//------------------------------//
// Act 1 Part 9 
// Story: Destined Stars Act 1 - Of Stars and Runes 
// by Velvet-Fresh 
//------------------------------//

Part 9 [Wartime-Martial Law of Equestria]

Twilight couldn't believe what she heard, neither did her friends. Her mentor; Celestia instead of compromising already decided their course of action, by going to war. Luna was equally shocked, but knew it was inevitable but she scowls at her sister's deceleration "Martial law? Sister is that really necessary?" she inquired earning a sigh from the elder diarch "I'm sorry to say Luna, it is. For the safety of my ponies." Luna scowls but made no further comments, Twilight still unsure steps forward "Princess? is war really the answer? maybe we can speak to the king, he'll see reason." Celestia could only give her a sad smile "Twilight, I'm sorry to say, King Talon won't listen even if we tried.. I know he's innocent but he's too stubborn and i fear he played into his real culprit's claws. He'll believe the lies of his fellow griffons and will see us capturing his general as an Act of war. I intend to end what they started." her tone was deadly serious, Twilight backed up, shocked at what she heard. But she has no say in the matter, her friends just as equally shocked.. "a.. War? t-tha.. why can't we try to be their friends?!" Pinkie asked, uncharacteristically angry. "Pinkie! Not now!" the girls try to calm her down. 

"I'm sorry My Little Ponies, but I made up my mind. The Griffons are fully intent in inciting a war, we all must prepare for it. Go home, rebuild. I'll send notices around the cities and towns soon, and I will need to hold a conference with my officers. Return home Twilight, be with your friends, and I hope you girls need not worry in getting involved in this conflict." Twilight would want to argue, but she knew she's no soldier but she's sure there must be another way. She sighs and nods "Of course Princess, come on girls. Let's go home." Pinkie could only glare into the floor as she gives a snort, walking into Twilight with the others as she leaves, Luna could only watch silently as she ponders these grims times. She gives her sister a knowing nod as she heads out to prepare her thestrals for the coming times.

One train ride later, Twilight went back home as her friends went their separate ways, she steps in and checks in to see if Spike is alright, letting him rest after the ordeal earlier that day. "Don't worry about me Spike, I'm sorry i wasn't here when they attacked, I'm just glad you are alright."  Spike just waves her off "I'm fine, i hid in the basement. They don't check everywhere" he explains with a smile, giving him a hug she went back out to check on everypony before she can look into how she can help with the 'war'. She saw a commotion infront of sugarcube corner, going closer made her see what it was. Royal Guards loudly ordering around and she frowns as they shoved a pony aside. "HEY! you could say excuse me!" she scolded, making them scoff and glare "we're informed it,s martial law, our word is law here. We're instructed to keep order here, go back indoors young lady." one of them sternly ordered her, before going on his way on a patrol glaring and shouting ponies away. Scowling she enters Sugarcube to check on Pinkie. Smiling at the sight of a small celebration where ponies rejoice their victory and escape from the Griffon's clutches, her smile grows wider at the sight of her friends all gathered, she went to join them "Hello girls, i came to see how's everyone doing." they greeted her back with smiles and affirmations. 

Dash spoke up "It's kinda fast for the guards to take over, ordering everypony like they own the place" she scoffed but couldn't complain too much. "Is this really a good idea Twi?" she sighed "I don't know Rainbow, but I hope the Princess know what she's doing.." even she felt uncertain about the whole situation. They converse and plan on how they can handle the whole thing, but soon they all heard a big commotion going outside. "What in Celestia's mane is going on?" Rarity asked no one particular as the girls get off their booth, Twilight looks over "Lets go look" she steps forward, her friends then soon join her before they step outside to see what's the matter now.

It's the guards again, now they're harassing the merchants. "Why would we need to pay, your supplies is for a good cause. Our cause so we can keep you safe during the upcoming war." the arrogant soldier claimed, but the merchant was adamant "I still need business to keep my own family fed and house, maybe a discount instead sirs?" she tried to be reasonable "Give us your wares, we can arrest you because it is in our power and right to do so!" the surrounding ponies gasp at the blunt boldness they witnessed. She glared "Please be reasonable sirs, I -" she didn't finish her sentence as the rude soldier knock her stall aside "We can, and WILL arrest you for obstructing us" he grins mischievously, Twilight frowned and strut ahead the crowd. "Leave her alone!" he scowled back at her "you again, go away. This is none of your business" Twilight's friends came out, Dash going forward "It is if your trying to be a bully to our neighbors buddy." AJ scowled "all we can see ya'll just try to bully a poor mare out of business. War or not, we still need a profit" she snort. They dangerously go forward, glaring at the girls "You 6 are obstructing on war efforts, go away or we will use force and restrain you!" "Come get us if you dare!" "Dash, please. Don't antagonize them, but you two. What you're doing isn't right.. I can and WILL tell the Princess of your behavior!" this made this aggressively step forward, the girls surround Twilight getting into defensive stance. "Oh, you won't be able to, our word will get to her first." He sneers with a grin, pointing his staff at her "Get them!" the other guards sprang into action.