacifying your sister's upstart regime?  It could be used to protect Equestria from foreign threats as well as domestic.  What if the Changelings attack again?"

"Again with the Changelings." Celestia sighed, "They attacked the Crystal Kingdom once, and everypony assumes they're going to invade en masse."

"Equestria is weakened." Mr. Rich noted, "It would be an oppurtune time for them to strike."

"You certainly seem well-educated in the matters of politics and military doctrine, Mr. Rich." Celestia said, suspiciously, "For a businesspony."

"My family, long before we came into wealth in Ponyville, had been known for... contracting." Mr. Rich explained vaguely, "A lot of designs and bits traded hooves and my family's ended up with quite the library on old schematics and... forgotten histories."

"I'd be careful who you share that information with, Mr. Rich." Celestia warned, coldly.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Mr. Rich smiled at her hooves, just as coldly, "Nopony but my kin has, or ever will, know the secrets we carry."

Celestia felt a chill at the statement and wondered exactly how much Filthy Rich's ilk knew about Equestria's forgotten history and lost technology.  It was a scary thought, honestly.  Filthy Rich could prove to be a most fortuitous ally.

Or an unwanted obstacle.

"How did you handle the Royal Guard on their return?" Mr. Rich asked.

"They acted accordingly to their orders and training." Celestia frowned, "I could not fault them for doing their job."

"Fascinating that after so many years of peace and prosperity, you still train your Guard for war and killing." there was a note of amusement in Mr. Rich's tone.

"Can you blame me?" the princess asked, "With how many threats have popped up over these last few years?"

"That I can't." Filthy confessed.

"You'll keep me up to date on production?" Celestia asked.  She already had a few dozen of her Royal Guard equipped with the new armor and weapons, but it never hurt to be kept up to date.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Filthy gave a smile that didn't reach his lips, "You have my word of honor."

Before Celestia could inquire exactly how far that honor extended, a Royal Guard appeared from a connecting hallway.  The gold-armored stallion saluted and didn't wait for permission to rattle off the information he had been sent to deliver.

"Your Highness," the guard said at once, "A train has been spotted outside of Canterlot.  It's just sitting there."

"This is news how, exactly?" Celestia raised an eyebrow, icily.

"It came from out west." the guard explained, "Further west than Ponyville, we suspect."

"Appleoosa." the princess gasped, "I doubt my sister has the audacity to charge in here, even if it is night."

"Perhaps she's come to apologize?" Filthy suggested, though his tone made it obvious he was joking.

"Unlikely." Celestia muttered, "Keep an eye on it, but it's no reason to put everypony in a panic over."

"Yes, Your Highness." the guard saluted again before departing.

'What are you up to, Lulu?' the princess thought as she looked at the moon through a nearby window.

*-*

It was a risky move, leaving the train behind in the open like that, but they couldn't very well ride the train through Canterlot.  Honestly, they should have left the train in Ponyville and galloped the rest of the way.  Still, they would have been spotted miles before reaching the city that way; this way they were close enough to the city to sneak in on hoof.

Braeburn couldn't remember who had suggested they wear black bandanas around their muzzles, but he was glad they had taken the advice.  They didn't help disguise the ponies much, but they certainly added some flare.  Striking in the cover of darkness and wearing veils across their faces on top of this.  Certainly went with the night motif of their regime.

The city's walls were surprisingly easy to bypass.  Even with Royal Guard everywhere, Canterlot certainly wasn't prepared for anypony sneaking in.  Braeburn briefly wondered what Canterlot would be like after their raid's success.  Would it ever be the same again?  Surely security would be increased, and everyday life would become harder.  He pushed the thoughts from his head and continued deeper into the city.

He was surprised with how well he and the other raiders were at sneaky around.  Nopony had seen them enter, and nopony wandered the streets at night.  Strange, to Braeburn; he had heard that in the cities, nopony ever slept.  Aside from a few homeless and unsavory characters who minded their own business, the streets were empty.

Finally they reached the castle.  It was large and imposing, in the darkness of night.  Not as beautiful or grand as it was in the daylight, but a fortress of masonry and steel.  Golden armor reflected scant street- and starlight as Royal Guard patrolled the high walls and watchtowers.

"Well, we've made it this far." one of the raiders whispered near Braeburn, "How do we get in?"

"Scale the walls, Ah reckon." the cowpony replied, "Can't be much different than climbin' apple trees."

"Yer jokin', right Brae?" another raider laughed, though it sounded forced, "Climb walls guarded by the Royal Guard?  Ya'll heard what happened in Ponyville."

"It's that or head home with our tails between our legs." another raider grunted, "Let's get climbin'."

Spread out along the wall, covered by nightfall, the ponies set to climbing.  Slowly and surely, they worked their way up the wall, hooves finding purchase in the seams between bricks and the slight wear and tear on their surfaces.  It was difficult going, but the raiders were pioneers, rugged and hardworking individuals whose daily life was toil.  Even the buffalo were surprisingly agile scaling the walls.  Within minutes, the first pony reached the top of the wall...

...And came face to face with one of the Royal Guard.  They exchanged wide-eyed stares.  The raider felt a moment of panic rise in her chest and tighten her throat.  The Royal Guard's eyes hardened and he opened his mouth to alert his allies.  Without thinking, the raider shoved her hoof into the guard's throat, then pulled him roughly over the edge.  Choking and wheezing, the guard tumbled over the edge, screaming silently as he spun towards the ground far below.

Braeburn passed her and helped her onto the wall.

"Brae, Ah'm sorry!" she whispered, "Ah didn't know what to do!"

Braeburn stared at the broken form lying at the foot of the wall, practically invisible except for the gold armor and white coat.  The white coat wasn't flawless, any longer.  Braeburn licked his lips, anxiously.  This certainly hadn't been part of the plan.

"It's alright." he said at last, "It was unavoidable.  Nothin' we can do about it now.  Let's keep movin'."

Stealthily, they stormed the castle.  On fleet hooves they avoided Royal Guard and penetrated the depths of the castle.  As they got deeper, they broke into smaller and smaller groups until they were practically on their own.  Braeburn managed to find the dungeons first.  Startlingly, there were only two guards watching the cells, and both looked to be the least trained of the entire Guard.  They were a little overweight, their armor was dulled and marred, and they seemed more interested in their card game than guarding the prisoners.

It wasn't hard to sneak past the distracted guards, but then Braeburn saw her.  He recognized her, of course - one of his cousin's friends that had helped smooth over relations with the buffalo awhile back.  Cyan coat and rainbow-maned.  If he wasn't still reeling from the dead guard outside, he might have spared a thought towards her tomboyish beauty, but he was all business at the moment.  She was engaged in some sort of glaring contest with Applejack, the cell bars between them.  Further down, in another cell, was a flat-maned, pink pony that he hardly recognized.

"Who's there?!" Rainbow Dash turned and jumped back in surprise at the sight of Braeburn sneaking along the dungeon.  "Hey, you're AJ's cousin!"

"What the-?" Braeburn tsked, "How'd ya'll hear me?"

"She's got pretty good ears when she chooses to listen." Applejack grunted, "Why are you wearin' a hoofkerchief 'round your face like that?"

"It's a bandana!" Braeburn corrected, "Move outta the way, Rainbow Dash.  Ah'm here ta bust mah cuz out."

"Like hay, you are!" Rainbow growled, pouncing at the startled raider.

Applejack watched with some amusement as her cousin and erstwhile friend duelled.  She had wrestled Braeburn when they were foals, and he had been a tough opponent then, but Rainbow Dash had always been athletic and ready for action.  They dodged each other's kicks and jabs, throwing in their own counters, cursing all the while.  It almost looked like dancing, since neither were landing any blows.

Then the other raiders showed up.  Applejack had wondered why the guards, lazy as they were, hadn't intervened sooner.  Now she had her answer as the two were shoved, bound and gagged, into an empty cell.  The raiders, all in black bandanas, tore Rainbow Dash away from Braeburn and managed to force her into a cell, which she flitted and kicked about in, denting the bars.

"Yeesh, she's a fiesty one." one of the raiders chuckled, "Looks like we found the mare fer ya, Brae."

"Shut up, an' get Pinkie Pie an' mah cuz out." Braeburn brushed the dust off his vest, "Ah don't wanna stay in here any longer than we gotta."

"Workin' on it." another raider opened Pinkie's cell and headed towards Applejack's.

Hoofsteps caught the raiders' attentions and they turned towards the stairs that they had entered from.  What stood there startled them.  Two ponies, wearing sleek, yellow-and-orange armor that wasn't quite metal, yet certainly looked durable.  The helmets were more bowl-like, and had gleaming, golden visors.  Yet, what truly surprised the raiders was the contraption on each of their backs: two hollow metal tubes resting on their shoulders, with some kind of drum on their backs.  The contraptions gave off clicking noises as the two ponies braced their stances.

"In the name of Princess Celestia," the first guard said, "cease and desist!"

The raiders set their own stances.  There were twenty-something of them, and only two of these guards.  How hard could it be?

The room erupted in thunder.
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The cars were filled with moaning and cursing.  Some ponies rocked themselves, clutching heads between hooves and eyes darting around frantically.  None of them could rightly say what they had just seen, what only a relative handful of them had escape.  Nearly thirty of them had snuck into Canterlot, bypassed its guards and found the dungeons.  Two ponies, in the new armor of the Royal Guard had reduced their numbers to less than a dozen before they could be stopped.

Braeburn looked at his hooves, pupils shrunken in agitation.  He did what he had to do, of course.  He still remembered the guard outside the castle wall, broken against the ground.  He remembered the other guard, the one in the fancy new armor spitting fire and metal from the contraption on his back.  He did what he had to, to save his cousin and his friends.  The look on that guard's face, though...

"Ah said thanks fer savin' me, Brae." Applejack's voice broke into his train of thought, "Ah'm sorry 'bout what happened back there, though."

As strong as Applejack seemed, even she was shaken.  The only pony aboard the train who wasn't shaken was Pinkie Pie, who only stared out the window with dead eyes.  Braeburn grunted and looked around the train car.  Amazingly, they had managed to escape with nearly everypony they had brought in.  The dead, of course, had to be left behind, but the wounded managed to escape.  Braeburn's mouth twisted at the thought; dead and wounded.  What were those contraptions on the backs of the Royal Guard?  Why were only two of them equipped with it?  Would there be others like them?

"It was nothin', AJ." Braeburn muttered, "Ah'm just glad we could get most of us outta there, even if a lot a' them are wounded."

"It coulda been worse," Applejack said, "if ya hadn't, well...  Y'know."

"Yeah." Braeburn swallowed, "Ah don't feel like talkin' right now."

"Alright." his cousin sighed, "If ya ever need somepony ta talk to about it, just know Ah'm here."

Applejack left her cousin behind and walked around the car, grimacing at what she saw around her.  It could have been worse; even though the majority of the raiders were wounded, they had only lost three ponies and a buffalo.  Granted some of the wounded looked a little too pale and still-eyed for Applejack's tastes.  Several pioneers, the ones not muttering to themselves darkly, were administering treatment to the wounded.  It was rudimentary at best, but at least the ponies weren't bleeding out all over the train car.

Turning to the window, Applejack saw something flash by that caught her attention.  Or rather somepony.  She quickly ran to the engine and ordered a full stop.  Slowly, but surely, the train lumbered to a stop, brakes squealing in protest.  Applejack jumped off the train and called out to the dragon and filly some ways behind the train.

"What are y'all doin' so far outta Ponyville?" she asked once they were close enough.

"We've been trying to get to Appleoosa these last two days." Spike explained as Scootaloo's scooter slowed to a stop in front of Applejack.  "It's a lot further than we thought it would be."

"Well a' course it is." the cowpony chuckled, then grew serious, "Yer folks know where y'all are?"

"I left Twilight a letter." Spike shrugged.

"They said it was cool." Scootaloo laughed nervously.

"Ah have half a mind ta turn this train around an' take you two back ta Ponyville, hog-tied." the cowpony scolded, "Runnin' off an' only leavin' a letter behind for Twi; she must be worried sick!  An' why y'all comin' to Appleoosa, anyway?"

"We're trying to find Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo explained.

"Rarity's really shaken up about it." Spike explained.

"Ah shoulda figured Rarity would be worried about her l'il sis." Applejack sighed, "Alright, Ah'll let ya come along on this here train ta Appleoosa an' take Sweetie Belle back.  The way Ah see it, we don't really have any right to hold her there, anyhow."

"AJ, y'all comin' or what?" one of the raiders shouted from the caboose.

"Yeah," she shouted back, "We got us two extra passengers."

As the three returned to the train, the pony who had shouted eyed the youths with some trepidation.  He was familiar to Spike - he had seen him in Appleoosa last time they had visited - but dirtied and bandaged.  There was also a tightness around his eyes that made the drake shiver.

"Ya sure they should ride in this car?" the pony asked, "Might not be the best place fer 'em."

"Ah guess yer right." Applejack motioned for the youths to follow her towards the front of the train and sit in the front-most car.  They were the only three up there, except for one of the engineers taking a break.

"Why couldn't we sit in the other cars?" Scootaloo asked.

"Did... did something happen?" Spike asked.  The youths were too familiar with violence after the riots in Ponyville, but of course Applejack hadn't been present for that.

"A' course nothin' happened." Applejack scrunched her face up.

"You're a horrible liar, AJ." Spike sighed, "Plus, you're here and not in Canterlot, so obviously something happened to get you out of Canterlot."

"Guess ya got me there." the cowpony tsked, "Brae an' some of the Appleoosians busted me outta that prison cell.  A lotta them were hurt pretty bad in the process though.  Ah didn't want ya younglin's ta be exposed ta that kinda sufferin'."

"I think we've seen worse." Scootaloo grimaced.

"AJ, some bad things happened in Ponyville earlier this week." Spike said.

"Really bad things." Scootaloo agreed.

"Ah heard." Applejack scowled, "Celestia's army is outta control!"

The train lurched and Spike took a tumble.  Scootaloo, naturally acrobatic, regained her footing with the slightest of shifts, and Applejack's stance absorbed the lurch with rigidity.  Picking himself up off the floor and dusting himself off, Spike muttered under his breath.

"We don't think Celestia had much choice in what her Royal Guard did." Spike said at last, "We're willing to give her the benefit of the doubt."

"Benefit a' the doubt mah hoof." Applejack grumbled, "Look, y'all are just too young ta understand."

"Funny." Spike scowled, "That's what Twilight said when we supported the republic idea."

Applejack shot him a scowl of her own.

The rest of the train ride was in stilted silence.

*-*

Rainbow Dash hadn't shifted her eyes from the body except to look at the bodies around it and the brass cylinders littering the floor.  She never realized Braeburn had the strength to turn a pony's head into such an odd angle.  She had never seen any weapons like that, either.  At most, she had only ever seen spears, and never seen them used in violence.  Then again, what other use did weapons have save violence?

And yet, for all the horror she had just witnessed, she couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline.  The sound, like thunder in a pop can, and the smell like nothing she had ever smelt before.  The sights, like lightning and fire and knee-jerk twisting, the slumping of sacks of fruit.  It was all horrifying, and yet exciting.  Her eyes never stayed focused on the bodies for long, but always came back to the equipment on the Royal Guard laying near her cell.

Sleek armor, much nicer than the silly golden pomp most of Celestia's guards wore, and those cannon-things on their shoulders.  Rainbow felt bad that she honestly didn't feel all that bad about the dead ponies around her.  She should feel something, honestly, yet all she could think was how awesome she'd look in that armor and how cool it'd be to fire those cannons.  Not at ponies, exactly - as cool as they were, she didn't want to hurt anypony - but certainly at something.

Finally other members of the Royal Guard came and opened her cell.

"Took you guys long enough." Rainbow snapped, "Yeesh, why is everypony so slow?"

"Rainbow Dash." Celestia's voice resonated around the dungeon and all the Royal Guard snapped to attention.  She had a pained expression on her face as she took in the violence.  "I am so sorry you have to see this carnage.  I should have told my guards to restrain themselves-"

"It's cool." Rainbow said, the nonchalantness in her tone startling the princess.  "Hey, will the Wonderbolts be equipped with this kind of stuff?"

"You're taking this surpsingly well." Celestia said slowly, "Are you alright?"

"Sure.  Why wouldn't I be?" the pegasus asked.  Some of the Royal Guard smiled approvingly at how well she was taking the dead bodies.

"To answer your question, the Wonderbolts are typically first responders to disasters," the princess explained, "not a military branch."

"That's a shame." Rainbow tsked, "That'd be awesome if they were.  I mean, could you imagine the advantages of flying with those cannon-things?"

"They're called guns." Celestia corrected, "And they're not to be taken lightly."

"I'm not taking it lightly, Princess." Rainbow offered a meek smile, "Ponies are dead.  I got that.  It's scary, but... it's also kind of exciting.  Like going into a tailspin and waiting until the last instant to pull out before you hit the ground."

"This is war, not a stunt." Celestia frowned at her words.  "This is war..."

"War." Rainbow tasted the word, "Like something out of Daring Doo."

"This isn't to be taken lightly, Rainbow Dash."

"I'm not taking it lightly, Princess." the pegasus repeated, "You're telling me you're not the least bit anxious about this?  You don't feel any adrenaline pumping at the idea?"

"Of course not!" Celestia snapped, "I don't see how anypony could look forward to that!"

One of the guards coughed and when Celestia looked at them, they all avoided her eyes.  Of course the military would look forward to war after centuries of peace.  She knew all too well the initial exhiliration of combat, though - and she knew these unwetted soldiers would grow weary of it quickly.  The sane ones, anyway; no military was without its bloodthirsty recruits.  Celestia only hoped that the majority of her ranks weren't filled with such soldiers.  She sincerely hoped Rainbow Dash wasn't that kind of pony.

"Guess I'm just weird, then." Rainbow chuckled, "Where'd you even get stuff like that?  I've never seen anything like it before."

"From an anonymous party whom was concerned about Equestria's current state." the princess explained briskly.

"It's not really Equestria anymore, is it?" Rainbow asked, "What with half the country running off to be part of the Lunar Republic."

"We are still one nation." Celestia said, but there wasn't her usual steely resolve or authority in it.

"I'm just saying, if they're going to call themselves the Lunar Republic, we should have a cool name too.  Something that reflects how awesome you are." Rainbow shrugged, "Something with the sun involved."

"The Solar Empire?" one of the guards spoke up.

"Oh, stop encouraging her!" Celestia snapped.  It upset that her she couldn't discern which stony-faced guard had spoken.

"No!  That's perfect!" Rainbow beamed, "The Solar Empire!  'Cause you're like the emperess and all, and your thing is the sun."

"I am not an emperess." Celestia sniffed, "Equestria is a free and prosperous nation; we are not an empire."

"Appleoosa was a pioneer town that expanded into buffalo territory, which we took." Rainbow smirked, "Pretty sure that's something empires do, expanding into other ponies' - or in this case, buffalos' - territory."

"You have a surprising grasp of vocabulary..." Celestia's brow twitched in minor annoyance.

"Like I said, this is like something out of Daring Doo." Rainbow began to pace the area.  Celestia noticed all the guards' eyes were on Rainbow and not her.  "In one book, Daring Doo had to take down a battalion of former Germane soldiers.  I did some research and found out that those soldiers had been part of the Germane Imperial Army, which was pretty cool."

"The Germane Empire was vile." Celestia shuddered, "They took land by force and introduced ridiculous laws."

"Yes, but what if the Germane Emperor had been somepony nice and fair?" Rainbow suggested, "What if he had been an immortal, benevolent princess who only cared for her citizens?  Would it have been vile to spread that to other lands?"

"I don't like what you're suggesting." the princess said.

"We have an impressive military here in Equestria, and besides these crazy Lunar Republic ponies, we live better than any other nation on this planet." Rainbow said, counting off countries from her hoof, "Better than Germane, or the U.R.S.A., or Marexico, or Trottingham, or Cameloo.  Why not spread our prosperity to these other parts of the world?  I mean, you're all about harmony and prosperity, after all."

"We are not an empire!" Celestia said, "We're not going to expand and conquer nations!"

"Not conquer," Rainbow corrected, "liberate.  Once they hear us coming to improve their lives, ponies will be lining up to join us."

"Rainbow Dash..." Celestia warned.

"I'm just asking that you think about it." the pegasus interjected, "Maybe they could help us with our little... domestic spat."

"This 'domestic spat' doesn't need external help." Celestia said, then studied Rainbow Dash with a weighing look.  She certainly carried herself like she knew what she was doing, self-assured if a little arrogant.  The soldiers eyed her with respect, which was surprising.  They looked like they agreed with the pegasus.  "I will consider your suggestions, Rainbow Dash."

"That's all I ask, Your Highness." Rainbow bowed fluidly, "If there's anything I can do for you, just ask."

"Actually," Celestia smiled, "There is one thing."

"Name it!" Rainbow smiled eagerly at her princess.

"You seem to have a way with the soldiers that I've lacked these last few centuries." Celestia began, "They seem much more attentive, if that were possible.  I think they've taken a liking to you.  My request is simple, but by no means easy.  I want you to join the Royal Guard.  As an officer."

"M-me?!" the pegasus clearly hadn't been expecting this, "It's always been my dream to be a member of the Wonderbolts, though."

"The Wonderbolts are the most elite flyers in Equestria, this is true," Celestia said, "however, the Royal Air Guard are just as prestigious in their own way.  They have a fine history of flight, and I have a feeling that military flying will be more enjoyable to you than stunt flying." Celestia chuckled lightly, than eyed the pegasus with a grave look, "I need somepony like you in the Guard.  Somepony I can trust, who's good with the troops.  Will you do it, Rainbow Dash?"

"It would be an honor." Rainbow bowed.

Maybe being an officer in the Royal Air Guard would look good on her resume when she enlisted for the Wonderbolts.  Hay, maybe she'd actually enjoy it more than the Wonderbolts, if that were possible.  It was too late to back out now, of course.

She belonged to the military now.

*-*

Braeburn and the other raiders had rushed their wounded into Appleoosa's hospital as soon as they had arrived.  Spike and Scootaloo grimaced at the poor souls as they passed them, and hurried on their behind Applejack to find Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.  It wasn't long before they found them, waiting in the crowd of Appleoosians who had gathered to greet the raiders with mixtures of shock and grief.

"Sis!" Apple Bloom galloped to Applejack and the two embraced.  After a moment she ran from her sister to tackle Scootaloo with Sweetie Belle close behind.  "Alright!  Cutie Mark Crusaders united at last!"

"Let's not forget about our favorite dragon here." Applejack brought Spike into a hug and the Crusaders practically strangled him in a group hug.  "Flushed from the heat, sugar cube?" Applejack smiled knowingly at the young drake.

"Right." Spike chuckled as the fillies practically smothered him, "Heat."

The group chatted as they walked into Appleoosa's town hall, the de facto capital building for the Lunar Republic.  Apple Bloom told Scootaloo, Spike and Applejack about the Lunar Republic's continuing progress and how they had established a secure network of communication spanning from Appleoosa westward, but they were cut off from the eastern coastal cities who had initally supported the Lunar Republic.  Applejack told the youths about how her time in prison was - stark and frustrating, mostly.  Spike and Scootaloo told the others about how bad the riots in Ponyville were, which Sweetie and Apple Bloom had largely not heard.

"Things are gettin' mighty outta hand out there." the yellow filly shuddered, "What do you think, Sweetie Belle?" the unicorn filly ignored her, "Sweetie, ya listenin'?"

"What?" Sweetie snapped back to the conversation, "Sorry, I was just wondering why Mr. Rich was talking to Premier Luna."

"Diamond Tiara's dad?" Scootaloo raised an eyebrow.  All of them looked toward Luna and Filthy Rich, who were engaged in a conversation before they disappeared into her office.  "Weird."

"Well, we'd better be heading back." Spike suggested, "Rarity's been worried sick about you, Sweetie Belle."

"I don't want to go back." the filly crossed her forelegs defiantly, "I believe in the Lunar Republic."

"Believe in it all you want to, but your family's in tears with you missing." Scootaloo said, "I've never seen ponies so worried."

"Oh." Sweetie winced, "I didn't know everypony was sad about me being gone."

"They're really shaken up." Spike put a hand on Sweetie's shoulder, "It's time for us to head back home."

"I guess so..." Sweetie sighed, "It's kind of boring in Appleoosa anyway.  All the adults talk about logic and philanthropy."

"Logistics and philosophy." Apple Bloom corrected.

"Dictionary." Scootaloo whispered to Spike, who laughed in response.  A glare from the earth pony filly silenced them.

"So, Applejack, you coming with us?" the dragon asked.

"'Fraid not, sugar cube." the cowpony sighed, "Ah'm afraid Pinkie Pie an' Ah are fugitives.  If we don't renounce the Lunar Republic, then we'll just get arrested in Ponyville an' sent back ta Canterlot.  'Sides, Ah don't think mah sister wants to leave Luna's side much, an' somepony needs to stay here an' look after her."

"Thanks sis, yer the greatest!" Apple Bloom hugged her sister again.

They said their goodbyes and departed.  Spike, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle boarded the train and watched as the frontier town disappeared behind them.  It was bittersweet to be heading home so soon after the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been united, but each of them had had enough adventures for awhile.

Or so they thought.

*-*

"Have you thought anymore on my proposition, Premier Luna?" Filthy Rich asked.

"Funny that you would sell me these weapons and armor when you're already selling them to my sister." Luna said acidly.

"There's no proof of tha-" Mr. Rich began before the Premier reeled on him, towering over him at her full height.

"Do not presume me a fool, peasant!" Luna roared, "You might have changed the appearance of your fancy armor and guns, but I know from the reports from our raiders that Celestia has similarly-armed ponies serving in her Royal Guard.  You think I'd believe that coincidence?"

"Forgive me for underestimating your scrutiny, Premier." Filthy bowed, formally, and eyed the darkly-armored guards to either side of his only exit.  Their eyes were cold and unforgiving, rather like Luna's at the moment.  He swallowed.  "My offer still stands."

"Look at you, selling to both sides like a coward." Luna spat, "I would respect you more if you were equipping my sister's army alone out of misplaced patriotism."

"Celestia won't take your little raid lightly." Mr. Rich went on as if Luna hadn't just insulted him, "She'll take this as a sign of escalation and send soldiers to squash your little rebellion."

"Little?" Luna seethed, "The Lunar Republic encompasses the western half of Equestria!"

"And you have quite a grasp on telecommunications, from my reports." Filthy chuckled, "But we both know that won't save you from this new trend in military hardware."

"I have little choice, don't I?" Luna growled, "How soon can you equip my ponies with these horrible things."

"I can have your entire Royal - excuse me - Republican Guard equipped in a month." the businesspony said.

"Not good enough for the price you demand." the Premier walked towards her window and watched the train depart back to Ponyville.  "I'll need my Republican Guard ready within the week if we're to hold off my sister."

"That's insane!" Filthy sputtered but straightened himself at the icy look in Luna's eyes, "But doable."

"I'll need a further 300,000 units by the Winter Solstice." Luna continued.

"Whatever for?!" Filthy gaped, "You plan on fighting the Royal Guard pony-to-pony?"

"More than that, Filthy." Luna said, "If the Lunar Republic is to survive, we'll need a standing army.  300,000 is only the beginning.  By next winter, I envision an army of more than a million ponies defending the Lunar Republic.  Perhaps even liberating my sister's deluded realm."

"That's... quite a vision." Mr. Rich tried to grasp the scope of it, but only found himself grinning over the money to be made, "Celestia will want to match your forces, tic for tac, of course."

"If I find you were supplying her, 'tic for tac'," Luna said, turning to face Filthy Rich with a smile that didn't reach her lips, "I'll kill you myself."

"For a traitor, you certainly don't have much appreciation for ponies of a dubious nature." Filthy laughed, "Surely you realize I'm not stupid enough to reveal my hoof so early - selling to both sides in a war, I mean - and not have a plan to keep either of you from taking me out of the equation?"

"You do have that slimy quality about you." Luna confessed, "I've already agreed to your proposition.  Now get out of my sight, and out of my city."

"As you wish it, Premier Luna." Filthy bowed his way out with a chuckle.

Luna glared at the door long after it was closed.  She would have to do something about Mr. Filthy Rich, but for now she set her mind to building up the Lunar Republic's defenses.  If there was one thing the ponies of Appleoosa were good at, it was building up defenses.  She briefly spared a thought to how terribly sad it was that her and her sister had drifted apart to open war when just a few months ago they were close friends.  A feeling of dread threatened to overwhelm her in that moment.

She crushed the emotion coldly, without mercy.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy was concerned for her friend.  He never seemed to take so much delight in tea parties before, but now it seemed like all he wanted to do was have tea parties with her.  Whenever she brought up returning to Ponyville to check on her friends, Discord quickly changed the subject, laughing as if half-mad.  She was growing concerned for her friend, but more than that, she was becoming worried with the state of Ponyville.  It must be bad if Discord avoided even discussing it.

Zecora, of course, had been largely silent about her own trips to Ponyville.  Everytime Fluttershy asked about the town, Zecora would dodge the question with some confusing riddle that got the pegasus thinking about something else entirely.  A tricky mare, that zebra...

Finally, Fluttershy had had enough and decided to put her hoof down.  She was going to confront Discord and Zecora and get the answers she wanted, so help her Celestia.  And Luna.  She couldn't, very well, forget about Luna, being the premier of the Lunar Republic and everything.  That was another thing she would have to ask those two; how was the Lunar Republic faring?  Well, she hoped.  Done with her distractions, she marched herself into the hut and politely knocked on the door to Discord's guest room.

"Um, if you're not too busy, there's something I need to discuss with you." Fluttershy said, so softly it was almost a whisper.  At once the god of chaos appeared before the door and beamed at his favorite pony.

"Whatever is it you need, my dear, don't hesitate to ask!" Discord said sweetly.

"It's funny that you should say that, actually." the pegasus smiled meekly, "I really need you to tell me what's happened in Ponyville.  Are my friends still alright?"

"Never better, everything's fine!" Discord said briskly, "Want some tea?"

"Discord!" Fluttershy snapped, startling the draconequess, "I really need to know what's going on back home, and I'm tired of you dodging my questions." she looked at him with pleading eyes that made his heart twist, "Please."

With a heavy sigh, Discord began to tell her the events unfolding in Ponyville, starting with the visions he had right before Luna and Celestia's split.  He told her about the riots, the killing and the raid of Canterlot to free Applejack - which he had seen by magical means, of course.  By the time he was finished, Fluttershy looked ready to faint.  She stumbled backwards and nearly collapsed on the ground if not for the couch Discord had summoned for her to fall into.

"That's horrible." the pegasus said, tears springing from her eyes, "All those ponies suffering, and my friends fighting each other.  Discord, we have to do something!"

"I would if I could, but Celestia and Luna won't listen to me." Discord explained, "I could turn Equestria into a land of chaos to try and distract them from fighting each other, but I don't think that would solve anything in the long run."

"Surely there's something you can do?" Fluttershy begged.

"Well, I could..." Discord began, but trailed off, face distorting in distaste.

"What?" Fluttershy asked, "Anything is better than this!"

"I could pick a side." the draconequess said at last, "I could help one side win over the other as quickly and bloodlessly as possible, then maybe we could get the sisters to talk again."

"Oh my." the pegasus was just as disturbed by this idea as Discord himself, "Is there no other way?"

"There is no other way," a familiar voice came from the doorway, "a price must be paid."

"Zecora, how can you be so sure?" Fluttershy asked.

"Discord has shown me the future grim." the zebra frowned, "The chance of peace is mighty slim.  He must join forces with Luna or Celestia, or else forever doom the land of Equestria."

"No pressure or anything." Discord muttered.

"If you're going to choose one, who will you pick?" Fluttershy asked.

"I don't really care for politics, and since Luna banished me from her regime, I have little choice but to side with Celestia." Discord ran fingers through his goatee.

"Oh." Fluttershy said, obviously disappointed, "I really like the Lunar Republic, though."

"Fluttershy, this war needs to stop before it starts." Discord said, "Just forget about this silly republic thing and wait in Canterlot.  We'll have Luna defeated in no time and bring her to the peace table, then everything will go back to normal."

"Maybe, and I'm sorry if this isn't alright with you, but maybe Luna should win." Fluttershy said, some authority in her tone, "Maybe she's right about ponies and other creatures having a say in how Equestria's run.  Maybe all of us should get a voice in government."

"Fluttershy, what was wrong with Equestria before?" Discord asked, "Why can't you be happy about things going back to the way they were before?"

"Because things weren't good the way before." Fluttershy snapped in her own, reserved way, "Applejack was right about ponies falling apart without the princesses.  I know better than anypony else that we need to stand up for ourselves."

"I didn't realize you felt so strongly about this." Discord frowned, "You know I can't go back to the Lunar Republic."

"Can't, or won't?" Fluttershy challenged.

"Both." the draconequess scowled.

"Then we're done here." Fluttershy produced a packed bag from her guest room and headed towards the door.

"You're leaving?" Discord asked, "You can't leave!"

"I can and I will." the pegasus said, "And unless you use your magic, you can't stop me."

"Don't test me, Fluttershy." Discord warned, "I can have you locked in chains."

"If you were my friend, you'd never do such a thing." the mare opened the door and walked through it.

"You're right.  I'd never do that."

"I'm sorry Discord, but I believe in the Lunar Republic." Fluttershy said, "We all must do what we think is right."

The door closed and the hut was filled with silence.

*-*

Celestia certainly hadn't wasted any time in getting Rainbow Dash into the Royal Guard Military Academy.  Rainbow still wasn't sure if it was simply luck or some design that she had signed up just in time for next course.  She shuddered at the thought of a whole year of training and studying; more at the studying than the training, of course.  She had a hard enough time studying for the Wonderbolts, and that was something she wanted to know.

With a groan that she stifled after a glare from her superior, she marched behind the other officer candidates into the classroom.  Everything was so routine there, and she could never find enough sleep between workouts, classes and precious time for hygiene.  As she sat at her desk, she wondered how in Equestria she was going to get through a year of this; she should have just enlisted.  The enlisted Royal Guard only had to deal with two and a half months of training.

"Welcome maggots." the officer greeted the recruits, "Today we will be discussing basic military strategy.  This course will be broken down into segments over the course of this year.  This month's classes shall be a general overview of overall military etiquette, ranks, equipment..."

Rainbow wanted to slam her head into her desk as the officer droned on.  To think, even after the year was over she'd have to go to another class to specialize in aerial tactics and the intricacies of the Royal Air Guard.  At least that one was only a few weeks.

"Am I boring you, Recruit Dash?" the officer snapped and Rainbow realized she had been lulling off.  "Since you're in need of some excitement, how about a demonstration on how to defend yourself against enemies?"

"Sure, that sounds pretty cool." Rainbow offered a smile.

"Then, come at me." the officer set his stance, "Go on, come at me."

"Uh..." Rainbow saw that her fellow recruits were all watching her now.  "If you really want me to."

She wasn't sure what had happened.  One second she was throwing a pulled punch at the officer, the next she was on her back watching the ceiling come into focus.

"What just happened?" she asked, hoarsely.

"That recruits, was a simple counter maneuver, more than enough for such a sloppy punch." the class laughed, "I'll never understand why they let mares into the Royal Guard.  Why don't you go join the Wonderbolts or something?"

"Excuse me?" Rainbow got to her hooves, unsteadily, but glared at the officer for all she was worth.  Only now did she realize she was the sole female out of all the recruits.  "Any mare could be part of the Royal Guard."

"Really?" the officer sneered, "You're the only one stupid enough to try and enter the officer program in the last fifty years."

"Alright bub, you need a lesson!" Rainbow growled.

"You think you have what it takes to be an officer int he Royal Guard?" the officer paced the room, "Mares aren't cut out for war.  They get over-emotional about these kinds of things - killing and what not."

Rainbow Dash didn't hold this punch back and the officer narrowly countered it, trying to throw Rainbow off of her footing.  Rainbow switched her stance and threw in a low jab that winded the officer before nearly landing a blow to the side of his head.  Then, all at once, the officer caught each hit and spun Rainbow around, sending her onto the nearest desk.  He grinned at her, almost admiringly.  Rainbow Dash groaned, suddenly sore all over.

"Your first lesson, Recruit Dash," the officer chuckled, "is learning to control your temper."  He walked over to her and helped her up.  "Second lesson is never to punch a superior officer.  That's a court martial offense."

"Why are you being so friendly all of a sudden?" the pegasus asked as she stretched her back.

"Because I see a lot of potential in you, Dash." the officer explained, "All that stuff I said about mares was a test, and I have to say, I admire your spirit." Rainbow smiled, "But you really need to get that temper under control."

"Heh heh...  Will do, Sir." Rainbow saluted meekly.

"Good." the officer returned to his stony-faced lecture, and this time Rainbow Dash paid attention to every word.

*-*

"The soldiers have their orders?" Celestia asked the officer nearest her.

"Yes, Your Highness." the officer replied, "Over three thousand Royal Guard are ready to deploy and crush this rebellion."

"Excellent." the princess smiled, "Once my sister is safely back in Canterlot, maybe she'll listen to reason."

"You could always banish her to the moon again." Filthy Rich's voice brought a frown to Celestia's face.

"If it isn't my favorite war profiteer." she said, dryly, "Come to sell your daughter to me?"

"If your military was as effective as your insults, you'd have no need of me, Princess." Filthy chuckled.

"Let's just get this over with, Mr. Rich." Celestia sighed, "What do you have for me?"

"A little bit of bad news, I'm afraid." Filthy tsked, "One of my factories has gone rogue and are producing these weapons for the Lunar Republic."

"What?!" Celestia's brow twitched in agitation.

"I have no idea why they'd do it, but you know how appealing their silly ideology is." Filthy waved a hoof dismissively, "Besides, one factory can't possibly produce enough hardware fast enough to make any difference in this little... spat."

"This little spat could very well escalate if any of those "idealists" make proper use of any of the new hardware." Celestia seethed, "What exactly did this factory produce?"

"A little of this, a little of that." Filthy shrugged, "Armor, guns, tanks, etc."

"Guards!" the princess bellowed and at once the room was filled with Royal Guard in the sleek gold-and-crimson armor Filthy Rich's factories produced, "Throw Mr. Rich into the dungeons, and prepare a platoon to seize his assets."

"What are you doing?!" Filthy paled.

"You have proven to be utterly incompetent at anything but wasting my time, Mr. Rich." Celestia said in a deceptively calm voice, "And now one of your factories has suddenly switched sides.  I'll launch an investigation into your business dealings and see exactly how "unfortunate" your loss is; I imagine, with how clever you are, that you'll turn a profit from it.  You're playing both sides of the war, and you expected me to not see it."

"That is a bold accusation." Mr. Rich said, forcing heat into his words, "You can't do this!  It goes against my rights as a citizen-"

"I can do whatever I deem necessary to defend the Empire!" Celestia snapped, then blinked.  "Equestria.  To defend Equestria and its citizens, of which you are no longer one.  You have betrayed me, and all the ponies of Equestria, Lunar Republic and loyalist alike.  You are a greedy coward, and I will see you punished accordingly."

"Are you going to hang me, then?" Filthy sneered, "That'll go over great with the ponies who fear you."

"I will not." Celestia said with genuine regret, "Never again."

"Then the worst you can do is throw me in prison." Filthy laughed.

"Oh, I can do so much worse than that, Mr. Rich." Celestia smiled, though it didn't touch her dark, glittering eyes.  "Nopony will ever find out what I can do to you."

Filthy Rich gulped as the Royal Guard closed in around him.

*-*

"I'm actually kind of excited to see my sister again." Sweetie Belle said as she watched the landscape slide by.

The three youths had been riding the train out of Appleoosa and back to Ponyville for a few hours.  Spike was beginning to wonder when the last time he slept was, but wasn't overly tired.  He was content to sit back and watch the landscape change from the brush and desert of the frontier back to the lush fields closer to Ponyville.  Still hours left on their jounrey, of course, but anything at all to keep from thinking of how angry Twilight would be.

Sweetie Belle sat down on the seat next to him and gingerly put a hoof over his hand.  Startled, he nearly pulled it back.

"Uh... Sweetie Belle?" he asked, quietly.

"You know, Spike, I found myself missing you a lot, too." the filly put her head on his shoulder, "Weird, right?"

Scootaloo's mouth went slack at the sight.  Was Sweetie Belle putting "the moves" on Spike?  That was so uncool.  The pegasus filly wondered why she was getting so mad about it.  After all, what did she care if Sweetie Belle put the moves on Spike.  Grinding her teeth, Scootaloo sat down on the other side of the dragon and put her own hoof on Spike's clawed hand.

"Sc-Scootaloo?" Spike's head turned to face her.  The two fillies were shooting each other heated glares over Spike's head and the dragon merely slumped between them.

'Ok,' he thought, 'this is happening.' as he tried to disappear into the seat.

"And when did you get so comfortable with Spikey-Wikey?" Sweetie Belle asked, her voice softening to a coo when she said Spike's name.

"I could ask you the same thing." Scootaloo growled.

"Ever since the wedding, naturally." Sweetie said, "We danced the night away.  He also said I have a wonderful reading voice."

"Yeah, well, while you were away in Appleoosa, we've been getting pretty close, you know." the pegasus retorted, "I'd say that Spike and I are pretty close friends.  Real close."

"Girls, if I could just get a word in-" Spike tried.

"Shut up." both fillies said at once.

"Why would Spike want to hang out with you?" Sweetie sniffed, "He's always been attracted to more stylish mares."

"Spike's a cool guy who deserves a cool filly by his side.  Somepony that understands him, and accepts him." Scootaloo said, "Not tries to change him into something he's not."

"I think that's for Spike to decide." Sweetie snapped and the drake felt both fillies' eyes on him.

"Uh..." Spike avoided both of their eyes, "I actually still like Rarity..."

He wanted to disappear with the cold glares they shot at him before ignoring him entirely.  The rest of the train ride was in awkward silence.
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	There weren't any words to describe the sight.  Giant things, like steam engines with caterpillar treads and telescopic barrels roared through the streets of Ponyville, heading westward.  Ponies eyed the vehicles with fear and awe from behind curtained windows or through the peepholes of their doors.  The Royal Guard, armored in the orange and red ceramic plate and bowl helmets of their new armor marched beneath the weight of twin-linked cannons on their backs.  The few that let their gazes stray from what was immediately in front of them watched the empty streets and houses with disinterest from behind red-tinted, ballistic goggles.  The ponies hiding in their homes flinched away from those unfeeling eyes.

One pony, one of the few supporters of the Lunar Republic, stood before the tank column, hoof upraised as if it were all he needed to halt them.  The tanks slowed to a stop mere feet before the pony.  Before the Royal Guard's infantry could intervene, two ponies from a nearby house galloped into the street, grabbing the pony and dragging him into an alleyway, away from the soulless gaze of the Royal Guard, which continued on their way out of town, unperturbed.

The tanks and infantry continued on their way, a long line of vehicles and soldiers that defied comprehension.  A small cadre, in red coats and cold trim, peaked caps on their heads, stopped before Twilight's library.  The princess greeted them with open arms, and they bowed before her.

"Your Grace," the oldest of the stallions, clearly the one in charge, said, "the Royal Guard marches out to crush the Lunar Republic.  We thank you for the safe passage through your lands."

"Think nothing of it, General." Twilight waved a hoof dismissively.  She had no idea who this pony was, nor did she recognize the new uniforms, but the rank pins were still the same.

"The stallions feel they owe you something for your recent show of loyalty and mercy to the republicans in Ponyville." the general explained, "If there is anything, anything at all that you require, simply ask and it shall be fulfilled."

"Actually, there are two things, General." Twilight beamed.  She went into her house and shortly returned with two items: a folded, red cloth, and a large book.  "My friend Rarity and I created these items to inspire morale for the troops, and the everyday citizenry of loyal Equestria."

"We prefer to call ourselves the Solar Empire, nowadays." the general chortled, "Princess Celestia wasn't too pleased with it at first, but I believe it's growing on her."

"The Solar Empire..." Twilight said the words, as if tasting them, "Yes, that fits quite nicely, I think."

"I apologize for having interrupted you; what were you about to say regarding these items?"

"I was going to request that you carry this flag into battle, and read this book to your soldiers." Twilight levitated the cloth and book to the general who took hold of them with his own magic.

"Le Livre du Soleil?" the general read aloud, "Interesting name.  Fancy, correct?"

"Yes, General." Twilight smiled.

The general unfurled the banner and the officers' eyes widened as they looked at the craftsmanship of it.  Golden wings wreathing an orange horn before a golden sun upon the red field.  Rarity had certainly pulled out all the stops when designing and piecing it.  Fine silk, cut and stitched as only a professional seamstress like herself could do.  Much grander than the small banner Apple Bloom had stitched together.

"It's beautiful." the general said honestly, clearly breathtaken, "I would be honored to have my soldiers carry this into battle."

"Rarity certainly poured her soul into it." Twilight chuckled, "I found her choice in color ironic.  Red banners are typically associated with republican and revolutionary ideologies."

"In our line of work, Your Grace," the general said slowly, "red is a color of courage, of sacrifice, and of blood shed in defense of our nation."

"Celestia speed in your defense, this day, General." Twilight nodded.

The general looked a little confused over her choice of words, but bowed to her and left in good order, his officer cadre close behind.  Twilight watched as the strange, tracked vehicles and sleek-armored soldiers marched out of Ponyville and disappeared into the distance.  A train was approaching just as the Royal Guard vanished, and Twilight tried to fight the scowl growing on her face.  She knew exactly who was on that train.

And boy, was he getting a scolding.

*-*

"Yeesh, seems like this train ride's gone on forever, right girls?" Spike chuckled anxiously as he looked out the window.  Looking back, he saw both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo on oppisite sides of the train, glaring at him.  He gulped.

The remainder of the ride was in drawn-out silence with tension so thick, Spike was sure he could have carved a piece of it out of the air with his claws.  Why did both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle have to decide to reveal their secret crushes on him on an hours-long train ride from Appleoosa?  Why did they have to reveal it at all?

For that matter, how in the hay had they come to like him in the first place?  He wasn't cool, athletic, or even sporty.  It made a little sense why Sweetie Belle would like him; he was well-mannered and versed in the arts of chivalry and service, things that he had hoped would draw the attention of Rarity.  Why in Equestria did Scootaloo like him?  All that was missing was Apple Bloom revealing she had a crush on him, and he'd probably lose it.

"When are you two going to stop glaring at me and start talking to me?" Spike asked, "I'm sorry I don't really feel like that for either of you, but it's no reason to hold a grudge against me.  Can't we just be friends?"

That did it.

"Friends?!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exploded.  Spike jumped back, arms half-raised in self-defense.

"Of all the pig-headed things you could say to a filly!" Sweetie spat, "You have no class, Spike!  No class!"

"Did you seriously just friend-zone me?!" Scootaloo looked like she was fighting back tears, "I can't believe you'd be so, so... heartless!"

With that, Scootaloo ran past Spike and into the next car forward, while Sweetie marched to the car behind, muttering curses that made the dragon's ears burn.  He was left there, stunned for a long moment, before crashing into the nearest seat.

"Mares." he muttered to himself.

*-*

The train pulled into the station and came to a full stop before passengers - the only three that were aboard, for not many ponies were travelling between Ponyville and Appleoosa these days - disembarked.  Twilight couldn't decide if she was more relieved that Spike was alright or furious that he had left with only a letter to explain where he was.  Rarity was also there, though she wasn't angry with Sweetie Belle - just worried over her.  Twilight had asked all around town, but she couldn't find Scootaloo's parents.  She hoped they hadn't been part of the casualties of the Royal Guards' last trip to Ponyville.

In a gust of a steam and a bellow from the engineer announcing the station, Spike emerged from one car, and the two fillies from two other cars.  Twilight's anger was lost in her momentary confusion of this.  Why would they all take different cars?  Oh well; who knew how foals and drakes behaved when left to their own devices.

"Oh!" Rarity cried, rushing to Sweetie Belle's side, tears springing from her eyes, "I missed you so much!  I don't know what I would have done if something bad had happened to you!  I'd simply never forgive myself!"

"Spike!" Twilight found herself rushing to his side and hugging him, "Oh my gosh, I should be mad at you, but I'm just so happy to see you!  Was the train ride eventful?"

"You could say that..." the dragon's eyes flashed towards Sweetie and Scootaloo, but quickly found themselves looking at the floor in front of his feet.

"How was it in the Lunar Republic, Sweetie?" Rarity asked, "How was the train ride?"

"Why don't you ask your precious "Spikey-wikey"?" Sweetie snapped and stomped off.

"Sorry your parents couldn't be here, Scootaloo." Twilight said, ignoring Sweetie's apparent tantrum, "I couldn't seem to find them."

"Not as sorry as I am." Scootaloo said, frowning bitterly, "I'm going home."

As the pegasus filly left, she shot Rarity a venomous glare that made the older pony flinch back.

"What in heavens did I do?" Rarity asked to nopony in particular, "Did I say something to offend them?"

"It's not that..." Spike said, "They're mad at me, but they're blaming you."

"What did you do to make them so mad?" Twilight asked, "And why would they blame Rarity?"  After a little thought, the alicorn puzzled it out.  "Oh...  Both of them?"

"...Yeah..." the dragon frowned.

"You didn't let them down gently, I take it?" Twilight asked.

"Could somepony explain what's going on?" Rarity asked, her voice betraying the impatience she was feeling.

"Rarity, I don't know if now's the time to tell you or not, but recent events have shown me that life can end sooner than one would think." Spike said in a rush.  Twilight's eyes widened and Rarity was speechless.  "What I'm trying to say is that, ever since I first saw you, I've been completely head-over-heels for you.  It started with your beauty and grace, but it grew with every act of kindness you've displayed.  To put it bluntly...  I love you."

Complete silence.  Even the engineer and workers who were close enough to have heard the conversation were stunned by what they had heard.  How could anyone that young articulate their feelings in such a mature fashion?  Well, when one thought of who raised him, it wasn't too surprising, but it was still surprising.

"Spike..." Rarity blinked.  She had known about his crush before, and even cried at how sweet it was, but she had never expected a confession like this.  Her eyes welled up with tears.  "You're too sweet, Spike.  Your words are moving, and I can feel the honesty in them.  I simply don't deserve it."

"But you do." Spike said quickly, "You're like a piece of priceless art, or a holy relic.  So beautiful, so pure.  Like the most perfect of snowflakes, or the clearest of diamonds.  And your kindness!  I have never seen anypony as generous as you, and only our friends match you in caring."

"Spike, what have you been reading?" Twilight asked, wondering where all this praise was flowing from.  It was like Spike had pent it up for so long that now he couldn't get it out fast enough.

"I'm just telling the truth." Spike confessed, smiling and kneeling before Rarity, "I've kept it bottled up for so long, it just feels great to let it out.  Rarity, I love you, with all of my heart!"

"Spike, please stop." the unicorn's smile was at odds with her eyes.

"I would do anything for you." Spike continued, practically bowing before her, "I would die a thousand times for you."

"Spike!" Rarity snapped, startling the dragon out of his praise.  Visibly calming herself, she offered the stongest smile she could manage, which was pitifully fragile.  "I appreciate your adoration, but I simply don't feel the same way.  You're like a younger brother to me."

Spike blinked a couple of times, his mouth slack as he looked up from his position on the floor.  Picking himself up, he was visibly straining to keep the tears from his eyes, clearing his throat uncomfortably.  Rarity avoided looking at him.  Twilight watched, too horrified to intervene.

"I understand." Spike finally choked out, "How could a mare as beautiful and graceful as you ever love... ever love an animal like me!"

Before Twilight or Rarity could say anything, the dragon sprinted out of the train station.  Rarity broke into sobs and Twilight struggled to stand up straight.  The workers cleared their throats and returned to their work, trying to forget the awkward scene they had just witnessed.

"He's so sweet." Rarity managed at last, between sobs, "He deserves a mare that's good to him, and he's not bad to look at, but for the life of me, I just don't see him that way!"

"It's not your fault, Rarity." Twilight said, hugging her friend, "He'll find his special somepony some day."

"I hope he does." Rarity sniffled, "As I said, he deserves it."

Twilight sighed as she watched the train depart again back towards Appleoosa.  She briefly wondered what the train would arrive to when it reached its destination.

*-*

The forward sentry broke through the doors at a dead gallop.  The gathering of politicians and attendants snapped out of their conversations and politicking.  Premier Luna stood as the dominant presence of the assembly.  The sentry, one of thousands of volunteers in Luna's growing Republican Guard, bowed before her.  She had tried to do away with the bowing, but she secretly did enjoy it.

"What do you have to report?" she asked, regally.

"Celestia's army is on the march, only a few hours outside of Appleoosa, Premier." the sentry said, breathlessly, "They're armored in Filthy Rich's new ceramic plates and have a bunch of tanks with them."

Tanks.  That's what Filthy Rich had labeled the strange, tracked vehicles.  Luna grinned, despite this information.

"Ready our forces." she ordered, "We'll show these dogs that the Lunar Republic won't bow before their show of force."

Filthy Rich had made good on his promise of arming the Lunar Republic, though with such short notice, they were far from well-equipped.  The Republican Guard, only a few thousand, wore a mix of the old, gothic armor of Luna's Royal Guard, and the newer, sleek ceramic plate of Filthy's design.  Most of them were armed with gun carriages on their backs, though some still fought with spear and blade.

Luna knew she was outnumbered, and outgunned.  She wasn't a fool.  Although an outdated study, military science had still been a requirement for both princesses growing up.  How could one lead their nation if they could not defend it?  Still, Luna's knowledge had grown since those foalhood lessons.  Reading the works of blacklisted philosophers, she had discovered ancient strategies to counter Celestia's archaic Royal Guard.  Scarlet Banner's pupils referred to it as the "Ponies' War".  Guerilla warfare.  Partisan combat.

With her forces hidden in the dark alleys and the shadows of the town, they faded into the inky darkness of night.  Many of the soldiers had taken to wearing black viels across their muzzles, and even going so far as to add black paint around their eyes.  Lights were turned off, fires put out.  Appleoosa looked abandoned, as dark as the desert around it.

Wisely, the Royal Guard sent in scouts.  Five stallions, wearing minimal armor, scoured the pioneer town.  Yet, for all their searching, they couldn't find the concealed Republican Guard; only frightened civilians inside their homes.  Reporting as such to their officers, it wasn't long before they declared Appleoosa abandoned and moved in to garrison it.  A motor pool was set up just outside of the town, where crews disembarked from their tanks and mechanics set about refuelling and maintenance.  The soldiers set up camp as officers and NCOs took civilian housing - often by threat of arrest.

Like any soldier, they slept whenever they could get it, and it didn't take long before only the sentries were awake in the dead of night.  One sentry watched the dark with a gaze like iron.  Those steely eyes widened a fraction as half a foot of sharpened steel struck him in the throat.  He fell, crying silently as masked ponies threw themselves over him.  The other sentries fared no better, executed by silent blades and spearpoints.

The general, admiring the banner crafted by Rarity, was caught by surprise when the tanks outside began detonating, one by one.  The motor pool burst into flames and Royal Guard personnel scurried around the flaming vehicles, fighting the flames desperately.  Soldiers were rousing from their sleep, startled as sudden and violent gunfire erupted around them.  The general grit his teeth as several members of his command staff fell in bursts of crimson.  The Royal Guard were still trying to muster a defense, unable to find the sources of the enemy fire.  Fastening a banner to a pole and planting it before the tent, the general strapped himself into a gun carriage.

"Rally!  To me, my stallions!  Rally!" he bellowed over the din of combat.

One by one, the Royal Guard formed ranks and fired into the darkness.  Slowly, they advanced into the night, driving their attackers back, all the while marching beneath the flag of the Solar Empire.

"That's it, troops!" the general laughed as his guns silenced an enemy in the shadows, "Keep up the heat!"

A shadow cut out the moon- and starlight.  The general and the soldiers immediately surrounding him ceased fire and looked up.  Like a wraith shrouded in night, Premier Luna descended from the sky.  Her armor was ornate, dark and glassy like obsidian carved by some gothic architect.  She towered over them, her eyes glowing with heated wrath, her horn ablaze in cobalt flame.  Behind her, a swarm of black-clad pegasi with the bat wings of the old Royal Night Guard swarmed in the air, eyes glinting in the night.

The general was too stunned to even fight back.
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Luna watched with practiced disinterest as soldiers - Republican Guard and Appleoosa's militia, together - cleared the streets of bodies.  She ignored as they stripped the Royal Guard of weapons and equipment, and even turned a blind eye when the soldiers began looting personal items from the dead.  One of the ponies stood out, however, and she approached him.

"You served admirably yesterday evening, Braeburn." Luna said with a smile.

"Thank ya, Premier." Braeburn nodded, a hollowness to his voice as he took in the dead around him.  A black bandana was wrapped around his neck.  "Applejack's distractin' Apple Bloom with somethin', so she doesn't see any a'... this."

"Yes, this would be a truly devestating sight for one so young." Luna confessed.  It was slowly dawning on her just how costly her little revolution was becoming.  Granted, most of the Royal Guard had fled once their command cadre was crushed, but there were still hundreds dead, and many hundreds more of prisoners.  Those were problems for another day; the Royal Guard had been thoroughly crushed and this was a momentous victory for the Lunar Republic.

Luna's eyes returned to the stallion before her.  Braeburn had always been a capable leader, if what she had gathered from the Appleoosians was anything to go by.  He had certainly proved it last night, leading his fellows into combat against the Royal Guard.  It had even been his idea to torch the motor pool before the Guard had time to mount their strange war machines; Luna could only imagine what kind of advantage they'd have had if those vehicles had been employed.

"Braeburn," she began cautiously, "We could use a pony like you in the Republican Guard."

"Ah'm just a simple farm pony, Ma'am." the cowpony responded without making eye contact, "Ah'd rather just go back ta tendin' the orchard."

"I think we both know there's no going back from today." Luna said softly.

"Ah know..." Braeburn's reply was just as soft.  They'd killed one of Celestia's generals, not to mention a good number of her soldiers.  It was unlikely that the Princess would simply leave Appleoosa alone, now.

"We really could use a pony like you, Braeburn." the Premier said, "You have a way with leading troops."

"Ah do what Ah have to." Braeburn said.  It should have been stoic, inspirational even, but the pain lighting the farmpony's eyes was enough to make even the premier avert her gaze.

"I know I'm asking a lot from you, Braeburn." Luna sighed, "but I need to ask a little bit more."

A moment of silence, and then more to himself than aloud, "Ah do what Ah have to."

"So I can trust that you'll serve in the Republican Guard?" the former princess tried to lighten the mood with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Braeburn didn't answer right away.  He looked around, every face of the dead looking at him.  He felt the weight of such loss on his shoulders.  The Royal Guard, stripped of their armor and weapons, faces taught as they strained not to scream out in their last, painful moments.  Republican Guard with the almost peaceful smiles that come when people feel they've martyred themselves for something greater.  The militia...  Their glassy eyes stared up from sunken sockets, locked to him, demanding why he let them - his townsponies - die in this fight.  Why did he agree to fight at all?

He tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry.  He found his voice, hoarse as it was.

"Yes Ma'am."

Luna wasn't sure if she should be pleased at the resolve in his eyes, or disheartened by the soul-crushing regret that bled into them.

*-*

"Are we not going to talk about this?" Twilight frowned at the assembled fillies and dragon.  Rarity stood beside her, though she clearly wanted to be anywhere else.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle sat on either side of Spike, forelegs folded across their chests and turned from the dragon, scowling.  The dragon simply stared at the ground, dead-eyed.  It had been like this for several days, with Spike nearly catatonic and Sweetie Belle hostile towards Rarity.  Scootaloo never seemed to show up, anymore, and it was a struck of luck that Twilight had found her.

"What's there to talk about?" Scootaloo pouted, "Spike's interested in fancy mares.  He doesn't want a loser like me!"

"Scootaloo..." Twilight sighed, but Sweetie Belle spoke over her.

"Not that she ever appreciates him." she spat.  It was very obvious who "she" was, and Rarity flinched back.  She looked about ready to cry, and for a second, Sweetie Belle looked like she regretted her words, but just as quickly, she turned away.

"Alright, that's enough out of all of you!" Twilight snapped, which startled all three of the youths out of their sulking, "Sweetie Belle, it's not your sister's fault that Spike had a crush on her, so stop trying to make her feel bad about it!"  The unicorn filly's cheeks flushed with shame.  "Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle is your friend, and it's not her fault who she falls in love with, anymore than it's yours.  Don't let a colt - er, drake - get between your friendship!"  Scootaloo chewed on the inside of her lip and eyed the flooring.

Twilight looked at her number one assistant who had been spending his free time staring at the ceiling from his back.  "Spike," she said softly, "Rarity is much older than you, and I'm sorry to say she doesn't feel the same way.  But she does care about you, and wants to see you happy.  Besides, you have two fillies around your age who are both interested in you."

Spike looked between Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, then furrowed his brow.

"But I still have feelings for Rarity, and besides..." he spared another glance at either filly, "I could only choose one." the dragon stated his new dilemma.  Twilight tsked at the fact.  Polygomy was frowned upon in Equestria, and she was sure Rarity and both the fillies' parents wouldn't be too pleased with such an arrangement.

"You have plenty of time to get to know each other." Twilight said, "Who knows?  They might even realize they don't like you as much as they thought!" the princess blinked as she processed those words.  "Wow, that really came out wrong."

Her doorbell ringing got her attention and she silently thanked Celestia for the distraction.  Her brief smile was wiped from her face by the dissheveled and wounded soldiers surrounding her library.

"What happened?" the alicorn gasped.

"The filthy rebels were lying in wait." one of the soldiers - a corporal, judging by his rank pins - spat in disgust.

"This is all that's left?" Twilight's eyes widened, "There had to have been at least a thousand of you guys just a few days ago!  Now there's only, what, a few dozen?"

"We went out with a full regiment of Royal Guard." the corporal - startlingly the highest ranking soldier present, - explained, "Nearly three thousand infantry, with five tanks for support.  The rebels torched the motor pool and the Premier herself struck at our officer corps from above.

"It was a route, plain and simple.  Our leaders were killed or captured, our heavy support was up in smoke, and to top it all off, we were confused and blind." the corporal's left eye twitched at the memory, "The rebels wore black masks and came out of the shadows!  We were shooting at ghosts!  They weren't ponies at all, but devils!"

"Calm yourself, Corporal." Twilight snapped the soldier out of his nightmare, "How many were killed?"

"Can't say for sure." the corporal regained composure, "Our forces were broken.  The sergeants overseeing our units tried to order us into firing lines, but we were getting slaughtered.  Last I saw, most of the platoons scattered into different directions.  What you see before you are the remains of three platoons."

Twilight blinked in surprise.  She wasn't schooled in military science - such matters were virtually nonexistent after Celestia established a lasting peace a millenium ago - but she was familiar enough to know that three platoons should be more than two or three dozen.

"Please, come in, Corporal..." she realized she had never been introduced to the corporal, or any of the soldiers.  She didn't even know the name of the general who she had given the banner to.

"Corporal Shetland." the soldier bowed before the princess, quickly followed by his surviving comrades, "You don't need to trouble yourself on our behalves, Ma'am.  We're only here because...  We don't know where else to go.  A lot of the troops are too injured to make it back to Canterlot, and you're the only authority for miles."

"So what is that you need, Corporal Shetland?" Twilight asked, hesitantly.

"We need somepony to lead us." Shetland choked back a sob.  Hard-faced as he was - as all of them were - it was clear they were at a breaking point.  "We need hope.  We need... I don't know!  We need to have faith in something!  The army's been routed, Equestria's falling apart, the Princesses are at war, and we're losing!  We need something to believe in!"

The alicorn looked over each of the soldiers, in their varying states of health.  Most had dirty bandages wrapped around limbs or heads, and more than a few were pale and taut of face, supported only by their allies.  Yet, there was a resolve in them, a core of hard steel holding them together, even now.  All they needed was something to believe in.  Twilight smiled, disarmingly, and Shetland and the troops felt their woes melt away.

"Believe in Princess Celestia, soldier." she said, "For Celestia is a goddess in the flesh.  Never forget that she has a plan for each and every one of us who stays loyal to her."

"Sounds like something out of that book you gave General Blazing Glory." Shetland smiled, crookedly and weak, but a smile all the same.  "He read a few passages from it."

"How did you like it?" Twilight asked.

Shetland looked a little uncomfortable, shifting his hooves, "It's not talked about often, you understand...  You're not the first to think of Celestia as a deity.  It's a military tradition, though practiced in secret, to revere her as a goddess; she doesn't like the idea of us worshipping her.  Yet, how can you serve somepony so empowered, immortal and graceful, and not come to view her as divine?  Nopony's ever been so open about the concept before, though."

"Maybe it's time that changes." the princess smiled softly.

"She speaks like a prophet." a voice came from the crowd of soldiers, though nopony could place it.  A murmur grew in the throng of soldiers, and another voice was heard saying, "She smiles like a saint."

Soon the murmur become a chant.

"Saint Twilight!" the words formed up, almost naturally, as if they had always been, "Saint Twilight, the Prophet!"

The chanting grew into a cheer, and then to a roar.  Townsponies had begun to gather around the library, intrigued in the cheering throng of soldiers.  Spike, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watched the spectacle from inside the house, Rarity tutting all the while about how she would fix the soldiers' uniforms and get them cleaned up.

"What's a saint?" Spike asked.

"What's a prophet?" Sweetie Belle replied.

"I have no idea, but their chanting is starting to freak me out." Scootaloo shuddered.

"There's nothing to worry about, dears." Rarity giggled, "Those soldiers are here to protect us.  They're on our side."

"Aren't they the same soldiers that killed all those protestors just a few weeks ago?" Spike challenged.

"You'll understand when you're older, Spike." Rarity sighed, "Sometimes one must be firm with the ones they care about."

"If you say so..." Sweetie frowned as she continued to watch the chanting soldiers.  Townsponies were beginning to join in, and the youths doubted they knew what a saint or prophet was, either.

All the while, Twilight's smile broadened.  She had found her flock.

*-*

Diamond Tiara had certainly seen better days.  Snips wasn't the smartest pony in Ponyville, and even he could see that.  What else could he do but let her inside and cry on his couch.  After several minutes like this, Diamond Tiara finally calmed down enough to talk to him.

"It's awful, Snips!" Diamond managed through sobs, "Just awful!"

"Did, uh...  Did your dad take away your credit card again?" the colt asked, trying to figure out what could possibly have upset the filly this much.  The question only led to a new wave of shrieking sobs that Snips reeled back from.  "I'm sorry!  What happened?"

"Daddy was caught selling weapons to both sides." Diamond sniffed, "Now Celestia has him in prison!"

"Well, it could be worse." Snips shrugged.

"My family's reputation is ruined!" Diamond wailed, "The government seized our family assets and forced us into the streets!  What's worse, nopony will take us in!  Ponies loyal to Celestia see us as traitors, and ponies loyal to Luna see us as war profiteers!"

"Aren't you?" Snips quirked an eyebrow.  The pink filly glared coldly in reply.  "Yeesh, sorry.  Still, you had to have seen this coming."

"I really didn't." Diamond sniffed, wiping the last few tears from her eyes, "I honestly thought my dad had worked through all the angles.  He usually has some sort of exit strategy set up whenever he tries something like this."

"He's done stuff like this before?" the colt wasn't sure why that was surprising.

"Corporate takeovers, and such." Diamond sighed, "I guess he wasn't ready for the big leagues, yet."

Snips rolled his eyes.  "Not that it isn't great to see you here, but...  Why did you come to me?" he asked, "Why not Silver Spoon, or Ms. Cheerilee, or even Princess Twilight?  Mom always says you should go to a trusted adult-"

"My father just got arrested for treason!" Diamond snapped, "That's not something I can go to an adult about, you-" she calmed herself, breathing deeply, "I came to you because I trust you.  Plus, Silv wasn't home.  Her mom said something about a date?"

"That lucky little..." Snips muttered, knowing exactly who Silver Spoon was on a date with, "I'm happy that you trust me.  I just wish there was something I could do."

"Sitting here and talking with me is more than enough." Diamond placed a hoof over Snips'.  He merely stared at it, mind trying to process the intent.  "You're a good friend, Snips."

"Thanks." he giggled, before coughing to cover it.

They talked for the rest of the evening.

*-*

Rainbow Dash wasn't sure what was going on.  All of the officer recruits had been brought together into the assembly hall.  There weren't many.  Equestria, while vast, had a small military - maybe a few hundred thousand scattered in garrison fortresses.  The need for officers for such a small force, so Rainbow had learned, was minimal.  Active officers were in the hundreds - thousands if you counted warrant officers and non-commissioned officers.  the recruits numbered less than a hundred.  Rainbow heard there were less than a thousand at any one time for enlisted recruits.

The pegasus grimaced.  She had to memorize so much information, she was sure her brain would turn to mush.  She'd taken to sleeping while standing up, even while marching, and her dreams were filled with rank pins and proper ways to address superiors.

"Attention!" her NCO, Maverick bellowed.  The recruits snapped to attention, the action practically unconcious from weeks of drilling.  She'd actually taken a shine to the stallion; he was affectionate to his recruits, in a way, but it was a tough love.  Rainbow frowned at the look in his eyes and the set of his jaw.  "General Blazing Glory has fallen in combat with his officer cadre in combat against the rebels."

Military discipline almost collapsed in the face of such news.  Mouths went slack in horror.  One recruit fainted, and several more couldn't hold back tears.  Rainbow was shocked, but stood her ground.  She didn't blame her peers for falling to their emotions.

"With him, Gen. Blazing Glory took 3,000 ponies with him into battle, and a large retinue of NCOs and field officers.  Many of them are dead or missing, though a small unit has been confirmed as holding up in Ponyville." Maverick explained, still composed, "Empress Celestia has ordered that this power vacuum be filled.  Most of you are only halfway through your training, but you all show great promise.  Conditions have forced many of us to be raised above our stations, and each of you are also being forced into positions of command."

The NCO produced a list and cleared his throat.  "I shall now list those of you who have earned the rank of Sergeant, First Class, or equivalent in your respective branches."

Rainbow strained to listen as the names were read aloud.  She quickly realized that everypony in the class was being elevated to active duty.  The thought sent her reeling.  What kind of blow had been struck to the Royal Guard that they would need to fill so many holes?  She could only imagine how the enlisted ranks were being equally forced in early.  Finally, Maverick stopped, and Rainbow blinked.  Her name hadn't been called.

"Now I shall list those of you have proven themselves in all areas and shall be elevated to Lieutenant, Second Class, or equivalent in your respective branches." the NCO began again, and this time Rainbow did hear her name.  It was a great honor, since there were only ten of them that made the list.  Yet it sat sourly, with her, that ten officers were needed so suddenly.

"Let us pray it'll be enough." Maverick sighed, before regaining composure, "Dismissed!"

As the others cleared the area, Rainbow approached Maverick.  Only then did she notice the new rank pins in his collar.

"You're a Captain, now?" she asked, almost a whisper.

"Dark days, Lieutenant." Maverick said, just as quietly, "I've been in for nearly twenty years.  I quit being elevated years ago.  All at once, hundreds of good ponies gone, and now I'm forced from the enlisted ranks to assume the mantle of officer.  It's a burden I never wanted."

"I admit, I never thought I'd get this far." Rainbow said, dryly, "I didn't think I was doing too hot."

"We're not allowed to pick favorites here, Dash, but to be frank," the Captain cracked a grim smile, "you're the best out of this lot.  Probably the best to come out of here in awhile."

"Thank you, Sir." Rainbow saluted.

"None of that." Maverick chided, "We're both officers now.  You address me by rank."

"Yes...  Captain." Rainbow rolled the word over in her mouth.  She had never called him "sir" before, since he was a NCO, he was to be addressed by his rank.  Now that he was an officer, instinct demanded she call him "sir", but now she was an officer, too.  Weird day.

"Lt. Dash, I know you had your heart set on going on to the Royal Air Guard and pursuing your career there, but I have a favor to ask." Maverick said.

"Ask it, S- Captain." the pegasus nodded.

"I've been put under the command of Col. Stonewall in bolstering the remnant forces in Ponyville." the Captain explained, "I figured since you lived there for awhile, you'd be of great use to us there."

"You want me to come with you to Ponyville?" Rainbow blinked.  It seemed like ages ago since she had been home.  It was bittersweet, thinking of that town, and the word "home".  "I'd be honored, Captain!"

"Excellent." Maverick handed her a box.  At first glance, Rainbow thought it was an engagement ring box and she shot the commander a look of such surprise that he almost blushed.  "Open it."

She did.  Inside were her Lieutenant, Second Class rank pins.  Her eyes widened even more.

"You'll be my adjutant in Ponyville.  Keep showing the same spirit you showed in training, and you may even outrank me one day." Maverick said, "Dismissed."

Even though she had been dismissed, Rainbow stood there eyeing her new rank pins with no small part pride or awe long after the others had left the assembly hall.

*-*

"Weather's nice." Big Macintosh commented over the dinner table after a painfully long time of silence.

"What was that, now?" Granny Smith asked, half-deaf.

Big Mac sighed.  The two remaining seats at the dining table were empty, and had been empty for too long.  Apple Bloom had fled the city back when the whole mess had begun, and Applejack was hiding out with her in Appleoosa.  Big Mac was a strong stallion, and he could take much abuse, but working the farm single-handedly while a war was being waged and his younger sisters missing...  That was almost too much to bear.

He stared at his dinner while contemplating current events.  When Apple Bloom had first brought up the idea of a Republic, Big Mac hadn't really cared one way or the other.  Celestia was a good leader, and even if she had done horrible things centuries ago, well, that was centuries ago.  He could understand why ponies would want more say in the government, but he just couldn't understand why everypony was getting riled up to the point of killing each other.  He grimaced at the thought of bloodshed.  It just wasn't heard of in Equestria.

He secretly hoped the Lunar Republic would fall quickly, just to put an end to the war.

A knocking at the door distracted him from this dark reverie.  Getting up to answer it, he was surprised to see Fluttershy, staring bashfully at him from behind her bangs.

"Oh, hello, Big Mac." she said, sweetly, "Or do you prefer Big Macintosh?  We don't really talk often.  Sorry about that."

"Big Mac's fine." the stallion said slowly.  They really didn't talk that often, even though they were in a singing group together.  "Lookin' fer Applejack?"

"Yes, actually, though it's nice to see you, too, of course." Fluttershy smiled gently, "Is she home?"

"Nope." Big Mac frowned, "She an' Apple Bloom are in Appleoosa with the rest a' the Republic."

"I take it Pinkie Pie's with her, too, huh?" Fluttershy sighed, wistfully.

"She's still in Canterlot." Big Mac corrected.

"She got arrested, too?" the pegasus gasped, "Discord forgot to mention that..."

"Discord?" Big Mac raised an eyebrow, "That who yer stayin' with?"

"I was." Fluttershy stated, "He's going to join Celestia to end the war.  I told him I still stand by the Republic.  That's why I came here as soon as I could."

"Well, yer about the only republican pony left in Ponyville." Big Mac shrugged, "Twilight's housin' Royal Guards an' preaching somethin' about Celestia being a goddess.  She's even got Cheerilee teachin' it in class, though she doesn't agree with it."

"Then why's she teach it, if you don't mind my asking?"

"It's hard enough to resist a request from a princess ya live near." the stallion explained, "Even harder when she has several dozen veterans of the Royal guard at hand."

"I really wish I had somepony to talk to." Fluttershy sighed, "Applejack's in Appleoosa and Pinkie Pie's in Canterlot.  Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow Dash are all supporters of Celestia, so I can't talk to them, even though I really want to."

"Plus Rainbow's in Canterlot, too." Big Mac said.

"What did she get arrested for?" Fluttershy gasped.

"Nothing like that." Big Mac snorted, "Celestia wants her ta be an officer in the Royal Guard, so she took the job."

"Oh.  Good for her." the pegasus smiled, "I hope this ends soon, without anymore loss of life."

"Funny." Big Mac said, watching the stars, "Ah was thinkin' the same thing not seconds before ya showed up."

"Is it alright if I stay here?" Big Mac looked down at the pegasus in surprise, and she recoiled slightly in embarrassment, "Discord teleported my animals into Everfree Forest to live near Zecora, but hasn't teleported them back, yet.  Without Applejack or Pinkie Pie to talk to, and being on rough terms with Rarity and Twilight, well..." she trailed off before adding, quietly and pitifully, "I don't want to be alone."

"Ah don't have a problem with it." the stallion stepped aside and invited Fluttershy in.  "This house seems too empty with both mah sisters gone.  Too many empty rooms."

A particularly old family photo, almost hidden, caught his eye.

"Too many empty rooms..." he repeated, softly.

"I really appreciate it, Big Mac." Fluttershy said, snapping him out of his growing sorrow.  She was pretty good at doing that.  There were few ponies in his life who could do that anymore, his sisters and his good friend Cheerilee among them.

"No problem." the stallion smiled.  He realized that was his first genuine smile in awhile.  "Come inta the dinin' room.  We're in the middle a' supper."

"Oh, well I don't want to intrude." the pegasus said, bashfully.

"Nonsense." Big Mac snorted, "Granny Smith made too much food, again.  We've got plenty ta share."

"Well, if it's alright with you, then." Fluttershy smiled, "I am a bit famished."

*-*

Things were going as well as one could hope.  The Royal Guard, although having taken significant losses during the raid on Appleoosa, was on the verge of bouncing back.  The majority of Filthy Rich's factories were still in Imperial hands, and investigations were being launched to oust any of Filthy's treacherous conspirators.  Speeding up the training of recruits was something of a hassle, but the Royal Guard needed fresh boots instantly, and many of them.

Luna was growing an army, it seemed, far outpacing her traitor Republican Guard.  Princess Celestia aimed to match and exceed her, even if it meant instigating a draft, though she doubted that would be necessary.  Tales of romantic adventure, free housing, wearing uniforms, being a hero and getting paid for it all would be more than enough to trick most ponies into signing their lives away.  There hadn't been a war for centuries in Equestria, the only fighting being reserved to the occasional border dispute or request for aid from allies.  Nopony knew the horrors of war, which made them ripe pickings for recruitment.

When did I become so callous?  Celestia mused to herself.  She should be feeling shame, or at the very least some regret, but she found only excitement in her veins.  After countless years of tireless diplomacy and bureaucracy, something was finally happening.  Something that demanded her attentions.  Sure, there were the occasional apocalyptic scenarios that required the Elements of Harmony, but none of that required Celestia's direct attention.

A civil war, though...

Her thoughts were disrupted by the sudden appearance of one draconequess she was all too familiar with.

"What is it, now, Discord?" she sighed, not looking up from the maps before her.  Sure, she had generals to do this work for her, but it had been ages since she plotted a campaign.

"I've come to declare loyalty to you in this war, your Highness." Discord said, solemnly and with a bow.

Celestia immediately snapped her head up, failing to hide the shock in her features.

"Could you run that by me again, please?" she asked with surprising civility, resting her chin upon her steepled hooves.  She was, not so subtly, enjoying the irony of the situation.

"This war needs to end, Celestia." Discord explained, flatly, "Frankly, I'm seriously disturbed that between the three of us, I'm the voice of reason."

"I confess my sister is being unreasonable." Celestia ignored the slight, "Why would you want to fight for me?"

"Because I want things to go back to the way they were." the chaos lord explained.

"You?" Celestia smirked, "I figured you'd be elated by the tension and disorder my sister's raising."

"You're playing your part in this mess, too, Tia." Discord snapped, then quickly returned to his morose attitude.  "I'm being sincere.  I love chaos, but not this kind of chaos.  I want... silly things, disorder in a fun way.  What you two are orchestrating will only lead in wholesale slaughter.

"I got used to the way things were.  Harmony and all of that.  I had friends, friends who stuck with me even after I hurt them." Discord sighed at the memories and Celestia felt remorse for the first time in weeks, "I just want this to end, to go back to those days, when everything was so happy."

"I don't think we can ever go back to those days." Celestia said, quietly.

"Surely we can try?"

"With your powers, we could certainly turn the tide against those rebels." Celestia nodded, "We might even be able to do it bloodlessly."

"That's what I hope for, Princess." Discord smiled for the first time since Fluttershy had left.

"I'm afraid that is no longer my title." Celestia said, coolly.

"It's not?"

"Haven't you heard what they're saying in the streets, Discord?" Celestia laughed, "Equestrians who have remained loyal to me have taken to calling this the Solar Empire, with me as the Empress." then, much softer, "Some have even taken to worshipping me as a goddess."

"Certainly you don't believe that hype." Discord's eyes widened in shock.

"Why not?" Celestia arched an eyebrow, "You are a god of chaos, and we have been immortal enemies.  Alicorns are the closest things to dieties in this world, and I more so than any other.  Is it not likely that I am a goddess of order and harmony where you are a god of anarchy?"

"Celestia, I'm supposed to be the crazy one, here." Discord warned.

"Don't speak to your empress in such a manner." Celestia retorted, "You swore loyalty to me, and I expect you to stick to it."

"What will become of Luna and her followers?" Discord asked, changing the subject.

Celestia actually relaxed and seemed to revert to her old self.  "They'll be taught the error of their ways and released.  Hopefully this show of mercy will persuade them that I am not a bloodthirsty tyrant."

"And if they continue to resist after their release?"

"They cry out against an imaginary tyranny." the Empress sniffed, "I'll drown them in the blood they spill."

"Dark." the draconequess said, "Even your own sister?"

Celestia looked hesitant, her face slowly hardening with resolve.

"I sent Lulu away for a millenium, so she could cool her head.  Only after being defeated by the Elements of Harmony did she see reason." she mused, "If she continues to defy reason, to defy me...  I have no choice.  For the sake of harmony - and I pray it never comes to this - I must destroy this rebellion, and anypony who refuses to embrace my light."

"So even goddesses can pray." Discord muttered, disgust evident in his voice.  Celestia chose to ignore it.  The lord of chaos bowed once more.  "I'll do whatever I can to end this madness and restore things to the way they were.  I am yours to command,"

A pause.

"...Empress." he finished, wincing at the unfamiliar title.

A slow smile crept across Celestia's face, without warmth.

"My will be done." she whispered.