Entry Two: Griffember 5th, 1000 Early Morning

Our progress is horrendous. We should have been in Ponyville two days ago, especially with a group this small, but there have been complications stacked on top of complications. After the wagon incident on day one, the soldiers have been taking too much time waking up in the mornings and getting their gear together. Many of them are insubordinate and we’ve already had one deserter. Luna would be furious. I’m somewhat relieved. How are they supposed to be Cloudy’s best? How does she keep them under control?

I guess it doesn’t help that I’m scared to approach some of them. I just.... The memory is still there. I’m not sure if this journey will be as successful as Luna plans; I’m not even certain if we’ll make it to the border within the planned month.

Well, there is one good thing that’s come out of this so far, I suppose. We’ll be heading into Ponyville today. I can already see some of the rooftops and chimney smoke from here now that the moon is brightening for the day. Still, I’m worried.... I guess the only thing I can do is prepare for the worst and be ready to finish this with just Moonie, Tyra, and I.

“Hey, Mommy. What’cha doin’?” The child’s soft voice was followed by a wide yawn that squeaked as it reached its apex.

Twilight smiled at the foal nestled at her side and kissed her just above the horn. “The same thing as last time, Moonie. I’m writing in the journal I requisitioned from the castle’s stores. Somepony has to keep a record of the trip, after all.”

Moon Beam yawned again, this time rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and snuggled closer to her adoptive mother. “Okay.... You were crying, so I thought something was wrong.”

Wha.... The unicorn wiped her face with a foreleg and brought it back, stained wet with her tears. She stared at the damp spot, slackjawed, then turned back to the filly wearing her most comforting smile possible. “I’m fine, Moonie. I just miss your mommy.” She hugged Moon Beam closely and the foal cooed happily into the embrace. “We should get up and moving. We’ve almost reached Ponyville.”

In an instant, Moon Beam was up and dashing out of the tent the two unicorns shared, yelling her early morning call for the sole minotaur of the entourage. Twilight chuckled and shook her head as she stood up. There wasn’t any need for her to wake the soldiers with the filly’s hyperactivity doing just that with immense joy, so she tucked her worries away in the recesses of her mind as she had countless times before in the past few months. The cold-hardened ground crunched under her hooves when she stepped outside her tent and began the meticulous task of breaking it down and packing it away.

With a quick glance around her, she took note of the awakening ponies. Most of them were moving slowly, much to her displeasure, but there were a few that woke and packed in a tolerable speed. Not that those seven will make any difference. It’ll be false dawn by the time we’re ready for breakfast. I suppose we can just find food in Ponyville and have lunch instead. She sighed as the final piece of wooden support was bundled with its brothers and wrapped tightly in the tent’s waterproof canvas. Three minutes. It takes three minutes for a unicorn to break down a tent.

With her minimalistic supplies bundled down and secured in the back of a supply wagon, Twilight began her new daily routine of eavesdropping on her ‘companions’. She walked slowly, moving in between the dark, four-pony tents as silently as possible. She hated this, having to sneak around and avoid her own guards to hear what they talked about while they thought she wasn’t listening, but what else could she do? She took her steps carefully, avoiding stepping on any particularly frosted tufts of grass, and finally came upon a group of soldiers not working in silence.

“I can’t stand that little brat. I have half a mind to kick her the next time she runs by like that.”

“Shh! Don’t say shit like that. Have you seen what that filly can do? She’s a monster! That group of griffons that attacked the courtyard not too long ago? She tore them to pieces.”

“Yeah, I heard she took out the majority of the Royal Guards in the Moonlit Massacre. You don’t want to fuck with that foal.”

“I agree with Steady. I’m sick of hearing that thing’s voice every morning. We should just follow Trail’s lead and ditch.”

“What we should do is teach the queen’s bitch a lesson. It’s her fault we’re even in this mess. It’s a shame the last guys were ratted out. Damn, manipulative mare. She got what was coming to her, too.”

Twilight grimaced and moved on, already forming plans to watch for any signs of mutiny in the future. It hurt, having ponies hate her so much just because of how close she was to the queen, but she knew in her heart that everything would be worth it. We'll win the war and end the suffering. Equestria will return to the peace it once knew, the cities and towns will be rebuilt, and we'll have allies standing with us the entire time. The thought brought a slight smile to her strife-worn face only to have it bumped back into an frown as she ran face first into a furry leg.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where- Oh, good morning, Tyra. I see Moonie found you without any issues." Her smile returned in a flash at the sight of her friend and family walking in tandem.

"Twilight.... You need to take control of them or else you're going to face much greater issues than mumbled curses later."

"I can teach them who's boss, Mommy!"

Twilight grimaced as Moon Beam circled between her silver-clad hooves, giggling as if nothing had been said. "Could you get them moving? I'll join you shortly. You can keep her company if you want, Moonie."

"Okay! Let's go lady!"

The filly giggled and jumped up into the waiting arms of the minotaur and squealed as her support drew back to full height once more. With child in tow, Tyra took one last look at her ward as a deep frown etched across her darkly tanned face, but gave a curt nod and stomped after the first unprepared squad.

The unicorn watched them for a few short moments, then turned back to watch the horizon and distant town with a heavy sigh. This isn’t going anything like how we planned, Luna.

Entry Three: Griffember 5th, 1000 Afternoon

The march to Ponyville took far too long. If Luna’s senses are as powerful as she says, then she must be worried about our pitiful progress so far. I wish the airships weren’t so conspicuous so that we could requisition one for our use.

Regardless, we finally reached Ponyville and, despite the fact that we are a small platoon of Lunar soldiers, or maybe because of it, we were welcomed somewhat warmly. I haven’t seen neither head nor hair of any of my... friends... since I arrived, but I plan on looking for Rarity as soon as we’re settled and have our supplies restocked to maximum capacity. It’s already been four days, after all, and we were never expecting to take so long in transit. With the rate we’ve been going, we’ll need another cart of food if we plan to eat decently during our march to Fillydelphia.

On second thought, we won’t be marching into the city at all. It’ll be too easy for somepony to disappear in a place as populated as that. We should be able to get anything we need from the outlying suburbs. At least we haven’t had another deserter. I guess Tyra said something to them during her rounds. I have a feeling things won’t be much better, though.

T.S. Lunar Ambassador

Twilight carefully marked down the final batch of potatoes and carrots on her list as they were hefted onto a second cart purchased with a small sum of the vast budget the queen had gifted her. She checked the list, going over everything that had been purchased and nearly crumpled it in frustration. “Are you sure you can’t spare anything else, Miss Harvest? I’ll gladly pay you generously for anything more.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’s all of the produce I have in stock. It’s been difficult tending to the gardens with so many ponies gone or unable to help.” Her eyes kept falling to her hooves, never keeping eye contact with the unicorn, and even hid behind her orange mane whenever Twilight tried to catch her gaze. “Y-you could always ask the A-apples! They’ve got a whole orchard they tend to. Apple Jack will surely be happy to sell you some of her produce!”

Twilight cringed, biting her bottom lip, and glanced towards the distant farmland she had visited once so long ago. It seemed so different now. The roads between the market and there were far less traveled, as shown by the vast lack of ponies wandering the midday marketplace. The farm itself looked cheerless, lacking the warmth it had on her first, reluctant visit. "I.... I'll take that into consideration and send some soldiers down to purchase some of her stock. Thank you for the suggestion, Miss Harvest."

"O-oh, it wasn't any problem, L-lady Sparkle." The mare flashed Twilight her most courteous smile before returning to her task of closing the stall, pointedly trying to be as small as possible as if that would make her unnoticeable.

The unicorn sighed, giving the farm's path one last regretful glance before beginning her return to her own duties at the camp she and her soldiers had set up in town. I need to see Rarity. Maybe we could go see the others. I.... She sighed again, slumping as the much smaller ponies scurried out of her way, and turned towards the boutique just past the city hall, stopping for just a moment at the camp in the town square to order a cart out to buy apples and anything else the farmers could sell.

She could tell that none of them recognized her and, although that was to be expected due to her short and poorly publicized maiden visit, it made her heart ache for what she could have had. Friends of all varieties, the freedom to go wherever she pleased, and then her wonderful life with the princess. But I’d have to give up love. I... don’t think I’d ever find a mate as meant for me as Luna.... Moon Beam would be lost forever. Her vision blurred, stinging with the first signs of fresh tears. Yes, it hurts. I’ve missed out on so much, so much that Celestia wanted for me, but I’ve acquired so much as well.

Twilight dried her eyes and trotted up to the expansive, exquisite boutique’s front entrance. She could see light through the various windows and heard the steady hum of a sewing machine just barely covering the clip-clop of tiny hooves on linoleum. Somebody was home. The unicorn smiled in relief, thankful that she would have somebody to confide in outside of her circle from the castle, and gently knocked on the wooden door.

The sewing machine paused briefly. "Sweetie, could you get that for me? Just remember what I told you to-"

The mare's voice was drowned out by the door and the sewing machine's return to life, but the high pitched "Yes, Rarity!" sounded through to the unicorn just fine. A bolt on the door unlatched, followed by the twisting of the handle, and the blockade opened to reveal a filly of Moon Beam's age, but with a little more pudge than her adoptive daughter. "Hello, miss! How can I-" The filly's green eyes widened and she scurried back into the boutique, slamming the door in Twilight's face. "It's Nightmare Moon!"

Instantly, the sewing stopped, allowing the haggard mare to hear the foal's hoofsteps as she fled from the door and the noise of the fashionista's steps as she rushed to recover the situation. The door swung open, revealing the alabaster unicorn as she recovered from the sprint. Terror was evident on the mare's face, her mouth hung open as she fumbled for words and she seemed on the verge of tears, but all of that slowly faded as recognition settled in.

Rarity's gape-mouthed stare shifted into a welcoming grin. "Oh my, Twilight. You gave me such a start, darling. I was afraid Sweetie had actually slammed the door in our monarch's face...." She shivered, obviously still not fully recovered from the shock, but shrugged it off as she stepped aside to welcome Twilight inside. "It's wonderful to see you again, but may I ask why you're here? I didn't mess something up with the dress, did I?"

“No, it’s perfect and I’m glad I haven’t had the chance to test its battle prowess. I....” The byzantium ambassador sighed and planted herself on a pile of cushions on the lobby’s floor. “How’s business going? I know it’s been slow with the war going on and all, but have you been able to make ends meet? I can always have Nightmare send you some bits.”

“I’m doing fine, darling. Even with all of the chaos, ponies still come to me for all things fashion. I suppose it’s a way to escape into their own little worlds where none of this is happening.” She motioned to the nearly deserted town outside her walls with a heavy sigh. “Really though, what brings you here, Twilight? You look dreadful. Oh, just a moment.” She turned towards the stairs at her back and stamped her hooves twice. “Sweetie Belle! Come on down, dear. I want you to meet somepony.”

The filly poked her head around the corner, her pink and purple mane bouncing with the quick movement, and carefully descended the stairs, still wary of the mysterious mare. "Sweetie Belle, this is Twilight Sparkle. She is the queen's right hoof, so to speak. Twilight, meet my little sister, Sweetie Belle."

"Hello, Sweetie Belle. Are you doing well?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Twilight watched the foal shuffle nervously, practically dancing from hoof to hoof. She smiled warmly, but not even that seemed to alleviate the filly's fears. "I..., uhm.... You know," her smile grew mischievous as she angled it away from the older sibling, "my daughter is out running around our camp. I'm sure she'd be more than excited to have somebody to play with."

Sweetie's eyes widened and brightened with glee. Before Rarity even had a chance to voice her objections, the marshmallow-white filly was off, slurring together thanks as she rushed out the door.

"Now why would you do that, Twilight? You know how dangerous it is out there! She could get hurt!" Rarity huffed, readying to go chase after her sister, but a silver-clad hoof held her back.

"Don't worry. She's more than safe. My soldiers are setting up camp for the night and I have a very good nanny." She giggled into a hoof as an image of Tyra chasing after her rambunctious daughter and soon-to-be friend made itself present in her mind. "If anything happens, I'll be sure to deal with it myself."

"I-" She paused, pouting as the front door slammed past the bell, "I just worry. I'm sure you understand." After a sigh to compose herself, Rarity was once more focused on the scarred pony occupying her lounge pillows. "Now, tell me, darling. Why are you here?"

"We're heading south to hopefully treat with possible allies. The war isn't going exactly how Nightmare and I had planned. We're here so we can-"

"No, Twilight. I meant why are you here. I'm all for surprise visits from my friends, but I thought you'd want to talk with the other two. We saw each other recently, after all."

"Other...." She tilted her head, confusion displayed openly upon her face. "Other two? What do you mean?"

"Why, didn't you know? Fluttershy and Rainbow went off to help with the rest of the town."

"No! Why? Couldn't they have-" Tears welled in the dark unicorn's eyes and her bottom lip quivered as she fought for composure. "I didn't...." She sniffled, wiping furiously at the moisture streaking down her cheeks. "I didn't get to.... To say good-bye."

Rarity flinched, but moved to comfort her guest and embraced the much taller mare as she broke down into a fit of sobs. "There, there.... Don't worry, Twilight. I'm sure you'll be able to see them again. They're strong girls, after all. You remember how brave they were when we went to stop...." She drifted off, staring into the darkness outside as Twilight's wailing continued. "Twilight, darling.... Are you alright? Do-" she grimaced, but continued to stroke her friend's mane, "you need somepony to talk to? I'll gladly lend my ear to a dear friend."

Twilight shuddered against her friend's body, matting the mare's pristine coat with months of pent up tears. She shook her head, heedless of the mucous dripping from her nose, but gripped Rarity tighter and began to talk. She told her friend of her trials immediately following her enslavement, the nearly endless abuse at the hooves of her mistress and the attempts on both of their lives. Confessions of her foalish love for her would-be assassin, of the comfort the mare had given her despite the risks it could have brought, spilled forth against her will. Everything was laid bare for the fashionista, and though the words cut deep into both of their hearts and the truths burned their eyes with their liquid fury, it brought a sense of understanding for the snow white mare.

“Twilight..., dear.... Why do you...?” She felt the mare tense as her thoughts escaped before she could stop them, but the question was out in the open.

“Because, I need to. I.... I love her, and Moonie, more than anything.” The princess-to-be pulled away and stared into her friend’s quivering, sapphire eyes, her own glowing red in light of the boutique. “I hurt, Rarity, so much.... Sometimes..., I’ve wanted it to just end. There were times when I wished she would go that extra bit..., slip further into darkness and just... crush me....” Rarity shook under the piercing gaze, held and terrified by the raw power of Twilight’s stare yet drawn in by the anger and immense sorrow that filled the luminescent orbs. “When the griffon.... When I died, I yearned to stay..., to support Nightmare, but that one part of me begged her to let me go....

“Please, Rarity.... Tell me....” Twilight blinked, and the burning spell dissipated, leaving behind trembling, violet irises and the weakness of the mare shown within. “What should I do? Is it all worth it?”

Author's Notes:

Author’s Notes: Well, can anypony guess what’s coming next? I actually know! What a twist, amirite? Who’d have thought that Peppy would actually plan something out multiple chapters in advance? Well, anyhooves, I meant for this chapter to be longer and encompass the entire visit to Ponyville plus a few more entries into Twilight’s journal, but I figured I could split it up a bit. 3k words is still quite a bit! Plans for the future: Final Ponyville with stuff, walking walking walking, stuff, stuff then stuff, then things, and finally Drakenridge! Enjoy and Peppy out~!