After Kileh and I forged words the other Kroth leaders left. They tried to take the Nether Walker with them, but he looked to me for permission, and I said no. The way I see it, it leaves less chance for them to tamper with the spell. Though I've never heard of people being able to do that, I've also never heard of Kroth mages before. Who knows what they've been able to accomplish out there. I told him to wait for me at the castle in Canterlot, and he left without question. So now it's Luna and I flying back to Canterlot. Neither of us have said anything to each other yet. I imagine she's trying to process everything that just happened before talking.

Me... I just have nothing to say. Everything was put on the table, and now we wait. I hate waiting. Not that I'm not capable of patience. Waiting is just the worst. You don't know how things will turn out, but you know something has to happen. Without anything happening though, you start to wonder. One wrong thought could lead to my death. If I become obsessed with some nothing I might take measures to prevent it from happening. Those measures could be the exact opposite of what needs to happen, and the results could be catastrophic! Even worse, actions have to be made. We have to prepare. We need a plan of action, contingency plans, counter action plans, and alternative plans for each of those plans to make sure we cover likely scenarios!

This is why I hate waiting. I always overthink things. I wish Susurrans was here, this was his strong suit. I don't know how he did it, but he would wait out any situation beyond comprehensible reason and know all the outcomes. I was still never able to best him in a sparring match. With or without magic, he was always two steps ahead of me. Heck, look at that trail he left me in the cities. How the fuck did he know I would need those weapons? How did he plan on using those photo gems to hide Outpost Zero? How is he still a better leader than me? If he was here now, he'd know what to do. He'd have the words to rally everyone and a clear plan. I'm thirty years old, and I'm still lagging behind him.

"We need to have two meetings," Luna tells me as we near the castle airport. "One as the leaders of Equestria, and one as a family."

"... we need to talk as well. Just you and me." She glances over to me before looking away.

"... I agree." I let out a long breath and try to think. What am I going to say that hasn't already been said? How can I make her understand while being sensitive to her feelings? I'm a warrior, not... this. This was Dolum's strong suit, not mine.

We land in the royal airport and exit the vehicle silently. Luna orders the servants around and arranges for us to meet in her study, along with Celestia. Tempestive's here too. She decides to let the staff watch after him. I don't like it, but it's what happening. Not that I have a voice in it right now. I'm in my human form, meaning that I'm still only the leader of Terradisia. And I don't think I can change right now, no matter how much I'd like to.

We march to her study and enter quickly, keeping the guards at the door. Once inside I move to the nearest table and remove my helmet, dropping it loudly. Luna gives me a sour look but says nothing, moving to her desk quietly and pulling out quills and some scrolls silently. I let it go for now, removing the rest of my armor instead. My clothes are a bit tattered from the recent conflict, but I pay them little mind. Once I have all of my armor off I start to walk around the room, waiting as patiently as possible for Celestia.

I almost forgot what this room looked like, has it really been that long? I remember the bookshelves lining the walls, but the leather seats are new. I also don't recall the big ass globe in the center of the room either. Her desk is the same, though the few books and knic-knacs are new to me. When I make it around her I pause when I see all of the family photos. Our time at the lake, Tempestives first birthday, Nightmare Night, The Summer Sun Celebration. I'm in a few of them, but only a few.

"I'm here!" Celestia announces as she enters the room. "What happened?" Luna and I exchange looks before I step forward, motioning her to a seat.

"This is going to take a bit, take a seat." She looks between the two of us cautiously before taking a seat. I move to the globe and give it a spin, watching it go by. Where do I even start? What does she need to know, and what does she already know?

"Miles?" Celestia asks. I look back to her for a moment before looking back to the globe. I guess it's best to start from the beginning then.

"I nominated the Spartans to hunt down the Darkness and to solve the issues of the world. I thought we could do it, but it's proven to be... problematic." She stays silent, so I continue. "Over the last six years we've been searching in every nation for any clues as to the whereabouts of the Four Horsemen. We found plenty of rumors and superstitions, but most of them turned up to be dead ends. No one knows where they are. If anyone did, they've kept it to themselves."

"But that's not what's the issue, is it?" she asks quietly, looking back to Luna. She's writing something down, barely paying attention.

"No... no, but it's a portion of it." I walk to the seat across fro Celestia and drop into it, sighing loudly. "The Unfamiliar that just arrived came to make the terms of war."

"What!?" Celestia gasps, jumping to her hooves. "So that's it, we're at war."

"No," Luna chimes in, still focusing on her scroll. "They were the terms of war for Terradisia and the Kroth, depending on who wins the war between the Griffin Colonies and Equestria." Celestia gives me a confused look as she sits back down, so I explain.

"The Unfamiliar and I have an... understanding, in the global politics here. We both know that, whoever is left ruling at the end of this war, will be the eventual leaders of this world. We have the technology and the know how to do so. I've actually been planning for that day myself."

"You have?" Celestia asks, astonished.

"Yeah. My goal was to coarse sects of other nations into joining Terradisia. From there, it'd only take a few decades for everyone else to fall in line. Especially when they see the technical advances those who sign over receive. Giving the blind sight, making the cripple super strong, feeding everyone with half the farms, it would be too good of a deal not to. And, at that point, the Spartan Regiment would have grown as well. The world would eventually capitulate."

"I see, but this isn't the plan anymore?" Celestia asks, eyeing me carefully.

"That's how I would concur peacefully. If Terradisia were to be the focal point of the upcoming war, that plan would never work. Good, bad, if you start a war, no one wants to follow you without holding a dagger behind their back." Celestia stays quiet, thinking to herself. Luna is still scribbling away, so I stay quiet as well. That's just the political issue facing Terradisia. There's still so much going on.

"And that is why Luna is mad?" Celestia asks. Oh boy... I go to answer, but Luna beats me to the chase.

"I'm mad because Miles refuses to let me help!" she yells, making Celestia jump slightly. "No matter what I do, or what I say, he wants to me stay at home and be content with being a house wife! He's refused to listen to anything I have to say-"

"That's not true." I say firmly, but she continues.

"He doesn't want me to be a part of any of the decisions-"

"That's not true!"

"And he refuses to let me join him in any form of conflict!" I jump to my feet at that, the last of my patience being drained.

"You are not going to be part of any fight Luna! End of discussion!" I yell, getting her to slam her hooves on the desk as she rises to face off with me.

"Your arrogance is going to put us all in danger! Just let me help you!"

"And your stubbornness is going to get you killed! Do you really think you are going to make a difference in a modern battlefield!?"

"If you'd give me the same materials as your soldiers, yes! I'm sure fighting is real hard when you're pulling a trigger from six hundred yards! Or do I need special training do hold technical superiority?" I feel a shiver run down my spine when she says that. I get what she's implying. She's saying that the fight is easy when it's distant. That, because we are advanced, the fight is less intense.

"Taking a life, regardless of how, is never easy." I tell her, trying my best to pull back my rage.

"I know that, better than most," she tells me, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Do not think of me as some blood crazy mare with a death wish. I know what I ask for."

"Then you know why I have to refuse you." I tell her, attempting to move a hand to wipe the tears away. She moves her head quickly away, closing her eyes tightly. "How could you expect me to let you do something like that to yourself?"

"Ha! Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?" Luna asks, looking back to me fiercely. "Do you know how many nights I've spent over the last six years wondering if you were alive or not? Having to wake up and tell our son that you were okay, when I didn't even know myself? How could you expect me that of me?" I look down, unsure of how to answer her. It... it just seems so logical to me. I'm the professional soldier. I've had the training. I'm surrounded by the trained soldiers. I'm the obvious choice for these matters. How can I make her see that?

"... wow," Celestia says awkwardly. "So... have you two been fighting long? Because this is all new to me." I shake my head, taking my seat again.

"Luna," I start out softly, trying to bring it back to normal. "I never meant to... make you feel so left out-"

"I don't feel left out, Miles. I was left out," she snaps back, sitting back down. "Look what happened in the Minotaur country. All of that could have been avoided if you had just included me. Look, I'm not saying that I have to be a Spartan, or that I have to be on the front line. But the least you could do is utilize my knowledge! You've only been here for seven years! There are still many things to be learned. If you'd let me in, I could help you through them. Just let me help!" I close my eyes and rub my face, sighing deeply.

"I... you... it's just..."

"What has you so scared Miles?" Celestia asks softly. I look to her for a moment before resolving myself to saying what's been in the back of my mind this whole time.

"Because I'm afraid that even the smallest of trails could lead back to you... and that I'd lose you... just like I lost your father."

The room goes silent at that. I know I said it before, but the fact still remains. An Unfamiliar probably killed him. He was only there because of me. Now I have Luna, and that threat has never been realer. I can destroy entire flagships, I can rip souls from people, I can even stop people from existing! But I can't stop a sniper from shooting Luna. I can't protect her from the things I can't see! There will always be a threat so long as she is near me, so I've fought to put as much distance between the two of us over the past six years! And this is what it's come to. To protect her, I have to push her away.

"Miles," Celestia starts out, using her magic to force me to look at her. "With or without you, we'll always be a target." I feel a tear start to work its way out, so I wipe it away quickly.

"The Kroth are not the first to threaten my life, and they will not be the last," Luna adds. She rises from her seat and walks towards me slowly. I try to look down, but her magic stops me. "Back before Equestria was even formed I was being threatened. Poison from the bears, assassins from the Zebra tribes, even ponies have tried to kill me. There's a reason Celestia can't remember my birthday. I've made it this far, but I can't make it through this without you, and the same goes for you. We need each other Miles, we can't go on like this. I'm safer at your side than anywhere else. Please let me in."

She takes my hand in her hooves and holds them tightly. I move my fingers to hold her back, eyeing her blue coat distantly. There isn't a choice to be made. Let her be a target with me, or let her be a target without me. I can't stop anything from happening. What's the point of having all of this power if I'm powerless to do anything? No matter what I can do, I can't stop something from happening. That fear of the inevitable has made me overlook the truth. That, for once in my life, I am powerless. The only choice left to make is the one that I think will give the better outcome.

"I'm sorry," I tell her, tears forcing their way out. "I'm so sorry. I just... I couldn't face the idea that I could lose you. The fear of that... I'm sorry." I break down, letting all of my fears out. Losing her, losing Tempestive, I've lost before and I almost couldn't take it. The idea that I could put myself back in that place... I couldn't. I did everything I could to stop it, and look what happened. I almost lost her anyway. All because of my fears getting the better of me. I should have known better. I shouldn't have let my thoughts escape me like that. For six years no less!

Luna moves forward and I meet her halfway for a hug. I bury my face in her neck as she wraps herself around me, both of us crying lightly. I don't know how long we hold each other. It could have been a few minutes, but it felt like years. Years of neglect, dismissals, and fear. I'm sure there will be more talks in the future, but this is the right step in the right direction. It's the only thing I've been sure of in a long time.

"So... what now?" Celestia asks, still concerned. "Do we mobilize for war?"

"It's hard to say." I tell her as we finally break away from each other. Luna pause to give me a kiss on the cheek. It was quick, but it spoke to me.

"Miles still needs to speak with the griffins at the Summit. If he can broker a deal there, then a war may be avoided, if only for a short time." I nod in agreement with her.

"Right... is there anything we can do to help with that?" Celestia asks, sounding a bit hopeful. I think about it for a second, but come up empty handed.

"I've thought this over already. There is nothing more to do over this other than meet there and speak with them. If the goats there agree with me, then I'm in the clear. If they side with Ulfric, then they'll have a clear agenda to attack Terradisia."

"But an attack would on you would require them to invade Equestria." Celestia points out.

"Not if they can muster support from the others," Luna tells her. "An unprovoked attack by a supposedly superior people, people would rise together to fight that. And look what happened at the last Summit meeting. You were nearly dethroned. This next talk will sway public opinion greatly, and there is nothing to prepare us for that. It's between Ulfric and Miles."

Because I made a brash decision. I look between the two of them as I think that over. If I had talked to Luna about that, she would have at least tried to stop me. If I hadn't been so scared, this wouldn't be happening right now.

"Then all we can do is pray." Celestia concludes confidently, getting both of our attention. "In less than one week is the Grand Galloping Gala, so you both will be attending. Until that meeting, it will be business as usual. I will also be setting up some meetings with some officials so we can form a proper military. We may not be able to raise an army at this moment, but when the time comes, we'll be ready for it. I expect you to lead this project, Miles-"

"Me?" I ask, glancing to Luna. "I don't even know how your military functions! Let alone the ponies capable of leading it."

"That's why you will ask your lovely wife to assist you with this project when the time comes," she tells me smugly. Did... did she just call Luna lovely? I glance over to Luna to see her eyeing her as well, just as lost as I am.

"O... kay."

"We will also need to start a propaganda war," Luna adds, moving past the oddness. "Maybe not to hate the griffins, but to get patriotism as high as possible. When the fight comes, we'll need plenty of ponies willing to fight for their country."

"Good idea," Celestia says as she summons a scroll and quill to write down notes. "Miles, are you still going to be policing the world?"

"No. Not until after this meeting that is-"

"Good, the Terradisians will need them at home if you are going to be attending formal events. Let Storm know he can get off his flank and get to work."

"Should we get Twilight in here? This seems like her kind of thing." Luna asks, getting Celestia to nod to her.

"Excellent idea, I'll get her after we discuss one last thing." She sets her scroll aside and takes a serious face about her. Luna and I share an uneasy look as we wait for her to speak. "In the past, when somepony threatened Equestria, it was our duty to meet that threat. With how things are now, mainly in regards to Tempestive, I do not think that would be wise."

"I agree," Luna tells her. I nod, waiting to see where this goes.

"Luna, do you agree that -because he has to lead another nation- Miles will be one of the ponies to meet this challenge?" We share another look, silently speaking to one another. Saying everything that's already been said.

"Yes, and though I don't like it, I agree. Miles must fight for Terradisia." I let out a sigh of relief. I honestly thought that was going to go another direction.

"So now it comes between me and you." Celestia continues. "Twilight is still to new to the throne, and Cadence has Gleaming Joy to take care of. One of us will have to stay home to run day to day operations. And... I'm sorry, but it's a bit obvious who it will be." We both look to Luna and watch her reaction. She takes a moment to compose herself, taking a deep, slow breath with her eyes shut. I'm sure she wants to argue against her, but she's fighting those thoughts. Or, at least thinking them through. For that much, I'm appreciative.

"I will accept these terms if Miles agrees to makeboth of us proper armor, and trains you as much as possible in the little time we have left. We also must set up a system in which we keep each other informed about each others dealings, never leaving each other in the dark about anything. Agreed?"

"Miles?" They both look to me, waiting to see what I'll say. I swallow the lump in my throat as I stand up and face Luna.

"I promise to do better." I tell her, receiving a warm smile from her.

"Great!" Celestia cheers, standing up. She starts to walk towards the door, still facing the two of us. "Whelp! I'm off to fetch Twilight! You two probably have some catching up to do, so I'll knock when I make it back. Oh, and you two?" She stops at the door and thinks about something for a moment, growing a smirk I've never seen her make before. "Since a war might take Miles away soon... you two should probably get busy making me another niece or nephew."

"WHAT!?" Luna exclaims as Celestia teleports out of the room. I nearly fall over myself from hearing her say that. Did she just tell us to start fucking? Celestia just told us to have another kid... no, no that still sounds wrong.

"Who is that and what have they done with Celestia?" I ask, getting Luna to shake her head slowly.

"I thought we killed Chrysalis," she says quietly, but I shake my head.

"No, she's dead. I would know, you shot me in order to kill her." She rolls her eyes at that, moving back to her seat.

"Yeah, and you've been complaining about it ever since."

Support Tallestbrony! Check out this blog please!