Daring sighs heavily as she walks down the hallway towards the ballroom of the Royal Palace in Canterlot. All around her, ponies are rushing about with purpose, some barely stopping when they bump into each other to offer apologies. Almost all of them are wearing the gold or blue of the day and night guards, the muted sound of their armor rustling filling the air with a strangely catchy hum.

Quite a few, though, are dressed like Daring. The armored jumpsuits of the Wonderbolts’ Reserves had drawn more than a few strange looks as they had been handed out, as the Royal Guard knew the Wonderbolts were a combat organization, but until that moment most had never seen what a full mobilization looked like. Many of the Reserves had also looked at the armor like a live snake, having never believed the day would come they would have to dress as if to go to war.

Yet, at war they were.

Stopping and looking out one of the windows, Daring cannot help but growl at the large shadow fortress hanging over the city. It had not yet deployed the cannon they had seen yesterday, but Daring knows that it is just a matter of time, especially with their them being in a massive fight above the Wonderbolts’ Compound already. Even so, Daring is anxious to get into the fight, but so far Spitfire had not sent word to them, and the Command Chief had not given the word to independently engage. Growling Daring goes away from the window, knowing that if she looks at it any longer she’ll likely take flight and enter the fight, with or without orders.

“Senior Master Sergeant?” a voice comes from nearby, causing Daring to sigh and turn to face the speaker.

“Yes, Wind Rider?” Daring asks the light blue pegasus walking over to her. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“That’s Commander, Master Sergeant.” Wind Rider corrects, a smirk on his face.

“No, it’s ‘retired’ Commander, Wind Rider.” Daring sighs, not wanting to deal with the entitled former Wonderbolt. “You’re only here because no one wanted to tell you to go home.”

“I am here, my dear Yearling,” Wind says with not a little bit of pride, “because your Command Sergeant deemed my experience and expertise needed.” He circles Daring much like a timberwolf would wounded prey. “Do not forget, I fought in the Griffin-Drake War! I am a soldier unlike any of the foals you call Reserves.”

“We are all Wonderbolts,” Daring states, holding her ground, “same as you.” She sighs and smirks slightly, looking at Wind as he passes in front of her again. “Look, Wind, we could keep up this pissing contest, or we can both get to the ballroom and meet with the Command Sergeant and see what our orders are. I’d rather fight them,” she points out a window, “than you right now.”

Chuckling loudly, Wind nods and falls in beside Daring. “Same old Yearling, straight to the point and no foaling around.”

“I had good teachers,” Daring replies, her smirk growing. “You’ve met Distant and Viridian. Do you think someone who has worked so closely with them would be any different?”

“No, I suppose not,” Wind admits with a shrug, “but, since you are a student of two rather… unorthodox minds, what is your opinion on the current situation?” He motions with one wing towards the fortress. “Because my assessment is… less than hopeful.”

“Always the optimist,” Daring chuckles. “Truthfully, mine is bleak as well. We can’t get close to it, we can’t shoot at it, and even our friendly ‘Renegades’ aiding Spitfire and the rest of the main forces seem to be doing little more than slowing down that flying death-trap.” Daring sighs and looks over at Wind. “Honestly, Wind, at this point I am going to recommend to the Command Sergeant and the Guard Captain to focus our efforts on the city. We can’t know for sure if throwing more bodies at the problem will fix it, and I am not about to suggest we throw the untested Reserves at something so dangerous.”

“I would agree,” Wind confesses with a heavy sigh. “It takes a lot of guts to show up to a crisis like this for a Wonderbolt, especially one who is in the Reserves and expects usually to only be called up for minor things.” He speeds up slightly and waits at a pair of large doors for Daring. “Nothing like this. Reserves haven’t been called into combat since the last war. And make no mistake, Yearling,” he pushes the door open revealing the ballroom beyond, “this is war.”

Stepping into the ballroom with a nod to Wind, Daring advances towards the center where a collection of large tables -- usually reserved for banquets -- have been dragged in and are now surrounded by ponies in armor and cluttered with maps and diagrams.

The table Daring, and Wind who is not far behind her, is heading towards is occupied by a large map of Canterlot, hoof-drawn lines and notes side-by-side with carved figurines, cups, and banners to mark the locations of troops and vital buildings. There are four ponies around the table, one of them talking loudly.

“I understand your concern, Captain,” a pegasus mare wearing the Reservist armor directly across from the other three states calmly. “And I do not know how you do things here in Canterlot, but in Cloudsdale we don’t sit on our tails while ponies are in potential danger. Nor will I lead from the background!” She ends her little speech by slamming a hoof against the table, causing the placemarks on the map to topple over.

“Command Sergeant,” A unicorn in the armor of the royal guards, sighs. “While I cannot order you to stay here, I implore you to listen to reason. The battle outside could spill into the city, and if you’re taken out there is no one to take over for you. Who will lead the reservists?”

“That is exactly why I have to get out there, Aegis!” the Command Sergeant exclaims. “If it spills into the city we need to be able to react, and I know your soldiers are not ready to fight a battle against these… these Shadowbolts!”

“What about the chain of command, Stormbreaker?” a honey colored pegasus next to Captain Aegis speaks up, “This isn’t the weather factory, and this isn’t training. You need to think these things through.”

“That’s why I have them,” Breaker comments with a smirk, pointing towards Daring and Wind as they come closer. “Daring is the next highest in rank, and Wind is the most experienced Wonderbolt I could get my hooves on.” She then points to the map, her smirk becoming a smile. “So, what needs to be done? Seeing as my chain of command is well protected, I assume you’ll stop this foalish whining and let me get out there?”

“After we bring them up to speed,” Aegis sighs as she looks to the two newcomers. “Senior Master Sergeant, Commander Wind Rider.”

“Captain,” Daring greets with a curt nod.

“Aegis,” Wind says with a smile.

“We don’t have time for a full briefing, so I’ll cut to the quick.” Aegis states, putting a hoof on the map on the table as he uses his magic to right the place markers back into their proper position. “As you can see, we’re in full deployment following the appearance of that flying fortress.” He points to a large mug which Daring guesses is the ‘fortress’. “We’re steering clear of it on the advice of both Princess Luna and the Renegade ‘Captain’ Descent, and after yesterday’s light show I am not about to argue with them.”

“What of the civilians in the area?” Daring speaks up, looking at the map with a worried expression.

“All evacuated to the newly built emergency shelters,” Dawn says with a smile. “I saw to that personally on day one of the emergency.”

“As Dawn said,” Aegis agrees, tapping his hoof on a few circled spots. “All civilians were evacuated to shelters, and any and all Reserves in the population were given direction to make their way through the tunnels that connect the shelters to the ones closest to the palace so they could run here as soon as the fighting lulled to be given orders.” He then looks over at Stormbreaker. “What about your end?”

“Well,” Stormbreaker starts, clearing her throat, “once the Reservists are here, they’re given their orders and armor.” She taps a few positions on the map next to a few pegasi toys. “I’ve got them stationed along the border of the city and in the upper clouds, ready to help fight fires and turn away civilian air traffic.” She taps a few more places and looks over at Aegis. “I have a few squadrons doing what they do best, and running supplies between your guard units, acting as messengers, and generally making sure everypony is ready for whatever happens.”

“What’s the status on emergency services?” Wind interjects, coming up to stand on the other side of Stormbreaker so him and Daring flank their leader like Dawn and Knight are flanking theirs. “All the military preparation in the world will do us nothing if we don’t have emergency services ready to receive wounded.”

“I agree, Wind,” Aegis nods, tapping the map again. “Thus, I have Canterlot General staffed with a compliment of Guard and Civilian doctors, the entire facility guarded by two regiments of my best.” He taps a few other places and looks to the three across from him. “Triage and clearing stations are ready to be established at a moment’s notice at these locations.”

“Good, good…” Wind says absently before looking between the Captain and Command Sergeant. “Does that cover everything?”

“Except for your marching orders,” Stormbreaker chuckles.

“I’ll have you know, I have not ‘marched’ since the last time Blaze Tail caught me unaware in the supermarket…” Wind chuckles.

“We’ll have to fix that.” Stormbreaker chuckles. “Anyway! Daring, Wind, I need you two to hold the fort down here while I make the rounds and properly put the fear of Celestia into the Reserves in the field.”

“You’re trusting us to run all the logistical stuff?” Daring asks with a raised eyebrow as Stormbreaker starts walking away.

“Yeah! You two can handle it, I’m sure!” Stormbreaker calls back with a wave. “Have fun!”

Turning to look at the three across from her, she frowns as she spots Aegis walking away -- presumably to do his own duties -- Dawn smiling at her, and Knight paying no attention whatsoever to anything outside of yawning as he looks around for what will likely be another cup of coffee.

“So… do you two have any idea how to run a military deployment?” Daring asks slowly.

“Yup,” Dawn chuckles.

“Y-Yes,” Knight yawns.

“Would you be willing to help?” Daring continues.

“Nope.” Dawn shrugs, “You can handle it, Yearling, I have faith in you.” He leans over and hooks an arm around Knight’s neck. “Besides, poor Knight here is going to fall over on his handsome face if I don’t get him a cup of liquid energy soon.”

“I’m married,” Knight mutters with a loud yawn.

“Yeah, and your wife will appreciate it if I make sure you’re awake,” Dawn replies as he pulls Knight away from the table. “I’d never hear the end of it if I let you get killed in the line of duty! Plus, that’d make me next in line for the Captaincy, and we can’t have that!”

Whatever Knight’s muttered reply is, Daring doesn’t hear it over the noise in the room. Sighing, she looks to Wind who is carefully studying the map, muttering to himself as he moves pieces across it. He has produced, from somewhere, a pair of reading glasses that only seem to add to the air of veterancy about him.

“Well, looks like we’re on our own, Wind,” Daring sighs as she crosses around the table to stand opposite of the retired Wonderbolt. “Any ideas on what the hay we’re supposed to do?”

“Nope, not really,” Wind replies, looking over the rim of his glasses at Daring. “I was never much for the tactical planning side of things. I was a warrior, and a Commander, but I was never much for long drawn out meetings.”

“You and me both.” Daring nods as she looks at the map. “I guess, what we need is another set of eyes, and somepony who is organized.” She sighs and looks up, whistling sharply to a Reservist who is walking by. “Wingpony, could you go to the kitchens and track down a pony by the name of Leaf Wind? He should be in there with his father, most likely still arguing with the ‘quartermaster’ about caffeine or something.”

“Right away, ma’am,” the pony says with a salute before trotting off at a brisk pace.

“Well, that takes care of the second set of eyes,” Wind chuckles. “I guess now we need to figure out what this griffin-scratch is that Stormbreaker wrote all over the map... “

------

“Dear, I really don’t know what I can do to help,” Leaf says for the fifth time that hour. He is sitting beside Daring as they look over the map. Wind had long since left to go brief a group of Reserves on their orders and had left Daring and Leaf to continue to hammer out what exactly needed to be done.

“Well, I have no idea what I am doing, so we’re all good there,” Daring chuckles as she taps the map, which has been cleared of most of the objects that were laying on it. “I figure, though, we just need to keep some scouts in the air and have most of the rest spread out and ready to act should something happen.”

“Like that fortress suddenly sprouting a giant cannon like yesterday!” A new voice pipes up from across the table from them. It’s a young voice, full of enthusiasm that makes Daring smile even if she sighs.

“Yes, Tricks,” Daring says as she looks over at her ‘nephew’, “That would count. In fact, I am pretty sure that is going to happen. Hopefully, Luna will be able to defend against it like last time.”

“I don’t know, Auntie Yearling,” Tricks cautions, setting both his hooves on the map and giving her a serious look, or as serious as a colt wearing a hoof-made cape and what looks to be a smaller version of the unicorn auxiliary uniform can look. “I know Luna is powerful, and my friend Gust would tell you she is the strongest Princess ever, but I’ve been listening to the guards talk. They said she was really drained. She might not be recovered yet.”

Blinking a few times, Daring looks to Leaf then to Tricks. “You really shouldn’t be eavesdropping on the guards, Tricks.” She then shrugs and smiles. “Besides, we don’t actually know the Shadowbolts will deploy that thing again after it was ineffective last time.”

“Actually,” Tricks says slowly, pointing over Daring’s shoulder and out one of the large windows. “I think it’s a safe bet to say they will.”

Furrowing her brows, Daring looks over her shoulder. “Tricks, I highly dou…” She trails off as she spots the Shadowbolts’ Fortress glowing rather brightly. Wonderbolts are flooding out of the Compound, or more to the point the area around the Compound, and are doing their best to fight off yet another wave of Shadowbolts. But, it is not the glowing, nor her fellow Wonderbolts in battle, that hold her attention. It’s the cannon.

The cannon, and the definite lack of anything resembling a shield around the Wonderbolts’ compound. Standing and going to the window and pressing her face against it, Daring stares as the battle is joined with a resounding battle cry that can be heard even in the Castle.

Leaf joins he a few moments later, with Tricks scampering over and pressing his nose to the glass moments after that.

“Told you they’d do it agian,” Tricks states matter-of-factly, a smile on his face.

“You take after your mother way too much,” Leaf says absently.

“I have to agree,” Daring replies with a nod, then a sigh as she turns around and watches all the other ponies in the room making their way towards the windows to stare. Whistling sharply, Daring stands up straight and does her best impersonation of a certain drill instructor. “Alright everypony! Stop staring at that giant flying light bulb!” She strides forward, her hoofsteps echoing on the floor as she does her best to grab everypony’s attention. “Yes, they’re going to fire that again, so we need to be ready!” She points to the nearest reservist. “Sergeant, get as many reservists as you can, and get the non-combatants still present in the castle to the wine-cellar!” The Sergeant snaps a quick salute and gathers a few lower ranking reservists around him before quickly exiting the room. “You!” She points at a Day Guard who raises an eyebrow at her. “Yes, I know I am not your commander, but go find him right now! He needs to be appraised of this situation.”

The guard shrugs, not questioning the order as it is quite valid, and dashes off to find one of his superior officers.

The moments tick by like that, Daring continue to give orders and try and get everypony to something resembling a state of readiness to act and not simply be caught in the headlights. Many still slipped through her hooves, though, and as the battle outside progressed -- complete with explosions of magic and what looked to be a very poorly organized defense -- Daring is forced to constantly drag ponies away from the windows and shout at them to get to their stations or get to shelter.

The only pony she can’t bring herself to separate from the pane of glass they’re currently attached to is Tricks. Each time she goes to try and suggest he move away from the glass and stop watching the battle, her mind promptly reminds her that the two mares who are basically his mothers are in there, fighting for their lives. And though she had only met Monkey Wrench once or twice when visiting, she knew Witchy well, and it took all her considerable willpower to not sit down next to Tricks and watch the battle with him in the hopes of catching a glimpse of her friends.

No, she has to focus on her duties.

“Yearling!” A shout comes from the door to the ballroom turned command center, drawing Daring’s attention to the pony galloping towards her.

“Ah! Dawn,” Daring smiles as she calls to the honey colored commander. “So good of you to come to my humble command center during this most eventful moment!”

“It’s a joint command center, Daring,” Dawn says with a straight face, though the twinkle in his eye betrays his own sarcastic amusement. “I got here as soon as I could, though.” He stops at the table and waits for Daring to come over and stand on the other side. “What’s the situation.”

“Well, to be honest, I don’t have a bucking clue…” Daring states seriously. “I’ve not gotten any reports from my scouts, or rather Stormbreaker’s scouts, and so far as I can tell the Shadowbolts are about ready to fire that cannon of theirs, but no shield has gone up over the Compound.”

“Anything else?” Dawn asks, shaking his head.

“Well, the compound just grew giant propellers…” Tricks shouts from the window. “They look old…”

At the declaration from the young colt, all activity in the room stops and everypony rushes to the windows. Daring finds herself drawn, almost magically, to a spot next to Tricks where she looks out the window in slack jawed wonder as the Wonderbolts’ compound not only continues to sprout propellers from odd places, but then a smokestack that starts to belch thick clouds of smoke. And then with a loud buzzing sound, the propellers start to turn as the light from the Shadowbolts’ cannon starts to get brighter, and brighter.

“They’re not going to make it,” Daring breathes softly, her breath misting on the glass in front of her nose.

“Don’t say that!” Tricks says next to her, his brow furrowed and eyes starting to water. “Witch Doctor always makes it out okay! So does Monkey!” He shakes his head and puts his hooves on the window. “They have to!”

Daring opens her mouth to say something, but a sudden burst of light almost blinds her as the Shadowbolt cannon goes off. Opening her eyes again time seems to slow down to a crawl as she watches a billowing cloud of debris shoot outward.

“MOM!” Tricks all but wails beside her, eyes riveted to the spot the Wonderbolts’ compound had occupied moments before. Daring moves without thinking, her motions in slow motion as she reaches down and scoops the wailing colt into her arms and turns right as the blast reaches the Castle. As she hears the windows shattering inward, razor sharp shrapnel shooting towards them, Daring wraps her wings and arms around Tricks and does her best to shield him. And as the roaring shockwave rolls over her with all the force of a freight train, robbing her of her breath and shortly thereafter sending her into blissful unfeeling darkness, she muses to herself at how calm she feels.

And she smiles, slightly, wondering if this is how Midnight felt…

Zero Hour

Grunting in pain, Commander Amber Dawn of the Canterlot Royal Guard pulls himself upright. Something is wrong; the once beautiful ballroom in the Palace is in shambles, stained glass and stonework littering the floor along with the bodies of several ponies that Dawn had been speaking to not moments before. Shaking his head to try and clear the loud ringing sound in his ears he takes a few steps forward, the feeling of his hooves hitting the stone floor registering but are silent.

As he makes his way forward, he can see many of the ponies in the room are still breathing, though some look like they’re going to be in need of medical attention shortly. The doors to his right slam open as ponies rush in, and Dawn notes in muted relief that they’re Royal Guards mixed with the armored flight jumpsuits of the Wonderbolts’ Reserve Corp. One pony, who Dawn vaguely recognised as one of Captain Aegis’ aids. The aid yells something at him, waving a hoof at him when he doesn't reply, causing him to tap one ear with a hoof to let her know he can’t hear. When wetness meets his hoof, he lowers it to his face and grimaces when he sees blood.

Continuing towards the large, and now empty, windows along the far wall of the ballroom, Dawn stops and looks out over the city.

At first, all he sees is a large cloud of dust obscuring everything, but, as it starts to settle, his blood runs cold. The Shadowbolt Fortress is still in the sky, though it looks to be underpowered after whatever happened, and is being pushed away by some of the Shadowbolts, but that isn’t what turns his veins to ice. The entire high class district, where some of the most affluent and powerful ponies in Canterlot had made their homes, is now a smoldering ruin.

And in the center of it all, where a few minutes earlier the Wonderbolts’ compound had been, is a massive smoldering crater.

He feels his plot hit the stone floor, and he shakes his head as tears rush to his good eye. Had the Shadowbolts won? Had they destroyed the Wonderbolts? He barely feels hooves gently take his head, and a cooling sensation as somepony casts magic on his him. How could this day get any worse?

And then his hearing returns, and he hears the aid yelling at him.

“Sir! The Captain is dead!” the aid shouts. “What are your orders!?”

Author's Notes:

And here we are, the first chapter of my latest, and arguably darkest story since Memories of Midnight. Starting during the battle to save the Wonderbolts' Compound, we get to see the damage done to the city by the cannon, and more importantly the ponies defending the city.

Hopefully you enjoy the story as much as I did writing it!

Until next time,
~Sylvian