The princesses gathered around the map, examining their options. Tomorrow they would battle the Dark Lord in the decisive battle. The fate of all of Equestria hung in the balance. Whether Equestria continued to be a land of friendship and harmony or slip into the black night would be decided upon the fields of tomorrow.
Celestia finally spoke. "It is not good. We are outgunned, outmanned, outnumbered, outplanned. Tomorrow will be our last stand."
"There must be something we can do sister?" asked Luna.
"I don't believe there is anything that will turn the tide," replied Celestia.
"Even if I could spare the troops, they wouldn't arrive for several days," noted Cadence.
Finally, after not wanting to admit the inevitable, Celestia said with a heavy sigh, "Equestria is lost. The best thing we can hope for is a strong rear-guard action. They will be cut to pieces, but will allow our forces to flee to Griffonstone and Saddle Arabia. They can join those armies and keep the rest of the world safe... for a while."
Thinking long and hard, Twilight suddenly got an idea. "I have a plan."
***
The Dark Lord examined his forces, arrayed in battle formation ready to defeat - no slaughter - those of Celestia. His archers stood poised with iron-tipped arrows. His infantry formed into thick columns, razor-sharp swords ready to cut down the Equestrian Army. The lancers were anxious for battle. So too were the fusiliers, grenadiers, dragoons, pike ponies, knights, and mercenaries at his disposal. Rivers of blood would run across the fields. The hour of carnage was at hoof.
Slowly columns marched over the horizon and moved into formations to accept battle. The ragged, decimated army stood no chance of victory. Still they would fight. The Dark Lord planned to give them a quick death.
The ground began to tremble and a rumble came from over the horizon. Suddenly pink soldiers came over the hillside. First there were dozens, then hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands, all shouting "Fun! Fun! Fun!" The Dark Lord's heart was filled with dread and the forces of Equestria charged at him....
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