The forest around the ruins of the old castle was abuzz. Ponies in dark armor moved everywhere. The sky was covered with clouds. Small tents made a sea of green on the normally open ground. The castle itself, wooden beam littered the sides like overgrown ivy; tarps and sheets gave it a pseudo-roof.
A brown earth pony with blue eyes and a globe as a cutie mark stood outside of the castle, under a tent. He was looking at wide range of papers in front of him. Three of the papers he looked most at featured a map of Equestria with red lines and circles, map of the immediate area with X's and lines, and a sketch of the castle behind him in full glory. The brown pony was broken from his concentration when a green pegasus approached him
"Sir," the pegasus saluted, "A pony has been spotted flying this direction."
"A 'Single' pony?" the earth pony asked. "Could you make out any features?"
"Yes sir, alone. We are unable to make out any features," the pegasus said.
"Keep an eye on it, and stay hidden, dismissed."
"Yes Sir," said the green pegasus.
The earth pony went back to studying the papers before him. It was a few minutes later when he heard the sound of wings flapping again.
"Greetings General Andy," said a loud feminine voice behind him. Turning around was Princess Luna, in her low magic form.
"Yes Princess," he said snapping to attention.
"How goes the work here?" Princess Luna asked.
"Very fine. The first of boulders are making here from Rambling Rock Ridge and repairs on the castle are already under way," General Andy explained.
"General! General!" Off in the near distance a mauve pegasus sped toward his position. Landing fast in front of him, the pegasus barely skid as she saluted. "General, its the princess. The thing we spotted was flying, then it just disappeared. It has to be the princess. We don't know which one. I hope its not Celestia," spat out the pegasus, oblivious to Princess Luna behind him.
"Thy hopes it's not thy sister," replied Luna. Just realizing Princess Luna was right there, the mauve pegasus stiffened her salute, but looking very nervous.
"Apologies my Princess," started General Andy, "She is one of the new trainees. We are short on pegasi scouts and put her there while we waited for the main units from Canterlot."
"Tell me your name," asked Princess Luna.
"Mallow, Mallow Flower, Princess," Mallow nervously replied.
"And what is a petite pony like yourself doing in a tough army like this?" Luna was genuinely curious.
"I am an architect by trade, but have a passion for flowers. There were several species of rare and endangered flowers in a field by my home on the Unicorn Ridge. The Solar Army came in and set up a base in that field, destroying all those flowers. I was so angry. I tried to tell them, but they blew me off. One of your scouts picked me up and told me about what you are doing. I want to help. I want to get revenge for all those flowers that could not save themselves." Mallow said stomping a hoof on the ground, "I will cut them down like they did my flowers. I will rip then apart like they did they petals. I will Destroy them All!" Mallow finished with a fire in her eyes.
Princess Luna and General Andy were both taken back a bit by how violent the petite pegasus mare had become.
"Hold on to that feeling Mallow Flower," Luna broke the silence, "use that anger and focus it to your training, and you will get your revenge." Luna paused and Mallow looked up from her fiery stare, "but take heed you pony, do not let the anger control you. Do not be the one to foolishly rush into battle first, for you would be the first one to foolishly die."
"Now run along little pony, you still have a lot of training before you," Luna said dismissing the mauve pony.
"Yes Princess," Mallow said chipper, flying off.
Once gone General Andy turned to Princess Luna, "I can almost hear him say 'Well Mallow isn't mellow.'"
Luna stifled a giggle, "Seems like General Iroh is wearing off on you." General Andy just face hooved.