As Twilight and I arrive at the throne room both of us out of breath from having run the majority of the length of the castle we are quickly seen in by the guard stationed outside its massive doors. Upon entering the throne room we are greeted by Celestia sitting upon her throne in all of her regal glory.
"Twilight, Prism. Thank you both for coming so quickly. The news I bear is both good and bad respectively. Scouts sent out towards my brothers last known location came back telling of the complete destruction of Appleloosa. Both ponies and buffalo have been completely wiped out along with several dozen gryphons I had personally given leave to roost in the nearby mountains. The scene was reported as 'one of utter devastation and carnage'. My brother was also not found at all even after extensive searches of both the ruins and the surrounding area. The only good news that comes from this is that for the moment his march towards Ponyville and eventually Canterlot has stopped, but what is bad about that is that he has disappeared completely."
Both me and Twilight just stand there letting all of that sink in neither of us moving or even speaking for several minutes. Twilight is the first to break the silence by speaking though.
"Well I'm glad that Ponyville and all my friends there are safe but, like you I am concerned that he has just disappeared. He could be anywhere now doing only Faust knows what." Twilight says more than a little worried. though Celestia stops her before her mind can get to far.
"Do not worry to much. all that can be done to prepare has been. I have personally sent out declarations of evacuation to many of the small towns asking that they go to the larger cities where there are already larger guard forces along with asking the larger cities to host said refugees. Letters of warning were sent to Princess Cadence and your brother Shining Armour and the Crystal empires defensive barrier has been put up. Our main fear here is that our brother either by choice or by some machinations has joined forces with another and may very well attack Canterlot in order to get at us-."
Celestia is cut off there as the throne room is suddenly filled with deep maniacal laughter. "How very astute of you Celestia." the voice booms from the very shadows that seem to be slowly creeping towards the center of the room.
After all the shadows in the room have pooled in the center of the room a Dragon's head slowly rises from it dripping darkness like it was made of liquid. Its eyes slowly open revealing two red orbs of pure malice floating in its black ooze like head. it lets off a deeply unsettling cackle before continuing to speak "I have forced two of my minions to work together for my benefit. Your brother is a fine tool of destruction but I see that he has need of direction and so I have provided that for him. Enjoy this small reprieve from the destruction of your land, for when my minions strike next it shall be your end-"
Before it can continue on with its rant Celestia blasts it with a lance of pure solar magic from her horn. Celestia then calls for several aids to which she begins to bark out orders with such fluidity and precision that I am left awed. "Send out another notice to have the evacuations sped up. If anypony refuses to go have them forced to do so." She quips to a light orange earth pony mare who then runs off to do as bidden Celestia though continuing on without even stopping. " I wan't every available guard either protecting the major cities or Canterlot itself" Another mare this one a lime green pegasus goes flying off out one of the windows to the barracks to inform the current head captain. "I want all of our allies contacted. Offer whatever amounts of gold, silver, metals or minerals needed to gain their support. I have the feeling we are going to need it." Another mare this one a unicorn simply teleports away to do as commanded. Finally she turns to me and Twilight. "Prism. I know you have sworn yourself to my sister but I would like you to stay here and help with the defense of Canterlot." when I nod in reply she then speaks to Twilight. "Twilight. I would like you to take your friends to Ponyville and move all of the citizens inside of your castle and await the all clear from us."
Twilight's reaction to this is not what I expect nor what Celestia expect by her reaction it it as Twilight very firmly states. "No" The shocked look on Celestia's face is absolutely priceless though Twilight does continue on before she can be interrupted. "I won't simply run and hide like last time. This time I'm going to stand and fight for my home, for my friends and for what I believe in and I promise you there is nothing you can say that is going to change my mind" by the end of her short speech Twilight has managed to make herself look rather imposing having puffed out her chest and spread her wings all the while holding her head up high.
Celestia finally breaking out of her shocked confusion smiles softly. "I understand Twilight. I keep forgetting that despite your young age, you are every bit an Alicorn Princess. Your drive to protect our little ponies is every bit as strong as mine if not stronger due to the nature of your ascension." Celestia finishes with a slight sigh though she is smiling. "Alright Princess Twilight do what you and your friends can to help in the defense of Canterlot. I shall send an extra contingent of guards to Ponyville to ensure that the citizens are safely moved to your castle." With A nod and smile from Twilight in confirmation we are both dismissed to inform our shared friends of the situation.