For once in her long life Celestia was reluctant to raise the sun. Although any clock you looked at would tell a different story, for her, raising the sun reinforced the fact that through the inexorable process of time, tomorrow had become today, and today she had to tell Equestria, and the rest of the world, that they were under threat. A threat so huge even she felt that she struggled to comprehend it fully.

The problem was that the rest of the world probably wouldn't listen. Even if she hadn't unintentionally done her best to alienate Equestria's neighbours, many of them would still see a rogue alicorn as a pony problem, and therefore a problem for ponies to fix. Even the more far flung pony nations like Saddle Arabia and Mustangia would likely say so because they don't have alicorns, and don't understand the threat one like Faust poses. Equestria could very well face this crisis on its own.

Celestia twitched an ear at the faint clop of a hoof on the marble floor right next to her, and looked around to find Luna standing almost next to her. "You snuck up quietly."

"I've been shouting your name for the last five minutes sister. You are almost ten minutes overdue on raising the sun. Ponies will start to worry soon."

Giving in, Celestia lit her horn and teased her sun up over the horizon, heralding the completion of turning tomorrow into today. "I can't believe this is really happening Luna. Equestria hasn't seen a war in a thousand years. Can our ponies even cope with such a thing?"

"They must Celestia, or all may be lost."

"And what makes you think that? Perhaps Twilight could find a solution regardless of what we do, and we could be throwing thousands of lives away for nothing."

Luna wrapped a wing around Celestia's shoulders, "Were it that simple. You said yourself that Equestria will have to stand as a bulwark between Faust and the world."

"I know what I said Luna, but none of this is the fault of the ponies here, so why should they suffer for it?"

"And who do you blame?"

"Platinum. The Dukes of Mareitania. The ponies that released Faust." Celestia sighed heavily, like her heart was breaking. "Us."

"Us? This is exactly what we tried to prevent!"

"And in our arrogance we assumed that we were the only ones that knew about Faust, and in doing what we did, we only gave the Mareitanians further reason to turn against us. We are as much to blame for this as anypony else."

"Let us not forget the Viscount, since he's the one that told the council of Faust."

"Indeed."

A taut yet companionable silence surrounded the two sisters as they watched over the lands before them, thinking of what was to come. Luna was imagining the victory of Equestria over Mareitania, while Celestia could only see loss, even if they won. While she could rationalize all day long about why she wanted Luna to lead the war effort, the truth was one they both knew; Luna was simply better at it.

The throne room had been filled with row upon row of seats in preparation of the announcement. Seats that had been slowly filling up with diplomats, prominent members of the E.U.P, and a large number of press ponies whose unfortunate task it would be to spread the news to those places beyond Canterlot, and possibly even beyond Equestria.

The one pony Celestia couldn't see from where she could observe from the side of the room, was Cadence, and asked her assistant Raven where she had gone.

"She making her own announcement to her ponies," Raven told her. "I also suspect she was a little upset with you for various reasons, if it's not too bold for me to say, your highness."

"As ever I appreciate your candour Raven." At the very least Cadence had left Shining Armour behind as Luna had requested. His experience, as well as that of many others, would be crucial in the days to come.

"I find myself at an unexpected loss," said a voice from behind Celestia. She turned to find the Griffonian ambassador Deetra standing there, almost looking bashful at disturbing Celestia. "I never thought to see the day something like this would happen in Equestria."

"And how do you know what's happening?"

"There are only a few conclusions to draw here Princess, and after the hasty setting up of this announcement, the most likely is that Equestria is under threat. Rest assured that I have said nothing to the others here."

"Good." Celestia said nothing for a moment, wondering why the griffon wasn't gloating. She couldn't ask outright, but there was something else she wished to know. "If I might ask Deetra, what was yours and your country's opinion of my actions in Mareitania?"

"Both the Emperor and I thought it was rather bold actually, and frankly, historically speaking, we've often wondered why you let the sorry state of that place continue for so long."

Celestia was surprised by the answer, although she didn't show it. She was so used to being the only one to deal with Mareitania for so long, she didn't think others might have had opinions on how it was ran. "Is that so? So you were more surprised by my inaction?"

"Now that our two nations are no longer at each others throats, it's been an observation of ours that while you are a master at statecraft, you avoid conflict wherever possible. The number of conflicts you were involved in shrank considerably after the unfortunate banishment of your sister, and while I can only read historical documents on the matter, I can only assume it was because of her loss that change came about."

Celestia chuckled humourlessly, "Am I truly that obvious?"

"Not really. All I can say is that you and your sister appear to be two halves of a greater whole, and you need each other to balance yourselves out. Not that your approach didn't work of course, and I doubt the world would be as it is without your constant diplomacy, but there are times where conflict cannot be avoided."

Celestia nodded sadly, "Very true, but I originally asked what your opinion was of us interfering with Mareitania. Were you not bothered?"

The griffon thought about it for a moment. "I won't say I wasn't bothered, but I will say that I wasn't worried. I'm sure you would know the consequences of interfering with Griffonia well enough to not make such a risk."

"Of course I do," said Celestia, keeping her face carefully impassive.

"Anyway, I had best be taking my seat for the announcement." Deetra bowed before Celestia, "Princess."

Celestia nodded back, "Ambassador." She watched the griffon head to her seat, and silently cursed the griffon for working out what the announcement was about before the time. In all fairness though, the griffons spies seemed to know more about Mareitania than she did herself.

"I do like how she always makes time to talk to you when you least want it," said Luna as she walked up to Celestia, having watched the exchange from a distance.

"Then you'll also like that she's worked out what the announcement is."

"I doubt she's worked out everything. There's no way she could possibly know about Faust."

"No, and I'm not sure if she will."

Luna raised a sceptical eyebrow at her sister, "Explain."

"Obviously I won't be telling anypony of our connection to Faust, and I may decline to mention what one of the founders did to her publically, but how do we explain what Faust is without scaring ponies? How can we hope to win against such power?"

"So you're going to lie."

Celestia shook her head, "I don't know if I should or shouldn't. That's why I'm asking you now."

"I think the simple solution is to simply neglect to tell them exactly how powerful Faust is. Not telling them about us and Platinum I agree with, but you cannot really hide what it is we're fighting against. Lying has not exactly served us well lately, so I feel that minimising that would be advantageous."

Celestia closed her eyes and nodded, "You're right of course. Let us hope that Cadence keeps her own announcement in the same tone as ours then." Celestia stood tall and stretched her wings out before letting them fall back into place. "It's time," she said with the grace and composure the ponies of Equestria expected from her.

"I'm right with you sister."

Celestia stepped out into view of the ponies in the throne room, and the flash bulbs of the press ponies lit up the room as each one vied for the best photo of the two princesses. Celestia hoped they didn't try to go for before and after pictures.

Together they waited, stood side by side before the throne as the paparazzi slowly took the hint that they should stop. Anticipation filled the room at what this announcement could be about, and Celestia found herself looking at Deetra, the griffon doing something unique to a small number of species in the world. The griffon was giving her two thumbs up.

"My sister and I would like to thank you all for coming today, although it is with heavy hearts that we stand here before you. I am sure many of you have heard of the rumours that have come out of Ponyville yesterday, and it is with no reluctance that I can confirm that that those rumours are true. Yesterday morning, an attack was made on Equestrian soil on both its ponies and a princess no less, resulting in the abduction of three ponies and a young dragon. Those ponies were none other than Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity, who may be better known to you as three of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. The dragon was called Spike, and is a close personal friend to all of the bearers of Harmony."

Whispers started spreading around the room, and Celestia raised a hoof until all was silent again. "As tragic as this news is, I'm afraid the bad news does not end there. The attack was carried out by Mareitania. A Mareitania that has fallen under the control of a previously unknown alicorn named Faust, who has manipulated the leadership of Mareitania into not only forgetting the kinship and friendship our two countries briefly enjoyed, but has also succeeded in turning them utterly against us here in Equestria. She has made her intentions against Equestria, and furthermore the world, very clear, and her abduction of the three bearers of Harmony is merely the first move in what can only be a prelude to war between our two countries."

Celestia didn't interrupt the uproar this time, and stood patiently as ponies shouted questions at her. Luna wasn't so inclined to wait though, and stomped her hoof three times, giving the hint that Celestia wasn't done yet. Slowly order returned to the room, giving Celestia a chance to keep speaking.

"I can appreciate how shocking this is to hear, especially after all the support we as a nation, gave to the uprising within Mareitania, but I should make it clear that the alicorn Faust is the one you should direct your ire at. However, that doesn't change the fact that Equestria is now under threat of war, and that in response we will have to take up arms to defend ourselves. Starting upon these words, Equestria will begin efforts to create an army to defend our lands from an all too possible attack from the army of Mareitania. In the coming days we will begin recruiting volunteers willing to do what must be done to protect our homes, our friends, and our families, and I would implore those of you able to, to sign up to protect all you love. There are dark times ahead, but I know that if we all stand together, we can prevail, both for the future of Equestria, and of the world."

The clamour returned as soon as Celestia stopped talking, but this time no effort was made to halt it as plenty of ponies here clearly had questions that they would want answered. Picking at random, Celestia pointed at one of the press ponies waving and shouting for her attention.

"What do you mean by us being under threat of war? Is that really justification for building an army?"

"Threats have been made against Equestria, and the alicorn Faust wishes to see our country destroyed. If we are lucky, we could hopefully resolve this issue without resorting to war, but if not, Equestria needs to be ready, or we could be overrun within weeks of an attack."

"And what of the alicorn Faust? How could you have not known of her before she took control of Mareitania? How can you know of her intentions when it's only happened so recently."

Celestia struggled to find an answer, and was relieved when Luna stepped up instead. "We do not know the origins of Faust, and have only become aware of her very recently. Whatever her reasons are for attacking Equestria, they are irrelevant in the face of the threat both she and Mareitania presents. Suffice to say, she has made her hatred of us very clear through both words spoken to us, and actions taken against us."

"Will you be leading us against them Princesses?"

"Princess Luna will be lea- ahem, leading our forces on the battlefield," Celestia answered to the blurted out question. She rapidly swallowed, hoping to chase away the tremor that was starting to creep into her voice, and she hoped the ponies gathered here didn't notice.

"And what of Princess Twilight? We she be taking any part in this?"

"Princess Twilight will be heading up a special research division in the hopes of ending this war before it can begin. She will be playing no part in military actions." Celestia stopped as Raven trotted up to her, and whispered nothing in particular in her ear. Its only purpose was to give them an excuse to cut things short. It was a gesture she strongly appreciated. "I'm afraid our time is running short here, so we will only answer one more question." Celestia pointed to a pale mare wearing a green beret, who had her hoof raised.

"After the upset caused by your decision to interfere in Mareitania, do Equestria's allies still stand with us?"

"The Crystal Empire has confirmed that they will stand with us, but we cannot speak for any other nation at this point due to how recent these events are." Celestia hoped to hell that one could fly. "I'm afraid that's all we have time for. My assistant Raven will answer any more questions you may have. Thank you."

Celestia left the throne room, and slumped against a wall as soon as she was out of sight. "Honest opinion Luna; how do you think that went?"

"Better than I imagined actually. All we have to do now is brief the E.U.P, and hope to convince our allies that we do need help, and are still worth helping."

"The briefing is all yours Luna."

"As are the diplomats yours. Hopefully they see the threat that Faust is, and see the benefit of aiding us against her.

Celestia had managed to restore her composure by the time she had made it to where she was meeting the ambassadors from other nations. Those of them that showed up anyway. Minos, the secretive nation of the minotaurs, had cut off ties once the news of Equestria's dealings in Mareitania had become public, although that was the only nation that had. All the others just made their displeasure known in as loud a way as was possible, save the Yaks, who didn't seem to care about what outsiders did to one another. So far they hadn't even bothered to send a diplomat, which was both a problem and a blessing in so many ways.

"Thank you all for agreeing to meet with me," Celestia said to the assembled diplomats as she entered the room. "Equestria is in dire need of allies at this time."

"And you would have us fight this war for you?" asked Zehran, the zebra stallion representing Zebrica. A couple of others nodded with him.

"I'm not asking you for anything as yet, but I said that Faust is a threat to the world, and I meant it. While her conquest might start with Equestria, believe me when I say she has designs for the rest of the world as well."

"And why should we believe that?" said the mare representing Mustangia; a young cream and violet earth pony called Overture. "For all we know you could be manipulating us into fighting this war with you, when she poses no threat to us at all."

Celestia sighed at having reached this point in the conversation already. "If you seek proof of her intentions, then I can provide none, but rest assured that I am not wrong in my assertions. Faust considers the world to be... tainted, and wishes to enact something that we've only heard called 'the plan.' While I don't know what that plan is, I doubt it's something we wish to see come to pass."

"And how are we to know this is not just an imagined threat?"

"Because Faust told me as much herself."

"Then you've spoken with her?"

"I have." Celestia took her place at the table in the room, and waited for the ambassadors to take their place. "I hope you know well enough to keep this information away from the public?" Celestia waited for them all to agree before continuing. "Faust hates Equestria because one of our founders, Princess Platinum, wrongfully imprisoned her before the exodus of my ponies to Equestria. Platinum then left her in that cell as the exodus began, and Faust remained there until the founding Duke of the Duchy of Mareitania claimed Unicornia. He didn't release Faust either. She's been imprisoned for one and a half thousand years."

Amira, the pink and dark blue ambassador of Saddle Arabia tutted disdainfully, "How could one of you own founders perform such a heinous act?"

"I don't know," Celestai lied, "but it doesn't change anything about what is about to happen. War will likely come to Equestria, and very little will change that, but if you stand with us, she can be stopped before she becomes a danger to the rest of you as well."

"What is it you actually want Princess?" Amira asked. "Are you asking us to use our own soldiers in your war as a substitute for your glaring lack thereof?"

"While military aid would be appreciated, I will gladly accept anything that could help our cause, be that supplies, weapons, or even textiles to produce uniforms. I know I damaged your trust in Equestria when I supported the uprising in Mareitania, but-"

"Exactly," Zehran interrupted. "You created Mareitania as a problem for yourself, and I see no reason why my country should put anything into helping you out of your own mess. I will put it to the Council of Elders, but I very much doubt they will disagree with me."

Celestia buried a sigh, "I understand, and I hope the Council will at least consider sending aid if nothing else."

"I too will put this to the Sultan," said Amira, "but he feels even more strongly about your actions in Mareitania than I do. I would not get your hopes up."

Overture banged a hoof on the table, "Is this Faust really so big a threat? Why can't you and the other princesses deal with her directly?"

"Because she's powerful, and has an army of thousands at her disposal. She is also very well protected."

"More powerful than you?"

"Yes," Celestia replied bluntly. "A means of defeating her is being found, and I have full faith in the pony finding it, but there's still an entire army between us and her, and that army cannot be so easily beaten."

Overture looked down and nodded thoughtfully, "Alright. Equestria has never done wrong by Mustangia before, and I see no reason why you should now. If this Faust is such a threat to all of us, then I say we're better off standing together."

"Hah!" Zehran smiled cruelly at Overture, "No offense to you ambassador, but the army of Mustangia is no bigger than Celestia's Royal Guard. What difference could you hope to make?"

"Mustangia may be small, yet we still have a larger standing army than Zebrica." Overture turned back to Celestia, "Rest assured I will do everything to convince King Garland to sent whatever military aid to you we can."

Celestia bowed her head, "Thank you ambassador Overture. I appreciate your efforts on our behalf."

"What about you?" Zehran said to the one occupant of the room that had remained quiet so far. "What is Griffionia's take on all this?"

Deetra smiled grimly at the ponies around her, "I'm afraid the Emperor has the final say on what military aid we might send, but owing to the history between Equestria and Griffonia, the chances that he would agree are slim to zero."

"Because no problems a pony has would ever concern a griffon," Overture grumbled. "Griffonia would have been all over Mareitania in the blink of an eye if their pact with Equestria hadn't stopped you."

"I'm afraid the Emperor simply doesn't see Mareitania as a threat to Griffonia, and no longer has the same interest he once did. However, I will do my best to ensure that Equestria has access to whatever information our intelligence services gather from Mareitania."

"Thank you," said Celestia, semi sincerely. It didn't take a genius to work out that the Emperor wanted to see who was going to win the fight. It was an issue she could deal with later.

"Is Griffonstone going to join Equestria?" asked Amira.

"Since the dissolution of Griffinstone's monarchy, Griffinstone has no military to speak of," Celestia answered her. "As part of Equestria they will of course be welcome to join our army, but Griffonstone's inhabitants aren't known for their altruistic nature."

"They're a bunch of mean spirited, money grubbing jerks," Overture translated. "We can't count on them for anything, except maybe to loot the fallen."

Celestia winced at Overture's words, but made no effort to correct them. Griffonstone's inhabitants were famous for one thing, and that was being greedy, opportunistic misers. There wasn't anything she could say to change that since the griffons themselves took a fierce pride in it. They also charged through the nose for mercenary work.

"Are you planning on insulting everyone in the room eventually?" Zehran snarled at Overture. He raised a hoof to cut off her reply. "I have heard enough. I shall relay Equestria's request to the Council of Elders, Princess, but do not expect much from them. Good day."

Celestia held her stance as the zebra left, followed by Amira. Deetra followed them out shortly after, along with Overture after a short attempt at trying to find something to say. Once they were gone, Celestia slumped forwards onto the table, sighing with a mix of anger and resignation.

"Three allies, and the griffons, and the one that helps us is the one you can kick a hoofball across."

Luna held back on showing how much the dozen ponies in the room disappointed her. Not for anything they had done, but simply because they were the entirety of Equestria's command structure. Of those dozen, three of them were Wonderbolts, which wasn't helpful either. Celestia had really let Equestria's defence fall to ruins.

At least the job most of them had to do was simple. Before anything else, an army had to be raised, and that at least was something that Luna could wash her hooves of. Her concern was strategy, leaving the creation of the Equestrian military to her sister, and to most of the ponies in this room. Now if she could convince them of the merits of teaching unicorns combat magic, she might feel happier.

To be honest, things were actually going fine, so to speak, and she was content to let Shining Armour do all the talking, since he actually knew a lot more on the subject of Equestria's modern military practices a lot better than she did. In fact, she was almost tempted to pull Spitfire, the captain of the Wonderbolts, aside for a private discussion, as they, along with her own Night Guard, and whatever Royal Guard that weren't swallowed up in training soldiers, were currently Equestria's greatest defensive assets.

Now she thought about it, they were Equestria's only defensive assets, at least until the Crystal Empire's legions were deployed, whenever that might be.

"The training that the unicorns in the Royal Guard receive isn't going to be enough," Luna caught Shining say, dragging her out of her thoughts. "I've had that training myself, and I can tell you now that a hooffull of spells to immobilise a single target, and create a directed light, isn't going to cut it this time."

"Excuse me?" Luna said as she re-joined the discussion. "You mean to tell me that no unicorn in the Royal Guard knows a spell capable of taking a life?"

"They have weapons for that your highness," said Captain Stormguard, the pegasus leader of the Royal Guard after Shining Armour left the position.

Luna stared at the captain for a long time until he shifted uncomfortably. "Do you think I need a weapon to kill you right now?"

"No, your highness," the captain replied, impressing Luna by how precise an answer it was in the face of what was asked, and who asked it.

"And do you think the Adepts of Mareitania need a weapon to kill you?"

"I suspect they don't your highness."

"And you would be correct. The Adepts were trained to use their magic as both their weapon and their defence, and had a sword only as a last resort. They, along with the pegasi, were the Mareitanian Liberation Front's greatest weapon during the uprising, and believe me when I say that spears aren't going to phase them in the slightest. Magic is going to play a big part in this war should it come, Captain, and the side with the strongest magic will have the advantage. So tell me again what you propose."

"I propose we teach every unicorn possible how to use combat magic, beginning with the unicorns in the Royal Guard."

Luna smiled and nodded, "Very good Captain, although I feel it is not yet enough. The Royal Guard recruit and train earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, all in almost the same way, which is fine for guard duty, but flawed for much else. While you can train a pegasus to fight like an earth pony, you cannot train an earth pony to fight like a pegasus, just as a pegasus or earth pony cannot be taught to fight like a unicorn. Training them all together limits their potential, so propose we separate the training for each kind of pony."

Shining Armour frowned, "You sound like you want to dissolve the E.U.P."

"Not at all. I do however, wish to define it better. Captain Spitfire, I will be holding the Wonderbolts separate from this, as I have other uses for you."

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Now what I want is to recreate the Mage Corps, and have them act much as the Adepts do in the Mareitanian army. Any unicorn with potential will be moved into the Mage Corps to learn combat magic and shielding spells, while other, less magically capable unicorns will be taught how to use weapons with their magic. Earth ponies will be taught to fight to their own strengths in the Earth Corps, and the Air Corps will consist of pegasi, with exceptional fliers being moved into the Wonderbolts. They will of course be taught mixed pony combat as well."

"What of the Royal Guard and Night Guard?" Shining asked, a small but noticeable frown marring his features.

"The Night Guard will remain under my command, while the Royal Guard may be shrunk to move ponies that volunteer into the army. Otherwise they will continue to exist as they are now in their essential roles. Obviously none of this is final, and may be changed if it is unworkable. Flexibility is important. Now, Shining Armour will continue with the briefing, as I have my own briefing I wish to give the Wonderbolts." The collected ponies saluted Luna, making her smile. "As you were."

Luna gestured for the Wonderbolts to follow her, and they left the remaining ponies to discuss matters. Matters that Luna felt she didn't much help with. As soon as they reached where Luna was leading them, Luna sat down on the ground around a table, and groaned.

"I get the feeling I rather confused them in there. Perhaps I should have explained things better."

Soarin cleared his throat, "Begging your pardon Princess, but if a unicorn isn't in the mage corps, are they in their own group? Or what? And why don't the earth ponies get their own special unit?"

"It's a work in progress," Luna said a little bashfully. "I do hope you at least got the gist of what I was trying to explain?"

"More or less, I suppose," said Spitfire. "It's just that the only breakdown of units where we've seen that is in Mareitania with the Adepts. Are you sure fighting them using their own military doctrine is the best idea?"

"Certainly," Luna replied with confidence. "Mareitania lacks fliers, so we already have an advantage there, and Equestria far surpasses them in terms of magical knowledge, so hopefully the Mage corps will maintain an advantage over Mareitania's Adepts. Some thought has been put into this Captain, and even the griffon army where all members have the same ability is split up into different groups to serve different roles."

"As you say then ma'am."

Luna rolled her eyes, "You hardly need to be so formal around me. You certainly weren't in Mareitania."

"You weren't exactly a princess in Mareitania, your highness, and I do believe you're to be our commander from now on."

"And yet I am still Luna, as I ever am, but I shall not force you to adopt an informal stance with me. I will however have an informal conversation with you." Luna smiled at the third Wonderbolt in the room, "I see you now have your wings back Fleetfoot. I take it you only returned to active duty recently?"

Fleetfoot spread her wings and flapped them once before holding them open. "I was declared fit by the docs' a couple of weeks ago. Just in time to get thrown into another conflict...

"Would that we could avoid it," said Luna. "If you feel you are unfit to participate, th-"

"No," Fleetfoot said with finality. "this is different, and I won't abandon Equestria when it needs me."

"And I assure you it needs you." Luna gestured for the Wonderbolts to join her around the table, and waited as they took their seats. "I suspect you're wondering what my special task for you might be?"

The three Wonderbolts looked at each other for a second, then nodded. "Yes ma'am," Spitfire confirmed.

"Then I shall tell you. It's not exactly hard to see that Equestria is woefully unprepared to fight any conflict on the scale that Mareitania threatens. I don't know by how much they intend to build their forces further, but it isn't unrealistic to think that they could attack us as early as tomorrow if they wished. While that's unlikely, there is still the possibility of an attack coming soon, and while we have only minimal forces to confront them with, we will lose. That is where you and your Wonderbolts come in."

Luna's horn flashed, and a map of both Equestria and Mareitania appeared on the table, side by side, and she ran a hoof along the thin sliver of land that ran around the north of the Luna bay between the two countries. "Currently we don't know enough of our enemies plans to know how they would attack, but there's only one land route between our countries, and that would be the most likely avenue they would use, at least for their heavier forces such as steam tanks. It would be wise to concentrate our defences around that bridge, and around Vanhoover. However, we should not count on that being their only avenue of attack. That is where you come in for now."

Luna moved the map of Equestria aside to focus on the map of Mareitania. "We have no real idea of what is going on in Mareitania. While we might ask the griffons for information, there is no way we rely entirely on them as they could easily mislead us for some reason. Your first task will be for several of your members to create a comprehensive picture of what is happening in Mareitania."

"And the rest of us?" asked Fleetfoot.

"Training. The Wonderbolts will have to be expanded rapidly to deal with this new threat, meaning you will have to teach a lot of ponies how to fight."

Spitfire fought hard to hide her wince, and thought she had until she saw the way Luna was looking at her. "What new ponies might these be ma'am?"

Luna held her gaze for a moment before speaking, "First off, your replacements that were allowed to stay on after your return from Mareitania will have to be taught how to fight since I believe they missed that part of the training at the time. Then there's the reserves, who will be given a choice to join the Wonderbolts."

"A choice?"

"The reserves aren't actually a part of the E.U.P," Luna explained. "While they will be happily accepted into the Wonderbolts, we can't order them to, so it will have to be entirely voluntary. Further to that, every trainee that somehow failed to get into the reserves for reasons other than poor performance, or mental health issues, will be approached with an offer to join. Again, voluntarily. I will also be screening some of the pegasi in the Royal Guard to join you as well."

Spitfire was speechless for a moment at the idea of having to train all those ponies how to fight, and more importantly, how to kill. "Is there a purpose to doing all this training so fast?"

"Yes there is." Luna tapped a hoof on the map of Mareitania, "Once we know what's going on in Mareitania, that is when our biggest task begins. Working in conjunction with my Night Guard, it will be your job to sabotage, delay, and otherwise do whatever you possibly can to slow down any impending invasion of Equestria."

Luna stayed quiet as she slunk into the private quarters she shared with her sister. It had been a long couple of days, and she didn't want to make a noise in case Celestia was sleeping on the couch again. She needn't have worried though as Celestia was still very much awake, purely with the intention of speaking with Luna, and the flare of her horn as she filled a second cup of tea for her sister was the only announcement of her presence she gave.

"I thought you would be sleeping," said Luna, accepting the proffered cup in her own magic. "Thank you." Her nose wrinkled as she recognised the smell of camomile.

"I wished to talk to you before I retired, to see what your thoughts on all this was."

"My thoughts?" Luna sat down on a large cushion next to her sister and made herself comfortable. "My thoughts are you're asking me because things did not go so well with you."

"Mustangia stands with us."

"Mustangia?" Luna snorted dismissively. "A pony can spit across Mustangia. The few soldiers they could provide won't make much of a difference. What of Saddle Arabia? Surely they would at least consider helping?"

"I impression I got from them was that they don't think we're really in the danger we claim to be. The griffon ambassador was the only one who seemed to take the threat seriously, but there would be no way the Emperor would give us military aid. She did say that she could get us access to Griffonian intelligence on Mareitania, but I suspect you would rather rely on your own sources."

"You suspect correctly. I've given the Wonderbolts their orders, and in a week we should hopefully have all the intelligence on Mareitania we could ever want, except for what it is that Faust plans."

"Isn't that rather the whole point of gathering intelligence?"

"Then I shall have them go and ask her if it makes you feel better."

Celestia half smiled as she sipped from her cup, "The only thing that would make me feel better is if Faust decided to give up her entire idea of revenge on us, went into hiding, and never showed her face again. I'm afraid that might be some rather wishful thinking on my part though."

"Perhaps. Nevertheless, once we know the basics of what Faust plans against us, we can start buying ourselves some time. If she attacked in even a month's time, we would have no hope of standing against her army."

Celestia was silent for a moment, thinking to herself as to what the repercussions might be for making the first strike. She suspected that the aggression would only make the beings of other nations think even worse of Equestria. "Are you sure sabotaging the Mareitanians is really the best idea Luna?"

"Cease thinking like a politician for a moment sister, and consider the fact that we are horribly outnumbered. We need every little advantage we can muster Celestia, and while we have a little time what with dear 'Mother's' unfortunate dehorning, we should push for that advantage as much as we can."

"Yes, but..." Celestia sighed placed her cup down. "This is why I wished for you to lead the war effort. What you see as necessary steps to surviving this coming war, I see as needless aggression that will only serve to drive others further from us, and make winning this war harder. The only question there is which one of us is right?"

Luna smirked at Celestia, "Me, naturally, since our only allied country in this is the size of a hoofball field. They allied with us for their own protection if you remember?"

"Of course I remember, just as I remember you wanting to aggressively co-opt the Crystal Empire into Equestria after we had defeated Sombra."

"It would hardly be aggressive, and after the loss of their princess, the crystal ponies would have needed firm, fair, and strong leadership. I thought we would be doing them a favour. Not that it mattered in the end anyway, just as how driving away allies that already refuse to fight with us is hardly a big issue."

Celestia shook her head, "I still think that you're risking too much by making the first move. A strike on them could make them retaliate against us in a way we can't defend against."

Luna didn't reply. She knew what they were doing was a risk, but so was inaction. Frankly everything she might do now felt like a risk. There was one possibility that she hadn't mentioned before that could prevent what Celestia feared would happen. The problem was that it wasn't a plan that she was comfortable with herself.

"There is a third option," Luna said after a while. "I suspect you won't like it though."

"It must be drastic for you to even consider saying that to me." Celestia refilled her teacup, "Let's hear it."

"There is an idea that could stop us from looking too aggressive, slow Mareitania down, and prevent the loss of life amongst our own citizens."

Celestia raised an eyebrow at Luna's reluctance to simply tell her what the plan was. "Is there a reason why I wouldn't like any idea that can do all that?"

"Yes, because it involves provoking a war between Mareitania and Griffonia."

There weren't many situations where Celestia could be genuinely surprised, let alone surprised enough to perform a spit take, but as tea dribbled down Celestia's snout, and the window in front of her, Luna was at the very least pleased that she still possessed the ability to make Celestia do that.

"Absolutely not!" Celestia shouted once she had recovered enough to form coherent sentences. "What in your right mind made you even think of that?"

"Griffonia has an interest in Mareitania, regularly sends scouts over it for some reason, have their own army, and have an Emperor that tends to reply to slights with vengeance." Luna took a delicate sip of tea as she let her sister think about that. "The pieces are all there Celestia. All we would have to do is find a way to provoke the griffons into attacking Mareitania, especially now Mareitania is no longer under our protection. The easiest way would be to make it look like the Mareitanians had attacked a griffish patrol, and then make them think that Faust intends to come after them once she was done with us. The Emperor would never take such aggression lying down."

Celestia rubbed her head, unsure of what to think. "I'm not sure what's worse. That you thought of this plan in the first place, or that I listened to it without stopping you."

"You'll at least consider it then?"

"No. As much as I'm tempted to agree simply to save our ponies, I will not agree to such a plan. The griffons aren't responsible for Faust's release, just as they are incapable of stopping her. I will not condone the wholesale slaughter of griffons just to save our own skins." Celestia stood and started walking to her room, then stopped. "I will hear nothing more of that plan, understood?"

"Not a word will be said of it." Luna watched as Celestia nodded and continued on her way. Once the taller mare was gone, Luna poured her tea away, considering the vile stuff to taste reminiscent of lava. As much as she wanted to be a good sister and listen to Celestia, she was also not against ignoring her, and if the Wonderbolts returned with dire news, she was not against taking matters into her own hooves, and going completely behind her sisters back.

Author's Notes:

Never before has one of my rough drafts had so many spelling errors, and I wasn't even drunk. If you see any stupidly obvious ones I missed, feel free to point an accusatory finger.