Battleship of Equestria Chapter Four: The Battle of Ponyville
April 20th 1942, 10:00 PM
Aboard USS Fuso, stationed at the southern end of 'The Slot' Canal…
(Jacob's POV)
A knock on the door rouses me. "Sir, new orders from Canterlot! We are to relocate to Ponyville! Princess Celestia has told Burns to inform you that she thinks the battle at Vanhoover, which she and now her sister are leading the defense of, is a distraction. Aside from a small garrison of the Royal Guard deployed, about 90 ponies of various types, we are the only friendly force nearby, and thus make all reasonable haste," My XO, Ensign Froster, reports.
I jolt off of my bunk. I place my cap on my head, trotting out of my cabin, nearly running Froster over. "XO, report to Canterlot. Tell her that I acknowledge and am en route right now. We will be maintaining radio silence unless we have engaged a hostile force. Also, tell her I wish her sister Godspeed in combat." Froster nods racing ahead of me, hoofs clattering on the deck floor to the bridge. 'Let us pray that we do not arrive too late.'
10:30 PM
Ponyville…
Over at Sweet Apple Acres, the Apple family rests in peace. It had been a hard day, but the kind of hard day that is productive for a farm. The fruit bats were kept in check in their recently-created sanctuary of the apple orchard, and their famous apple trees taken care off.
The Element of Harmony is the first to sense something is wrong. She sits up in bed, nose twitching at a bitter and unwelcoming scent. "Oh no. Please, don't yet it be what Ah think it is," Applejack mumbles, walking to her window. The sight unveiled seems like a dream.
A firestorm is moving closer to the house and barn, consuming all in its path. Survivors of the fruit bat colony flee in the air, desperate to escape the dark, choking smoke. "Whoa nelly," She breathes as the forms of bipedal creatures approach. Applejack knows in an instant that they are trouble from the sight of weapons, even if some hadn't been carrying lit torches. Applejack bolts out of her room and grabs a sleepy Apple Bloom, racing down the stairs. "BIG MAC! GRAB GRANNY! WE GOTTA GET TO TWILIGHT! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
Meanwhile inside Twilight's castle…
A nervous light-purple unicorn with purple hair and a turquoise streak knocks on her teacher's bedroom doors. A sleepy Twilight Sparkles opens the door a minute later, yawning. "Hey Starlight. What's wrong?" Spikes continues to snore in the meantime.
Starlight's body shakes slightly as she answers. "Twilight, Applejack just arrived. She said that Sweet Apple Acres has just been burnt down, and that an army is headed our way," The reformed mare replies. Twilight blinks several times before the information fully registers. Once it does, however, Twilight quickly decides what to do. "Have the eighty members of the Royal Guard that were not assigned sentry duty prepare for battle and start getting everypony to the center and my castle." The princess of Friendship turns to her young assistant/friend, who is now awake. "Spike, send a message to Jacob, then send a second one to Canterlot. Starlight, get the others awake! And have that radio-pony send an SOS!"
30 minutes away from Ponyville's beaches…
(Jacob's POV)
I stand near the radio room, anxious to hear any reports. SO far, the only thing I have heard from Canterlot was a single report on the situation involving Vanhoover, which was that it had became a bloody stalemate between the attackers and Luna's forces.
Suddenly, a chatter of Japanese bombards the Japanese and American ponies in the room. I turn to the Japanese operator. "Is that Satsuma? What does he have to report?" I ask, guessing from the simple fact that the Japanese private is not speaking in English. The radio operator looks at me with widened eyes. "That Ponyville is under attack."
It is happening all other again. The same Goddamn cowardly attack! Only this time, in a different world. 'NO! Not the same! Not this time! This, time, we have a true punch!' I turn to my American communication officer. "Ensign, send to Canterlot, high priority and directly for Princess Celestia and to be forwarded to Princess Luna at her discretion. 'Ponyville under attack. Plan on engaging enemy fleet and land my Marines and SNLF. Will either hold or evacuate. If evacuate, will take path to Canterlot up the main river as it is deep and wide enough for ship. Warn villages on the coast of South Luna Ocean.'"
I turn to Froster. "Signal the engine room. Flank speed. Have some of the Japanese 6-inch gun crew take command of those duel-purposes and load them up with AA rounds. Send some of your Marines to take over their gun positions. Meanwhile, have the rest of your Marines and the SNLF soldiers form up as a landing party!" I command, my tone firm. Froster salutes and gallops out of the room. I turn back to the Japanese radio operator. "Put me through to Satsuma."
The unicorn nods and speaks quickly into his radio, letting the SNFL radio-operator know that I am now the one he is speaking to. "Private, you are to protect the princess with your life. If she is killed or captured, and you live, you will shame your ancestors. Am I understood?" There is no pause as Satsuma's answer is quick and, to be honest, expected. "Hai! The Princess wishes to speak now," The tinny-sounding voice answers. Then a younger, feminine voice comes through the slight static.
"Lieutenant Jacob! Please hurry! We are cut-off! The Royal Guards I had sent to guard the train-station have been killed, and the surviving members are trying to hold them off. When you arrive, get the elders and younglings to the boats first! They'll be in the castle with me, Spike, and Satsuma. The rest will be assisting the Royal Guard," The young alicorn pleads. "Understood ma'am. We will be there in twenty minutes and my men will be there within twenty-five minutes from now. You have my word as a soldier. Jacob, out." I turn to the door and rush to the bridge, hoping that will be enough time for them to hold the line.
10:32
Ponyville…
"HELP!" A small pink filly with purple and white hair screeches, separated from her parents and being chased by a raider. The horned fiend chuckles with cruelty as he raises his sword, ready to hack at the young earth pony. "DIAMOND! DUCK!" A trio of familiar, young voices shout. The reformed bully known as Diamond Tiara does so as a large dumbbell is hurled at the demon-like form, breaking his jaw. "OH YEAH!" A massively muscular white stallion shouts as he flaps his tiny wings. Three young fillies run and grab their bully-turned-friend. "Come on!" Apple Bloom, leader of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, shouts, Sweetie Belle at her heels. Scootaloo turns to the shouting pegasi. "Thanks Bulk!" She cries as she follows her friends inside Twilight's castle.
All throughout the streets, ponies and raiders engage in desperate hand-to-hoof fighting, with bodies from both sides on the dirt streets. An enraged Rainbow Dash leads her fellow pegasi in fighting their deformed flight-gifted foes. "Take that!" She shouts as she punches a sword-armed raider in the neck, breaking it. A Royal Guard pegasus takes a spear underneath the armpit, killing him. "NO!" A normally quiet Fluttershy screams, head-butting his killer. A shocked Dash rushes to the Element of Kindness's side and helps her to the castle. "Whoa, good job, but maybe you should be a it away from this level of violence," The Element of Loyalty says, to which Fluttershy agrees.
Rarity and Applejack help rally the earth-bound ponies into charge after charge. On the stone bridge, Pinkie Pie fires her party cannon, knocking down raiders with the shockwaves of confetti, which in turn trip their comrades. Starlight throws raiders around with her magic, determined to protect her new-found friends. Twilight watches and looks to the sea. 'Please hurry,' She thinks to herself.
10:40 PM
Coastline of Ponyville….
(Jacob's POV)
I stare at the sight of five enemy ships forming up in a line, albeit slowly as there is not enough wind to move fast enough. Thanks to the powerful searchlights I can see roughly fifty muzzle-loading cannons on either side, plus another five mounted as bow-chaser guns. I turn to the helmsman. "Turn to starboard. Have the port side face those raiders on the beach and the starboard to those ships. Main turrets fire on the leading ships and fire at will, then switch to HE. Port guns fire on beach, blast a path clear for the boarding party once we finish up with the enemy task force engaging us," I order, turning back around and raising a pair of binoculars to my face with my magic. I tune out the sound of my orders being relayed as I focus on the lead ship. I can't make out any sort of flag, but it is obviously foe.
The loud boom of the pair of 14-inch guns of the front two turrets of my battleship feels me with pride as I watch the faint trail of smoke and light as the four shells slam right into the waterline of the ship at the head of the column. Once the ship has turned far enough, the other four turrets fire at the stricken vessel, ripping apart the wooden hull despite being armor-piercing shells. The quieter boom of the seven 6-inch guns mounted in casemates in the hull on either side open fire, ripping into the massed crowd on the beach and at the unprotected ships. I turn to see shadowy figures blasted apart. Suddenly, a few cannonballs strike the armored side of USS Fuso. Thankfully, the armor is thick enough to either cause the balls of solid iron to bounce off harmlessly into the water underneath the darkened night sky or simply shatter in impact. The most damage seems to be some dents and the now-useless catapult busted up.
Roughly thirty seconds after their first fire, the gunners of all six turrets report that they are all loaded with HE rounds. "All turrets, focus on the third ship," I order, the range-finders giving the gunners the needed information. Once I get another confirmation of readiness, I take a deep breath before giving the order I have long waited for. "Starboard broadside, FIRE NOW!"
The ship literally rocks to the side slightly as all twelve 14-inch guns fire almost as one. I watch as the third ship literally disappears into a fireball as at least three shells penetrate its wooden deck, possibly igniting the powder magazine. The starboard secondary battery shreds the gun deck of the fourth ship, quickly setting it ablaze as yet another volley holes the hull, causing a sever list that seals its fate. I anxiously wait for a chance to have a second broadside. When I am told that it is ready, I suddenly change my mind slightly. "Turrets No. 1-3, fire at the last ship. Turrets No. 4-6, fire at the beach. Aim for a large crowd. Marines and SNLF to the boats! Ready to launch when Froster reports the all clear! XO, you have the bridge," I finish as the ship rocks yet again as the first free turrets blast the final warship in half.
"Where are you going sir?" My XO asks. "I am going with my boys and helping our new friends. Move the ship closer to the mouth of the river to make our escape quicker. Remember, from now on, we must conserve ammunition, especially with the main guns. Keep firing on the beach until we are on it, and be prepared to use the 25mm and AA guns, as well as the secondary battery, to clear it once we start loading the boats. Clear the mess and everywhere else for the refugees. We cannot hold Ponyville, but must into leave till only the dead are left for the enemy. Let us pray for success."
10:45 PM
Ponyville…
A burst of fire causes two sword-armed and a single mace-wielding raider to fall off of the side of the castle, limp wings snapping like twigs on impact. Satsuma looks at the shooter with a look of respect as he uses his unicorn magic to grip his guntō sword. He had given spike his submachine gun and the ten fifty-round magazines he had brought. After teaching him the basics of firing and loading it, Spike had quickly gotten the hang of operating the compact weapon.
The defenders have been forced back by the numerically superior raiders. They did not give up a single inch of ground without a fight, as proven by the limp bodies of both ponies and raiders seem to form a gruesome carpet. Many of the outer buildings have been set ablaze. Black smoke covers the moonless night. Above the ground, only a small number of pegasi are left in fighting condition. Despite a cut over her forehead leaking blood into her cyan fur, Rainbow Dash fights like a lioness defending her cubs. No way would she allow her awesomeness be trampled by these freaks who dared to attack her home and her friends!
"RAINBOW DASH! YA GOTTA FALL BACK! WE GOTTA FALL BACK ON THE GROUND HERE! AH KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE RUNNING FROM A FIHGT, BUT IF YA AND YAUR PEGASI DON'T FALLL BACK, YA'LL BE SURRONDED!" Applejack pleads from the ground, her hat slightly singed, along with her tail. With a low growl, Dash whistles to her fellow fliers, and then joins the general retreat.
Pinkie Pie loads as much confetti and rocks into her loyal party cannon, tears dripping from her eyes as she watches Sugar Cube Corner collapse, the Cakes barely managing to escape. She fires her cannon, the make-shift grapeshot knocking dozens of raiders to the ground or off the bridge. Pinkie then turns around and kicks the cannon down the bridge, crushing several more raiders either advancing over the bodies of their comrades or already injured. The normally energetic and happy earth pony then runs the opposite way towards her friend's tree-shaped castle, her pet gator Gummy buried safely in her wild mane of pink hair.
Fluttershy stands by the gate, helping the wounded inside. Inside, Rarity, despite her queasiness, helps Dr. Hooves and the single Royal Guard medic treat the wounded, using her magic to (decoratively) dress bandages for the more minor wounds. Twilight stands on her balcony. The destruction of her home is reflected in wide purple eyes that start glistening. To her, it is like Tirek destroying her old home, the Golden Oaks Library, only on a greater and bloodier scale. "Satsuma, what have we done to deserve this horror?" She asks the radio-operator-turned-bodyguard. HE ponders this for a moment before trying to answer.
"Your Majesty, nothing I can say will change any of this. But maybe the truth will help, at least a little. If nothing else, you deserve to hear it. Sometimes, back in my world, war broke out to defend ideas or liberate others. Some of these leaders, like many of the old Samurai warriors of my country, fought with clear ideas of honor. Others fight not because they enjoy it or the bloodshed that results, but because the role has been forcefully thrust upon them and their country.
However, some fight because they are sick. Whether they were born sick or became sick as a result of a tragic life, some are so angry that the only thing they want, desire, is to see the world burn. Others fight for racial superiority. Some fight just because they love the power they think they enjoy killing. And some who are not sick would enjoy war simply because that was all they had ever known, and would never be able to rejoin society after experiencing the horrors and personal hells they suffered."
Twilight blinks back her tears as the words sink in. "Thank you, Satsuma. Your words have brought some understanding of sorts to me. I know we heard the sounds of what you told me where the guns of USS Fuso, but will they still send boats, or be driven off?" She asks, despair starting to creep into her voice. "They will ma'am. Trust in-LOOK OUT!"
Twilight turns around to look in horror at one of the winged raiders hovering right in front of her, outstretched claws closing in on her neck. She feels a force of magic yank her back and a form take her place, a flash of steel, a spray of crimson, and a limp body falling. "Get back inside, Princess Twilight! I think they are looking for you! Hurry!" Satsuma shouts as another raider flies towards them. Twilight blasts the fiend with a bolt of magic, stunning it. Suddenly Spike rushes outside, gun in his hands pointing to the floor. "Twilight! Jacob is leading the attack to rescue us! Look ahead!" The baby dragon shouts, pointing a claw ahead. The alicorn squints her eyes, struggling to see through the thick curtain of smoke. Suddenly, a brief break shows roughly two hundred and fifty armed ponies galloping, even the ones who are pegasi. "PONIES OF PONYVILLE! GET READY! JACOB AND HIS MEN HAVE ARRIVED! WE ARE SAVED!" Twilight shouts, using her magic to pull Spike close to her, who drops the gun he is holding but Satsuma quickly picks up and turning on the safety. "See, Your Majesty? Told you," He says with a slight smile, watching the duo do a little dance of joy. "Now, get inside and let them do their job, "Ma'am," He says, ushering the duo inside before any more raiders attack the princess.
10:50 PM
(Jacob's POV)
"FORWARD! FOR GOD'S SAKE, PUSH FORWARD! ANYTHING NOT A PONY, BLAST IT TO KINGDOM COME! WARRIORS OF JAPAN, BRING HONOR TO YOUR EMPEROR AND YOUR FAMILY!" I howl, unslinging my Krag rifle. Despite the age, it is well-maintained. A weapon I had discovered in the weapon's locker of one of the old four-stack destroyers I had served on. American Marines and Japanese SNLF members fix bayonets to rifles or bring their submachine guns to bear. "TENNO HEIKA BANZAI!" One Japanese soldier cries. "BANZAI!"
I can't help but grin at the roar the eighty defectors give. Not to be outdone, my Marines, some of them old China Marines, also shout a variety of words, including some very choice words involving these killers privates and a goat and a spike. I shake my head at this. 'So much for keeping language to a minimum in public,' I sigh inwardly before aiming my bolt-action rifle forward. "Make straight for the castle! Form a perimeter around the entrance. After everyone is ready, we're going to form up in a flying wedge and punch straight through those fuckers! Now, ATTACK!"
The rear of the enemy horde is shredded underneath the hail of bullets, some of the projectiles even going through several foes. Shocked, others turn around to see us punch through the smoke. I see what must be an officer try to rally a counter-attack, waving a jagged blade darkened with blood in the air. 'Prick,' I think to myself as I slow down slightly and line up my iron sights with the hideous head of the raider. I use my magic to pull the trigger, the .30-40 bullet streaking out with a bang as it travels through the air.
I watch in grim satisfaction as one of the amber eyes disappears into a thin cloud of reddish-black mist before the body topples backwards. I use my magic to operate the bolt and load a new round in, waiting for a good target as my rifle has a slow rate of fire. Suddenly a club-wielding raider lunges at me. Quickly, I use my rifle to knock the weapon aside. The creature stunned, I deliver a lunge of my own. My new-found horn plunges through fur and skin. A slight cough of blood on his lips tells me I have caused some form of massive internal damage that is certainly fatal. I toss my head to the side, flinging the corpse into a trio of archers, knocking them into the burning building they were standing behind.
Soon we reach the doors of the intact-castle. As my men form a half-circle around the entrance, pouring a steady stream of fire into the encroaching crowd of demonic raiders, I pound on the door. "PRINCESS TWILIGHT! CAN YOU GET EVERYONE READY TO MOVE? WE'RE ONLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS ONCE!" I shout, shouldering my rifle and drawing my Colt and academy saber with my magic.
Quickly the surviving members of the burning town exit the castle. I see the young alicorn and rush to her. I give as close a salute as I can mange with my weapons in hand and the situation. "Ma'am, are you and your friends ready to go?" I ask, rather eager to go. Despite their training, I know my men can only hold the enemy off for so long before running out of ammunition. Once that happens, no matter how dear each man/pony sells his life, superior numbers will triumph in close-quarter combat. "Yes. My friends and I will help the dozen Royal Guard soldiers hold the rear and protect the slowest ones," She says, her tone telling me not to push the matter any farther. "Very well. And I shall accompany you. I will not leave a single soul that can be saved behind. Just remember that we can only stop for the non-fatal wounded. If someone is killed or fatally injured, we have to leave them behind, as much as it sickens me. Understood?" I say, not caring if she technically out-ranks me. In my book, my experience greatly outranks her in this matter. She nods and I turn to my men. "GET READY! WE WENT TO HELL, NOW LET'S GO BACK FROM IT! MOVE OUT!"
Several of my Marines and SNLF are killed while leading the charge. I have Spike set their bodies on fire to destroy or at least severely damage the weapons to deny the raiders the chance to wield them. As a result, we are literally the lasts one in the charge. But not by much.
"EAT LEAD!" I scream as I fire all seven rounds as well as an already chambered round into a duo of spear-armed raiders. The first one takes a cluster of three .45 ACP rounds into the chest, thrown onto the ground with a meaty thud. The second's face is destroyed by another trio slamming into said area. I remove and drop the empty magazine and load a fresh one. "How much further?" Spike pants, slightly ahead of me. "We're almost there. See? We're running on sand now!"
A demonic howl of apparent glee causes both of us to look skywards at the duel sword-wielding manic diving at us. I spread my alicorn wings and intercept him. Knocking aside the twin curved blades being swung towards my head, I then thrust my own sword into the chest. I quickly withdraw and slice the head off for good measure, not completely trusting the thinner blade in causing enough damage. A second winged fiend grabs me from behind in a bearhug, trying to crush the air out of my lungs. I snort and deliver a kick at what tends to be a universal weak spot for males of large sizes. My guess proves right when I withdraw my rear hoof, as I am rewarded with a surprisingly high-pitch wail. Thankfully, the lack of a head caused by a swipe of my saber silences the ear-splitting shriek. I land back next to Spike.
"Whoa! That was disturbingly amazing!" The purple-and-green dragon says with awe. "I can thank Luna for that," I say, slightly pleased at the comment. I look to see everyone slowing down. "Alright go find your friends. We're at the boats. I will slow down anyone chasing us while the boats are loaded. Make sure that wounded and children get priority on the two motorized launches we brought. Pegasi who can mange should carry a pony if they can manage," I say, holstering my pistol. I drive my sword into the sand to have it with ready at a moment's notice as I grab my Krag. "Yes sir!" Spike says as he runs off, leaving me alone.
I see several ground-bound raiders ahead. I make the iron sights line up with the center of the chest of the first one before yanking the trigger. I quickly reload as fast as the bolt will allow me to do so. Before the sand completely settles from the impact of the lifeless form crashing into the beach, I fire my gun again. I am pleasantly shocked at seeing the round go through the head of a second raider and hitting what appears to be the collar-bone of a third, either killing or disabling it. To be honest, either goes for ne as the remaining two get dangerously closer. It seems that these are elite bodyguards. The shorter of the two has red and green lines tattooed on its bald head. The larger of the two seems to be the commander of the assault. 'Shit,' I think as I taken in his size. I blast the fourth and final bodyguard before a blunt club knocks the air out of me, sending me a few feet backwards after I just barely manage to grab my sword.
"That's going to leave a mark," I groan as I get up. I risk a glance over my shoulder to see that only one more trip is needed as the boats take yet another group to my battleship, now firing carefully at the fleeing transports. I look back ahead as I hear footsteps stamping towards me. I see the furious face of the fifth and final foe capable of killing anyone else glaring at me. "YOU FUCKED UP EVERYTHING! MY LIFE IS FORIETED AS THE MASTER HAD DECREED FOR FAILURE! BEFORE I GO, I SHALL DELIEVER YOUR SKULL TO HIM FOR USE AS A DRINKING MUG!"
Despite the obviously capability of the threat being followed up, I scoff. "Are you sure? I think your skull would make for a better one. Its big, and undoubtedly hollow enough to be made faster," I taunt, sword at the ready. With a roar, the commander charges at me. I barely manage to roll to the side, not seeing the backhand that throws me backwards. As I get back up on my four shaky legs, I am thankful to see that his attention is solely focused on me. Even if it means my death, I will not fail my mission! "You hit like a girl, and that is mean to girls everywhere."
The second insult drives him forward, now blinded by rage. I close my eyes, waiting for death to come to either him or me. The jarring sensation I feel from my sword causes me to open my eyes. A club lands behind the brute out of limp hands as two shocked amber eyes gaze at the hilt of the nearly buried sword he had ran into. Then the hateful gaze he delivers at me is replaced by nothingness as the glazed expression of death takes over. I manage to yank my sword out as the body falls backwards. "And good riddance," I manage to say, despite having bruised ribs.
"JACOB! COME ONE! WE GOTTA GO NOW!" I see that almost every pony is now either on the ship or riding in the boats as they make their final ferry to the ship. Only a single boat, containing Twilight and her friends, and some of my soldiers and members of the Royal Guard, remains waiting for me. I then look over my shoulder to see that behind me the remainder of the raiders, at least several thousand raiders approaching the beach. There is probably even more, judging by the size of the dust cloud their clawed feet kick up. I sheathe my blood-coated sword and grab the barrel of my Krag with my teeth before spreading my wings and fly towards the boat. The coxswain sees me and understands that he needs to get moving now. The motor whirls into action, carrying the boat into the water towards the safety that Fuso will provide. I fly overhead, ready to intercept any raider that has wings and is foolish/stupid enough to try to attack.
Only once the last of the boats have been raised and secured, and the wounded taken down to the ship's infirmary, do I land. I drop my rifle to the wooden-covered deck with a pant, exhausted as the adrenaline exits my system. "Tell Froster to cease fire. I don't give a damn if any transports escape, we got to save ammo. I bet we mostly in the clear with the main guns, but we need to preserve the6-inch shells that we probably expended a quarter of this night. And get this ship moving up the damn river to Canterlot. Go to three-fourths speed until we are cleared and then proceed at one-fourth," I swiftly order, wanting to leave the nightmarish scene ASAP. I then turn around and head to my bunk.
"IF anyone needs me, I will be asleep. Someone signal Canterlot, 'Mission Accomplished'. One last thing. Everyone, you have done this ship, the uniforms you wear, and myself proud. Everyone will get drinks on me next time we get shore leave. Goodnight all," I say, the last thing I hear before entering the forward superstructure the shouts and cheers of joy. I also hear them chanting my name. My chest fills with pride as I enter my bunk, falling asleep with my now well-used and currently sheathed academy sword attached to my belt, my Colt hanging on the small desk near the door.
April 21st
12:08 AM
Canterlot…
A wide-awake Celestia sighs with relief when she finally gets a much-hoped report from Private Burns. Using the mental link she has with her sister, the sun mare calls out. 'Twilight and her friends are safe. Jacob and his men have truly proven their loyalty as friends, have they not?'
The white alicorn waits for her younger sister to respond. In the meantime, she paces in the throne room, glad to be alone in it for once. She sighs again, knowing that she will certainly be grouchy today. In a matter of hours, she'll have to raise the sun. Those this time, both her and Luna will be in charge of Canterlot. After all, it is hard to deny that the kingdom is now in an official state of emergency.
'That is good. I shall arrive at the castle soon. I guess that is why the enemy I had been fighting at Vanhoover has finally left. Their mission has failed. Sister, you know what this means, don't you?' Luna finally replies. Celestia knows what her sister means. 'Yes, I fear that the enchantments securing his exile have finally faded. He has returned once again. But why do I have the feeling you already knew this?'
There is a pause before the doors open and an exhausted Luna arrives. Her armor has some blood, none of it hers. "On his deathbed, when he wished to speak to me alone, Starswirl told me that this would happen, as well as something else involving me. But I am not ready to talk about that, aside from reassuring you that it does not involve me dying or turning into Nightmare Moon again," The smaller alicorn reassures her older sister, nuzzling her neck with her head in affection. "Will you tell me eventually?" Celestia asks her, purple eyes staring into cerulean ones. "I promise big sister. When will Jacob and his men arrive? I wish to speak to him."
Celestia cocks her head to one side before smiling. "Right around dawn. They have to move up slowly to avoid either running aground or running out of fuel. Why?" She asks, a slight smile showing. Luna looks away. "Oh, no reason. Just want to talk and make sure he is doing better. He has seen much, after all," Luna quickly responds, remembering the conversation they had had in his room, after stopping the dreams haunting the blue alicorn and allowing him to sleep peacefully.
Celestia nods, not quite convinced. "If that is what you say. Well, I shall grab some shut-eye. I have told Cadence to be at the ready to take refugees, and have sent reservists of the Royal Guard to the rest of the major western coastal cities, and have the smaller towns and villages evacuated to the cities or the Crystal Empire, depending on which is closer for the ponies. Good night, my sister. I love you," She says, always wanting to tell her sister that any time bad events where occurring as a form of reassurance. "Good night sister. I shall watch your dreams to try to make them as peaceful as possible. I love you too," Luna replies.
As her sister leaves, the princess of the night sits on her throne, next to the one belonging to her older sister. Looking at her night sky, Luna sighs. "Oh Starswirl, why didn't you tell me more about what I would experience once I met Jacob."