"What do we do?"

"I don't know!"

"We have to do something!"

"No shit Serenity, what gave it away!?"

"Ve haft to leave-AGH!"

"Drax you're hurt!"

"I am vell avare of dat…"

"Cal we have to do something."

"Well I'm all ears if any of you have a plan Ember!"

I leaned back with a wet splat as I sat in the mud and water on the edge of the creek. The bombardment had been done for some time now, though the sounds of roaring flames and the stench of death lingered like a plague, no doubt it would have burned out nostrils if our helmets didn't have their filters active. An eerie silence had befallen the land on top of the remaining destruction. Other than the crackle and snap of distant fires and collapsing buildings, there were no screams, no gunfire or explosions. Death. Just death. We were the only survivors as far as I could tell. The remaining trickle of water that passed under the bridge was stained red with blood as we continued to cower under the remnants of the stone bridge. We were hurt, dirty, and miserable.

I just wanted to go home.

I wanted to be away from this, to be back in the dojo, lying on my bed with Twilight in my arms. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, make love to her. To be happy and safe. It was clear that this war has gone on long enough. I would finish it-damn the consequences. Twilight shall be my wife and together we'll start a family. The Grineer went too far this time! They will pay for the suffering they have caused. And as we sat there in the mud, the low rumble of a drop ship engines signaled its decent as it flew overhead.

We looked to the skies, watching as the ship rumbled by.

Initially I thought it was another wave, but those fears were dashed when I noticed that there were only the three ships coming to land this time. We all knew that they had no more reason for another advance. The barrage was devastating enough as is. Staying low, the four of us crawled towards the edge of the bank, making sure to stay low and out of sight, watching as the three ships descended at the far end of the courtyard. As they landed, the two ships on the ends were the first to release its troops. There were the usual troops, but it was the last few that surprised me.

They were larger, much larger in both height and weight. Clad in thick black and red armor, their metallic legs banged loudly against the metal ramp of the drop ship. In their hands they held a hooked blade of a poleaxe. On one end was a long, thick, curved blade while the other had a massive counterweight. We watched as they moved towards the center most ship, taking up position on each side of the ramp before smashing the blunt edge of the weapon against the ground as they stood at attention.

"Who are they?" Serenity whispered.

"Kuva Guardians," I answered. "But what do the Queens want?"

I knew of the Grineer Queens, but I've never found them, nor have I met their personal troops. This was serious…

I drew my handgun. Not a lot of bullets left, and those guards armor looked thick, but so was the Grustrag brothers’ armor. As we watched them, our anticipation continued to rise as the center most ramp descended. Several clones descended behind the guards wearing blood red and jet-black armor exited the ship. Kuva Soldiers.

It was getting worse.

The elite of the elite. Tenno killers that are deemed worthy to protect the highest ranking of the Grineer. Wielding the best armor and weapons the Grineer have to offer. They are the highest-ranking clones in the entire Grineer Empire. Ruthless and merciless. They have been known to execute lower ranking soldiers for not addressing them properly. The Kuva Guard are downright lethal.

Been a long time since I had a run in with the Kuva Guard. But this was the first time I had ever seen a Kuva Guardian in the flesh. As they took up perimeter, we waited for the V.I.P. His footsteps could be heard from the far end of the square. His bright orange armor was unmistakable. More machine than man. The only bit of flesh that remained was grey and scared around his exposed mouth and lower jaw. His helmet and single eye port covered the rest of his head. The large vents covering both his chest and back protected his remaining vital organs and attached to his remaining left hand and flame cannon of a right arm. It was a miracle he even walked straight with the vent that attached to his left shoulder. But it was all supported by his thick armored thighs and robotic legs.

"Ruk…"

General Sargas Ruk.

Commander of the Saturn fleet, built like a tank, and unflinching. The mighty general never hesitated and was often eager to fight. Head of artifact extraction and rather xenophobic, the man has killed many of us, too many to count. But why does he have Ghouls and the Grustrag Brothers? The Ghouls were Vay Hek's experiments and Ruk hated the Grustrag Brothers. I wonder what made him come around? Those boys’ had once cost Ruk a ship full of troops, he wanted their execution, not their compliance. The Queens must have had a hand in this. He'd never work with them willingly. The Queens must have been behind this joint operation.

"Tenno! I know, you are, here!" Ruk shouted in his broken speech. None of us moved, only glanced from one to another. When nothing happened, the general growled. "I have come, to, negotiate."

I pursed my lips just before I stood up. "Cal what are you doing?" Ember whisper shouted.

"Either something stupid or amazingly brilliant." As I climbed out of that ditch, the Kuva Guards raised their weapons, only for the General to hold up his arm, silently ordering them to lower their weapons, which they did. "Care to explain what you are doing here Ruk?"

"I could ask, you, the, same," he replied as the last surviving Grustrag Brother exited an alleyway with a few Grineer survivors. Ember, Drax, and Serenity stepped up next to me.

"Touché."

None of us said anything. The only sounds were the Kuva grunts as they shifted in place, either adjusting their armor or their grip on their rifles.

"Why don't we cut to the chase and be civil about this." I shrugged my shoulders. "Or as civil as we can be. Did you come here to surrender?" I said sarcastically as I lightly kicked a lost rifle. "Or did you run out of men?" I lifted my head and locked eyes on the general’s camera. "I know this isn't an invasion. You only brought the one ship."

"The Grineer, never, surrender!" Ruk stated rather factually. Whatever helps him sleep at night. We all knew they'd break down and run if you killed enough of them in most situations. For a while no one said anything. My friends were looking to me for guidance while I assume Ruk was making plans of his own.

I had a plan, but no one was going to like it.

"Perhaps we can strike a deal?" I suggested. All eyes and heads of the Grineer turned towards their general as they eagerly waited for his response. He didn't immediately respond, probably weighing his response.

So, we waited.

The last little bit of flesh he had left moved and churched as he continued to think a little longer. He pursed his lips, sneered, and hmmed. As we waited, the Liset descended into a low hover off to our left. While it did garner the attention of the Grineer, it wasn't enough for them raise their weapons. While the gun moved from target to target, Ordis held off the trigger.

"What, do you, have, in mind?" Ruk final answered.

"You leave," I replied. "And never return!"

Ruk scowled in return. "And what, do I, get?"

This was the part that nobody was going to enjoy. I had one trump card I could still play though.

"You owe me a life debt," I stated. "I saved your ass from the infested once before." Even though the Grineer lack honor and loyalty, they still hold their debts high. Ruk owes me and he knows it. This was my last chance. "I'm cashing it in!"

Here's hoping he doesn't remember what I think he does.

"So, do you!”

Fuck…

“I was hoping you would have forgotten that…” I said under my breath. I licked my suddenly dry lips nervously. I had worked for the general to help him keep the Corpus at bay a few years ago. In my… hubris, I had gotten myself cornered. The general and his men freed me in the ensuing scuffle. In order for us to both walk away, a deal had to be made. And I will always regret it. “A life for a life!”

“I’m, listening…”

“You leave in peace!” I told him.

“And, in, return?” he questioned skeptically. “What, do I, get?”

I took a deep breath, there was only the one option.

“Me.”

Time slowed as everyone’s heads and horrified expressions turned towards me and my psychotic response. And before anyone could even protest, Ruk’s disgusting half smirk was the final nail in my coffin. Nothing was more desirable in the galaxy to any Corpus or Grineer commander than a Tenno. Let alone a prime, thee prime. I had just signed my own death warrant, but if I could save these people, then I would have to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Me and my bad ideas...

“Deal!”

Before I could do anything more, there was a flash of purple light as Twilight manifested herself in front of us, holding up her hoof to stop me. “NO!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. Her sudden appearance startled everyone in the immediate vicinity. My eyes went wide when the Kuva Guard raised their rifles. I dove forward, opening my shield in the process as I wrapped both arms around her body, pulling her in close just as they started firing. The Liset pulled back and banked to the left to get out of the hot zone as the rest of my friends threw their arms up to protect themselves as they either dove for cover or stumbled and lost their footing. Twilight buried her face in my neck as I used my body as a shield while several troopers fired on us.

“STOP! STOP! STOP! HOLD YOUR FIRE HOLD YOU FIRE!” I shouted at the top of my lungs over the gunfire. “STOP! STOP! STOP!” I continued to scream.

“HOLD, YOUR, FIRE!” Ruk angrily shouted at his men, even going as far to slap rifles out of the hands of his closest men. The Kuva Guardians even grabbed their subordinates by the back of their armor, shoving and pulling them and screaming to stop firing. “I will execute you all!” he ordered, one last time, getting out his first full sentence in forever. I peeked over the top of my shield. “Who, is, she!” he demanded as he pointed towards the two of us.

“She’s a civilian!” I lied, trying to dismiss the comment and keep his attention on me. “You’ll have me! I promise! Just leave her alone!” I held out a pleading hand as I slowly stood up with Twilight still in my arms. She was still hugging me tightly with her eyes closed. When no one else dared to even raise their guns, did I finally stand up fully. Ember, Serenity, and Drax slowly approached from behind. I turned around towards Serenity and shoved Twilight into her arms. “Hold her!”

Serenity in her shock immediately wrapped her arms around Twilight’s squirming form. But Serenity was smart enough to heeded my order and held Twilight tightly while my girlfriend squirmed in her grasp, trying to break free as she shouted at both of us. As I turned around, Twilight ignited her horn in one final attempt to free herself. Drax, upon seeing her attempt to break free, snapped his left arm out and grabbed her by the horn. She screamed, further demanding both of them to let her go. “Cali! Cali please! Please don’t do this!” she sobbed.

Ruk tilted his head as he examined the little mare. “Who, is, she?” he repeated.

The internal fires within me flared brightly as I pointed a finger at him threateningly. “You lay a hand on her and the deal is off!” I paused as I lowered my arm. “And I’ll kill everyone,” I tagged on.

“Fine,” he waved with his remaining hand. I nodded before I took a step forward. “Halt!” he ordered, causing me to do as he said. “No, weapons!” I paused for a second before reaching for my Lex. As soon as my hand hit the grip, his men raised their guns in response. I froze, showing them that I had no intention of being hostile. When nothing happened, I adjusted my grip and palmed the side of the gun before slowly removing it from my thigh. I turned to my right, handing my pistol off to my sister.

“Cali don’t do this,” she softly pleaded as she rested her hand atop my own.

“To late,” I whispered back, releasing the weapon. I removed my rifle next and handed it off to her as well, ignoring her look of worry. I removed my claws next before reaching for my sword. Stepping forward, I held her close to my mouth. “I will return, my friend. Until then, only those that are worthy enough to prove themselves to you may wield you in my place,” I whispered. She pulsed once, sadly acknowledging my request before I held her high before burying her tip first into the ground.

“No! Let me go! Let me go! I order you to let me go!” Twilight screamed as she continued to frantically squirm in her captor’s grip. She kicked and shoved to try and break free. “Cali don’t do this! I lo-MHPH!” Drax was quick to silence her as the pair continued to hold her back.

For the first time in a long time, I came face to face with the mighty Grineer General. “Remove, your, helmet!” I did as he ordered. Slowly I removed my helmet, letting the soft breeze and the stench of death run through my hair and burn my nostrils. I dropped my helmet, like a forgotten tin can. As I looked deeply into that cybernetic eye, I knew that this wasn’t going to end well.

Ruk smirked.

“Deal, with, him!”

My eyes went wide and I felt myself go pale.

I didn’t have time to react when Leekter palmed the back of my head, wrapping his large armored fingers around the sides of my skull, lifting me into the air and smashing my head face first into the ground. He didn’t even relent as he lifted me out of the crater and into the air like some disgusting trophy. Through the blood and the pain, soldiers dropped the rifles, cracked their knuckles, and drew electric batons. What followed next was unholy pain in my left shoulder, when his throw saw me sailing back first into the back of Ruk’s dropship.

Twilight’s P.O.V.

I screamed into Drax's glove as I watched those soldiers pummel my fiancé. A lock cracking noise filled the air, along with the metallic clang as he bounced off the back of the ship. Through the tears I could only watch in horror as he landed with a roll, slowly propping himself up on his right hand. He coughed as he slowly lifted his head.

We locked eyes.

"No…" I whimpered.

He winced as a boot connected with his side and that's when they swarmed him. He curled into a ball as they beat him. It was a flurry of punches and kicks. He screamed out in agony when others struck him with their electric sticks. They continued that for an eternity…

And all we could do was watch…

Every kick, every punch, and every strike I felt alongside side him as my heart broke again that day. Each time he tried to sit or prop himself up on his hands, they would strike him back down. His body recoiled violently with each strike. The sounds of electricity sparked and coursed through and across his body from the strange batons. I couldn't watch anymore. I closed my eyes, but I was still forced to listen to his cries and wails of agony as they continued to beat him. As it went on in the background, I failed to notice as the commander approached us.

“Twilight,” Serenity said softly into my ear, forcing me to open my eyes. I recoiled back at the sight before me though. Being at chest height to the Tenno, but he was about a head taller than them. His thick armor and disgusting, mutilated body, was very intimidation to my smaller equin form. It was even worse when Serenity set me down and I had to look up at him. His single, metallic eye and mutilated face made me ill.

“Ye... ehem. Yes?” I just barely got out loud enough to hear.

“Take me, to your, leader!”

My hooves clicked loudly against the floor of Canterlot Castle, followed by the loud metallic thuds of feet and boots behind me. The three Tenno, along with a large contingent of Grineer soldiers, both green and red, followed behind us. Forced to contact the princesses about a chance of peace, I opted to take the lead with the negotiations. But I couldn’t help but still be deathly nervous. I was shaking in my shoes. When we finally made it to the throne room, I stopped at the closed doors and turned around. I took a deep breath to steel myself before I spoke. “Please wait here… while… while I talk to the princesses?”

The general didn’t say anything other than shuffle lightly as he grabbed his modified arm with his unmodified one, crossing them rather awkwardly. The three Tenno didn’t move other than to look at one another. Everypony was clearly uncomfortable. Even when we had gotten here, the castle was under strict lockdown. There were a few Royal Guards but not many at the gates. One of them had informed us that the vast majority were located in the throne room. With a meeting such as this with the power that was present, Celestia must have order as many of her guards to protect her and Luna.

As I opened the door just enough for me to slip into the room where I found out that I was correct in my assumption. Many of the Royal Guard, both Solar and Lunar lined the walls of the throne room. Their spears were held high and they were clearly just as nervous as I was. At the far end of the room, atop the dais, Celestia and Luna sat, stoic as ever. Chrysalis stood next to them as well. I gulped as I approached them.

“Celestia, Luna,” I glanced at the changeling queen. “Chrysalis,” I greeted them all with a small head tilt. All three of them nodded their respect as well. Chrysalis' tilt was a surprise, but I paid it no mind, now was not the time. “We have-”

Just as I was about to say ‘a problem’ the doors to the throne room came banging open as the Grineer commander pushed his way inside. To my horror, everypony's eyes went wide at the intruder as he and his soldiers marched their way inside. The Royal Guard leveled their spears at the threat while the Grineer soldiers marched inside and raised their rifles. It was going to be a massacre right here in the capital, I just knew it. Celestia for her part only narrowed her eyes.

“And who are you?”

“General Sargas Ruk,” Ember introduced as she came in after him, glaring at the officer as she stepped past him, pistol in hand. Serenity and Drax entered not long after with weapons in their grip.

It was Luna who spoke up next. “Tell your soldiers to stow their weapons!” she ordered. When no pony, Equestrian or Grineer dared to even move. “NOW!” she screamed in the Royal Canterlot Voice. The General didn't recoil like I had from the shout, but he waved his good arm at his men, silently ordering them to lower their rifles. “You too, Royal Guard!” The Royal Guard did the same not long after, pointing their weapons to the ceiling and holding them tight. Satisfied, Luna turned towards Celestia. “Sister.”

“Thank you, Luna,” she thanked her sister before addressing the commander. “General, it is General, yes?” He nodded in confirmation. “I believe I could list the many reasons as to why I am furious right now. But we have chosen the route of peace. Tenno…” she narrowed her eyes at the three present. “Where is Excalibur?”

I winced.

The general smirked before turned towards the door and waved at his men waiting in the hall outside. The loud metallic bangs of the mighty soldier carrying my coltfriend by one arm, dragged his limp form into the room. Celestia, Luna, and even Chrysalis went wide eyed while I closed my eyes and averted my gaze. With a meaty thud, Cally hit the stone floor. I dared to open one eye as I watched as he refused to move for several tense seconds.

Then he groaned in pain.

Slowly, he propped himself up on one are and one leg as he got up and into a sitting position. While he continued to move he also continued to groan in pain as he sat back on his feet, holding his left arm to his chest. By now, blood was activly dripping from his nose and split lip, and his left eye was swelling shut with a dark purple bruise. I felt ill.

"What happened?" Chrysalis said softly.

He glanced at her with his good eye. "Lots of bruising, a few cuts, probably some electrical burns, and a…" He winced as he reached for his left shoulder, jerking it hard as it made a disgustingly loud crack as it reset itself. "Was, a dislocated shoulder…" he took a deep breath, but winced, groaning as he grabbed his stomach. "And probably a few broken ribs as well."

"The Tenno, cannot, protect you," Ruk started in an authoritative, yet taunting tone. "Grineer, are your, masters! Submit, for, mercy!"

"Don't," Cally stated as he swayed slightly from his spot on the floor. "They'll tear this place apart. They’ll exploit your people… kill anyone that stands against them-OOF” The sound of metal and bone clacking together filled the air when the general kicked Cally in the back of the head. He fell forward, hunched over, groaning in agony as he curled up further to try and act small.

“You will know your place!” the large soldier that carried him in spat as he grabbed my boyfriend by the back of the neck, lifting his limp body into the air before slamming him back first into the ground. Cally grunted from the strike, then a second time when the soldier lifted his augmented foot and slammed it against Cally’s chest, forcing him to grunt and wince as he grabbed the foot with both hands. He removed his metallic foot, holding up his battle hammer and letting it drop. The pommel smashed against his gut, causing Excalibur to recoil around the weapon, the strike knocking the wind out of him.

"I can't watch this," Chrysalis suddenly stated as she quickly traversed her way down the dais steps and towards the door. A nearby soldier stepped in front of her, blocking her way though. With a bemused expression, she grabbed the soldier in her magic from her regrown horn, lifted him into the air and walked underneath the soldier before setting him back down. The confused soldier turned around, only to watch as the changeling exited the throne room.

Out of all the ponies in the world that I would have expected to stomach this, it was Chrysalis. Ignoring her, the rest of us turned back towards Celestia. I was doing everything in my power to keep face, but I was struggling.

"Youwill, submit!" General Ruk stated authoritatively and intimidatingly to Celestia and Luna. Before they could respond, the General turned towards Cally. "You will, set an, example! Bow, to, your, master!"

Cally, who had been lying on his side, didn't move for several seconds. I thought he was to injured to even move. But eventually, he slowly started to move. He rolled onto his front and got his arms underneath his body. With both arms shaking violently, Cally propped himself up on both hands before he got a foot under him, then the other. With the last bits of strength he had, Excalibur stood. With his jaw set, he glared at the General with his one good eye.

"I'll never bow to you!"

The General scowled in rage as his jaw clenched and before anypony could react, a metallic clang resonated throughout the throne room. Everypony in the room gasped in horror as Excalibur was sent flying, smashing violently into the steps below us with enough force to crack the stone. I held my hooves to my mouth as I was forced to watch as he slid down the steps, coming to a halt on the floor below. The General marched his way forward, grabbing Cally by the collar and lifting him into the air. He held his mutated arm wide, ready to strike another blow.

"ENOUGH!" Celestia bellowed at the top of her lungs, smashing one hoof so hard against the floor, her golden shoe snapped in half and the floor spiderwebbed as well. "I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS ANY FURTHER! YOU HAVE COME INTO MY HOME, THREATENED MY PONIES, AND MADE A MOCKERY OF YOURSELVES! UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO BRING THE FULL POWER OF THE SUNDOWN UPON YOU! YOU WILL CEASE HIS ACTION IMMEDIATELY!!!"

I stared in awe and horror as my former mentor was burning with rage. Her eyes had turned bright orange while her mane and tail literally burned with the heat of a thousand suns! Her rage had finally boiled over as she stared down at the Grineer General. "I will not hesitate to shoot your ship out of the sky and burn your soldiers alive if this continues, am I clear?" she stated in a calmer tone, but the fires still raged.

Ruk let go of Cally, letting him slump against the floor with a meaty thud. Stepping over the Tenno on the floor, the General approached the mare. "I will, give you, a, choice!" I could hear the threatening tone in his voice, and it made me even more nervous. "Submit, for, mercy!"

Celestia raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And if I refuse?"

"Or, face, extinction!" With that, the general turned away. "You have, one week, to, decide!" He pointed towards two of his red clad soldiers and another, but lesser armored soldier with a white wig. "My Ambassador, Zondu Astr, will be staying, with, you." With a wave of his arm, two soldiers grabbed Excalibur by his arms and started to drag him out of the room. The remaining soldiers did the same and followed their leader out the door. "Choose, wisely!" were the general's parting words. I watched, through my tears as they left. What confused me the most though, was one of the guards standing near the door, gave me a wink before he too, followed suit.

With that, the room fell deathly silent. Everypony was still very tense and extremely on edge. We had just been threatened beyond anything we could ever imagine.

It was then that the doors to the throne room opened as my friends entered, passing the exiting Grineer. Out of reflex, the remaining Grineer soldiers raised their weapons. It was chaos after that. The three remaining Tenno drew their weapons while the Royal Guard leveled their spears as the throne room burst into a flurry of screaming threats and orders. Most of the Royal Guard were to terrified to move while the Grineer raised their rifles, pointing them at the three Tenno. Serenity held her gun at the man in the middle while Drax had his rifle pointed at the one to the left of the central soldier. Lastly, Ember had her pistol pointed at the one on the right.

"Drop it!"

"Put it down motherfucker!"

"I said drop the gun you bastards!"

The two guards screamed their orders in their native tongue. This continued on for several tense seconds before a bright yellow glow engulfed every weapon before they were ripped out of their hands.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Celestia shouted as the weapons sailed through the air, coming to a hover around her. "Alright? I am not going to have another bloodbath in my castle!" She glared at the two separate groups, silently daring them to try and do anything. "I order you, all of you, to turn in your weapons! You will not threaten or attack each other whatsoever!"

Everyone glanced at one another wearily before they silently agreed to the terms laid before them. Grabbing the rest of the weapons in her magic, Celestia levitated them over towards Luna for safe keeping. In the distance, we could hear the drop ship take off and head towards the larger ship still holding up position over Ponyville.

"Have you made a decision?"

Celestia turned towards the Grineer Ambassador and raised an eyebrow. "I do not know what is worse. The fact that you have the gall to come into my kingdom and attack my ponies, or to threaten me in my own home!" She stepped forward, thrusting a hoof forward and pressing it against the Ambassadors armored chest. "Do not test me! Or your death will be more painful than you could ever imagine!"

In any other situation, my eyes would have widened at the threat. But now, I had desired the same fate. I wanted them dead more than anything. The Ambassador's smug smile quickly faded when he fully realized that Celestia was not bluffing. Lowering her hoof, Celestia continued to eye the three clones as she turned towards a nearby guard. "Get me a maid and have her escort them to an available room," she ordered the still nervous Roayal Guard. He shakily nodded his head and immediately exited the throne room. "As for you three, you will not threaten, intimidate, or aggravate them whatsoever. Same goes for you Ambassador Zondu and your guards as well!

"Good?"

The three Tenno glanced at one another, seeing if either had anything to say. Serenity and Drax nodded and turned to leave while Ember glared at the Grineer a little longer before she too, turned and left. Passing by them through the door, entered the requested maid. She approached the Princess and bowed before she led the three clones towards their rooms. It was then that Celestia let out an exhausted sigh, sitting down and rubbing her head with both hooves.

"Sergeant?" she requested. One of the guards in the room snapped to attention before stepping away from his position and up towards his commander.

"Yes Princess?"

She glanced at him momentarily before lowering her hooves. "Please let Captain Shield know that we have guests and that tensions are high. No pony is allowed into the rooms other than myself and my sister. As for guard patrol, neither the Tenno, nor our guests are to interact without heavy guard presence. You got that Sergeant?"

"Yes, Princess," he acknowledged with a nod.

"Then go," she ordered. "As for the rest of you, you are dismissed. Twilight, I want to have a word with you and your friends."

We waited silently with concerned expressions as the numerous guards exited the throne room before closing the doors behind them. That's when everything came crashing down upon us all. I broke into tears as my friends slowly approached, breaking into tears as well as well all embraced one another.

"Twilight," I heard Celestia say softly. "Don't say anything, any of you.

Equestria has met a new threat on this day. I'm sorry for everything you have witnessed and for your loss. As for now, you are welcome to stay here while we figure out the best course of action for addressing both Ponyville and this so called, deal. What I want you all to know is that I will need your help with this decision…

I'm scared, I cannot lie to you about that. Which is why I need your help. If you will stand with me, I too, along with the rest of Equestria will stand with you. But as for now, go, rest, you all deserve that much."

It was later that night as a ragged Celestia sat on her throne with her sister at her side. Both of them said nothing as they continued to contemplate ideas. They were lost in thought for some time before several low thuds came from outside the large oak doors of the throne room. Confused, both mares watched the doors with bated breath before they started to open. As the doors opened the entire way, both of them relaxed when they saw the large red drake enter the room.

"Ambassador," Celestia greeted tiredly. "You're late."

The drake bowed respectfully to the royal sisters in greeting. "Esteemed Princesses-"

"You can cut the pleasantries," Celestia interjected, kinda rudely. "It's been a long day."

"You have no idea…" the red dragon sighed exhaustively. "I have something important you might want to hear." Neither of them said a word as they waited for him to explain. "Earlier today myself and two of my Drakgoons aided in the evacuation of the pony settlement just down the valley."

Both mares’ eyes went wide.

"His Majesty approved of the dispatch of his personal guard to aid in the fight," he continued. "They should be arriving in the morn if they have not already arrived. But I can safely say, if that soldier can be trusted, is that with his help, along with his allies and our forces, we successfully evacuate the settlement. There were numerous injuries of varying degrees, but I can safely say we got them to healers as fast as we could."

Both mares blinked.

"You helped save Ponyville?" Celestia questioned.

"As best as my mate, myself, and my guards could do," the drake rubbed his still sore throat with a claw. His voice was starting to sound a bit hoarse towards the end. "Even if I had to sacrifice my body for success. Anyway," he continued lowering his claw. "Do you know if that soldier of yours made it?"

Both mares grimaced at the thought.

"He was taken prisoner…"

…

"I see…"

Author's Notes:

Uhhh... Happy Singles Awareness Day I guess? I did say that I would post this this week.