Natura Stella was sitting on the grass in one of Canterlot's parks, her mood saddened by the recent events she had found out. A war started, and wars meant bloodshed. The red would paint the grass, soak into the dirt, spread onto the leaves. Bodies would rot in the rivers and lakes, poisoning the water. Trees would be cut down by the war machine and turned into weapons.

To that unicorn, it was horrible. She lived deep in the lands of elves, Irolland. She didn't know war until a necromancer came to them, searching for something. All she had known before it was peace and tranquility. The order of life happened as it should've been. Of course, animals were killed even in the wild, trees died and fell, but it was all a natural circle of life.

However, wars brought more killing than the nature could ever handle. The order was disrupted, chaos came. The nature always survived, but at what cost?

And so, Natura Stella was greatly saddened by the news. The nation of ponies seemed so peaceful, so close to nature, but there were still forces that wanted to destroy them. Why? Why was there a need for something so awful, so unnatural?

She could hear the nature screaming. It was being violated. Many graves would be dug out, many bodies would be buried. Cities, forests would be razed to the ground, leaving nothing but dead ash.

Natura understood that something needed to be done to stop it. But what?

Meanwhile, the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony were summoned to the Canterlot Castle by princess Celestia herself. They were all clueless as to why would she summon them, but what the princess told them was shocking and saddening at the same time.

"Your majesty, do you really think it is necessary?" Twilight asked with uncertainty. "I don't know if all of us can leave behind our homes and friends."

"I'm afraid it needs to be done." the solar alicorn said, frowning deeply. She truly didn't want it to happen, but the circumstances stated otherwise. "I understand how much Ponyville means to you all, but your safety is the top priority. We can't let griffons capture any of you."

"But I want to fight them! They'll taste Equestrian steel hooves and back off!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed proudly while hovering in the air. "I don't want to hide like a coward while others fight to save my backside!" she huffed.

"I completely understand, Rainbow Dash." Celestia replied. "I know how it feels, I truly do. But the elements, they are much more important than either of us. I'm afraid nothing can be done.

"I hope you will find new friends among the demons. From what I've heard, they are welcoming towards ponies." she smiled slightly. "And I believe that you will make many new friends among them indeed. They also need our help. As you all know, they have reappeared in our world after a five thousand years banishment, and they need some help adjust to how the things are going right now."

Celestia paused, surveying the ponies. She could tell all of them were sad in their own ways, but there was nothing any of them including the princesses could do. So, the solar alicorn decided to start with encouraging words: "Rainbow Dash, you are a very good weather pony. The demons barely have any control over the weather — they need pegasi like you. You are a great warrior, too — maybe they have something to learn from you."

Rainbow Dash smiled proudly, protruding her chest forward.

"Twilight Sparkle, you are a smart pony, and I believe you will be able to become a great teacher. So far, you've surpassed all of my previous students. While there is still much for you to learn, you are ready to help others in need." Celestia continued. "The demons need schools and universities, they need knowledge, and I believe you can provide them with it."

Twilight blushed, mumbling something along the lines of not being that good. But inside, she was happy to hear that she would be able to teach someone.

"Applejack, you are a very good farmer. You will have a good chance to spread your family's fame for making the best apples in Equestria."

"That's why we're called Apples!" Applejack replied, smiling wide. It could indeed be beneficial for her family to be represented in the Union.

"Rarity, I believe your talent will shine among the demons. Besides, they are indeed in a need of a good fashionista."

Rarity bowed in respect. She couldn't wait to see what kind of new outfits she would be able to make. What kind of fashion did demons have? The unicorn was eager to find out, although she didn't show it out of modesty.

"Fluttershy, you are good with animals. There are many creatures that you will get to know. Maybe you can help different kinds of animals get together, especially after their world is opened to ours."

The yellow mare nodded, blushing behind her mane. Indeed, there could be a possibility that she would befriend new creatures she didn't know about. Leaving her home would be sad, but she knew the animals she grew to love would be able to live on their own.

"Pinkie Pie... Quite frankly, your parties were always the best. I think you can show them a good time."

"Union celebration party? Sounds good to me!" Pinkie Pie grinned in reply. She was all for parties, and couldn't wait to find out what kind of them the demons had. Were they fun? Were they large?

A consensus were made, and the six ponies would join others in their union with a new nation. It wouldn't be easy, but there was hope they would return sooner rather than later. Maybe it would turn out just a short trip.

Celestia was happy about it, too. They would be safe while still having a good time together. The princess also ensured their families would have additional protection — she expected anything to happen. Better be safe than sorry, after all.

Though, she still felt heavy at heart. She was separating them from their families, and home sickness would certainly show up if the war lasted for a long time. While Celestia hoped it wouldn't, she feared that the worst would happen, forcing the fight to continue for months, maybe even years, and the worst — perhaps even decades would pass before it would end.

Celestia didn't want the griffons to hurt her precious little ponies. They were so fragile, so easy to break. If she could, Celestia would take them all under her wing and make sure they were safe.

Alas, she couldn't. However, it didn't mean she wouldn't do anything possible to save them. At the very least she would ensure that no unnecessary death would happen. She couldn't be everywhere watching everything, but she had the power to defend her ponies. She loved them as a mother would, and she was going to protect them from harm.

She needed to make something important to ensure it. As much as she didn't want to do it, she had to. She must take all precautions, anything possible and within her power.

She prepared for a public announcement. In the light of the events, some laws needed to be changed.

Natura Stella was walking through the Canterlot Castle, searching for the princesses. She needed to do something important, but she had to find at least one of the diarchs first. Unfortunately, she couldn't move out of the city without help, and she intended to find it.

Fortunately, she came upon Celestia in one of the hallways.

"Your majesty!" Natura called, hurrying to the princess. "I... I want to ask for something."

"Hello, Natura Stella." the solar alicorn greeted her with a smile. While Natura wasn't exactly her little pony, Celestia still cared about her wellbeing. "If you need help, feel free to ask."

"I hate to ask, but... I need money to get on that thing... I think it's called a train." the unicorn replied. She was nervous, fearing that the princess would refuse. Celestia already had many things to deal with, after all.

"Why?" came the obvious question.

"Well... I feel the nature. I feel how much the war hurts it already." Natura explained to the best of her ability. "I need to be closer to it. Maybe I will find something, something that would help to stop the war before anything too... awful happens."

"I admire your goals, and I will help you." Celestia nodded. "However... Are you sure you will be safe? Canterlot is the safest place there is, and leaving it might be dangerous."

"I know what to do, your majesty. Trust me." the unicorn stated, nodding. "If there is something I can do, I will. I once had a war coming to the lands of the country I lived in, and it was a... terrible experience. I just hope no one would have to go through it."

"Alright, Natura. I will help you, but under one condition — there must be a companion I will provide."

"I think it's fair." Natura nodded. "Though... I plan to stay in the wild for a while."

"It won't be an issue." Celestia assured her. "I believe the candidate I have in mind will be very helpful to your cause. Now, go to the train station — he will meet you there."

As Natura exited the castle, she heard Celestia speaking. She stopped and turned around to see her. The princess was standing on a balcony, her powerful and magically amplified voice carried across the city with ease.

"Citizens of Equestria!" Celestia began her speech, immediately gaining attention. There was already TV and radio broadcast going, helping to transport the message to other cities and villages. "In the light of recent events that occurred between our country and the Griffin Empire, I must make a serious and important announcement.

"I'm afraid that griffons might be anywhere. A lot of our territory isn't inhabited, and not every meter of our borders guarded. As the citizens of Equestria, you may defend yourself, your family, your friends, your beloved ones. And thus, to help you exert your right, all weapon bans currently in effect are now lifted.

"Arm yourself, make sure you know how to handle a weapon. Most importantly, there will be trainers dispatched throughout the country, and they will help you learn how to defend yourself and those you care about. Remember — safety first. Do not go out in search for griffons. They are more skilled and efficient that you. Leave it to professionals — Equestrian Armed Forces. Stay safe, stay secure, and remember — you may use force to protect yourselves. That is the law."

Natura Stella shuddered. While she understood why it was done, she still didn't like any sort of violence. True, she had to defend herself against a few daring predators, but she couldn't figure out why sapient beings couldn't just sort things out through dialogue. As far as she knew, their minds were much more complex than hers. However, she also became one of them, and still couldn't see why violence was needed when everything could be talked over. Maybe it was something she had yet to understand.

She sighed, and then headed to the train station. She remembered she had a mission to complete. Maybe it would be easy, maybe it would be hard, but for the sake of others she must stop the war.

However, she was just one person. Still confused, still scared of the new world she was thrown into. She would need much time to understand it and how it worked.

As she went through the city, she saw that many ponies were already being trained, even the most of the main square was used for training grounds. Ponies were buying weapons so quickly their producers quickly ran out of stock. After all, most of them were small blacksmiths whose contracts mostly consisted of supplying the Royal Guard, a few fencing clubs, and nobles. They didn't expect the flood of ponies that came their way out of nowhere.

Swords, spears, daggers, crossbows, all sorts of available weaponry was being sold. Natura could hear the hammers of the blacksmiths pounding throughout the city — they had much job to do. With the lift of bans, those who made the weaponry not for the Guard were finally able to make sharp and heavy weaponry, including bows and crossbows with increased power. Truly, it was a thriving age for the blacksmiths around Equestria.

Meanwhile, Celestia observed the city from the balcony. At first, she was hesitant to lift the bans, but Andromalius told her about how much it would help reduce the casualty ratio. It was logical to allow weapons to be carried by civilians. Griffons had swords, spears, all sorts of weaponry designed to kill. If ponies were defenseless, why even give them a right to defend themselves? Such a right needed certain instruments to function anywhere outside of paper.

Indeed, the daylight princess could see the reason. She feared the weapons, but was it right? A weapon would never get up from its place and kill anyone — only people killed. If she didn't allow her citizens to bear actual weapons, how would they fare against the invaders? No weapons would be like a large sign telling others that it was a kill zone waiting to happen, a massacre in wait for execution.

Celestia understood that her phobia had no logical reason go be there. She must allow her subjects to defend themselves, otherwise they would die. As much as she didn't want it, she had to admit she was wrong.

Her country hadn't seen murders for centuries, but was it because of weapons ban? She realized it wasn't. Ponies learned from the past, they understood why fighting in general was bad. After all, it was what united their tribes in the first place.

Celestia was late to realize it, but once she did, everything became so simple. She had her eyes closed the entire time and refused to open them until the terrible happened. Maybe the ponies near the border would've survived if they had anything to protect themselves with.

At least, the realization came, and the ignorance was gone. Celestia wouldn't allow herself to make the same mistake again.