The mass of Canterlot citizens stretched as far as the eye could see, with thousands of ponies waiting their turn to be admitted to the vast network of mountain shelters. For the last hour Tercio had heard the Royal Guard callers shouting out the same information to the nervous throng: form an orderly line. Bring only what you can carry. Food and water will be provided for you.

The collective commotion could be heard all the way from the palace grounds, where hundreds of soldiers watched the crowds slowly trickle into the halls of refuge that had gone unused since Canterlot's inception. Those Royal Guards who were not evacuating civilians were stationed along the cobblestone path leading to the main entrance, where their numbers were steadily being reinforced by Praetorians.

"Damned shame, this is." Polaris stood just off to Tercio's right side, busily writing on a length of parchment with a floating quill. As a newly commissioned Acting Imperator of the 105th Praetorian Guard, one of three in total, he had his hooves full making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be.

"At least we have somewhere for them to go," Tercio said in response. A long line snaked around the outer gate down the hill, curving in on itself twice before stopping at what appeared to be a plain rock wall where a contingent of armed and armored ponies were comparing names to a thick ledger. Once a group had been cleared, typically around fifty or so, two unicorns would cast a brief counter-spell that caused the magical barrier to fade, and the process would start all over again. "Let's hope we don't have to rely on those tunnels too much. That magic was supposed to keep Lacertus out of the cave entrance, and we all know how well that went."

Polaris nodded distractedly. "I've been told the barrier is much stronger now, but I agree. If we have to rely on keeping everyone hidden while the deer rampage through the city then something has gone very wrong."

A trio of ponies in shimmering cloaks trotted out from the palace entrance, briefly conversing before splitting up. Two of them departed, while the other approached with a dour look.

"Krosus, Polaris. I trust things are going well so far?" Imperator-General Stonewall asked. His purple cloak was gone, replaced by one of pure white with gold trim. It sparkled with an inner magic, like flecks of crystal exposed to the sun.

"They are, sir. Nothing to report," Polaris answered, rendering a salute. The informality of Praetorian tradition had been placed on temporary hold as a show of solidarity with the Royal Guard. Nobody wanted to spend the morning explaining to the rank and file why a general wasn't being saluted. Besides, it was argued, it looked good for anyone who might be watching from the line below.

"Good. We've got enough damned problems as is. These people are vulnerable in such a large concentration. We should have done this yesterday." The old stallion watched the evacuation for a moment, grumbling at how long it was taking. The rank of Imperator-General was one that had gone unused since the unification of the three races, which was also the last time Equestria had been pulled into a full-scale war. Stonewall hadn't exactly welcomed the call to become the leader of the entire Praetorian Guard, gladly telling anyone who would listen that he was just fine leading his own contubernium, but his stubbornness was second only to his sense of duty. He wasn't about to turn down the position when Celestia had asked him personally.

Of course, that wouldn't stop him from complaining at every available opportunity.

"Damned ostentatious cloak. Look at me! I'd be surprised if the deer couldn't see me all the way from their camp. I wanted to keep my old one, but 'tradition' and all that shit. Might as well be wearing a sign that says 'aim your arrows here.'"

"I think it's quite, uh, ravishing, sir." Polaris held back a laugh that was not unnoticed.

"Oh yes, you're truly a beacon of Celestia's radiance," Tercio said. Quietly he added, "we could always put you in a light house if this whole 'general' thing doesn't work out." The two of them shared a barely-contained snigger. Stonewall was less than amused, a fact he made clear with a grumble of annoyance.

"Alright, alright, laugh it up like a couple of tittering school fillies. There might just be some latrine duties coming up in the near future, smart asses."

"Has there been any news from the princess?" Tercio asked after he'd regained his bearing.

"Nothing so far. She's still busying herself with sending out last-minute scrolls to every senior officer in the area, and there's a lot of 'em."

"And the deer?"

"According to scouts, the deer have already formed up and look like they're ready to start marching on us at any moment. We're keeping a close eye on them, but so far they're remaining in place. I wouldn't bet on them staying that way for long, though. Not looking forward to this fight, I can tell you that much."

Rimeberry and Thunderburst joined the group, each carrying satchels on either side of their bodies.

"Mind if we join the circle jerk?" Rimeberry asked with a grin.

"There you are. We were just starting to miss the smell of mud and cheap wine." Tercio knocked him on the helm. "What's with the bags?"

"We've been the princess' runners for the last hour. Don't know why she wouldn't use those pricks from the sky carriage detachment, but I wasn't about to question her. I've never seen her so focused."

"She's certainly busy, but strangely calm," Thunderburst said.

Stonewall nodded. "She can be like that. Been a long time since I've seen her that way. I guarantee you she's doing her damnedest to make sure we bring this fight to an end as quickly as possible, though with the deer being the way they are I doubt we'll be so lucky."

"At least we won't have to worry about the deer bombarding the civilians."

"That's something, I suppose." He looked over the courtyard once more. Every conceivable entrance had been accounted for, at least from the ground. Teleportation magic was always a sizable what-if and nearly impossible to fully plan for, but since the deer had to see a place to teleport to it he was fairly confident in the castle's security. Few of the standard soldiers could muster such power. Those blue-armored does, though...Phalanx had told him all about what they were capable of.

"You stallions -- and whatever you are, Krosus -- are one of the few groups to actually see combat as part of a Praetorian unit. Most of our number are relatively new, so they're going to be looking to you for guidance in the event that we have to draw our weapons to protect the princess. Polaris?"

"Sir!"

"There's a lot riding on your shoulders today. I know you weren't expecting to be an Acting Imperator, but you're more than qualified in the eyes of the senior cadre. Think you can handle keeping track of forty swinging cocks in the chaos of combat?"

"I will certainly try, sir," Polaris answered.

"You'll try? I'll let you answer that one again."

He cleared his throat and stood straight. "What I meant to say was: I will command the stallions to the fullest extent of my capabilities. Sir."

"We'll make sure he doesn't attempt to throw himself from a balcony," Thunderburst quipped.

Stonewall stamped in approval. "Good lads. Let's hope it goes better this time, eh? I don't feel like losing another leg if I can avoid it."

"I know the feeling," Thunderburst said.

"Suppose you do. Right, I should head back inside. I suggest you all do the same. Next time you see me, we'll be forming up for the princess' escort. We're preparing the sky carriages now and waiting on her word. Won't be too long, I'd bet." Stonewall saluted, waiting until the Praetorians around him returned it to continue. "This is it. No more preparation, no more waiting. I'll see you all when you get back. Honor to the Princess."

The full contingent of Praetorian Guard were gathered at the carriage spire, a tall tower that jutted off from the main castle opposite the front gates. Here could be found the collection of sky carriages, wagons and chariots that made up the royal transportation and escort wing, along with the necessary replacement parts and tools to keep them operational.

A full centuria of purple-cloaked soldiers were busying themselves with last-minute checks to weapons and armor, separated into small groups that spoke nary a word to one another as their intensive training and preparation took hold. For most of the Praetorians this would be their first taste of a real mission since their induction into the ranks of the chosen few, and although nearly all of them had already seen combat as part of their previous assignments there was the ever-present specter of open warfare hanging over their heads. Nobody knew if the deer empress would even want to speak to Celestia. For all they knew they might be ambushed immediately upon landing, but the princess was insistent upon trying to put an end to the battle before it began. That possibility, no matter how small, was worth exploring.

"Second and third barracks, form up on me!" Polaris stood on his hind legs and circled a hoof in the air, rallying the Praetorians under his command. Tercio hefted his shield and joined the group, weighed down by all of the equipment he was carrying. In addition to his holstered long sword and tower shield he carried a smaller buckler on his left hip, with a second, shorter blade under that. Across his back was a trio of throwing pila as well as a long thrusting spear. Finally, but certainly just as important, he carried a pair of daggers as last resort weapons -- one strapped to his thigh, and the other in a small sheathe on his upper left forearm. Together it was a heavy and somewhat uncomfortable burden, but he would gladly forego convenience for the sake of being prepared for whatever he might face in the field.

Satisfied with the prompt gathering, Polaris stood in front of the gathered stallions with an unrolled scroll floating in front of him. The bags under his eyes spoke to the few hours of sleep he'd had of late, something many of the others could sympathize with.

"Is this everyone? Good. I've just received orders from Stonewall, who will be staying behind until we return. Looks like we have our final roster for the flight out to the mouth of the valley. Second and third barracks have the honor of escorting the princess. If your name is called you'll be in the first carriage with me and will act as the princess' vanguard. Everyone else will be assigned to the wagons in the second formation bringing up the tail end of the formation." He cleared his throat and raised his voice to just under a shout. "Thunderburst, Cloudtop, Avintius, Bear, Rimeberry, Tercio, Marius, Portenius -- that's you, Portly, lest you've forgotten your name already," he said, getting a laugh from the others, "Caligio, Plowshare and Silver Stream. That's it. First and fourth barracks will be acting as a rear guard in the event that we need to escape quickly. We leave at the princess' word, so be ready to go at a moment's notice. Dismissed."

Tercio stepped away and found an empty spot on the wall to sit against, shoving his spear pack off to one side to stop the shafts from digging into his shoulder. He could make out the fleeing civilians below, a rainbow of colors and species that were behaving themselves remarkably well considering the circumstances. Somewhere out there his parents would be among them, worrying themselves sick about their beloved boys that they might never see again. If only he had wings! He would fly down there and find them, assuring them one last time that he would be safe in the company of his compatriots. Perhaps Victus had already done exactly that, and was personally escorting them to the mountain passages. He had no way of knowing, and more than anything it was that thought that made him ill. Victus, the brother he sometimes felt he did not deserve. He had always been there when Tercio needed him most; now they were separated by order and obligation, for the Legion and the Praetorian Guard were vastly different from one another.

"I've been through worse," Victus had said just the day prior while they were sharing a final meal together. "I'm more worried about you. Don't go shoving that sword into yourself again, because I won't be there to save you this time."

They'd shared stories and laughed over some cheap wine, but there was the very real possibility that this would be the last time they'd get to do so. Neither of them had wanted to bring it up, but it couldn't go unsaid.

"Victus, if anything should happen to me, I want you to use my death compensation payment to make sure mother and father are taken care of. They deserve to live out the rest of their lives in comfort."

"Don't say such things," his brother had chided him. "You'll be fine. The deer, the cultists, dark magic -- none of it could keep you down. Not to mention coming back from the fucking dead. You spit in the face of death itself! At this point I'm nearly convinced you're some sort of odd-looking deity."

"I'm serious, Victus. I've escaped my fate far more than any one man should. My luck is bound to run out eventually, and when it does I want to pass into the beyond knowing that my family is secure. Please, promise me."

Eventually he had made Victus agree. "Very well. I promise you they will not want for anything on my word as a soldier, a stallion and your brother. I only ask for the same in return. But don't think this gives you permission to throw yourself into their blades! My brother may be foolish and pig-headed at times, but he cannot shirk his responsibilities so easily."

That bravado and confidence was the reason Victus was a leader of stallions, and he was not. He did not begrudge him for it in the slightest. Their dinner had lasted only a short time longer, enough for one more cup. "Stay safe, Victus. Thank you for always being there for me. I am proud to call you my brother."

"And I as well, Tercio."

A commotion from the stairwell, hoofsteps and voices.

"Make way!"

Tercio scrambled from his seated position and took a knee, bowing his head as the princess arrived with her pegasus flight team in tow. Polaris and two other appointed officers approached her and gave a concise status update, saying that the stallions were ready to depart at a moment's notice. She thanked them and stepped to the center of the room.

"Please rise, my friends."

Celestia was fully dressed for war, protected from horn to dock by steel-backed golden armor. The craftsmanship and spectacle Tercio had seen in it the night before was nothing compared to how it now conformed to her body. Every curve was accentuated, every plate and strip detailed with intricate and delicate runes of ancient Equestrian or scenes of natural grandeur, giving her an air of power, nobility and unparalleled beauty. Soft rays of sunlight shone from the phoenixes on her pauldrons, a touch of magic that he had not seen until now.

Around her neck she wore a red and gold silk scarf, the colors of Equestria, to protect her skin from the edges of her flexible neck guard. The longer end hung down to her jeweled breast collar, itself a new piece that blended in and latched together with the armor around it.

Not even her crown remained the same. Gone was the tri-pointed staple, replaced with a golden laurel that fit snugly behind her ears. The leaves tapered off towards the front, ending just before the strips of her forehead and muzzle armor. A single large ruby floated between the curved tips, gently bobbing in place and twinkling with an inner magic.

A pair of scabbards completed her equipment, crimson and silver sheathes that concealed a pair of longswords hanging off to one side along her waist.

More than he'd ever seen her, she looked the part of a nigh-immortal ruler. Judging by the murmurs around him, he was not the only one to think so. She raised her hoof, and the room fell to silence.

"Thank you all for being here, my most loyal of friends and soldiers." She saluted and bowed her head, then continued. "Today is the most important day in our nation's storied history. Though it is young compared to some of our neighbors, we have seen unparalleled advances in the quality of life for our people since my beloved parents united the three races under the single banner of Equestria nearly four centuries ago. Across the land and over the seas we are known as a welcoming, caring place. Our tireless advances in industry, farming and the arts are shining examples of what the world can be if we cast aside our petty squabbles and work for the betterment of those who live within our borders -- and beyond.

"We often speak of the Three Pillars of our society: tolerance, the open mind. Devotion, the open heart. Generosity, the open soul. These are not just empty platitudes, but ideals we strive to achieve each and every day. I am proud of what Equestria has become, but more than that I am proud of what its people have achieved. That includes all of you." She smiled to the crowd like a loving mother.

"Some ponies believe me to be some sort of higher power, a demigoddess who will live for thousands of years and can control the heavenly bodies themselves, with the experience and knowledge that comes with such a long life, but despite those things I am no deity. Even with my centuries of rule I still find myself learning something new every day, and I am certainly not without my flaws. I have learned to be sagacious in my dealings with other rulers, certainly. I have a keen sense of history that others only know of from texts, and I am quick to draw upon it. But I am still a mare like any other, and I make my share of mistakes and have to live with those regrets. So it is with the redtail deer who see fit to march on our great capital."

A long moment passed as she considered her words. Celestia was not typically one to give speeches, preferring to leave such issues of morale to her officers, those who had the brash nature and unyielding confidence to inspire those who knew they may very well lose their lives. Today, however, she had decided to make the truth of Elinwynn's depravity known as only she could.

"Many years ago, while Luna and I were still learning how to become the leaders our nation so desperately cried out for after the deaths of King Argo Navis and Queen Aurora, there was a powerful deer nation known as the Ochrourus Collective that was beginning to fall to strife and civil war. Two races of deerfolk, redtail and whitetail, separated merely by minor differences in appearance and magical prowess, were tearing Ochrourus in twain. Their grievances were numerous, and if you asked ten deer back then why it was happening you would have likely received ten different answers.

"Ultimately, Luna and I decided to stay out of it as much as we could. We were having troubles of our own; the recently united races of pegasus, unicorn and earth pony were distrustful of one another after countless generations of conflict and territorial disputes, and I did not want to see Equestria suffer like Ochrourus. King Argo's death signaled the end of three millennia of careful maneuvering and centuries-long attempts to bring ponykind together under one banner, and some of the more militaristic among the races saw it as an opportunity to settle age-old grudges without fear of retribution.

"It was a dark time for us all. Eventually Luna and I succeeded in bringing peace once more to our lands, but in doing so we had been unable to help the deer put an end to their bloody civil war. In truth, I do not know if anything we could have done short of military intervention would have mattered in the end. On the rare occasion that we were able to send aid -- food, medicine, clothing -- it nearly always ended up going to the whitetail. The fledgling redtail nation, now calling itself Cervidae, had become despotic and cruel in its actions against its cousins in Whitetail. Cervidae's newly self-appointed empress hated them, blaming them for the bloodshed, and our efforts at helping the needy in Whitetail were seen as barely short of an act of war.

"The royal bloodline has never forgiven us for it. To them we were not merely offering aid to the suffering; we were prolonging the war, encouraging the whitetail to fight on. I fully admit that Luna and myself did not wish to see Whitetail destroyed, for in it we saw our best hope of a peaceful future with the deerfolk, but neither did we wish to see Cervidae removed by conquest and slaughter. We were young, and inexperienced, and we made mistakes in our dealings with such a delicate situation."

A large flight of pegasi passed by outside, leaving bright trails in their wake. Multiple sky wagons followed, each loaded with supplies kept in place by tarps that had been pulled taut over their frames. Celestia watched them pass, then turned back to the Praetorians.

"Empress Elinwynn does not believe in forgiveness. She is but the latest of a long line of Cervidaen rulers that show naught but contempt for Equestria, even if she is outwardly friendly in conversations. Through lies, misdirection and outright slander she has maneuvered herself into a position of power unheard of since the time of Ochrorus, aided by her murderous brother, Corvalix. From the very onset of the war with Whitetail, it has been her doing that pushed us along this path.

"The false-flag attack on the people of River Run. The death of Chancellor Artellus. The unprecedented explosion in Evinwiir that took so many lives. The corruption of Whitetail leadership. Worst of all, the nefarious and hurtful manipulation of vulnerable citizens under the banner of my own sister's fall to darkness. She seized Luna's banishment as just another means to an end. The attack on Canterlot was her doing, as was the assassin that nearly took my life."

She clutched a necklace that rested against her armor, made of dark blue and purple beads of polished gemstones. A crescent moon hung from the middle on a short pair of delicate silver chains.

"My father made this for Luna when she was still a filly. He said, 'one day you'll be big enough to wear it. Do so, and you will always have me with you'. It's been on her nightstand ever since she turned away from me -- from us. Those of you who had the honor of meeting her will remember her as a kind soul, someone who did not shy away from speaking her mind, sometimes to a fault, but she always did so with our best interests at heart. She meant everything to me. I loved her more than I could ever put into words."

Celestia's eyes narrowed and her jaw quivered as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. The anger she felt at such a deep, personal betrayal sometimes threatened to overtake her and cloud her judgment.

"Elinwynn used that against me. She saw it as her opportunity to toy with my mind, using her 'gift' of a beautiful pendant as a magical conduit to listen in on my most private conversations and gain insight into my deepest sorrows. She appeared to me in visions, sometimes as Luna, sometimes as Nightmare Moon, as vivid and real as I stand before you now. I had already been seeing Luna in my waking thoughts, and looking back now I am unsure of when I was fighting with my own fears or when it was her deftly pulling at my strings. I have never felt so violated in all my life. Even worse, she used that knowledge to bend the Nightmare Moon followers to her whim, using them as disposable pawns to do her bidding before massacring them as a display of her 'power' and 'decisiveness' to show the people of Whitetail that she marched on their lands with only their best interests in mind.

"And it worked. The whitetail welcomed her and her brother as liberators, eagerly siding with her in a renewed war against the Equestria they still believed responsible for all of their suffering. Those who resisted were slain without mercy, their property burned. Yet even then there were those who stood against her, good whitetail who hated the thought of another war and knew her responsible for what had happened. They fight with us now as allies, eager to reclaim their homes from under the iron hoof of Cervidaen rule."

She raised her voice once more, standing tall and confident. "And so here we stand, backs against the wall, facing down an army that wishes nothing less than the complete destruction of our nation. Some of you, I'm sure, are questioning why I wish to put myself in harm's way to speak with Empress Elinwynn.

"To you I say: I do so because I must. Because if there is even the smallest chance at averting this battle, of ending this needless conflict before one more life can be taken, then I would gladly depart on my own if necessary. I will do everything in my power to stop this, but if I cannot...then so be it. I will fight alongside you, not just as your princess, but as a citizen of Equestria. This place is my home, and I will die before I see its land taken and its people conquered!" She raised a sword above her head and reared up on her hind legs. "Honor to Equestria!"

"Honor to the Princess!" the Praetorians answered with spears held high.

"And honor to you, my friends. The time for action is upon is. We will ride out, and one way or another there will be no more deer battering down our doors after today. On this, I give you my word." With a firm nod to the senior officers she stepped into the gilded sky carriage. Polaris called his charges to attention.

"Praetorians, to your positions!"

The carriage bumped and jostled in the gusty air. Far below, among the snowy fields of Canterlot Valley, the gathered forces of Equestria and Zevran cheered at the princess' passing retinue. Like a sea of glittering jewels they stretched from the barricade battlements all the way to the Coriander Road and the gates of the city itself. Escorting pegasi proudly flew long banners of Equestria as they kept pace, circling the V-shaped procession in a breathtaking display of precision formation flying.

Inside the center-most carriage Celestia waited, her heart pounding like a Zevran war drum. She had remained quiet since her boarding, and none had seen fit to disturb her. Everyone knew that there must have been much going through her mind, thoughts of Elinwynn, the war, her sister. They reflected on their own lives, as all soldiers did before a battle. It was impossible not to worry, but courage was accepting your fears without letting them control you.

Tercio chanced a brief look her way, catching her eyes for only a moment. They spoke of concern and uncertainty, but there was an edge to them as well, a resolution he'd seen in her more than once. Her gaze softened at the unspoken love between them. No, she would not be the only one who would choose death before surrender today. Their fates were entwined now, an unbreakable bond.

"If the worst should come to pass, I want you all to know how proud I am of you." She spoke quietly now, more reserved than the bombastic ending she'd punctuated her speech with. "You're good stallions to the last, and I am honored to know you. The Praetorian Guard isn't just about service to the crown; it's about striving to better yourself, to reach the heights I know you're capable of. You fly with me today because you are the best and brightest examples of what an Equestrian can become if they set their minds to it, even among your peers. As such, I have prepared a gift for your unmatched loyalty and dedication."

A long bundle sat at her hooves, thick red cloth tied with rope. She unfastened the knot holding it together, revealing a collection of gleaming weapons that clattered with the carriage's movements.

"I had these made some time ago, just after things settled down after the attack on Canterlot. Those old weapons of yours are reliable, of course, but I thought you might enjoy something a little nicer. This is just the first batch; eventually I hope to equip all Praetorians with such fine blades. Consider them a thank-you for your devotion in a time of great uncertainty."

Rimeberry was the first to take one, lifting a short sword and examining it with a whistle of approval. The blade was a silvery steel, almost white in color, light but durable and refined to a razor-sharp edge. At the base of the fuller a replica of Celestia's sun had been carved into the metal, glowing a soft orange. A wrapping of dark purple leather covered the grip, ending at the combination pomel and mouth guard.

"Tercio, I think this one's yours," Polaris said, floating a longsword over. Tercio grabbed it from the air and stared in disbelief: the image on his weapon was a half moon, half sun that shimmered with a soft white instead, with a grip of dark blue and a crescent moon pommel. Even the knotwork on the crossguard was familiar.

"Is this..." he started, his words trailing off.

Celestia gave him a soft smile. "I wish I could tell you it's Nocturne reborn, but you will find no empathic magic here. I thought you might enjoy having something like it again, at least in appearance. I tried to get as close as I could from memory alone, albeit with a small change to the insignia. What do you think?"

Part of him still held out hope that the weapon would be warm to his touch, welcoming of his connection with it, but it was not to be. Yet it was still an exceptionally fine blade, comfortable to hold and well-balanced. He ran his fingers down its broad side, testing the edge with a careful touch.

"Once again I am in your debt, Princess. Thank you. It's more than I deserve."

"I believe the feeling is not yours alone," Bear added.

"Are you sure you want us to have these? All of us?" Rimeberry asked.

"If there has ever been a more fitting time, my friends, I do not know of it," Celestia said. "Please, accept them with my blessing. You can leave your old weapons in here for now."

One last kindness, she thought grimly. A trio of horns sounded from the pegasus team at the front -- the landing point was in sight. The carriage tilted forward slightly, beginning the descent to the meeting point below. Her heart began to beat faster as the Praetorians donned their helms and checked themselves once more, sliding their new weapons into their scabbards.

"This is it," she said to herself, watching the rocky outcroppings pass by. A chill snaked down her spine and shook her like a leaf in the wind, and she closed her eyes and thought of everything that was resting on her coming words.