Private Silver Bell stood on the outermost rampart watching birds flutter from their nests and off into the crisp mountain air. She was overjoyed to be on the ramparts this morning and not in the castle after Luna's outburst a few days ago. The princess had been walking along calmly before suddenly stiffening and letting out an unholy howl of rage and anger.

What caused it none knew and she was not about to tell them but whatever had happened sent her into a blind rage and now all efforts had been redoubled to fortify the city against an attack she was screaming would come at any time. Also the sun was rising a little later than usual lately.

Yet no attack came. One general had died in his sleep so far and life in happy pastel colored Equestria continued on as it always had. Letting out a bored sigh and leaning over the rampart and looking below a series of trains could be seen approaching rapidly with enough box cars and sleepers for an army.

"Sergeant! Trains are coming up!"

"Only one train is scheduled."

Joining Silver Bell the sergeant peered off at the distant train and looked back and called for an officer. They watched it getting closer and closer while the officer scratched her head looking at the paper.

"Well Prince Shining Armor is supposed to arrive this morning, can you make out the markings on the train?"

"No ma'am."

"Alright. Send a few pegasi down to see what is going on, I will send a messenger to Princess Luna."

Silver Bell watched as the gears were put into motion but there was no great rush. The train was expected and so far they concluded Canterlot was about to receive a batch of refugees from the Crystal Empire. The only news coming in from Equestria at large was that a calamity had struck and the city had to be abandoned, so far the culprits who stole the heart had not been apprehended but would be soon enough. Celestia was said to be after them even now which explained why she had not returned as planned.

Two pegasi flew over the walls lazily and towards the train which was minutes away and landed before disappearing inside the forward passenger car.

Whistling a little tune to herself Silver Bell watched and waited but the pegasi never emerged from the car. The guard was due to change any time now and the next shift was running a little late but that was not unusual. Most had next to no training as it was and were being forced from their training camps and into active duty months ahead of schedule at Luna's "request."

How bad could it be? Sure they were down two battalions but there were still eight thousand of them fully armed and waiting. Half were fully trained the other half... Not so much. Weight of numbers though could hold this tiny entrance to the sprawling city behind though.

Choking smoke billowed up from below as the train passed under her and into the city proper heading for the station. Counting out the box cars she wondered just how many there really were in the long chain as they kept coming one after another as the engines strained to push them forward.

Whatever was inside of them must weigh quite a lot.

"Yes, yes what is it?"

Luna was busy taking one report after another and when another messenger arrived they had been waved off to one side to wait like the rest. Now it was their turn to deliver the daily report and receive the usual "yes, very good, carry on" or sign whatever papers needed signed.

If it were not for her little cadre of officers Luna would not have slept in days and the strain of raising and lowering both the sun and moon was a trying experience not to forget keeping up the facade. Her outburst when she felt her sisters magical link being severed had been the last straw. Something was coming and that meant every able body was to man the walls and be ready for the battle of the millennia.

Having read over what had happened during her absence enemies had come and gone, Tirek being the only real threat. Armies marching to and fro were unheard of now but she had given in and listened to that other part of her and taken extra precautions by yanking the recruits from their camp to bolster her ranks. So long as the enemy did not breach the wall the plan would work.

Shining Armor had been requested to lend some additional strength to her officer corp until Celestia could be found, dead or alive. Luna's heart said she was still alive but another part of her screamed in anguish at the thought of loosing her after only just getting her back.

"Yes, yes. Next."

"Report from Lieutenant Glimmer. Gate. Train coming in."

"Ah yes. Shining Armor."

"Asking for confirmation, largest train convoy I have ever seen or heard of."

Luna looked up in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Must have most of the trains in Equestria pushing that thing. Hundreds of cars."

Her ears drooped back.

"Where is this train?"

"Oh they must be at the station by now."

Panic burned in her gut as she rushed to a window and looked out over the city towards the station. Sure enough the longest convoy in Equestrian history had pulled in and still could not fit inside the station as one section was unhitched, diverted and pushed forward onto another line.

"No... SOLDIER! Was anypony sent to confirm who was on board!?"

"Yes."

"WHERE ARE THEY!?"

A shrug was all she got as the scared recruit backed away.

"Raise the alarm! Seal the second gate and castle! YOU! I want a pegasi flight sent there RIGHT NOW to find out who is on board and if they do not return in the next three minutes they are assumed dead! Move all the forces forward to the second gate and hold it with your lives!"

Mass panic broke out as officers raced off in all directions yelling orders to confused attache's and messengers as they ran or flew. Luna grabbed her squire and shook them violently.

"Armor. NOW!"

Silver Bell watched in wonder as the convoy was pushed into the station, still the pegasi had not come out and only shadows could be seen through the window's as conductors and station managers tried to get on board only to disappear. Tension was written on the captain's face as he paced before finally snapping.

"Sergeant take a squad and open one of those things up!"

Hooves pounded away on the stone wall as the sergeant took off gathering a few as they went and approached one of the nearest cars. It was an impressive sight, the convoy was so long it was unable to fit and was still backed up out to the primary gate.

All eyes watched the squad approach one of the cars and when the yelling started a collective flinch along the length of the wall. Doors flew open and figures poured out and tore into the squad as red sprayed out on the green grass. Somewhere a piercing horn sounded making their ears splay back before the doors on all the train cars flew open and figures poured out and drew up ranks before rushing off.

"Wow... Hey Captain whats going on?"

Silver Bell watched as the captain's face turned to her in disbelief and held a strong "are you just stupid" look before their mouth opened and the start of an order began but was cut off as an arrow embedded itself in the captains chest.

Eyes wide the captain stepped back looking down in surprise before slumping down just staring at the shaft protruding from their chest. Along the wall soldiers began to run as conflicting orders were screamed out in rapid succession. Somewhere in the distance their own alarm's howled into the air.

Silver Bell fell back and leaned against the parapet as pain tore through her throat. Reaching a shaking hand up she left her throat and found a shaft sticking out as her body slid down. All around her one volley after another cut down the soldiers on the wall as they ran in panic, unicorns tried to bring up a magical shield but were cut down by concentrated volleys.

Blood poured over her hand as she grabbed at a passing soldier for her and tried to call to them but all that came out was a bloody gurgle. Her hand was beaten away making her grasp more desperately at the next soldier only to have them collapse over her legs dead.

Trying to scream for help no answer came, only gurgles while the screaming on the wall died down and soon only the dead and dying lined the wall as the soldiers below turned away and ran hard towards the city. She was alive and needed help but none was coming and with that sudden realization cold terror held her as she tried to crawl with one hand.

A hoof on her side stopped any movement and looking back with some hope in her eyes a strange pony stood over her in a foreign red uniform. Looking her over a moment he stabbed his spear down as Silver Bell struggled to get free.

Night Streak was in a very big hurry to get to the train station in the hopes of catching a train to Dodge Junction. Exam's had ended and now it was time to join her family on their vacation though she had missed a portion of it. Three weeks though was a long time and by now they had seen plenty and could show her around now.

While there were few ponies in sight large train cars were crammed into every available space and not one train was in sight. Walking quickly she saw a group of soldiers outside one far down the line shouting something before a pile of bodies swarmed them.

Moments later a piercing sound made her stop and cover her sensitive ears as doors flew open and soldiers poured out. Stumbling back she watched as they drew up rank's then surged forward in her direction and dropping her bag she yelped and ran.

Legs pounding hard she raced towards the nearest group of ponies only for them to turn tail and run. Pandemonium was spreading as they ran away from the station and into the city with pegasi taking to the air in a flurry of feathers and fur trying to escape the oncoming tidal wave.

A small group of soldiers quickly came into view running but several of them collapsed when a flurry of arrows tore into them stopping their advance. Running harder their screams were silenced as metal struck metal making the stampede move faster for the second gate.

Night Streak would have taken to the air but more soldiers arrived and the hissing of arrows made her change the plan from flying to running as she dove down an alleyway. Looking back she watched as two formations crashed into each other, the local forces were thrown back immediately and cut down where they stood.

Heart racing she turned another corner but found a dead end and flying up scrambled onto a roof hoping to hide but found her perch gave her a perfect view of the battle.

Columns of soldiers streamed from the second gate and into the streets but the invaders did not pour everything straight forward. Instead they would branch out down side streets and immediately flank the columns and wipe them out before repeating the bloody process over and over again.

Bodies lined the streets and she felt ill and was about to vomit when a soldier below pointed up at her and yelled. Archers spun in her direction and fired making her duck down screaming in fear as they whistled overhead.

Scambling backwards she propelled herself off the roof and back into the streets below and kept running hoping to reach the safety of the wall. Flying would get her there faster but when a group of pegasi guard flew overhead and were cut from the air fly a flurry of arrows, their bodies crashing into buildings and sliding off roofs into the street around her she decided running was safer.

Screaming, clashing of metal and howls of pain rang out all around her and now the invaders were passing her on all sides. The wall was so close now, archers manned the wall firing wildly over the buildings as magic blasted back and forth sending archers and unicorns flying from the wall with each explosion.

Rounding a bend she ran into a soldiers back and stumbled away before recognizing the armor and sighed in relief. It was short lived as a hand from behind yanked her away and tossed her to the ground giving her a perfect view of her then savior being run through with a blade from behind.

All around her the red clad invaders rushed forward slaughtering the trapped forces in front. Crawling away and huddling up outside a building to make herself look small the fighting continued for a few minutes more before everything fell silent.

Shouting and yelling went back and forth then the soldiers around her relaxed a little and checked themselves over. A stallion with a plumed helmet noticed her and walked over. Shrinking under his gaze he studied her like a buyer at the market before nodding.

"I will keep this one as spoils. Corporal, tie her up."

"Sir we are under orders -"

"Yes we are, but the fighting is over. I want you to stuff her into... There. I will get her later. Oh and you... If you try and flee I will clip those marvelous wings you have and sell you to my soldiers. Do you understand?"

He meant ever word of it. She nodded.

"I am telling you a convoy passed before the sun was up and I thought it was you!"

"It was not me, the rail had been knocked out farther up and it took hours to get it fixed!"

Colonel Bright Lance and Shining Armor argued about who it was then that had passed through the town earlier but it was clear to both that whoever it was had been in a big hurry and was moving a great number of something from Western Equestria. Shining argued it might just be more supplies ordered by Luna but Bright Lance refused to believe it.

"Hey. Whats that?"

Arguing stopped as Spike finished speaking and pointed towards Canterlot. In the distance a small pillar of smoke rose above the city and occasionally a bright flash could be seen, nearly as fast as it came it went.

"Twily, where is your telescope?"

Glaring at the colonel she hissed at her. "Requisitioned" by that one."

"I need it. Now."

It was set up on the highest balcony for keeping an eye on the surrounding area and yanking the protective tarp off Shining spun it to look at Canterlot. A large building was burning having been blown apart, flags had been torn down from the ramparts and straining his eyes to their limits he could just make out something happening at the second gateway.

A belch made heads turn as a scroll manifested itself and snatching it from the air Twilight looked at the blue crest and tore it open before she began to shake uncontrollably as the scroll slipped free of her grasp.

Snatching it Bright Lance opened it up and read before letting out a sigh and passed it to Shining Armor.

It was from Luna, the enemy had managed to get inside but was checked at the second gate. However, Celestia was alive but in their hands. His gaze fell as he handed the scroll back to the colonel and took a deep breath and they looked back at Canterlot.

The war was over. Luna had surrendered. All hail King Steelshod.

Fighting had ceased after a soldier holding a white flag approached the wall. It had cost Luna dearly in lives but the smaller strike force had been checked at the second gate but at the expense of three battalions. She could not remember a time when such a bloody and vicious battle had taken place in Equestrian history.

Ten minutes is all it took them to utterly annihilate three battalions. True, they had been almost entirely composed of recruits but they had fought so hard and for what? Snarling down at the bearer of peace she demanded explanations and even their surrender.

Laughter broke out in the enemies ranks at her proclamation and even the messenger had to choke back a laugh.

"Your true King demands your immediate surrender!"

"Piss on him!"

"Your sister is his prisoner and he wishes for me to inform you that if you refuse to surrender now he will not be held accountable for what he must do!"

"You are outnumbered and we hold the high ground AND the wall!"

"True. But for how long?"

Luna had to admit that even while they squared off the enemy was preparing to breach the gate and wall with siege engines that were being reassembled. All had been tucked neatly away in the various train cars for their own use and they were moments away from pouring deadly fire into the city proper.

Evacuation of the soon to be war-zone was already underway but she knew that Steelshod had his ways and would make her pay for each and every life her soldiers would take from him. A price she knew from past experience would be too high. When backed into a corner he could do anything and their failure to simply kill him when they had the chance so long ago cost them for it and now had come back to haunt them. There could be no hesitation when dealing with one like him.

Morale was hanging by a thread as they watched the war machines rise up before being cranked and loaded.

"I would see my sister first before believing anything he would dare to proclaim!"

"Very well."

A booming voice carried out as the messenger turned, bowed low and moved off into the ranks of soldiers. A tall unicorn stepped out from the ranks a few feet and watched her.

"Bring her."

Luna paled as her sister was brought forward chained but the missing horn made her choke back a sob.

"As you can see she is alive. Safe. You will surrender right now, lay toss your weapons over the wall and open the gate. NOW."

Damnable coward... She would have done the same long ago but still. To be hoisted by her own petard.

"Is that the fate that awaits me?"

"Depends on you. Now throw down your weapons!"

Could she buy time? Turning quickly she called for some writing material.

"Princess! Quickly!"

Turning back as a soldier shouted in alarm Luna watched as Steelshod put a knife to her sisters throat and began to press in till a tiny trickle of blood showed.

"I said now. Not later. Open the gates."

"FINE! I surrender... Just, dont harm my sister. Lay down your arms and open the gate..."

Disbelief and sorrow showed on her soldiers faces as they hesitated before a few dropped their weapons. The sound of weapons being dropped sounded like thunder along the deathly silent wall. Below Steelshod did not budge an inch until weapons were tossed over the wall. Standing Celestia up she was led away as soldiers formed up to pass through the gate.

Turning slowly Luna hopped from the wall and glided down and landing near a small group of pegasi began writing furiosly. Sealing it with blue wax and stamping her seal on it she grabbed a yellow pegasi by the throat and yanked her close until their noses nearly touched and snarled.

"You will deliver this message where I tell you to. If you must all die to deliver it then DIE!"

Spitfire nodded furiously as Luna shoved the scroll into her hand and laid out her orders rapidly.