***Canterlot***

"Yes Dear, we have the guard set up around Canterlot." Princess Cadence looked over the map in a makeshift war room.
"I know. But after everything we have been through these past years. We must be prepared. We have been in constant alert for the past few years. Guards were set up back in the crystal palace as well. What we need to coordinate is to make sure, that nothing ELSE attempts to take advantage of this. I am not conscerned with the enemy that is approaching. We will set up a collaboration point between Poneyville and Apple Acres. I do think the Apple farm will be hit hardest....But MY main concern is that I have to prepare for all the OTHER posibilities. Twily has done her part...many times over. But Queen Crystalis is still out there as well as others. We MUST protect all our borders. " He uses his horn to shuffle the maps around.

"We can not cover all borders. We can solidify things here and the Crystal Empire...but I am concerned about the other area's. We can not reach manehatten or the other sites. We don't know the numbers we are up against."

The soft thud of hooves resonates as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna approaches the maps quietly.
"We have the guard rotation on duty and set up. With a dedicated rotation for the Front gate. We are well fortified here...but we will need to be on the front lines" Princess Celestia points to Ponyville and Appleloosa"

"The concern is; if whatever comes at us, hits us from multiple fronts..." Princess Luna points towards the Hayseed, Badlands, and the Rock farm.

"But I believe fortune favors us that they will travel this pass...but I do not surmise that they will ALL travel that way..."Princess Celestia points towards the ravine.

"I have sent word to Baltimare, Fily Delphia, and Manehatten for reinforcements....but we can not rely on the timing of such. If at all."

Princess Cadence shakes her head. She points towards Dodge City and Appleloosa.

"I see the main force coming through here. I believe the Apple family sent word to Dodge...but they are stubborn and will not leave. So we may have to expect casualties or push back from that area...
I think we may need to go here..." She points to Ponyville.

"I agree. The apple and pie family should not engage the enemy, if its a sizeable force. Though I have heard from a letter from Applejack and Pinkie Pies that they are resourceful. Especially with the tools on the farm and rocks. But once set up. They will need to pull back."

Suddenly Discord pops up wearing a military uniform.

"Yes Yes. This all looks good. I have sent some messages to our friends from afar. You mentioned needing to go to Ponyville? Let's go!" Discord waves. Suddenly he hugs them all and poofs right into Princess Twilights Castle

Shining Armor and Princess Cadence wobbles a bit, feeling the disorientation of sudden travel.

"Ugh..warn us next time..." Princess Cadence weekly stutters, clearing her head. Discord bows and leaves.

"Where are you off to?" Princess Luna asks.

"Well, I need to check on how much time we have." and suddenly dissapears.

Suddenly the doors open and Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo bolt in.

"Huff Huff.... We....are...Here...to help" Sweetie Belle puffs out.

"And ...before...you...say..no. We insist." Applebloom interjects

"And we bring a guest." Scootaloo points.

After a moment, Slowly sauntering into the room is Cheese Sandwich.

"Hello, Ladies!" He tips his hat.
"I heard my favorite Pie is in need. I was in the area...and decided to join this party!"

Princess Celestia looks to Princess Luna who nods's and turns back to the four.

"I see. Well, you three have indeed shown yourselves as resourceful. But this is a very dire situation. We.."

"I know. Princess Celestia. With all due respect. I have been with Rainbow Dash since the beginning, and have had more then my fare shares of scrapes and issues. We all have. Why Applebloom delivered pies through a rather dangerous delivery. We Will help. This is our home, and if we don't defend it, it and all of us will be gone..."

Princess Luna gives them a long stare, then after a moment, sighs.

"They are right. They have every right to defend their home with the rest of us." Princess Luna comments. Princess Celestia sighs and nods.

"So it will be. You will stand in for our friends then. " Princess Cadence nods. The Mayor with Derpy, DJPon, Lyra and Bon Bon enter the front door to gasp at the sudden presence of the Princesses. They all bow.

"We did not know you would be here Princesses. If we had known, we would have prepared..."

"No need Mayor. We came quite....suddenly...We were just.."

Suddenly the Map flashes. Which catches all their attention. Instead of the typical light hearted chime when a friendship situation is found. Suddenly the map flashes with 6 RED lights. The sound is horrendous. Almost a drone of low pitch wailing mixed with a klaxon alarm. 6 Red dots. All the way south on the map. They flash rapidly and then stay lit.

Princess Celestia gasps and for the first time in eon's has an expression that none of them, including Princess Luna, has ever seen. Fear.

"This....this can not be..." She stumbles a bit almost falling. The others are all shocked and stair at the map.

"What is this Princess?" Shining Armor asks, with a lump in his throat. Anyone in the room can tell that he already suspects something.

"That...that...means...Twilight..and the others....are in danger. Serious danger. Serious enough...that we are limited in time." A single tear forms in her eye. Princess Luna gasps suddenly.

"No...this..is this what I think?"

"Unfortunately yes. Those 6 indicate their life force...its slowly fading. This is very bad. Not only do we have to deal with an army. We Need to send a rescue party. Immediately. For if these 6 dots fade..."

"No!" Shining armor stands up abruptly.

Princess Celestia nods.

"Twily...Wait, she is an Alacorn..." Before Shining Armor finishes, Princess Luna shakes her head.

"This is beyond even Alicorn magic I am afraid. Ironically Princess Twilight may be able to find out what can work against this....but..."

"Let me go then. I will rescue..."

"No. You must stay here and defend the town. Princess Twilight would want that. Plus you have a family to defend now." Princess Celestia remarks. Shining armor slumps down and nods slowly.

Suddenly Derpy waves her hooves quickly.

"Princesses! Princesses!"

Princess Cadence walks over to Derpy.

"Yes?"

"I have an idea! A good one I hope!"

"Please share. We need all the good idea's we can get"

She points to Dj Pon3 who looks at her curiously.

"Friends! We are all friends! We can save them!" Derpy points again. Djpon3 tilts her head not understanding and then smiles and nods. She puts up a hoof and suddenly pulls out her base cannon.
"We can get the other friends together and find them!"

Princess Cadence lifts her hoof and rubs her chin for a moment.

"Hmmm. That's not a bad idea. Wait...Starlight Glimmer. Princess Twilights student! She has strong magical ability! Where is she?" Derpy smiles and claps her hooves at providing a good idea.

The Mayor clears her throat.

"I believe she is in the Library working on a research project for Princess Twilight."

Suddenly A thought comes to Princess Cadence.

"Also...The last time I talked to Twilight..." She walks over to a piece of parchment on the table.
"That's right. Princess Celestia. Remeber Sunset Shimmer? Princess Twilight wrote about her meeting with her in the other realm, and she has done wonderful things since then. We can try to reach her." Princess Celestia nods.

"That is a very good idea. We need to find that book we used to communicate with. In fact. Let me search for it. I should recognize it. " She trots over to the library. Before she leaves the room she comments.

"I will talk to Starlight as well. Very good idea...Ms Hooves" Derpy cheers and tackles a surprised djpon3 who just smiles.

"I think I know who I can round up for the rescue party. I know of a few who personally want to help any way they can. I will leave immediately and round them up. We will meet back here in about 10 minutes. If I can get word. A few may be a bit further to get here, but I will try" She leaves immediately as Derpy and Djpon3 follows. The cutie mark crusaders and Cheese sandwich walk over to the map.

"We can coordinate defenses here. We have had our fare share of visitors. I think we can muster up something if we can get the town together. "

At that, the war party separates. Just as the last one ventures out. You see the Red dot's lingering at the southern most part of the map.

A small blue whisp of a light starts to form and swirl around where the Tree of Hamony resides. The whisp of smoke attempts to form, and receed. Some may look at this as just a trick of the eye or a puff of smoke, if it weren't for it's sudden creation. It solidifies, then dissapears. After a few attempts, a couple of stars and some strange whisps of curvy lines and spirals form, then dissapear.

 

*****

Big mac donning a semi-rusted harness helmet, walks in a mock formation in a single line like a military commander. He nod's as he overlooks the fruitpaults lined up to face the south. Tension at the ready with the ordinance filled with cactus fruit, monk fruit, and various spikey and heavily densed fruit.

"I am sure glad the rest of the family was able to make it" Granny smith chimed in by one of the catapaults. Apple Bumpkin and Apple Fritter salutes Big mac and Granny as they check their prospective paults.

Braeburn trots over to the two

"Woo Wee. We are Set up for a good toss! With the Hooffields and McColts adding their warrin stuff. We can handle much of anything!" He points towards the side of the hills where you see them lining up slingshots to the ready.

"All that feudin' is paying off I gather! A few with some of the apple family are ready on the other side. Also the Pie family have set up some rock traps, in case whatever comes this way, tries to venture off to the sides."

"What about the Animals? How are they faring?" Granny pipes up. Marble trots over from behind the fields and pipes up softly.

"They are behaving for the most part...Fluttershies personal pets are closer to the front. They are unsettled though. As if they sense something."

Maud approaches with a helmet and metal hoof coverings to meet up with Marble.

"Hello." She approaches with her monotone voice.

They all smile.

"Limestone is in her element. She is leading the rock formation. Boulder..." she pulls out the small rock who so happens to have a mini military helmet on it.

"Boulder has been invaluable. He called upon his friends in need. He even met a friend of Rarity's. Someone named Tom?"

Big Mac and Granny shrug.

"We havea good sampling of Diamonc. Corundum, and Topaz for the hard hitters in the front. We have the Talc and Gypsum for the reserves in the side flanking pos...." Suddenly Maud's body stiffens and vibrates. Her eyes wide as she shudders. Just at the same time, Bear breaks out of his area in the barn, and runs out with Angel Bunny on his head. Structures that hold Owlowiscious, Gummy, Opalescence, Tank and Winona suddenly all shake and rattle as if they are attempting to break out of their temporary homes. After a few seconds you see Owlowiscious fly out, spin around and fly back in, After a few clicks, the rest of the main 6 pets all fly out looking panicked.

Big Mac and Granny stair with gaping maws at the scene. Unsure of what to do.

Maud suddenly stops vibrating and whispers out loudly.

"Pinkie" as her expression changes to one of fear. She suddenly bolts towards the direction of Ponyville, with the pets following.

"Well...I know I have been around the block sumethin....but I have never seen that. "

"Nope" Big Mac replies, almost stuttering.

"Whatever that may be....I do not think it bodes well. We need to make sure everything is set! Marble! Can you check the rest of the pets? I will check the front here, Big Mac. I hate to pull you away, but could you help Marble just in case. I have a feeling we need all the help we can get!"

He nod's turning a bit more red then red can be, but bolts after Marble. The other Apple family members who are strewing about, in front of the fruitpaults, start clearing the paths towards the wooded area's and traps that are set.

Towards the South, a familiar sound of trinkets and pots and pans appear. Emerging from the thick forest edges of Evergreen forest. Zacora arrives. She is pulling a cart of various potions, herbs, pots, pans, vials, and various items that make this look like a merchants cart. In the center part, weighing down the whole device, is a huge cauldron with bubbling liquid.

"Ahh Yes, Things go well no?" She approaches Granny Smith.

"Why Zacora! You are a site for sore eyes! I would lend you a hoof or two, as you look like you have much!"

"When the tides flow the way they go. I need to step in and help you know? My Wares and drinks and things can be good. But let's hope that the need is few and all I need to provide is food."

She then points towards the Forest.

"If need be, A way out indeed. Things may get tough and have to pull back. But rest assured. I have opened the Track!"

Granny smiles

"Well...uh..Thank you! That is a kind offer. I hope we don't need it though...uh..here is a coffer?" Granny holds up a bit. Zacora laughs at the attempt at the Rhyme and shakes her head.

"No need!" She smiles. They look to the Evergreen and for a time, it suddenly looked a lot more...inviting. A trick of the eye, to be sure.

Zacora starts to set up her shop and organizes her potions and starts brewing.

A Loud horn rattles the air. A Flugel horn. In the distance, everyone turns to see Limestone blowing the war horn and waving her hooves and pointing towards the south.

The enemy has arrived.