In the southern reaches of Equestria, beyond the badlands and near the end of the western coast, Luna stood tall and proud in her new royal battle armor.

She had commissioned it at the beginning of the war a month before. It was designed to guard all her vital spots; under the wings, her back and belly. There she had only the finest blue colored steel. Over her joints laid black chainmail allowing for easy movement. The apex of the design was a helmet which bared many similarities to her one as Nightmare Moon.

“Tonight, brave soldiers of Equestria, we push home our victory over the dog scorn that so wrongly pushed into our land and enslaved your innocent pony brethren. Go now and know that you have your princess blessing. “

The crowed of reporter ponies dashed about eagerly as the crowed of guards burst into a roar. The army itself numbered nearly fifty thousand. Only about half of Equestrians forces but it were all they could bring to the battlefield so far from Equestrians center. The dogs numbered forty thousand. Luna had insisted that the Diamond dog Mountain be put under siege even with their only slight numerical advantage. Most of the time ponies only attacked when outnumbered two to one but Luna believed that to be cowardly.

Walking but to her guard Luna perked up upon hearing their comments about her speech.

“Well done, Princess.”

“It was a rousing speech.”

“Thank you” She said with a smile.” I was wondering if I might have been too loud.”

The shadowbolt laughed merrily “Not at all princess. When talking to the army nothing is too loud.”

“Yes.” came a snooty voice from behind Luna “Such a speech is needed by the ponies if we are to settle the fears of comment folk over this Diamond dog debacle.”

Prince Blueblood was wearing a shirt that many in the Trottinghoof area would have described as fabulous. It was blue with white trimming and an excess of ruffles under his chin. On his hip hung a thin rapier. And plain leather boots donned his hooves.

“If I may console you for a moment princess?”

Luna smiled. It was always a pleasure to talk to Blueblood. His regal manner put her at ease ad seemed much more normal than the jovial tone that most took nowadays. Even if his rudeness to those of a lower station did irritate her slightly.

“Ah! Commander Blueblood. Tis a pleasure I’m sure. What canst I help thee with?”

“Oh boy.” whispered one of her guard “she's doing that old style talk again.”

Blueblood smiled at Luan's slip. Matching her tone he continued with his explanation.

“Tis a fine day for glory and honor my liege. Twas fate that brought us upon thine enemies at this time my majesty. Yea even the winds seem to fall favorably upon us. Striking our foes harbor so as to prevent their escape by sea. Indeed if we had not been head up for water before crossing that accursed disaster we would have arrived to likely find naught but abandoned caves. Enough of my dilly dally though let us instead speak of this coming battle.”

Floating three maps out of his bag Blueblood set out to explain his strategy. His accent slipping back into a normal speech pattern.

“Our west flank is strong as it has been held up resting here for the last two weeks. I intend to have them strike at the main force here, on the western side of the mountain near their main entrance. Forty percent of them reside closes to our position to the north that we will have to match in number and send a mere eight thousand to wipe out the ten percent reside on the eastern side. You may watch from here your majesty.” The stallion pointed at a nearby hill.

“Nay Blueblood we shall engage the enemy.”

Several of the news ponies nearby began to murmur and take out their pens. Blueblood coughed awkwardly before stepping closer to Luna. His face having a plastered smile as he waved at the news ponies. Whispering intently he tried to make her understand before the worst happened.

“My princess. I’m sorry but...well princess don't actually go into battle anymore. With the number of ponies involved- They just don’t do it.”

“We do not understand” Luna said frowning. “We- I am fully capable of fighting in battle. Do you believe me weak?”

“Well there was how Celestia-” spoke up a nearby newspony. Turning to him Luna addressed him.

“Would you rather the entire wedding party be ash upon the wall?”

The newspony’s gasped and began scribbling onto their pads.

“Princess! You just can’t-”

“Why not?”

“Because.” He reached for something anything that would let him prevent her from attacking the enemy front and dying. Then he was struck on it. “It’s just not refined. It's...brutish.”

Luna paused as her face softened and turned contemplative.

“I see. I still have trouble understanding many of these new...obligations. If I understand if I fight it makes me seem brutal? Aggressive?”

“Yes.” Blueblood sighed

“Very well we will kill them with as little pain for them as possible. It may be a bit of an overuse of power but I shall do what is needed in this new age.”

“Wait no!”

But then he had to brace himself.  

Normally when a winged pony takes off their magic does most of the lifting with the wings providing fine control. This magic is focused evenly around the body however; a skilled pegasus can actually manipulate the field itself with their wings. Taking it a step further they could create wind. Even using it in combat.

__________________________________

Luna flapped her wings willing the air around her to move and bend to her will as she loosened the mental restraints on her war magic.

Taking a moment she addressed the commander wide eyes below her.

“We shall take the western front. Send the troops you would have there to the northern side. Guard. You may follow but stand back.”

Not waiting for a response she rocketed off toward the enemy front. Ready to engage. Very quickly she found herself flying high above them and taking a minute to prepare. The Diamond dog rune carver's magic could be felt even this high as a shield covered the dogs. At her best guess about four thousand troops stood beneath its dark blue sheen.

Reaching out she began to struggle for some of the local energy. Raising an eyebrow she was surprised by how strongly the Dogs held on. Dozens of them must be down there holding the energy in tow.

She however was able to resell a four away by the time her guard showed up.

“My lady.” Said the panting bat pony guard “Be reasonable-”

“I am being reasonable. These dogs have taken the lives of my citizens and I will not let that pass without exacting my toll. I will warn you only once. Do not follow me into battle. You will only get in the way.”

It was then that the attack trumpets sounded across the valley. With nary a farewell Luna began her descent.

As she flew down the smell of smoke greeted her and she could make out details. The earth which had appeared a light brown from above now revealed itself to be trampled ground. Churned by the passing of thousands of paws.

Above her dark clouds began to form and spread over the sky. Even as arrows reached up to meet her. A blast of wind tossed them off course to fall to the ground harmlessly. She landed with barely a whisper not a hundred yards in front of the Diamond Dog line.

“Pony Princess!” shouted a voice from behind the line. “Surrender to us. You die if not.”

Luna frowned and inwardly groaned.

Diamond dogs could never pull of Equestrian speech very well.

Breathing deep she poured energy into the vibrations of her voice using the Canterlot royal voice.

“WE WILL NOT SURRENDER. INSTEAD WE ASK YOU TO SURRENDER INSTEAD. IF YOU DO NOT THEN I WILL BRING THE FINAL END.”

“Prepare to charge!”

Luna sighed. These dogs were just so young. Truly thinking that they could match Equestrians might. That was foolishness...Just like her little ponies forgetting the truth. That the princesses did not rise to power with kind words. That a nation was not built on cooperation alone. That with their magic alone, Equestria was forged after Discords fall. That they had to wrest control of the sun and moon from its traditional unicorn controllers.

But they would remember.

As the last ray of light began to wink out on her face calm entered her being. She could see now what Blueblood had meant. These children where not to be hated...but pitied. Yes. She would bring the end, but softly. With a lullaby.

Dark shadows poured from her body as she raised her hoof and performed a summoning spell. A great scythe appeared. Its long black and blue length ended in a blade that was wide and silver.

As the troops closed the last bit of distance the heavens opened up.

And she began to sing.

In the rain she danced

bathed in shadow used to crush her foes

Lightning tore from her being

Wind forced down her foes

Her blade cut deep and true

Sewing her enemies in two

as from her lips passed a song that was truth.

The fragility of mortals was learned that day

_____________________________________________________________________

Blueblood waked the western battlefield followed silently by newsponies. All around them lay the dead dogs. Their bodies soaked in water, sweat and blood. Many seemed to of died from the lightning strikes and the blade of his princess. Others had broken necks that seemed to of been crushed by some powerful dragon hand squeezing it alone.

The devastation was total. None had survived.

He remembered the somber demeanor of Luna and her insistence that the dogs had died near painlessly. Then her laughter saying that Celestia was even stronger than her. There had always been legends about their strength...but he had never believed. Always thinking they were exaggerated.

Now though. He knew the truth.

There is none more powerful than the princesses, save Discord.