The monsters chased us out of the City Everfree. It was a fighting retreat all the way into the wilderness. As Tia gathered her expedition, I helped the rear guard keep the monsters away from the fleeing peasants.

But even with me helping, there were too many.

Whatever sorcery that Discord employed kept spawning more and more vile creatures, forcing us back, away from our own keep with a veritable tide of sinew and teeth.

I know not how many we lost, how many we couldn't save, but we stayed for as long as we dared.

The fall back into the Everfree Forest was easier. It appeared that Discord's monsters weren't too willing to leave the city, but that didn't stop several small hordes from giving chase.

The worst monster, or monsters as the case was, were the three half Pony half fish monsters that hounded us constantly.

I only got a good look at one very briefly. But it was enough.

If the constant laughter and singing weren't any indication, their style of hitting and running betrayed their intelligence.

It was merely salt in the wound when I met the orange one's gaze.

It winked at me.

Then, with another cackle, it disappeared into the wilds of the Everfree Forest before I could retaliate.

I could only bite back a curse and fall back into formation with the Legionnaires.

But eventually, the rearguard caught up with the refugee camp that the vanguard had founded only hours earlier. A large shield array covered the whole site. I would've said it was quaint, if not for the fact it was horrifically overcrowded. Granted, the Cohort Tia had assigned to the vanguard were still hard at work setting up tents and digging dug outs to shelter in.

The crowd of displaced peasants were haggard and filthy as they hungerly stared after me as I walked through the camp.

I spotted Tia's pink mane in the crowd.

She had commandeered a boulder from the forest and was using it as a map table, several of her other Generals and Administrative staff were in attendance.

Starswirl was also there.

I quietly found an empty spot and started listening.

"-Other settlement candidates?" Tia asked one of her advisors.

"Possible..." the stallion tapped his chin in thought. "But would it be wise to abandon the Everfree so easily?"

"It's not a question of wisdom, it's a question of what to do with the citizens while Luna and I deal with the beast.

"Bloodstone is a possibility." I chimed in.

The mare to my right nearly jumped out of her iron shod hooves as she realized I was standing there.

"Oh my word-!" she started to rant.

The advisors shared uneasy looks between themselves.

"Uh Luna... Might it be too soon for non-Sarosian's to visit the city? There's still some wounds that need to heal..." Tia reasoned.

"Fair enough." I sighed.

Really, it was the perfect solution. Defendable, already established, and it would only take an hour to get everypony to the gates. But Tia was right, the wounds left by the Thestral Lords were still too deep.

The redemption of the Sarosians would have to wait.

"Perhaps here?" another advisor tapped a place on the map. "The place Count Trottingham suggested?"

"It's a might far..." Tia chewed on her lip, thinking it over.

"It's- There's already a well used road over there." the frightened mare to my side added. "The Count has been sending expeditions constantly."

Tia's eyes flickered over the ad hoc map table as she looked for possibilities.

"... Trottingham's site would be best." she decided. "Get everypony settled for the night, but we leave at dawn."

The gathering all nodded to each other and began to disperse.

"Generals stay with me for a moment. You too Master." Tia interrupted, stopping the Commanders and Starswirl from leaving. They turned back to the rock attentively. "The road is going to be long, But Luna and I are needed else where. I need options for defending the caravan of proles."

"Hmmm..." Starswirl hummed in thought, stroking his beard. "I have- Several ideas about the more aggressive creatures. The Sirens in particular-"

"Sirens?" I asked, slightly out of turn.

"Hm yes, the 'fish creatures'." He elaborated. "They're ancient creatures. From a time before the original Alicorns." he stopped for a moment, recollecting his thoughts. "Regardless, there's a mirror I keep in my lab, it's a sort of portal that leads off into the abyss between stars... I've never been able to figure out where it leads."

"Why- Why do you have a portal that leads nowhere?" General Brass Tacks asked.

"I use it to dispose of experiments that are critically unstable." the wizard admitted quietly, his eyes glossing over thoughts only he could see.

"... How often are you making something that could be a bomb?" Brass Tacks asked.

"Your Highness, if you would permit me, I could Travel back to the Castle Everfree and reclaim the mirror. If I could distract and lure the Sirens away, I may be able to seal them away before they cause too much harm."

Tia thought for a moment before eventually nodding.

"Granted. But wait for a moment. I trust you can accomplish your task, but I know not how long Luna and I will be away. When you are done, regroup with the Cohorts and provide assistance for them."

"As you wish your Highness." he bowed slightly, but made no move to leave.

"Now, I trust it goes without saying that at least one Cohort must protect the caravan."

"Two." General Northstorm grunted as he lit his smoking pipe. "With so many Ponies, the caravan will be a meal basket for anything that has a taste for Pony flesh."

"Two Cohorts for the caravan." Tia agreed.

My eyes slide over the map.

"Split the remaining Cohorts. Half the Pegasi to carry the Earth Ponies to the site. The remaining half to harass, harry, and run interference around the caravan. When the half that are carrying the Earth Ponies reach their destination, have them reestablish contact with the minor villages. They must know what has happened. The Earth Ponies, once at the site, will dig in and prepare a temporary settlement. The Unicorns will stay with the caravan and provide assistance where they're needed." I instructed.

Everypony looked at me, slightly surprised expressions on their faces.

"..." Tia rubbed her chin in thought. "... I agree. It's a simple, yet relatively sound and effective plan."

Everypony started to nod as they realized the benefits of my plan.

"Then it's decided? No objections?" Tia asked the remaining Ponies.

Nopony raised any.

"Good, then I believe we all have work to do."

The group then dispersed as the meeting adjorned.

"Tia..." I whispered, fearful of letting what needed said being overheard. Tia turned towards me quizically. "Remember, dawn isn't coming."

Her eyes widened.

"Stars damn it!" she exclaimed quietly, stomping a hoof in frustration. She breathed heavily for a moment, composing herself. "Do you think Sun and Moon have had any ideas yet?" she asked finally.

"I know not. But surely there is no harm in asking in such a dire manner as this."

"Indeed there is not." boomed a brassy stallion's voice in my head.

"We may have a temporary solution." added the mare with a voice like silver bells.

Tia's ears flicked in time with the voices.

She could hear them too.

"Discord has broken the intricate magic that we depend on." The voice of brass thrummed.

"Until it is fixed, we will spin freely, but without direction or purpose." The voice of silver bells sang.

"However, therein lies a solution." Hot brass pinged.

"As our champions, you are free to interact with us as you will." Cold silver rang.

"Borrow our might and push us across your sky." the brass roared.

"If you perform this task correctly, at dawn and dusk, disaster may yet be prevented." the silver chimed.

"Take this knowledge." The voice of brass rumbled.

"It will be the spell to aid you." The voice of silver tolled

With that, both presences faded away. In their wake, they left a peculiar shape.

A spell matrix.

I looked to Tia, who in return met my gaze.

"A question asked and answered I suppose." she mumbled.

"Would you happen to remember what time it was when the fiend first broke the heavens?" I asked. "Because I do not."

"It was... Well, it was around nine when Court started..." Tia thought out loud.

"And the fiend appeared very soon after." I nodded.

"It couldn't have been more than ten minutes before he summoned all of his minions..." Tia added.

"So before ten? It did its deed very soon after we left the throne room."

"And then we fled the city... Which took hours." Tia looked around and spotted a nearby guard. "You there! Legionnaire! With out looking at the Sun, how long would you say it's been since we left the City Everfree?"

The guard, who must've been in the rearguard, as he looked very tired and battered, did his best to scramble to his hooves and bowed deeply.

"Apologies your Highnesses... I uh... Don't know how long it's been since we fled... Without looking that is." he tiredly responded.

"An estimate then?" Tia asked.

"Oh phhh..." he breathed out, standing back up, deep in thought. "Hard to say... Five? Four hours?" he reached up and scratched an ear. "I'm sorry your Highnesses, I can give no better answer than that."

"You are forgiven." I stated. "Return to your rest."

"Thank you your Highness..." the soldier replied, sitting back down.

"Do you have an estimate?" Tia murmured in my ear.

"Nay, I was perhaps even busier. Those... Sirens were wicked thorns in our sides." I replied in kind.

"I see." Tia replied, glancing about.

"Huh... I could've sworn it's been hours..." I overheard the now sitting guard mutter to himself.

"Hm..." I hummed in thought. "Perhaps Master Starswirl knows?"

"He may... Old stallion always did keep meticulous time." Tia responded. "You there!" she called out to a different Legionnaire, a mare this time.

She must have been part of the Vanguard Cohort, as she was busy hauling digging implements nearby.

"Your Highnesses." she bowed deeply, but not too deeply to spill her cargo.

"Rise." Tia instructed. "I have need of several things."

"All you must do is ask." the mare replied.

"Firstly, in your estimate, how long has it been since the city evacuated? Without looking towards the sun if you would."

"Oh... Um..." the mare hummed as she stood up, physically stopping herself from looking upward. "Oooh... About six hours? I think?"

"I see." Tia stated, her eyes twitching in thought. "Then secondly, I require Master Starswirl's presence."

"Be on your way Legionnaire, I'm here."

I turned to see the wizard himself strolling through the crowd towards Tia and I.

"Ah! Master-" Tia greeted, before swiftly turning towards the Legionnaire again. "Return to your business, thank you for your time."

"Thank you your Highness." the mare bowed again, before turning and resuming her duties.

"How might I assist?" Starswirl asked, his hat bells jingling as he tipped his head.

"How long do you suppose it's been since we evacuated the city? Without looking to the Sun if you would." Tia asked.

"Hm..." Starswirl hummed, stroking his beard absentmindedly. "Without looking at the Sun?" he asked.

"Yes." I answered.

"But only without the Sun?"

"Do you have some sort of time piece?" Tia asked hopefully.

"Indeed." Starswirl responded, digging inside his robe. He then pulled out a polished gold pocket watch.

"Most excellent!" I cheered. "Pray tell, what time is it?"

The wizard looked puzzled, but flipped the pocket watch open.

"It's..." he glanced down. "About five in the afternoon? But I thought..." he looked up to the sky.

The Sun hadn't moved from its point.

"Hmm... Appears my watch is wrong..." The stallion began, his horn igniting.

"Don't!" Tia and I both shouted.

The camp around us stopped and stared.

"Uh... Go back to your business." I stated, trying to sound confident. Ponies shared a look with each other, shared a few shrugs, and continued with their tasks.

I turned my attention back to Starswirl.

His horn was no longer lit, but his eyes were scrutinizing.

"There's something you're not telling me..." he surmised.

Tia and I shared a glance.

"There's... Been a development." I slowly and quietly stated.

"A... Development? Since a few minutes ago?" he asked incredulously.

"Since this morning." Tia corrected. "We just... It's something we don't want widely known."

"Go on." he said slowly.

"The demon... It-" I started.

"He broke the spells keeping the Sun and Moon moving." Tia interrupted, her voice barely a whisper.

The wizard was silent for a moment.

"Oh." he said simply.

"We do have a solution... Sort of." I informed.

"But we need to know the time." Tia added.

"I see..." he stated, sitting down on his haunches. "It's-" he glanced down again. "Five thirty four at this moment."

"Sundown is six thirty this time of year if I recall correctly?" I asked.

"Roughly." Tia responded.

"Then you have an hour still..." Starswirl responded.

"Excellent." I sighed in relief. "We're not too late."

"If I may ask, what is your solution?" the wizard asked.

I thought over the spell matrix we had been left.

"I'm... Not sure..." I admitted.

"Pardon?"

"Uh, hold on." Tia cut it, picking up a stick from the edge of camp and summoning it forth.

She then began to draw in the packed earth below.

"We were given this by the Sun and Moon, we haven't had an opportunity to study it." Tia informed as she drew out the matrix.

"I see..." Starswirl hummed as his eyes traced over the matrix lines as they were drawn. "Actually, I don't- Why does it do that? What is th-" His eyes widened. "Oh..."

"Master?" Tia asked, looking up to the stallion.

Starswirl pushed Tia's stick aside and wiped the matrix away.

"Celestia, Luna, if you do nothing else in your lifetime, never reveal this spell to anypony. In fact you shouldn't have shown even me."

"Master?" I asked softly.

"It's..." He shook his head. "It's a spell that moves the Sun and Moon, by physically pushing them across a leyline I didn't even know existed. It's a surprisingly simple and easy to cast matrix for such a powerful effect. I shudder to think what would happen if this information were to fall into the wrong hooves."

The thought of one of Equestria's enemies controlling the Sun and Moon crossed my mind.

Starswirl was correct... We couldn't allow this to be freely known.

"Ah..." I breathed.

"Are you certain that's what it does? I didn't finish-" Tia started.

"Most certain." Starswirl waved her away. "I can't think of anything else it could be. And if I'm taken by foul forces, I don't want to know how to finish it."

"Then it's safe?" I asked.

"As safe as any spell capable of ending the world is. But if what you say is true..." He glanced up towards the Sun. "... And it just might be... Then we have no options. You must cast it everyday at dawn and dusk."

The information gave a sense of... Foreboding melancholy. I had thought that after defeating Bloodmoon, being the Moon's champion would be easy. Rule over and protect mortal kind in their stead.

But I guess being at the Moon's beck and call wasn't all play.

When things went wrong, I had to be the one to fix the situation. I had to be the one at the forefront of effort.

It just had never occurred to me that there were bigger problems than a raging manticore or pompous lich.

The weight of responsibility fell on my withers, like a giant hoof pressing downward.

A look towards Tia revealed she was feeling the same thing. Or at least something very similar.

But then again... I wasn't alone. I was there for Tia, and her me. And if the Sun and Moon themselves believed in us... Then who was I to question them?

I lifted a wing across Tia's withers.

"We can do this." I whispered.

She looked up, conflicting emotions behind her eyes.

"Yes... Yes we can."

The hour waiting for dusk was the longest hour of my life.

The Ponies were busy, but not too busy to occasionally glance up to the sky. They'd look up, frown, ask a friend what time it was, get a shrug in reply, shrug in return, and go about their business.

All Tia and I could do in the meantime was stand off to the side, smile reassuringly to passerby...

And wait.

I felt so awkward and out of place...

It was awful.

Tia and I both kept checking Starswirl's timepiece. If anypony noticed that we kept looking what felt like every five minutes, but was actually every 30 seconds, they didn't show it.

But finally, the time came.

I met Tia's gaze, and we both slowly nodded.

Her horn light up with her sunlight yellow, and for the first time in hours, the shadows shifted across the ground. Several Ponies noticed, and watched them slide in curiosity.

When the sun touched the horizon, nearly everypony was watching in awe.

I lit my horn and performed my half of the spell.

The silver Moon rose in the East.

Oooooooh! See that? I'm pushing growth!

We both know that's not why I'm upset! Get out of here! I can't afford you spoiling the story!

But look at the audience! They want to be spoiled!

Don't you dare!

I'll do it myyyyyyyyyyyyyy waaaaaaaaaaaay!

I AM getting the broom!