Rainbow Dash and Firestorm dodged tree after tree at breakneck speeds as they made the journey to Zecora's hut, neither made a sound for fear of alerting a patrolling changeling of their presence, but that didn't keep Firestorm from being impressed, he was flying as fast as he dared but he had no doubt Rainbow was pacing to match him, she flew with a grace Firestorm had only seen from the Wonderbolts and the Princesses. Rainbow stopped suddenly enough that Firestorm had to swerve to avoid hitting the mare.
"Rainbow? Why did you stop?" Firestorm didn't need an answer from his companion, before the pair was what once must have been a cottage, the burned out shell could hardly be called such now however. "I take it this was Zecora's house?"
"Yah", Rainbow's expression was filled with equal parts fear, despair, and shock. "I can't believe the changelings got to her, and I didn't even know about it. Some element of loyalty I am."
"Don't kick yourself over this, in the Guard you have to learn quick that you can't predict everything, some things aren't in our control. Besides, you said she was a zebra right? Well the zebras I've met were a lot tougher than they looked, let's comb the area, she could be alive."
"You're right. Sorry for getting all mopey there."
"Nothing to apologize for." The two began to search the area surrounding the ruined hut in silence, each occupied with the search as well as their own private thoughts about the trials to come. After several minutes of searching Rainbow found what she was looking for, a patch of white and black a midst the debris. Rainbow called over Firestorm and took a deep breath before lifting the charred wood covering the zebra and facing whatever fate could have befallen her friend.
"Ah a sight I dared not hope again to see, a friendly face in the everfree."
"Zercora! You're alive! Don't worry, we're here to get you to safety."
"About me you must not worry, you must leave Ponyville and hurry,"
"We know about the Changelings Miss Zecora, an evacuation is getting prepped and you're gonna be on one of those train cars." Firestorm said as he trotted to where the zebra was lying. "I'm Firestorm by the way, I'm with the Equestrian Guard and I'll be carrying you out of here."
Zecora had fallen asleep by the time they rescue party made it back to Ponyville. The town itself was full of activity despite the time of night as Guardponies readied themselves for the coming battle and civilians gathered their most precious belongings and said goodbye to their homes that they may never see again. Firestorm and Rainbow took Zecora directly to the train car that was designated to act as a makeshift hospital and left the zebra in the doctors' care before returning to the library.
"You're back! Did you find Zecora?" Twilight asked when Firestorm and the Element of Loyalty had entered.
"We found her, she's hurt and her hut was trashed but she'll be ok. She's in the medical car resting." Rainbow replied.
"Good." Shining Armor said. "Now that you're back it's time to finish loading the train. The sooner you get to Canterlot the less time we have to hold out for." He looked at his little sister, "Twily, I can handle everything from here, get to the train and get some rest, tomorrow will be a long day for you too."
"Ok." Twilight responded, giving the Guard Captain a hug. "Be careful, and be here when we get back ok?" When the unicorn mare pulled away she left a damp spot on the stallion's coat.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." Shining Armor smiled sadly.
Firestorm turned to Rainbow Dash, "Hey Rainbow, do me a favor and keep Scootaloo close to you on the way to Canterlot, and if anything happens to me, be there for her ok?"
"Yah, no problem." Rainbow said, her usual confidence conspicuously absent. "I'll leave her with Cheerilee when we start heading back with your backup."
"Thanks."
The two Elements of Harmony left the treehouse and Firestorm walked up to the map on the center table. "How's it look? Do we have good positions?"
"Surprisingly good, not perfect, but we should be able to limit how much their numbers mean with some creative earth- and cloud-works."
"That's about as good as we could hope for. Our best chance is making it come down to the courage and ability of the Guardponies anyway." Firestorm mused, "At least we've fought these guys before, in a pitched battle each of ours is worth at least two or three drones."
"And our ponies know what's at stake, and a third of them live here, they're fighting for their homes, their families."
"We all are, aren't we?"
Firestorm said his goodbyes to Scootaloo outside Carousel Boutique where Rarity and Sweetie Belle were preparing inside.
"Stay with Cheerilee and Rainbow Dash, they'll take care of you until it's safe to come back." The older stalion told his sister.
"I will."
"And if anything happens to me tomorrow," Firestorm continued, his eyes filling with tears, "I just want you to know I love you, and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you in the past."
Scootaloo was crying as well, "I love you too Firestorm. And it's ok, I was, and still am, really proud to say you're my brother,"
Firestorm found Big Macintosh by the train, saying his goodbyes to his family, all of them had tears in their eyes, including Macintosh. The pegasus waited till all their goodbyes were said before trotting up next to the red stallion.
"It doesn't get easier you know, saying goodbye before a battle. It can break your heart every time, even if you're a veteran."
"Eeyup."
"It's not too late you know, you can still change your mind and go with your family."
"Nope." Big Mac blinked the tears from his eyes and put on a determined expression. "I said I would help defend Ponyville, and I will."
Firestorm nodded, "then follow me."
"Where to?"
"You're gonna need some armor."
No Guardpony got more than a few hours of sleep that night, but they had finished their work. The defenses were as ready as they could be, and dawn was coming, it was nearly time for battle.
Firestorm trotted out of his forge, fully armored in the golden armor with a ruby crest signifying his former position as smith-captain. Big Macintosh followed him out, flexing to test the mobility of his new, silver armor.
"Remember Mac, those plates on the bottoms of your front horseshoes were enchanted by the Captain, they can deflect most standard magic bolts, don't be afraid to hit with them, but don't forget about that extra use, it could save your life."
"Eeyup."
It wasn't long before the pair had reached the place where the Ponyville Guard was to make it's stand. The hastily made earthworks and makeshift fortifications were bustling with activity as the nearly two hundred Guardponies who could make it to Ponyville over the night made the final adjustments. The Lieutenant and farmer found their Captain explaining their assignments to the officers and NCO's present. Because of Firestorm's resignation and Mac's only recent volunteering, neither of them had units assigned to them, they would go with the Captain to wherever the battle needed them. Shining Armor dismissed his officers who rushed off to form up their units.
The first slivers of the sun were just beginning to show on the horizon when the sentries reported that the Changeling vanguard would be on the battlefield within the hour. The call to arms was sounded immediately and the loosely grouped formations tightened ranks within minutes. The time had almost come. Captain Shining Armor cantered out in front of his army, just far enough out to be seen by his full for but still close enough to be heard clearly.
"My Friends." The Captain began, "I will not lie to you, the changeling host that is on it's way outnumbers us by at least 20 to one. But does that mean we should fear them? No! Take heart, for this can only end one way.
"Remember; the Princesses used the Elements to dethrone Discord, but before that, we held the line.
"Princess Celestia banished Nightmare Moon and scattered her army, but before that, we held the line.
"The Elements of Harmony defeated Discord when he returned, but before that, we held the line.
"The Princess' and the Elements will drive back the changelings,
"But before that, WE WILL HOLD THE LINE!"