//------------------------------//
// Who Is Left 
// Story: The Ghost Of You 
// by MadMan 
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Twilight gazed down at the camp. It was far smaller than it had seemed when she was down there, walking around, mingling, making sure everypony was acclimatizing. They were coping as well as could be expected. Already, several of the more ambitious carpenters had began building primitive shacks. Luna had allowed this, as long as they didn't chop down any noticeably tall trees. It seemed the village would be located here for the foreseeable future. Pegasi scouts had dispersed around the region, and all had reported no pony in sight for at least a full days' march. 

The camp spread out below her in the glowing dawn, Twilight was overcome with a strong feeling of melancholy, mixed with a dull despair. It was now more than ever Twilight missed her wings. She would have loved to be able to fly up here on her own, getting the big picture without needing assistance. She had considered the spell she had used with Rarity several years ago to give herself temporary conjured wings, but it was far too risky. That whole debacle nearly ended in disaster. 

Twilight sighed and waved at Luna, who was directly below her. Twilight was perched up high, near the top of a tall tree on the perimeter of the camp. Seeing her signal, Luna spread her magnificent wings, taking off and rising quickly to hover next to Twilight. Taking the proffered hoof, Twilight held on tight as Luna gently took them both back to the ground. Touching down delicately, the pair strode off, making another round of the camp. 

"They seem to be coping quite well."

Twilight chuckled at Luna's observation as they passed a family, the parents talking sweet talk to their infants over breakfast.

"The ponies of Ponyville are a hardy type."

They continued on, occasionally stopping to offer words of comfort. Granny Smith insisted that they stay for breakfast with the Apple family. Twilight's stomache reminded her that she hadn't eaten yet, so they did. Pastries and coffee were served, and the group made delightful small talk. Applejack wasn't present, as she had offered to help the carpenters, but Big Mac and Applebloom were, and Twilight enjoyed being able to sit and see how they were doing. Big Mac was unflappable as always, and even Applebloom seemed to be taking the change of scenery well. No sooner than the food was demolished and the coffee drained, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appeared out of nowhere and dragged Applebloom off, shouting something about Cutie Mark Crusader Carpenter Assistants. Big Mac made his excuses and left, leaving Luna and Twilight with Granny Smith. They tried to help with the dishes, but the old mare wasn't having any of it.

"Now, ah know yer havin' all that royalty stuff to be doin,' so git along with it! Don't worry about leetle old me. Gotta have somethin' to keep these old bones movin'."

"The well being of the village is our duty now. We're here to help any way we-"

"So go an' help them who need it! I'll be fine. Just make sure you come back for dinner one of these days!"

Promising to return as soon as available, Twilight and Luna left, making their way back to Luna's tent. There they kissed before separating, the Princess going into the tent and Twilight turning off. She was off to assemble the Black Berets. The village might be settling in, but there was still work to be done. There was still a war going on. 

She found them exactly where she thought they would be, sitting around their tent. They weren't idle, but studying and intermittently arguing over a map. Twilight listened for a moment before her curiosity demanded to know what they were debating.

"Morning, Berets. What's on the table?"

The Berets all turned and saluted smartly, before edging over to provide Twilight access to the circle around the map. Frostbite spoke first, pointing at the map.

"We're just discussing best places to conduct reconnaissance. We need to know exactly what Axion's up to. Canterlot's obviously off the list, too well guarded, as will be most major train stations for whatever reason, so Ponyville is off too. We're thinking Dodge City or Baltimare. They're both close. Dodge has a railway, but it's a dead end. We might be able to see of Axion plans on extending it this way any. Baltimare also has a large port, so we can check on any activity there."

Twilight shrugged. Their logic in such matters was perfect, as always.

"I can't find an argument against it. Who would be going?"

"Well, we figured that Tank, Hawkeye, Bill, and Red could go to Dodge City. Willow, Winter, and I will go to Baltimare. We could depart this afternoon, and we should both be getting to our respective location tomorrow night. A day or so recon, and be back by the end of the week."

Twilight studied the map and though quietly for a minute, but could find little argument in the plan. 

"I'll go tell Luna. Every thing we know is another step closer to ending this insurrection."

Nodding to Nightfury, Twilight left the circle and went to Luna's tent, quickly informing the Princess of the Black Beret's plan. When Luna was amicable to the idea, Twilight went back to the Black Beret's tent and told Nightfury to be off as soon as they were ready. She wasn't quite expecting the already packed bags, but she wasn't so surprised.

After seeing them off, Twilight made her way back to Luna's tent. She had some paperwork to do. Who knew a war came with so much bureaucracy?