(author's note: You will find that i use a shortened version of Tatiyana's name in this chapter. Anna is and Tatiyana are the same person.)
The Burning Sky
(Ponyville)
Twilight was hard pressed to teach the unicorns of Ponyville a decent amount of combat magic. Her class was quite eager to learn given the growing threat of attack. Shining Armor had dispatched a few pegasi from the royal guard to look over Ponyville and the rail lines. When they were not running the patrol, they were teaching Rainbow Dash and the others combat flying.
Granny Smith once again showed her age and years of knowledge by whipping the earth ponies into shape. Pinkie was the runner between Yulee and the matriarch of the Apple family. Yulee was giving them advanced defensive techniques given the earth ponies lacked spells or wings for easy evasion.
This whole process ground to a halt, and shifted in a matter of seconds. The news brought about the strike on Hoofington. On the side of caution the mayor had Ponyville ready just in case they struck on the same night. It was the second time within a week Luna visited Ponyville, she spent the remainder of the night watching for the enemy right alongside her subjects scheduled for watch. Yulee was a dark shape in the sky; the one constant was the breeze off her engines that kept her stationary.
The news of Hoofington’s fall was hard to take; a single train running nonstop to bring the evacuee’s broke line of sight still under attack from griffon pursuers. Yulee played the music on rigged external speakers, the music choices varied by possible threat. Yulee played the moderate threat music.
Between Luna and Twilight panic was kept to a minimum while ponies got to their assigned positions. Yulee opened up with her first salvo twenty-three seconds after everypony made it to their spots. The long range high intensity beam bathes Ponyville in a crimson light for a full second before ceasing, the heavy thunderclap that followed was cancelled out by the ear plugs that all the residents and defenders were required to wear. That didn’t stop them from feeling its heavy shudder.
Luna and Twilight both took a few minutes to get used to the small optical readout devices. Styled to look like bifocals, looking straight ahead was clear, but looking down was a semi transparent view of what Yulee was seeing on the left lens, while on the right lens was text of what Yulee was trying to pass along to them. A small microphone was strapped to the side of their left fore hoof to communicate back.
Luna flew up to meet up with Rainbow Dash while Yulee continued to pound away from long range. Her group of guards strengthened by the element of loyalty and a few resident pegasi took in the direction of the oncoming train. They stayed fast and low to the tracks to avoid being hit by the shots coming from Yulee. Yulee made it quite clear there was no such thing as brushing off a foolish mistake if they got too close.
(On the Train)
Trixie and Tatiyana were shoving their way forward on the train. Stowaways from the beginning they had two battles to fight, one against the guards and ponies that thought them the enemy, the second being the griffons that were attacking the train to get them back.
“Trixie believes that we should have stayed hidden in the freight cars until we stopped.”
Tatiyana glared at the unicorn.
“How quickly you forget the guards separated them from the train to get more speed. We would have been sitting ducks for the dogs.”
“Trixie is…”
Trixie’s statement was drowned out by a scream, and the rocking of the train from thunder. Tatiyana moved over to lean out over the railing to look back down the train. She noticed the griffons were catching back up having stalled for a moment. They took to a weaving pattern two surged ahead having spotted Tatiyana sticking out the side. Tatiyana turned to move back, looking down the tracks her eyes filled with hope. Just visible above the treetops was four glowing spires.
She just left the side of the rail when the griffon flying the inside to the train tore it away. Trixie didn’t need to be told, she was already holding the door open to the next car.
“I have some good news Trix.”
Trixie spat back clearly annoyed by the nickname.
“Do not call me that, what news could possibly be good, that Trixie’s ears would suffer the butchering of her name?”
Tatiyana spoke over her shoulder as she moved through the crowded car quickly.
“There is a cabbit class attack ship parked over our destination.”
“Trixie does not see this development as good news for her.”
Tatiyana had to be rather intimidating to a stallion who decided to try and stop them. His scarf became a noose in a matter of moments and Tatiyana brought him up to her eye level.
“Boy, I do not have the time to play. Now you are going to be a nice stallion and let us pass. Continue to harass us and you will bleed.”
Tatiyana let him go to fall on his hooves again. He scrambled out of the way as Tatiyana continued to speak.
“Trixie, your situation can be rectified by the owner of said ship.”
The next car was full of recovering guards. The aisle was clear, Trixie waited for the latest round of thunder to end before speaking to Tatiyana who once again was looking over the rail.
“The aisle is clear, if we gallop through this car I will do my best to seal the door on the far side to prevent following.”
Tatiyana turned back around.
“Well we have a big problem now. Griffons have landed on the coal tender, which means the engineer is either going to be killed or “persuaded” to stop the train. Do any of those guards in there have weapons lying within quick grab?”
“Trixie will improvise with magic; she believes our pursuers have caught up.” Tatiyana followed Trixie’s hoof to the roof of the previous car where a griffon was holding on by its claws.
“Once more I put faith in our friendship Trixie.”
Tatiyana threw the door open causing the guards to look at her, and she sprinted through with Trixie hot on her heels.
The slam of the forward car door and the sizzle of magic was all Tatiyana cared to hear before she even dared to look back. Trixie had a small sword at her hooves while her horn was busy fusing the handle on the door. The process of that left her panting for breath. She abandoned the spell when a hind hoof splintered through the door. Tatiyana grabbed the sword and kept up with Trixie as the showmare barreled through the remaining cars.
Trixie was at her limit on magic when they slammed the forward door closed and they stared at the rear of the coal tender.
Tatiyana was panting for breath; they both looked at each other sharing a smile.
“How cute, you both will pay in lashes for the friends I have lost. Lose the sword kitten, or my buddy up front kills the engineer.”
Tatiyana leaned in and spoke directly in Trixie’s ear. “Too many have paid the price for our escape, a debt neither of us can repay.”
Trixie closed her eyes briefly; her debt to pony kind was more than what her life could repay.
(Luna’s relief force)
Luna was surprised to see so many griffons committed to risking their lives. They were ignoring the passenger cars and clawing their way to the front of the train. She raised her hoof up; “Cease your magic for we are nearing and wish not for thou to hit anypony.” A question mark appeared in the right lens, it was followed by a response from Twilight. Which read; “She means for you to stop shooting at the enemy, it’s confusing as Princess Luna is still getting used to modern speech.” Yulee’s response was a simple; “Oh…sorry Princess.”
Luna smiled slightly speaking again at the tiny device on her hoof.
“Thou is forgiven, and praised for efforts thus far.”
Luna gained altitude her formation rising with her. She looked to her left and made the hoof signals to assign tasks, she did the same looking to her right. The game of chicken began, the princess took the center as the dive began, and her target was the griffon staring down the passenger cars.
Tatiyana and Trixie were still trying to figure out how they were going to cross, climb up the coal car, and attack all under the eye of the griffon that just ordered them to surrender. Trixie had just lifted a hoof to take the first step when Luna’s spell struck. It sent coal flying back at them, Tatiyana was shoved half off the side of the car. Trixie lunged after her once she recovered and the scratches she got from the chunks of coal were minor.
Tatiyana hung off the side of the first passenger car, trying to keep her feet from being dragged under the wheels. Trixie closed her eyes and tried to get footing with her three remaining hooves on the smooth metal surface littered with coal pieces. Tatiyana’s efforts to pull herself up were dragging her closer to the edge of the car as well Tatiyana lunged up with a hand to grab the railing. Three minutes later she pulled herself over the edge with Trixie’s help. She collapsed on the spot forgetting about the discomfort of the coal.
With the brief rest over they climbed over the remains of the coal in the tender. If there was a griffon watching the engineer as the first claimed, it did its job in hurting the engineer before flying off after whatever struck the coal car. The engineer was trying to add coal to the fire, but he was growing weak. The hasty bandage that was his uniform was already stained through with blood.
He picked up the load in the shovel but his strength failed him and it spilled out on the pile again. He went to reach for the shovel with his teeth once more only to have a hand take it. He looked up and Tatiyana stood there he spoke looking down at the floor.
“Just get it over with quickly.”
Trixie spoke up lifting his face with a hoof.
“You are the driver; teach me how to work this train while I fix your hind hoof. You have to stay off your hooves or you’re going to join a long list of foolish martyrs.”
The stallion blinked a few times.
“You’re the traitor, you’re Trixie…"
Trixie moved out of the way and gestured for the stallion to do the same while Tatiyana got to work feeding the boiler. She loosened the existing bandage and removed her cape. Tearing the diamond broach from it she folded it responding to the stallion.
“I’m just as much a victim of our enemy’s plans as any one of you. I’m just the focus of your attention.”
The stallion gestured over to a seat built near some hanging chains.
“Go and sit there, the chain with the black wood handle is the station bell, you’ll ring it as we pull into the station. The white handled chain is the steam whistle, go ahead and give that one four long pulls.”
Trixie made sure the stallion was laying down before moving past Tatiyana to grasp the correct chain. She had to rear up on her hind legs to grasp the chain, and pulled with the help of gravity. Tatiyana had to pause in her shoveling to cover her ears from the loud whistle.
The stallion spoke to Tatiyana next.
“That should be good enough on coal. Now the pressure gauge beside the water tube is the available drive pressure, the hotter your fire the more steam you make. You want to keep that gauge as close to the red patch without going over.”
Tatiyana interrupted the engineer.
“What happens if we go into the red?”
The engineer mimicked an explosion with his front hooves.
“The boiler begins to rupture, and depending on how bad we will probably end up bathed in superheated steam which will burn us to death.”
Tatiyana indicated the two levers near where Trixie sat.
“I take it those are the brakes.”
The engineer nodded. And pointed to another set of smaller levers near the window where Trixie sat.
“Those are the steam valves that control forward and reverse. You notice the reverse valve is closed right now, while the forward valve is wide open. Before you can shut that valve off you have to move both brake levers at least one notch back to open the bleed off valves on the drive cylinders.”
Trixie pointed ahead at the tracks.
“Trixie sees a yellow triangle to the right of the tracks.”
The engineer nodded.
“That is a rookie warning, meaning to start slowing down. You are a rookie, so move the forward drive valve down two notches once we pass the sign. Take care the handles can be warm.”
The griffons quickly retreated after having enough of a beating. The looming threat of facing unicorns or even the ship again didn’t sit well with the surviving griffons. Tatiyana tossed the shovel onto the pile once they passed the sign. She slowly unwound the hasty bandage on the engineer’s hind hoof.
“Well good news is that the bleeding has slowed, other than for the giant gash I don’t see much else wrong. Some stitches and a few nights of observation and you should be good to go. I would recommend light duty, and trying to say off that hoof. Where is the other pony that would be up here shoveling?”
The engineer looked away.
“He was carried off by the second griffon that was up here when Luna knows what hit the tender.”
Trixie glanced over and spoke an apology.
“I’m very sorry, were you two best friends?”
The engineer nodded to Trixie but pointed forwards with a forehoof.
“Eyes on the track rookie, and yes he was. He was between jobs and was using this job to help him through school. He always had something to say to keep the boredom from setting in. He never let anything stand in the way of performing his job, including a hangover from too much salt. He was a wild pony, and we were still joking about that right when those two bird brains landed. I feel sorry for his fiancee; she was supposed to marry him in 3 days.”
Trixie passed a yellow sign with a black line diagonal arrow pointing from lower left to upper right in the triangle.
“Yellow sign with diagonal line pointing to upper right, what should Trixie do?”
The engineer took a deep breath.
“Pull on the steam whistle and turn your speed down to a couple notches above closed. There is a switch ahead, right now we would switch onto the express track for Canterlot and bypass Ponyville. We need to send a pegasus ahead to throw it the other way so we enter Ponyville Station.”
Trixie pulled on the whistle after turning the valve down. The cars rattled forward like dominos, the startled reactions on both girls made the engineer laugh.
“Always gets the rookie’s on the first run, I know who Trixie is yet I would like to know your name young filly.”
Tatiyana responded to the question with a small smile.
“I’m actually a mare by your age standards, I’m Tatiyana Crescent Claw. Since we’re doing introductions why don’t you cough up your name as well?”
“Cross Buck, 2nd generation railroad worker, been driving these tracks going on 5 years now.”
“YOU…”
Trixie was once again seized the grip of fear and shook lightly, that voice belonged to only one pony. She slowly turned her head to see Rainbow Dash standing atop the pile of coal. She quickly looked back ahead thankful for Cross Buck telling her to keep her eyes on the tracks.Cross Buck looked at Rainbow Dash.
“Fly on ahead and make sure the switch is thrown in the direction that will take us into Ponyville Station. You can have your words with these two once you’re done.”
Rainbow spread her wings glaring at Trixie’s back.
“This isn’t over traitor, don’t expect a warm welcome in Ponyville.”
She flapped her wings a few times before veering to the side and rocketing ahead of the train. Trixie spoke up in the brief silence save for the huffing of the steam engine.
“Do we have to go to Ponyville Anna?”
Tatiyana responded with a grim tone.
“Unfortunately we do, but I want you to memorize this phrase. I seek political asylum within the commonwealth of Glaxia.”
Trixie set to task memorizing it as Rainbow Dash streaked back pulling a tight turn to land back on the coal pile.
“So what’s your story Tatiyana?”
Tatiyana looked up as she scooped up some coal.
“My story is simple, to go home. I was led to believe ponies were responsible for the misfortune of those that found me; they were starving so I helped them. I was okay when the first of the captured arrived, but when queen chrysalis returned from a trip to see what the elements of harmony were up to. She had somehow learned of my relationship with Cecilia Barnum. She betrayed and was holding me as a hostage in case they succeeded in restoring her crown.”
“So you were Cecy’s marefriend, the one we saw the picture of?”
Tatiyana nodded and then pointed at Trixie.
“Trixie broke me out, and has saved my life twice now. So you can imagine how I feel when you call her a traitor. I’m not asking you to trust her, I’m just asking you to keep your mouth shut when you have nothing good to say to my friends. If Trixie really wanted to, she could stand where you are right now. She could hate me for what my plan has done to her, instead she was the bigger mare in the end and chose to forgive me and offer her hoof in friendship.”
Trixie started ringing the station belle as she dropped the drive lever another notch. They passed the first defensive line, unicorns and earth ponies stared at the train as it passed. Rainbow Dash looked to the side.
“Like I said before, don’t expect a warm welcome…”
She jumped up before the roof of the station covered them. Trixie abandoned ringing the bell as Tatiyana stood at the brake levers, Trixie hopped down and moved to stick her head out, she was met the gazes of those on the platform. She anticipated and looked back at Tatiyana, the hiss of steam as she pulled the levers back and the sound of metal grinding to a stop was heard. Trixie trotted back over and hopped back up to shut the forward drive valve.
“Anna…Trixie…I want to thank you for defending me against Rainbow Dash.”
Tatiyana grunted as she picked up Cross Buck.
“Just don’t go and do something cliche, answer all questions with the phrase I told you to memorize. Cross Buck, what was the name of the pony the griffons took?”
“Soaring Thought, why are wondering about that Tatiyana?”
Tatiyana smiled; “I want to write his fiancée and tell her how thankful I am for his sacrifice.”
Tatiyana and Trixie were arrested on the spot and brought to the detention center. They were separated into different interrogation rooms. Trixie didn’t like the suppression ring on her horn; it took her primary means of defense away from her. It made her even more vulnerable which why she kept throwing nervous looks at the door or the guard standing beside it.
Tatiyana was in the corner of her room napping, she didn’t care about the guards or who was coming to talk to them. She walked under the ship, Yulee knew she was here. Cecilia would know soon enough. Her eyes opened when she heard the door open, the guard at the door shouted at her.
“On your feet, her highness Princess Luna is here to question you.”
Tatiyana looked at the princess of the night and shook her head. She got up and the guard moved towards her chair. Tatiyana was not about to sit with him staring her down.
“Princess, if you expect me to cooperate with answering your questions, your guards can either stand the post at the door. They can also stand with you, I will not have them standing beside me. If that is unacceptable I will not cooperate under any circumstances we can skip this step and I’ll be taken to my cell.”
Luna looked at the guard and with a move of her eyes to the door he understood and retook his spot beside the door. Tatiyana sat down and Luna returned her focus to the other across from her.
“Yulee has confirmed your identity as the one in the photo, but I would like to know why you helped our enemies.”
Tatiyana leaned on the table.
“When I went to sleep I was aboard a pirate cruiser heading for a meeting with Braxus. It was a meeting I was sure never to leave alive from. When I woke up I was in a cave, and had insect like ponies tending or guarding me. Their leader or queen as she refers herself asked who I was and what I was doing in her hive. When I could offer her no explanation she asked what I knew how to do, and I told her that I was doctor and former soldier.”
Luna heard the entire story, but it also cast light to a severe threat to the safety of the town. Luna stood up as did Tatiyana, Luna gestured to the door.
“I cannot allow you to leave town, I have asked Yulee to ensure you don’t leave. However, if I may be bold in asking for a favor in lending your services of being a physician to my subjects.”
Tatiyana nodded her approval as she slid her chair in.
“I give my word not to leave town, I will use my skills for your subjects once I have brushed over medical journals on anatomy. I have one question for you if I may ask it.”
Luna paused and turned.
“You may ask.”
“What fate will Trixie suffer?”
“My sister believes her story, tragic it is that she was so easily tempted. However, her fate is nothing we can stop as she willingly agreed with Chrysalis. In one day she will turn to stone, there is nothing we can do to stop it short of using the elements of harmony. We cannot risk using the elements since it might be the last time they can be used with harmony broken in our world. Since I cannot guarantee her safety she must remain here for her own safety.”
Tatiyana shook her head.
“She will leave with me, if you cannot control your subjects. I will with my claws, there are many non lethal ways to make a point.”
“I will not condone violence towards my subjects either Tatiyana…”
Tatiyana pushed her face right into Luna’s.
“No more than I will condone my friend to spend out her final hours in a cage. I will be waiting for her at the door.”
Tatiyana felt the hooves the guard touch her, and whirling around her fist dented the side of his helmet. It did no physical damage to him other than temporary dizziness. Tatiyana however held her hand; it was already starting to swell. With a hiss through clenched teeth and walked out the door.
Luna looked at her guard showing some concern for his welfare.
“Are you okay?”
The guard stood up straight and responded quickly.
“I am fine, it will take more than that to put me out of commission your highness.”
“Then once you see to Trixie’s release I wish for a second opinion, see your detail medical officer. With their written word that you are fine I will allow you to return to your post.”
The guard stamped his salute and moved on as Luna stepped into the hall; Celestia was waiting there for her. Celestia gave her younger sister a hug and warm smile of support. Luna was thankful for both.
“I could have wished for a happier ending to that meeting.”
Celestia shook her head with her eyes closed before opening her eyes again.
“Luna, you yourself have felt the touch of friendship. Tatiyana is clearly affected by the news of Trixie’s fate, would you not feel the same if it was any of your friends in that position?”
“Tia…I have a bad feeling about this. There is something different in her eyes, a terrible sadness hidden under the anger she shields her true self with.”
“We both get that haunt in our eyes Luna, when we think about the past and the ponies we have known. Some things you cannot hide behind the mask completely. I have to return to Canterlot, will you be returning with me?”
Luna shook her head, the white specks in her mane seemed to dull a bit.
“I wish to remain here, even if the warning from Cecy is overdue. The willingness in those griffons to get so close to Ponyville worries me; I believe the attack to come soon.”
Celestia looked at her escort.
“I leave you to look after my sister, do whatever she asks of you as if it were me.”
Celestia’s horn lit and with a last smile directed at her sister the glow grew till the faint pop of her teleporting was heard.
Trixie and Tatiyana laughed right along with Pinkie at the latest round of ponies to attempt throwing rotten food at them. Somewhere along the line the pink pony joined in the dodging thinking it was something fun to do. Even though the insults shouted didn’t seem real nice, Anna or Trixie didn’t seem to care so neither would she.
“You’re new around here Tatiyana; I need to throw you a party. Do you mind having your “welcome back to Ponyville” party rolled into the same event Trixie?”
Trixie shook her head.
“Trixie does not require a party; in fact she wishes you wouldn’t throw one. If you want to honor me with anything, be here for Tatiyana at sunset tomorrow.”
“Okie Dokie, I’ll see if my friends will come too.”
Tatiyana dodged a head of lettuce and the game was on again. This time Tatiyana wasn’t letting the insults go unchallenged, she was insulting their aim. She insulted their ability to defend their village if they couldn’t hit two wide open targets with nowhere to go. After that insult they began to hit their marks, but on the same token Tatiyana began to throw back until they got just as good at dodging her throws.
When everypony and Tatiyana finally wore through their energy and anger it was without a doubt the messiest Ponyville had ever looked. Tatiyana, Trixie, and Pinkie finished their laughing at the whole spectacle. They started cleaning up the mess, they righted empty trash cans from which ammunition came from. Lyra and Bon Bon were next to start helping to clean up, and after an hour most of those that were throwing things were helping to clean up the mess they all made. It was a silent affair, not a word spoken until it was done. The buildings would need washed, but that could wait.
Tatiyana climbed up on the rim of the fountain and spoke.
“I don’t care what your opinions of me or my friend Trixie are. I have only a short time left with her, so as a doctor and as a friend I prescribed the best medicine to help us both cope. We laughed at your hatred confident that we alone know the truth of our innocence. We insulted your aim until you proved you could throw; we threw until you proved you can dodge. In the end we doomed ourselves to clean up having participated yet for some of you there was a smile. You select few had forgotten and were having fun; you forgot why you hated me or Trixie. That was friendship in its finest hour.”
Tatiyana hopped down off the fountain to continue. While a few ponies cheered quickly quieting so they could hear her speaking again.
“Princess Luna claims that harmony is broken, I think she is full of feathers. You can spread word to every stallion or mare capable of standing the line, you tell them to stop cowering in their homes. Tell them that if they want to be free they come here. You tell the displaced that if they want their homes back they come here. If you do that, if you can prove your princess wrong, then the army that breaks through the trees will not meet a meager few hundred. They will meet thousands of ponies, ready to take back what is theirs. They will run as the very ground trembles from the harmony of a thousand hooves.”
Tatiyana finished her circuit through the crowd to collect Trixie, and they walked back towards the detention center. Unfortunately it was the place they were assigned to sleep, but the good news was there would be no locked doors.
Tatiyana was impressed as more ponies began showing up throughout the day, slinging off saddle bags and asking where to be put. Tatiyana watched them cycle through the library as she skimmed over book after book on pony anatomy and common medical practices. She passed the small exam at the hospital, and spent the afternoon doing rounds. The fillies and colts loved her and hated to see her have to leave.
Tatiyana asked around to try and find Trixie, Tatiyana was lead all over Ponyville to finally end back at the train station. The train hadn’t moved since they brought it in, and searching car by car she eventually found her. The basket of food she was carrying dropped to the floor of the locomotive.
The worst sounding scream pierced the evening, and per usual Rainbow Dash was first on scene. She approached the locomotive cautiously seeing the spilled food. She poked her head around slowly to see a dark mass shaking over on the far side of the space. Her ears registered crying, and the sound of approaching hooves.
“Hey is everything okay in there?”
Tatiyana leaned back up doing her best to compose herself.
“N…no…she’s gone…she left without letting me say goodbye…”
Rainbow Dash’s gut twisted a bit knowing Anna’s voice.
“I’ll be right back, I’m going to go get some help okay?”
“It won’t do any good Rainbow Dash.”
The area lit up as Luna cast an illumination spell, and she approached the opening.
“Tatiyana, I’m very sorry, would you like some help getting her out?”
Rainbow Dash took wing and hovering up she looked in through the back, and her gut twisted the other way. Trixie was a stone statue, looking to be sleeping peacefully. Tatiyana responded to Luna’s question.
“Yes please, I’m sorry if I caused undue panic.”
Rainbow Dash landed and approached Tatiyana as Trixie was lifted into the air by Luna’s magic. What the rainbow mare never expected was how tight she could hug. Rainbow just stood there saying nothing, nothing could be said to make it feel better. She spied a folded piece of parchment underneath where Trixie was.
“C’mon, let’s get you over to the library.”
Ponies stopped along the street, to bow their heads out of respect. Not so much to honor the princess, but for the dead. That all changed as music started blaring, and that was followed by the light of Yulee’s close in rapid fire weapons pounded the boarder of the forest. Luna set Trixie down beside the fountain. She needed not make a command as the brilliant organization skills of Twilight already had ponies going to their assigned spots.
Suicide changelings were dive bombing Yulee, sheer numbers alone where winning in their favor. Rainbow Dash led her pegasi up to assist, but another problem presented itself for which Luna could help. The problem being the changelings changing into their attackers, a spell Luna developed after the failed invasion of Canterlot using some of the principles of Shining Armors shield spell burst forth from her horn. It did not bar the entry of changelings, it just nullified their ability to shape shift within the sphere.
This development brought attention to her, and a group separated off and began streaking for her. The two guards with her made short work of them. Twilight came galloping up to her, Spike hanging on for dear life while Twilight levitated a scroll.
“Princess Luna, Canterlot is under attack as we speak. The northern lines broke; the griffons will be here by early morning.”
“We will not abandon the line we have drawn Twilight Sparkle, we must do what we can to conserve the strength in our defenders while we wait for the real fight to begin.”
“With all due respect your highness; even in perfect conditions we are grossly outmatched.”
Luna’s aggravation surfaced a bit as she glared at Twilight.
“What would you have me do Twilight Sparkle; I cannot conjure up ponies out of thin air to hold the line. Even if I could do such a thing it would be a violation of ethics to create life for the sole purpose of destruction.”
Twilight’s ears flipped back for a moment hearing the tone of her princess. She hung her head, and her whole body tensed hearing and then seeing Luna’s hoof closer. Luna spoke as she laid her head over the top of Twilight’s.
“I apologize for my tone of voice, I should have known you would be afraid in this battle. You were nervous when you faced me, until your friends showed up. You are not alone in fighting this battle Twilight, I am here, you’re friends are here, and new friends that you have made are lending their aide as well. We have drawn the line in the sand; we must be willing to give everything to holding it. I want you to draft and send a friendship report to my sister, this is an order you follow before any other task. Have no regrets and hold nothing back Twilight Sparkle, you have more than earned your place in history and the hearts of many.”
(Canterlot)
Princess Celestia stood upon the battlements; she could not give enough praise to Shining Armor for his talented role in defending Canterlot as the guard held against griffon waves. His fall would be the hardest to take by Cadence and Twilight once both began to inquire about his well being. However her purpose for this pause in her fighting was to observe the flashes coming from Ponyville, and read the scroll bearing her faithful students seal.
Dear Princess Celestia
I have learned the meaning behind Cecilia’s first words to the ponies of Ponyville. The real monsters of this war were not the enemies we face, but hatred that was left to corrupt the friendships made. The foolishness of our enemies was the rejection of the helping hand offered blindly, and we are just as guilty in judging those we thought guilty without really knowing their story. I do not know what brought about the change in Trixie, but the last thing she said to me was a warning. She told me that if I sought to be as good and wise as a princess, that I would lose more than I have gained. I disagreed with her and she merely smiled and told me to ask you or Luna if you had more as fillies than you do as mares bearing the responsibilities of Equestria.
I only agree now having taken the time to really think on it. Even as my mentor our time together was always controlled and planned out. Necessity of a kingdom took the ability from your hooves to go where you wanted or visit anyone you pleased. Lessons were ended early whenever an irritated ambassador showed up out of the blue, I was just a filly then but now I can look back at that moment and see through your smile. I can see the disappointment in your eyes that you had cut short teaching me.
Thank you for saving me from that disappointment. It is no secret how much I look up to you, setting me on the path to stop Nightmare Moon changed that forever. I’m content with my responsibilities here in Ponyville, I’ve got to do more here than I could have ever dreamed of in Canterlot. As this may be the last time you hear from me, thank you for what you have done for me in both leadership and in teaching me to be a responsible mare. I leave you with my lesson in friendship.
The lesson I have learned about friendship is that it stands on par with love. It spans species and worlds all across dimensional universes; it even affects divine beings as well. Like love it can change a pony who finds a friend for the first time, or break a pony that loses a friend to any number of ways. I am a testament to the change for the better, where as Tatiyana is a testament to the pain of losing a friend. The magic of friendship is the sharing of all elements of harmony, elements that every pony possesses. Some elements of it are stronger than others to the individual. The sixth element in friendship is connection, the magic that happens when you earn friendship from another. It is a bond that is never forgotten between those that share it, and will last a lifetime with proper care.
Thank you for all that you have done for me, I hope for us to meet again under a peaceful sky.
Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle
Celestia sent the letter to her room, and looked again at Ponyville. A few buildings were burning now, which was good considering Canterlot had a few more burning buildings. Tatiyana’s words at the fountain had spread to Canterlot quickly, and every able stallion or mare was out fighting. Celestia could not understand how shopkeepers with no talent or training could honestly turn the waves of griffons attacking the capital. Yet she was bearing witness to her student’s words, that even basic unicorn levitation could be turned to a weapon in their darkest hour. She looked left and right at her two escorts; they were young mares from a noble family of Cloudsdale.
“Winter Chill, Black Cloud…I wish to thank you for taking the place of my guards. They would have been most upset to know that I was unprotected, and I wouldn’t want them worrying after they gave their lives in that service.”
Black Cloud looked up at Celestia.
“It’s what friends do, it looked to us that you needed a friend when you lost them.”
Winter Chill shook her head.
“Sis is too kind with her words Princess Celestia…”
The roar of an approaching griffon sent chills down Winter Chill's spine. Celestia’s horn flared to life, she opened her eyes filled with anger. The spell was overkill, the cinders that was once a griffon sprinkled around them winking out. Celestia looked at Winter Chill.
“You will stay by my side, as will your sister in the purpose of friendship if guardian is something you cannot do.”
Winter Chill nodded her head.
“Y…yes Princess Celestia…”
Celestia turned her head to the sound of a massive roar. It was no griffon roar, in fact the group of griffons coming to blindside them was split up as a massive dragon tackled one in midair. Two other dragons flying in the same formation shot deadly flames at the fleeing two griffons. She turned completely around to look behind her and the sky was filled with dragons, some were carrying Minotaur passengers that were descending to land on the various battlements of the castle. This was all put into startling light as the heavy magic of a dragon Celestia knew used the star seed spell above Canterlot.
The royal guard and the defending ponies of Canterlot cheered as the hundreds of dragons began turning the tide of the fight. There was fire in the sky everywhere, and Celestia spread her wings as did her two followers and they took off following Celestia’s lead.
(Ponyville)
Twilight raced ahead to turn and fire off spells to cover Fluttershy and a few others that were retreating back to the secondary battle lines. Spells zoomed by her along with other thrown projectiles by earth ponies and grounded pegasi. Yulee was trying to pound the advancement, but for every shot at them she had to adjust and take out seven or more kamikaze changelings’ hell bent like the others to push her out of the sky.
This tactic worked for two blocks giving the slow moving Fluttershy a chance. She was burdened with an injured stallion, and two others with her couldn’t see due to bandage wrappings. They were being led by her tail, now in view of the secondary lines Twilight could relax just a little. Instead of heavy taxing spells, she could use lighter more focused spells. She had passed her limit long ago and was running on pure will to survive. Each spell had to be dredged from a stubborn store of magic, and after each spell she had to battle to stay conscious. Little did she know that store of magic was her very life.
So it came as a great surprise to her when her last spell took out several enemies charging the line. That afterwards she fell over, she was dead before the first unicorn could get to her. The young nurse removed the glasses and the other items setting them aside. The text wrote itself out slowly on the right lens of Luna’s glasses. Luna fell a bit since her wings locked for a brief moment.
“Twilight Sparkle is dead.”
Luna glanced around hoping one didn’t see her, that was wishful thinking as Rainbow Dash pulled up beside her from her blind spot.
“Luna, what the heck just happened? You’ve been flying circles around me since you got up here. That was a foal’s mistake just now.”
“Twilight is dead…”
It was all Luna could choke out, it was all Rainbow Dash needed to hear. With a powerful flap of her wings she sped ahead of Luna to block her path and force the alicorn princess of the night to hover in front of her. Rainbow did the one thing that was needed of her; she gave Luna a hug despite how it would look. If any pony ever accused her of being soft for this moment, she would knock their teeth out. She pulled back out of the hug and lifted a hoof to raise Luna’s head to her eyes, she ignored the tears that hung under the princesses eyes.
“I’m not much good with the sappy stuff so I’ll cut to chase. Egghead was all about checklists; well we have a box still blank that needs a check mark. So despite how we feel right now, we can cry later once that part of the list is accomplished to her satisfaction. So let’s suck it up and clear the sky so we can get down there and help our friends on the ground buck these fools back to the Everfree where they belong.”
Luna reached up with a dirty hoof to wipe the tears from her eyes, and set a weak smile on her face despite her mood. She checked the position of the moon and with more effort than she was used to lowered it to make way for the dawn that spread it warm light. It also brought with it her sister. Celestia was leading a huge number of dragons. They began to separate into groups, and attacked the griffons and changelings with the same fierceness they held in Canterlot.
Celestia came to a stop before her sister and Rainbow Dash.
“Cecilia’s friends have liberated Canterlot; apparently even I misunderstood the magic that friendship has. How is my faithful student holding up, I would love to tell her about how well her lessons impacted Cecilia?”
Luna couldn’t look at her sister, instead she fled to the ground. A look of hurt crossed Celestia’s face before she turned to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash shook her head and looked at the two pegasi with Celestia, Dash knew their names and the family they came from.
“Come with me then Princess, I’ll take you to her.”
They landed amidst cheering as the remaining enemies fled back to the forest or underground. A hushed question asked by Rainbow to Rarity, the fashionista nodded and led them to town hall. Around the building were rows of covered bodies. Some were uncovered and had family weeping around them. Rainbow paused seeing Dinky sitting in front of her mother, she looked so alone trying hard to cope with what she was seeing a forced to understand. Ditzy had saved Rainbow Dash in a clumsy sort of way, in other words a mistake sent her careening into the griffon that had the angle on Dash.
Rainbow Dash felt the pull in her chest, and looking at Rarity she understood with a little wave of her hoof Rainbow moved to sit with Dinky. The little unicorn filly just started crying all over again burying herself in the chest of Dash. Celestia had to turn away; she faced so much heartache in Canterlot already. This was more added torture, and thankfully Rarity picked up on it and started moving again in which the princess gladly followed. Her two escorts hung back, and quickly flew off another direction. Celestia turned and eye to their retreating forms, a silent thanks went unanswered as she turned back to follow the element of generosity.
They entered town hall and moved past more rows, Luna’s two guards moved aside at the staircase after respectful bows to the princess. They climbed the steps to the sound of a sad violin, Rarity turned into the Mayor’s lounge, and trotted ahead to help Fluttershy and Luna console Pinkie. Celestia entered after her, and the impact made her legs weak. She stumbled and barely caught herself; among a sea of flowers was her beloved student. Resting beside Twilight was Applejack, Big Macintosh did not cry, but he was visibly mourning his sister. Applebloom on the other hoof was asleep at his hooves, she had been crying given the mess on her face. She had her sisters trademark hat in her forehooves.
Celestia pulled her student close to her with her magic; there were others before her that she mourned as well. They were not Twilight Sparkle though; they didn’t do the one thing that made her stand out above them all. Twilight had bestowed upon her the honor of being like a second mother to her, and it tore apart any emotional control Celestia had left. The scream of anguish escaped her deafening the room with its volume; it traveled with clarity through to the outside. It woke Applebloom to start crying all over again. Never since they were fillies had Luna ever seen her sister lose control like that, it made the impact of such a pony all the greater. Twilight had gained immortality through their hearts, and through the memories her friends would share to others.
“What in tarnation is all the screaming about?”
Rarity shot a glance to where Applejack had laid a moment ago, and sitting up rubbing her temples with hooves was the orange mare. Applejack still looked worn, but there was life in her eyes again. Applejack saw joy cascading onto the faces of her friends.
“I reckin I have ta explain since Twi here is still out.”
Twilight whispered into Celestia’s ear.
“Friendship at its finest hour is all you need to know.”
Celestia jerked her head back still holding onto Twilight, Twilight opened her eyes looking tired as Applejack. Outside more screams of joy began punctuating the silence. Rainbow Dash splinted the door off its hinges.
“What the hay is going on, the dead are supposed to be ya know dead.”
“You have yourself to thank for this Rainbow Dash, as do others who aided the return to my throne.”
Cecilia came inside the room, she was a lot smaller than they remembered. Then again it was probably to fit into the dress they saw in her study on their first visit to Yulee.
“You know a little warning would have been nice. Where were you anyways, you said you would be here for the fight.”
Cecilia smiled turning to glance at Dash since she was now behind her.
“You have a heartbeat Dash; therefore I am there always in spirit. I was directly involved in bringing the aide you so needed to push your attackers back into the trees after liberating Canterlot. I have worked nonstop in rekindling the old alliances with Equestria’s neighbors, actions your princesses could not do since they were busy trying to save what they had left.”
Cecilia turned to look directly at Celestia.
“You know what’s like to have a sister turn against you.”
Cecilia looked at Luna.
“You know how it feels to see those actions after the fact. You claimed we didn’t have much in common when you agreed to help. The fact of the matter is you couldn’t have been more wrong. I didn’t do my job, which is just as upsetting as eternal night to Equestria.”
Cecilia looked back at Celestia.
“When you share the top, there is no option of banishment. My sister can only stand so many imbalances before she has to act. That action is my destruction and appointing another my crown. The turmoil is doubled in the fact we both gave our word to our mother that we wouldn’t fight amongst ourselves. Tripled in the fact she was killing not only her twin, but my parents pride and joy.”
Cecilia looked at the others in the room.
“Imbalances are shouldered by you just as they are by those of divinity. Wars escalate, plagues of disease and other types intensify. Those hardships fall upon you, and they affect us as those who believe in us turn their backs or die. Jezabelle put her faith in you to fix my problem, in doing so she put a time bomb in your presence. It went off early do to the fact she botched Tatiyana’s arrival right into the hands of those who would feed off the imbalance. My blissful ignorance is over, the gravity of which you suffered is staggering, none of you will place a single thought of blame upon my sister. It was my failure that brought this upon your lives. I was happy she allowed me to fix what I broke, what I can’t fix is how the truth will make you all feel.”
Cecilia looked at Tatiyana.
“You purpose for being brought here is the fact you still hold a piece of me…”
Tatiyana spoke up to interrupt Cecilia.
“To what end do you wish this truth to accomplish?”
Tatiyana set her violin down on the chair and walked over to Cecilia. Anna removed the crown and set it aside. It vanished shortly after along with the dress as Cecilia returned to her normal size with her uniform on.
“You used to smile when you see me. Cecilia, I regret leaving as much as you begged me to stay. I made a promise to my brother, and I was too late for him by months. I want to pick back up where we left off on our relationship, and this time I promise that if I have to go anywhere you go with me.”
A forced clearing of the throat brought the attention of everyone to the door. Trixie looked at Cecilia and shook her head.
“Yulee wishes for me to inform you that you both talk too much. All the romance novels that Rarity suggested had nowhere near this much talking when a scene like this presented itself. As a showpony I must agree with her.”
Cecilia looked back at Tatiyana.
“Rarity has quite the hoof in things. She told me I could change the outcome."
Tatiyana gestured to the watching Twilight and Applejack.
"I'm sure Applejack and Twilight are not complaining, thanks for helping out Trixie."
"I'm sure you'll need their help Anna, you see I plan to ask for a bigger piece from you. Tatiyana Crescent Claw..."
Cecilia reached into her pocket and withdrew a ring, she spoke as she slid it onto Tatiyana's finger.
"I ask for your hand in marriage,no matter where we end up it will be home so long as we are together."
Tatiyana looked at the ring that seemed to shine with an internal light.
"Yes...of course i will."
They finally kissed, and Rainbow sighed.
"Get a room your two, fillies are present."
Without breaking the kiss, Cecilia brought her hand up to her head. Setting her crown back in place she snapped her fingers and everypony was standing outside town hall.