Twilight walked down the stairs from her room and into the main room of the library where Spike was doing the usual dusting/reorganizing routine. She turned away from the main room, walked into the kitchen and opening the fridge. It was time for dinner. Before Twilight could begin preparing herself and Spike a meal, she heard a loud burp come from the other room, she turned around to see Spike holding a letter in his hands.

"A letter from Celes... I mean Luna." Spike said, the tone of his voice changing from cheer to solemn.

Spike cleared his throat. "Dear Twilight Sparkle, I am requesting your presence at Canterlot Castle as soon as possible. An altercation of Military proportions has begun on the border of Stalliongrad and the Gryphon Kingdom, and they have requested that we send backup. I was also instructed that I should be present. I am unaware of how long it will take me to sort out this
whole incident, so I wish for you to take over until I return. If you have any sort of problem with this, I understand, as we both know what event has occurred recently. Signed, Princess Luna."

"She wants me to take over all of Equestria? Do I have to be there now?"

"The letter doesn't say if she wants you there now, but I'd assume so."

Twilight ran up the stairs and back into her bedroom, slamming the door closed behind her. The vibrations of the door knocked over several books on the shelf. Spike groaned in frustration, walking over and setting the books back up-right. Twilight's door flew open as she shot out of her room and slammed the door again, the same four books falling over.

"Would you stop slamming the door!" Spike yelled, startling Twilight.

"Oh, sorry!"

Spike put the books back upright for the second time. Twilight trotted down the stairs, the old wooden steps creaking from the extra weight of her large saddle bag and thick coat.

"Spike, do you think you can watch over the library while I'm gone?" She asked.

"Of course, I've done this plenty of times!" Spike said happily, setting his feather duster down on a small wooden table.

"Good, and remember to feed Owlicious!" Twilight called as the ran out of the door.

"Whoo!"

Spike looked up at the brown owl perched next to a circular window.

"Think she'll be back soon?" Spike asked the owl.

"Whoo."

"I hope so, too."

"Your Majesty, all of the reserve troops we're sending have been gathered in the Throne room and are awaiting a briefing." Cloud Drop said as he poked his head through Luna's door.

"Oh! Good. I will be with you in a moment's time, please excuse me for I have gotten myself caught up in this paperwork."

"Not a problem, your Majesty."

After quickly sprawling out a few finishing words, Luna set her quill down and stood up from her chair. Cloud Drop stood out of the way as she exited, turning down the hall and walking to the Throne room. Upon entering the expansive room almost 500 Guard ponies stood at attention, a collective *clop* sound echoing through the hall as each one planted his hooves firmly on the floor in unison. They were not all dressed in the usual decorative, golden armor, they all wore white and gray camouflaged armor to help them blend in with the snow.

"We can fit all of these troops in 19 helicopters?" Luna asked as she turned her head to look at Cloud Drop.

"No, half of them will be staying after the first trip. If things go south, the rest will be sent." Cloud Responded.

"What shall I begin with?" Luna whispered to Cloud.

"You should start off with 'at ease', otherwise, they'll stand at attention for the next 30 moons." Cloud responded.

"At ease!"

All of the guards relaxed their stances, standing in a normal fashion.

Luna cleared her throat. "As many of you are aware, tensions between the Gryphon Kingdom and our allies, the Country of Stalliongrad and Germaney, have been on the rise. As of yesterday, I was informed that the Gryphon Military has advanced to Stalliongrad's border. The officials at Stalliongrad have attempted to communicate with the Gryphons, but they have not been responding. On top of this, two Stalliongrad messengers have gone missing and are presumably being held by the Gryphons."

"As of yet, no true military action has been conducted between the two nations, we are going to keep it that way. Mikhail, the president of Stalliongrad, hopes that if we send enough troops it will ward off any sort of action the Gryphons are planning, as we will have the upperhoof in numbers. In two days time, you will all be embarking to Stalliongrad and Germaney to provide aid for their troops. Details of the mission and flight path can be collected from your Platoon commanders. Any questions?"

No hooves went up.

"Please, enjoy the rest of your night, and be safe when you all reach Stalliongrad."

Each and every soldier in the room stood up straight, raising their heads.

"YES, SIR!" The collective voice of the 500 soldiers boomed.

Luna was awestruck at the loyalty and discipline of the group. She was nearly unable to comprehend that she was in charge of all of them, let alone the rest of the Royal Guard. The sound of the main door to the throne room echoed through the expansive space, a single, purple pony standing in the doorway. Twilight Sparkle stood completely still, her body frozen in both amazement and fear.

"Twilight? You came quickly..." Luna called across the room.

Twilight stepped into the throne room, walking through the crowd of soldiers that had begun to leave the room.

"Princess, what's going on? Is everything alright?"

"Not necessarily, the issue between Stalliongrad and the Gryphons has become quite bad, and they're requested that we send them reinforcements." Luna explained as she lingered behind the large group of soldiers.

"Back-up? Does that mean that... war has broken out?" Twilight asked fearfully.

"No, not yet. Andrei, one of their messengers, informed me that the Gryphons have built up large troop concentrations along both Germaney and Stalliongrad's borders. I was told that if we send a high amount of troops the Gryphons would be less prone to attack."

"And you want me to take over while you're gone?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. You may find your old room and get settled. I hope this isn't too much trouble for you at the moment, I understand that you are hurt from the loss of your friend. We all are."

"No, it's no trouble at all, Princess. You seem to be... fine."

"To be truthful, Twilight Sparkle, the only reason I left my quarters this morning is because I am expected to do a job around here." Said Luna, her happy demeanor changing.

"Your Majesty, I've got some questions about... Oh, hello, Princess Twilight." Cloud Drop, who had just rounded the corner said, drawing their attention.

Twilight simply smiled in response.

"Uh, anyway...," Cloud Drop said as he took a document from under his wing where he had been holding it, "It's about the helicopter Celestia was in."

Luna took the paper with her magic, unfolding it and reading a few lines.

"I wish to deal with this at another time," Luna spoke, returning the folder to Cloud. "I am sorry for requesting your presence on such short notice, Ms. Sparkle."

"Princess, you can stop apologizing! I'm fine, really!"

"Alright. We will let you unpack the things you brought. Have a good night, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna called as she and Cloud Drop walked away.

Twilight placed her attention back on her room, opening the door with her magic and walking inside. The room had not changed one bit the last time she had visited, all of the books, chairs, tables, plants, and other various details sat in the same location they always had. Her old room was one of the several large suites of the castle, hers differed from the others as it was built onto a tower, overlooking a courtyard and a portion of the Royal Gardens. Twilight dropped her saddle back near the entrance to the bedroom and took off her coat, levitating it across the room and hanging it up on a brass coat-hanger mounted on the wall.

She walked into the living room, sitting down on one of the three chairs in the room. A sigh of relief escaped from Twilight, the trip to Canterlot Castle was a long one, but with the excess weight of her thick coat and saddlebags, the trip felt twice as long. After thinking for a moment, she was rather pleased that she was in the castle. Deep down, she knew Celestia couldn't be dead, she didn't want to believe that her best friend could just disappear. All of the evidence to prove this was right at her hooves, the castle held countless books and documents, and some of those documents had to have something about the crash Celestia was in.

"Your Majesty, do you wish to discuss the---"

"Yes, fine. let us get it over with." Luna snapped angrily, cutting off Cloud Drop mid-sentence.

She gave a sigh, her head drooping downward.

"I apologize, I should not have yelled like that."

"I understand. If you don't feel like talking about it right now, then we won't." Cloud Drop responded sympathetically.

"No, as I stated, let us get it over with."

"Alright then. Uh, the division that operates the helicopters wants to retrieve the wreckage of the helicopter to see if they can salvage anything from the wreckage and conduct a more thorough investigation. They also wish to have an order written to the manufacturer for a new aircraft." Cloud read, his eyes looking over a few papers he had on a clipboard.

Luna thought for a moment.

"A replacement is certainly in order. I believe it would be beneficial to order more than just a replacement, as well. But... as for retrieving the wreckage, I would rather have it left where it is." She explained.

"Wait... why should we leave the wreckage?"

"A memorial. Many of our historical events are marked with something, and I think it would be a foolish decision to disturb the wreckage." Luna spoke coldly.

"Wouldn't a memorial like a statue or a plaque be in more order? Everything else has been memorialized in such a way."

"This isn't 'everything else'." explained Luna, shooting him a look.

"You've got a point. And... uh, you said 'more than just a replacement', what did you mean?"

"I would like for the Guard to operate more of these aircraft. These flying machines have proved themselves to be valuable and indispensable members of the Guard. You cannot argue that we would benefit from having more." Luna explained.

Cloud Drop simply nodded.

"I'll inform the division."

Cloud Drop turned and made his way towards the doors of Luna's room, before exiting he paused.

"Your Majesty, there's something else."

Luna turned back around in her chair, having already resumed her work from assuming that Cloud Drop would continue on his way.

"It is customary for the Princess to inform the families or relatives of any soldier who passes not in combat. I assume you're aware that the two pilot's who were with Celestia didn't survive." Cloud explained.

"Yes, I was aware", Luna let out a sigh. "I really do not wish to complete this action."

"It'll be difficult, but it helps show everypony that we do in fact care about their loved ones who serve us."

Author's Notes:

I've spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to fix any grammar and spelling errors in this long story... but I know there still are some. If you spot one, please notify me.