"... and so the Equestrian wasteland was finally saved. So ends the story of the lone pony. Who stepped through the great annals of stable 101, and into the annals of legend. But the tale of pony-kind will never come to a close. For the struggle for survival is a war with out end. And war... war never changes.”

“Wow! Talk about a great story.” Twilight yawned, her eyes were extremely tired by the time she finished her book. She looked at the clock to find that it was almost dawn. She had stayed up yet again to read another one of her books. This was getting unhealthy. She put the book down on the coffee table next to her and tried to get a small nap before Spike woke her up. She imagined what it would be like if “war”, or whatever it was called, to exist in Equestria. She wasn’t a fan of that idea and began to lay her head down on the couch’s arm and dose off.

All of a sudden Spike walked up next to her and said “Get up Twilight! We’re gonna be late for the meeting with Celestia!” She forgot that she was going to meet Celestia today. If only she had not found that book she might of been able to keep her eyes open let alone make a five hour walk to Canterlot. She slowly rolled off the couch and headed for the bath.

Spike noticed that Twilight was very tired. He saw the book on the table. “Maybe it was a bad idea to give her that crate of books. But then again they were given to her by Celestia herself.” He thought to himself. He picked up a few books. “Fall Out”, “My Early Life by Winston Hoofhill”, “The Art of War by Sun’s Two”. They all had a certain connection, they all talked about this thing called “war”. It interested Spike, but not for long. He put the books back just as Twilight got out of the bathroom. “That was quick.” He said.

“Yeah, well we might as well get this over with.” Twilight said with an annoyed tone in her voice.

“She’s clearly angry.” Spike said in his head. “This is gonna be a LONG trip.”

    ============

The two reached the walls of Canterlot just as the sun was reaching it’s high point in the sky. Twilight loudly knocked on the gate.

“State your order of business.” The guard at the door said.

“Uh, I’m here to have a meeting with her majesty, Celestia.” Twilight said. This was odd. One is usually aloud to walk into Canterlot freely. What is up with this random suspicion?

“Show written proof or be on your way!” The guard barked.

“Uh, I don’t have any written proof on me at the moment. You’ll just have to take my word.” She showed a weak smile.

“No proof, no entry!” The guard barked again. How rude! I must write to Celestia right away! Surely she will know what is going.

“Spike! Take a note!”

    Dear Princess Celestia,

    This is rather embarrassing. It seems that I am not aloud through the gates and my only way of getting through is by written permission. Maybe you could explain what is going on. I am rather worried and would only like to know what is going on.

        Your faithful student,

        Twilight Sparkle.

“Send this off right away, Spike.” Seconds after the letter was sent out another came back.

    Dear Twilight Sparkle,

    I am ever so sorry for not warning you. The stamp on this letter should be enough for you to get through. Please hurry, we have much to discuss.

        Princess Celestia.

Twilight took the letter to the guard and showed it to him. “Sorry for any inconveniences ma’am.” He said as he opened the gate. They both walked through the gate suspiciously, unaware of what was going on. When they reached the throne room they saw Celestia standing by a window looking outward.

“So glad you could make it, Twilight. You’ve even got here before the others.”

“What others?” Twilight asked.

Celestia sighed, “Come, walk with me. We have much to discuss.” They began heading down a corridor that was thick with dust. “It has been a triumph that I had never had to use this room since the beginnings of this castle. Over a thousand years we have never needed it. But unfortunately, the time has come again.” Twilight saw the worried look on Celestia’s face. That worried her more so. “Twilight, have you read those books I have given you?”

“Oh! So those were yours? Why yes, I have. Very interesting topics.” Though Twilight loved books this was clearly not a simple meeting to discuss them.

“So you understand them quite well?”

“Yes, I suppose.”

“Have you ever heard or read of war before I gave you those books?”

“No. Is that why we are here?”

“Unfortunately...” Twilight’s eyes widened. They had reached a large 3D model at the end of the corridor. It resembled Equestria shockingly well. Even the details of her library were spot on.

“What is this? And why do you have it hidden away from others?”

“It is an old planning room from long ago. Back when Discord reigned ruler of all Equestria. I have only used this to plan the downfall of Discord. And for other things...” Twilight was too amazed at what she saw to hear the last part Celestia barely managed to whisper. Celestia broke the silence by asking “Do you know what this room is called?”

“Um, no.”

“It is the war room. It is where you will come to see me from now on. At least, after you complete a certain objective I have for you. You understand the pain and hardships of war, and you are a great scholar. I need you to inform the others of your new discovery, and quickly. More specifically the residents of Ponyville.”

“What do you mean? What should I inform them?”

“You must ween them into the idea of war. Outright telling them will surely be too much for them to handle and cause uproar. So you must ease the idea through them, in any which way possible. I know this sounds heartless, but you must make war seem good.”

“If war is what I read then there is no way to justify it.”

“You must. For without the support we WILL fall to them.”

“I don’t understand. Who are we at war with?”

Celestia walked over to a pane of glass. “Look into here, my experiences will be a much better explanation than what I can tell you now.”

Twilight looked into the glass and began seeing moving shapes. The time appeared to be a few months earlier. Celestia was at some sort of council that involved a few representatives of all species of animals, they were arguing over something suddenly she was thrusted into the perspective of Celestia herself. She was face to face with a sickly look gryphon. His eyes where tired and you could sense pity drooping from him. Why, without Celestia’s past memories passing through Twilight’s head she would have guessed that this was an aged war veteran living on the street.

      =======================

“Silver Claw, you cannot do this.”

“Do not try to order me, Celestia! You may have half the court lingering on your word and the respect of The Elder, but you cannot order me!” Celestia could see the pure fury in Silver Claw’s eyes. He was an angry gryphon, but never had he been so furious.

“I am not ordering you, I am only trying to get reason in your head. You are going to war with The Council!

“Wrong! I am going to war with the old, dying fool on that throne! Anybody in my way is simply an obstacle, I will remove that obstacle and continue towards my goal.” Silver Claw softened his face and gave a tired look. “This land has been under peaceful rule for centuries and what have we achieved? Some useless farming techniques and the discovery of bronze. Imagine what we could accomplish if that old bat were to not undermine all our scientific works! He is so stuck in tradition, so afraid of change that he would rather make the lives of our subjects meaningless than accept the inevitable. I swore to my people that I would make them great. How could I do that if he keeps us ‘in our places’?”

“So your willing to end countless lives just to make your people great!? Is that what this is about.”

“No! I am willing to end countless lives to prove that us gryphons are not place mats for ‘his royal highness’ to rest his feet on and call him self great. He made us different for a reason. And for that he shall pay with not only his life, but the lives of those you believe that he is right for that. I give you one last chance to join the rightful cause. Say no now and there shall be no turning back.”

“You very well know my answer.”

“Then it is settled. May the annals of history tell the great stories of the Ponies as truthfully as possible, for that is all you shall be after this.” Silver Claw turned his back to the glaring eyes of the court. The next time he is to return here it shall be with an army of warriors at his back, screaming for the head of The Elder.

The Zebra representative walk from behind Celestia. “Rest assure my old friend, her majesty’s army is with you to the end. We shall stop his forces quick, and maybe his land we shall have a pick?” He cocked his eyebrow.

Celestia got angry. “No, this isn’t about land. And never make it so. This will be about defending The Council and nothing more.”

“No promises can be held after his forces are defeated well.” The representative returned to his seat. Celestia just stood staring at the gryphon king. She knew this was not going to end well. If is was one thing that the gryphons had, it was spirit. And she knew how much of a war is won with spirit.

      =======================

Twilight looked back at her teacher. “If this was to convince me that this war was just, it didn’t do a good job.”

Celestia sighed. “It was not to persuade you in any way, it was only to show you what we are truly up against. As you saw, the gryphons now feel that there is left nothing to lose. They have felt that for a long time, but now was the last straw. That sort of enemy, the one willing to die to merely scratch you, is the worst of any kind. If you object to being a part of this, tell me now. I will understand completely.” She was looking down at the floor, Twilight had never seen Celestia anywhere remotely like this.

“If you don’t want to do this than don’t get in his way. Nobody has to die.”

“That is not so. He wishes to kill The Elder. If he is to succeed then all of Equestria, neigh, all of this planet would fall into chaos and death. And it wouldn’t be something that the Elements of Harmony or anything could fix. It would be utter chaos, and nothing more.”

Twilight look Celestia in the eye, “I will stand by you at any cost.”

Celestia got an ounce of hope back. “Good, then go. We have much to do, Silver Claw is on his way.” Next Chapter: Show Stoppers Estimated time remaining: 39 Minutes