//------------------------------//
// End of the Road 
// Story: The Dark Ages: The True Tale of Equestrian History 
// by Dragonas77 
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Chapter 10: End of the Road


The three took nearly another week to get back to Canterlot. It was twilight when they finally arrived back at the castle. immediately, the Princess called them over upon seeing them enter the main hall. She had all her other guests and all her staff dismissed, she needed to tell them, alone.
"What is it, Princess?" Dash questioned, once she was given a signal it was ok to talk freely now.
"Somthing I wish had never occured, has come to pass." Celestia said ominously. She turned her back to the ponies, and began reciting her tale.
"Over the past few months, a new race has come to this land. I doubt you know of them, they have stayed on the outermost edges of our lands."
"What are th-" Dash began, before both of the others covered her mouth.
"As I was saying, they stuck to the edges of our land, and I allowed such. They were causing nopony any harm, unless someone deliberately wanted trouble. Which, I'm afraid, somepony did. A farmer who felt his land was being threatened by the creatures decided to take the law into his own hoof. He attacked the beast."
All three gasped
"Yes. But don't fear for the creature, he is prefectly fine. It is the farmer who took a turn for the worst. The creature fought back, and felled the farmer. He died there, the first ever to face these strange new creature in our lands. Unfortunately, he won't be the last. These creatures, Dragons, as they have come to call themselves, have said the attack was an act of war, and intend to attack with their full might any day now."
But, Princess. Why would this concern us? I know it is a horrible thing, but what can we do about it?" Dawn asked.
"I'm sorry to make you do this, my little ponies, but I have a task for you all. It is most dangerous, and....." she gave a slight gasp as she was now crying slightly. "and..... you might..... not ever see one another again." Celestia said, still unable to face the trio behind her,
All three began crying, and hugging one another. They didn't know the task, but they knew this may be there last chance to be together. 
"Girls, please. Your task is this, each of you will rally your races, and prepare for war. I never thought this would happen, let alone it being so soon..... but yes, I want each of you to be the commanders on the field of battle. Please, do this, for me. For all of Equestria." Celestia said, finally facing her ponies on the final lines. Tears still streamed from her eyes, but she comforted the trio of ponies as best she could. She spent almost a hour nuzzling them, and just trying to calm them all down.
After an hour, a messenger ran in, a letter in his mouth. 
"P-Princess! Letter!" the messenger panted out.
"Thank you." she said as she grabed the letter with her magic, and began reading it. The three ponies watched her face change and contort. From seriousness, to sadness, to anger, to literally no emotion at all. She was hollow by the end of the letter, no emotion within her.
"I'm sorry, but you must all depart, now. Your kindgom needs you. Preform this task, for me, for all Equestria. Have no fear of death, but know, it may be at hoof. I am sorry, but that is all. I have nothing more to comfort you, for war is truly at hoof. Within the week, the dragons will attack Canterlot, and only Canterlot. They plan on killing me, and asserting their control by killing me off. It... it is a tough thing to think about, but I must go and prepare for battle as well. I suggest you each rally your people." Celestia said this all with a even, but low, monotone voice. No emotion whatsoever colored her voice.
The three were ushered out, all three in a daze from what they had just seen and heard. And for what was to come.....


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