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Once I had finished with my prior entry, I headed topside with that stack of paper under my arm. And I found the dock crews collaborating with Celaeno's men on unloading the last few crates from the cargo hold. But Celaeno herself was not at all focused on that. I noticed she was staring north. Her eyes were narrow as she glared out at the horizon. Out of sheer curiosity, I approached her and asked. "Something caught your eye, captain?"

Celaeno adjusted the brim of her hat to help her gaze more intently towards the northern horizon. "Yeah... Something about those clouds... And the air pressure... I think we'll be in for a storm tonight. Probably should stay grounded until tomorrow."

I had long since grown to notice the shift in air pressure whenever rain is near. And nothing felt off to me. But the clouds over there... If those were rain clouds, I could barely tell from that distance. "You sure? It doesn't feel like rain."

"When you've been sailing the skies for the better half of a decade, you tend to notice patterns after a while. I mean sure, old Zephyrus here can handle the average storm and all airships are equipped with anti-lightning safeguards, but it's wiser to stay grounded anyway. Looks like we'll be staying another day." Celaeno replied while not sounding at all perturbed over having a chance to stretch her land legs. She then noticed the stack of paper under my arm and asked, "You writing a novel?"

"No, but it might as well be an autobiography. I've been doing this since the day I first showed up in Equestria. I basically did it as a coping mechanism to help ease myself into a world that wasn't at all like the one I came from, but then it turned into a habit and now it's something I actually enjoying doing. My friends and wife even pooled together to buy me a typewriter during last year's holiday season and I've been using it heavily since." I explained upon realizing just how long I have been doing this whole journal thing. If I were to try publishing all of these journals as a series of novels, I wonder if it would sell at all. Perhaps being the only human author in the world might be enough of a selling point to pull in readers.

Celaeno grinned broadly while she said, "Well, if you ever do decide to publish that stuff, let me know and I'll be your first buyer. I wanna know what you were up to before we bumped into each other."

"Don't you mean before you and your men snatched me off a train in broad daylight?" I added now that I was finding myself in a good mood.

"Hey, you know we meant no harm! And we had no idea what we were even doing... And it all worked out fine in the end, right?" Celaeno laughed while throwing up her hands between us in a defensive stance. But she then looked up at her airship's very stylized gas sack. "And I'm glad we did find you. Look at us now. Smooth sailing for all of us and old Zephyrus has never looked better. Really, we all owe you big for setting us up with the deal of a lifetime. And I intend to repay you in full someday."

"I'm not that picky about gifts, captain. If you really wanna pay me back for that, surprise me." I replied before I noticed Celaeno's gaze turning into a scowl. She then reached up and took off her hat. Was she trying to tell me something? And then I remembered last night. "Really, I'm up for whatever you can settle on, Celaeno."

"That's better." She replied before setting her hat back atop her head. Celaeno then asked, "Really though, I seem to recall you're sweet on a few lucky ladies who happen to wear a crown. If you've got no problem looking past that, why do you have such a hard time seeing me as anything but the captain of my ship?"

I thought this over for a minute. It was something that needed an answer. "I guess when it comes to those who wear a crown, I should be more concerned about the royal guards. But with you being captain... I guess it's the fear of insubordination. You don't need to ask your crew to rough me up when I know you can and would do it yourself if I ever ticked you off on your own vessel."

"James, seriously! I might know my way with a saber, but I'm not violent! You really think I'd ever hurt you for real?!" Celaeno squawked in genuine shock before looking at me as if I had just offended her. And I suspect I did.

Thinking I really had just screwed up, I started to take my leave. "Sorry, sorry, I understand if you're mad at me. I'll just be..."

"Oh, no no no you don't. You're not getting off my ship that easy." Celaeno growled as she grabbed me by the wrist. When I glanced back at her, she pulled me right into a vice grip of an embrace. I shut up entirely as her beak was so close to my face that it was even touching my nose. She then smirked at me deviously and asked, "So, you think this rose has way too many thorns? Too prickly to even touch?"

"Captain, I... Crap! I mean Celaeno! Celaeno, I really didn't mean any..." I started to stammer now that I was sure I was in trouble. And then I heard some very noticeable snickering in the air. With a glance to my right, I saw Boyle and Mullet laughing it up at my expense while they set aside the cargo they had been hauling just to watch the show. I knew exactly what they were implying and voiced my disapproval. "Oh, shut up! This ain't what it looks like and you know it!"

"Who said it's not?" Celaeno churred with a very alarming tone in her voice that sent a chill down my spine. When I looked back at her, she was staring me right in the eye. And I felt her finger caressing the side of my jaw in a sultry fashion that I strongly suspect she was only doing just to mess with me. "If I'm really so imposing, then I guess I'll just have to step up my game so this sweet lover boy of a man can see the hen under my hat. Mark my words, you'll never call me a captain again when I'm done with you."

"Guys! Guys, stop laughing and get her off me!" I finally shrieked before even Celaeno could not keep up the facade. The only reason she let go of me right there was because she lost all composure and started howling in laughter along with Mullet and Boyle. I then asked while taking a few steps back, "Very funny! That was...way too much. Even Novo's never come onto me that strong."

"Worth it! Did you even see the look on your face?!" Celaeno squawked while looking like she was above to fall over. After everyone had stopped laughing, she adjusted her hat before clearing her throat. "Anyway, I'm at least serious about that last part. I'll get you to loosen up around me eventually. I won't stand for a good friend keeping an emotional distance because of me being captain of my ship."

She certainly was focused on winning me over. Very friendly and sociable. Like... Just like... "Are you harpies always this sociable?"

Celaeno cast a smirk at me now that I was starting to catch on to why she really is so chummy with me. "Of course! Haven't you seen how parrot flocks are in the wild? We're really not so different in that regard. Head on down to the Republic of Aquila and they'll phase the introvert in you right out. Friends aplenty and smiles are many. You won't walk away from there without some new friends under your wings."

"I swear you harpies and hippogriffs might as well be sister species. That sounds a lot like how things are on Capricorn Island." I replied as I thought back to those wonderful bird horses. And even those who were serving in the militia with me. "You ever been there?"

Celaeno nodded and said, "Only once or twice, but we always had a good time. It did kind of feel like being home again, but it was quieter than what I'd expect back home. Not as humid either. My homeland tends to be colorful and lively. You'll know what I mean when you see it."

"I'm sure I will... Gotta plan a visit there sometime..." I muttered as I pondered what little I had heard. I then asked, "Do you think there's anything I can use as an excuse to stop by? A real reason to go there?"

The captain of the Zephyrus brought her hand to the underside of her beak in thought. And only for three seconds. She then suddenly snapped her fingers and pointed at me with her eyes lighting up. "There is. We have an annual fencing tournament there that starts early each year and I think you and I should sign up. And the coliseum for it is in my own hometown, so I know the place like the back of my hand. How about that?"

"Fencing tournament?! Well, uh... Oh, what the hell. Sure, sign me up! At least if you think I'll excel." I replied as I too felt a twinge of excitement. Actual swordsmanship used for sport. And I certainly knew my way with a sword well enough by then.

Celaeno was more than happy with my response. "Nice! I'll start looking into registration and get back to you on that once the war's over. I mean just think about it. The only human in the world signing up to show his stuff in the ring? You'll be the talk of the town!"

Right before we could discuss anything further, I noticed something coming up from beyond the bow of the ship. Something that was coated in shimmering gold. And I quickly recognized it. Ember soon set herself down upon the deck while clad in full armor and with her trusty spear in hand. She raised a hand in greeting and asked, "Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, not at all! The Dragon Lord, right?" Celaeno replied before I saw her eyes narrow in observation. She then looked out at the camp to the south and said, "It's a little quiet to be all suited up like that, right?"

Ember began to approach as she said, "I've been tasked with serving as James' escort. There's...reason to believe he may be in danger in the company of his own allies."

Celaeno's eyes widened before she glanced at me. But we did not have to say anything. She knew enough by then on why my own allies might view me as a threat. I just nodded to confirm that such a statement was true. Celaeno then looked back at Ember and said, "He's a good man. Keep him safe."

"I will." Ember replied earnestly before she stood before me. Those beautiful scarlet eyes gazed up at me from behind her helmet as she asked, "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, I think I've been up here long enough." I replied before looking over at the captain who had been such a good host to me. "Thanks for having me, Celaeno. I had a great time."

"Anytime, James. We'll be here until tomorrow, so stop on by whenever you want. We're not going anywhere." She replied while tipping her hat to me. With my journal entry tucked under my arm, I followed Ember down the gangplank and across the airship landing site.

Ember looked up at me while we walked as she tried to make for pleasant conversation to keep our moods up. "I wasn't expecting you to stay overnight up there. Did anything go wrong?"

I thought back fondly on that evening and said, "They were great company. Really put in the effort to make me happy. And they insisted I stay overnight just to be safe. I enjoyed myself, really."

"Great to hear. Those birds do look like a pleasant bunch even if those big green ones look rough around the edges." Ember spoke with a smile that was noticeable whenever she lifted her head enough to expose her lower jaw. She then explained to me, "I was told we won't be marching until tomorrow. They said the infantry need a day to rest and recover from the duress from yesterday. I think... I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't get you down about anything, but I think everyone took what happened to Nightmare Moon pretty hard. That was a shock no one saw coming."

"At least she's through the worst of it... She'll be fine." I muttered, mostly for my own emotional stability. I just needed to remind myself that she was going to be just fine in the long run. Even if she would not be there with us on the battlefield.

Whatever levity I had in my heart at the time started to diminish as I passed by some of our comrades. Some hardly paid me any mind, but others were very clearly watching me while I passed. And Ember noticed too. Whenever someone stared for too long, I noticed her grasp her spear more firmly. She eventually said softly, "I'll take care of any trouble."

"Thank you." I muttered while we continued on. Ember was certainly a source of reassurance for me, but she could only do so much. And once we reached the command center and stepped inside, I found the royal family seated around the table in the common area. Celestia. Luna. Orbash. Sunflare. But one was missing. And that realization reopened a recently formed wound in my heart.

Luna looked our way and spoke in greeting. "Hello there. I trust everything was well aboard the Zephyrus?"

"They gave me exactly what I needed. Celaeno made sure I had a pleasant time up there." I replied while Ember waited patiently by my side.

Celestia smiled to see me in good health and then turned her gaze towards Ember. "Thank you for watching over him, Ember. You can carry on while he's here."

Ember lightly tapped the pommel of her spear on the floor. "With all due respect... I'd prefer to stay here a while longer. Just for his sake."

There were no objections. And I did not mind ever. Although I then remembered the stack of papers tucked under my arm. And then I remembered who was likely upstairs at that moment. "Are Ocellus and Smolder waiting for me?"

There was an unexpected smile from Orbash. "Yes, about them... They were starting to get dreadfully bored, so some of your friends came by and took them out and about to help them pass the time. I think they said they would find something to do over at the archery range?"

I felt so bad for those two. They were too young to have any business out here in the first place, yet they spend most of their time in the command center. There is only so much to do there when you are a noncombatant. Even those comic books Spike let us borrow would only entertain for so long. But at the same time, I was relieved to know I would have some time alone. And so I headed upstairs to my dorm.

Leaving the door unlocked, I set my stack of freshly typed paper in the drawer that contained the rest of the entries I had typed out by then. My eyes scanned the piles, remembering the days and events they chronicled. From days of uneventful just appreciated peace to clashes on the battlefield to even adventures in ten depths of my dreams. "Another day, another time worth writing home about..."

I shoved the drawer closed and took a seat on my bed while alone with my thoughts. I saw the tub that contained the swirling liquid metal that made up my armor. I saw the Lunar Shield with the Celestial Sword tucked inside it propped up against the side of my dresser. And I saw my helmet atop the dresser with the Element of Humanity embedded in its brow. I bowed my head, hoping that the war would end soon. That we would reach the Heaven's Pillar soon.

Not much time passed before I heard a sound outside my door. And it soon opened with Ember stepping inside. Her spear and helmet had been left behind, but she remained in full armor otherwise. I was suddenly hit with a case of déjà vu as I remembered what happened the last time Ember entered my room when I was alone. But that sudden twinge of fear faded when I saw there was nothing in her hand and her movement was nowhere near as rigid and stiff as before. She even smiled at me while closing the door behind her. "Am I interrupting anything?"

"No. It's good to see you." I retorted while wondering if Ember still had that dagger tucked under her thigh armor. She came so close to slitting my wrist last time. And I knew that the war may potentially hinge on whether I live or die. "Did Sunflare mention anything while you were down there?"

"Not really. I think she was really distracted by something... Always glancing off to the side down the hall." Ember replied while I remembered what happened yesterday. She saved Nightmare Moon by healing what she could. The sun queen had begun to accept the daughter she never knew she had. And my presence there was what had resulted in the near loss of her child.

I still remember how helpless I felt when facing the might of the eternal sun queen herself. She would have destroyed me had so many of my loved ones not intervened. That resolve had faded since then, but now that this war had nearly claimed one of her own children... I bowed my head in dread and guilt. "I think she hates me."

Ember stepped forward and cupped my jaw in her hand. My face was lifted until I was gazing at her, eyes filled with tenderness. "Well, I don't. And if she tries anything, I'll be the first to defend you next time. Rain Shine did enough. It's my turn to step up."

Under any other circumstances, I would have been pleased to hear that. But not when I knew what had been decided on should we run out of options on finishing this war. "Ember... She vowed to destroy me if we have no other means of winning this war. And I can't fault her for that."

"I won't let her! She'll have to destroy me too! I didn't..." Ember spoke with a louder voice before pausing to collect her emotions. "I didn't follow you out here just to watch you die! There's so much I want to do and see... But only if it's together with you!"

Just the act of suggesting that I die for their sakes was enough to greatly upset her. It was something Ember hated having to even think about. But I knew that my death just might be the only thing that will end this war. The only way to insure the emperor falls. And so I asked, "Ember... May I ask an important favor?"

She said nothing, but she still nodded while standing at attention. I then said, "If it gets to the point where there really is no other way... I want you to be the one to do it."

"James, that's a sick joke. You know I'd never..." Ember growled in both disgust and maybe a hint of anger. I knew she was still furious with herself for even considering murdering me in my own room just to end the war right there.

I spoke firmly even as I tried to hold back the tears. "Please... I don't want Sunflare to be the one. I'd much rather it be you. And please... When you do, hold me... Stay with me until I'm cold."

Ember said nothing as she looked me in the eye with a silent horror in those scarlet discs. She slowly and shakily reached for the plating on her thigh and drew the dagger she kept there. But not to use it. She gazed upon the blade she nearly ended my life with while I am sure she was processing my words. I then reached out and closed my hand around hers, holding the dagger with her. "Please... I can't ask anyone else."

I could see the tears starting to build at the edges of her eyes while she never blinked once. She turned to look at me and said softly, "I'll die with you."

"No, you'll live. Your people still..." I began to say before falling silent once those tears started flowing freely down her face. I felt her hand tighten its grip on the dagger's hilt.

"If I kill you, I'll kill myself." Ember declared with steadfast conviction. It was not a boast. Not an act of impulse. She meant every word of it. "I'll only do it on the condition...that I die with you. I won't...be able to live with myself if I take your life. It's the one thing... The one thing I'll never forgive myself for."

"Ember..." I muttered before even I could no longer remain whole under the weight of her words. It hurt to suggest that one I love so dearly carry out such an awful act. And I pulled her into my embrace as I whimpered in grief. It all felt so hopeless...

She embraced me ever so tenderly without losing her grip on that dagger. But I felt her shudder in sorrow. I remember how she howled in shame over nearly murdering me. To make her relive those memories made me quiver. I loved her so much, and now I had put her through such turmoil. Even if just for a moment. And even then, she agreed. I made a promise to myself right then. Once the blow had been struck, I promised myself without a word that I would tell her. That I would not take that secret to my grave. One way or another, she would know. Even if it was right at the very end.

The sorrow soon passed. The tears slowed. And once again, our lips touched. We drowned our sorrows the only way we could. I pulled Ember atop me while falling back onto my bed, not minding her hardened armor pressing against me. Our lips touched, our tongues danced, and our hands held. We could not say it, but we could show it. And she soon gazed down upon me with tears staining her face, "I'll do it...but only if there's no other way... Don't ever bring it up again, please... Not when you give me so much hope."

"I'm sorry... It needed to be said, but...I don't want to feel so hopeless. Not when you give me courage..." I replied in kind before our lips once again touched. Bit by bit, that dread faded. All because of her. Powerful, beautiful, and dependable. Ember had been there for me during some of my darkest moments in recent memory. I wanted to believe... To believe that there is a shining future for us once the war has ended. And that a day would come where I could finally tell her that I love her.

For a while longer, it was just us. We lay there and held each other without a care in the world. The Dragon Lord and I barely said a word. To just savor this moment of respite. I finally whispered to her, "I'm sorry I made you cry..."

"Don't be... You deserve to die well... And you have the right to choose how to go." She whispered back to me. Ember lifted her head to gaze down upon me as fresh tears dripped onto my face from above. Such a profound yet calm sorrow in those eyes... "Just remember... If I do, I'll be right behind you. You're not worth dying for, but you are worth dying with."

"You would follow me into the next world? Leave everything behind?" I asked with utmost sincerity. Her people needed her guidance. Or would her sacrifice really be an inspiration to them all?

Her eyes narrowed while a slight smile formed upon her face. "If you run, I'll pursue you. Even if it's into the next world. I won't let you escape me, even in death. Do you understand me?"

A long haggard sigh hissed from my lips. Truly, the love of a dragon does not compare to anything else. Steeling my nerves enough to speak, I gazed up at her. "You...are the best. You are wonderful and I'm honored to have you. No one compares to you, Ember..."

"The best deserves only the best. Which is why you have me, my dear." She cooed to me before I found myself once more embraced by that beautiful creature. I refrained from muttering anymore words. It did not matter then. "I'm here, James. I'm with you and will be through this whole mess. Just...don't go thinking it's over yet. There's so much more... So much for us to reach for."

"I..." I had to catch myself. For just an instant, it almost spilled out. Three precious words that would change everything between us. Something I dearly wanted to say. But not now. Not when there was already so much on our minds. So much to focus on. I wanted the situation to be calm. During peacetime. The most ideal time to say that wonderful statement.

"Hm?" Ember muttered as she gazed inquisitively into my eyes. Her finger traced along my lips as she asked, "Something you want to say?"

"There's lots of things I want to say to you... I just wish now was the time for it." I muttered as I tried to keep my heart hidden. I loved her. I loved her so much. Was I truly good enough for her? "You really deserve the best life has to offer... The best people too. I want you to be happy."

"Then live. And stay with me. And be a part of my life." Ember whispered to me as she beamed down at me. "Because no one makes me happy like you do."

The more we talked, the harder it was to hide my heart. If this went on too much longer, I would say it. And the consequences were incomprehensible. I dreaded to imagine what the results would be, especially on the battlefield. She would say yes. She would be mine and I would be hers. And on the battlefield... She would only become more fierce. More protective. More...reckless. And that wretched memory came to the forefront of my mind. That awful nightmare... Where I found her with an axe buried into her armored chest. Would that become a reality if I said it now? Would she...die for me?

"Ember... Before anything else happens... Promise me something." I muttered as I slid my fingers down her left horn. She listened silently, waiting. "Don't die out here. Please. I want you to live."

There was no doubt in her eyes as she whispered sweetly to me. "Then don't give me a reason to let go. If you live, I'll live. If you die... It'll only be by my hand. And I'll die with you. Agreed?"

"Yeah... Agreed. Thank you." I said with a relieved sigh. Once this war was over... Everything would be just fine. And we...could finally start to be something more. I made a dangerous move and asked a forbidden question. "Do you think...your people would ever accept me if I...became something more to you?"

Her response was unexpected. Ember smirked whimsically at me and slid a hand across the top of my head. "Hmmmm... Now that you mention it, I'd think you'd look very handsome with a crown on your head. I bet even they'd grow to like you. My...dragon king."

That made my heart flutter. Dangerously so. And I asked, "Would you...be my dragon queen?"

"The title has always been Dragon Lord... But...I have to say Dragon Queen has a much better ring to it." She cooed while even letting out a soft giggle. With her hand continuing to stroke my face lovingly, she then asked, "But why ask me that? What's going through your head right now?"

"Fantasies." I mumbled while trying so hard to not let my heart spill forth. I averted my gaze, directing my eyes towards the ceiling above. "Beautiful fantasies..."

"In that case..." She whispered before making me look directly at her again. Her eyes wandered for a few seconds before Ember asked, "May I...let you indulge in your fantasies for a little while?"

"You'd do that?" I asked before Ember, still clad in her armor, pulled me up while she remained upon my lap. She only nodded. And so I embraced her and whispered into her ear, "Then...please... If I may be so bold to ask... Will you be my queen?"

Ember shuddered at the request. Sighing harshly as I think she closed her eyes. She then whispered, "Again... Please..."

I held her. My hand found its way to hers. And as her fingers and mine intertwined, I whispered to her once again. "My queen."

"James... Oh, my king..." She whispered back before she pulled me into...such a wonderful kiss. Deep, sensual... Her taste was upon my tongue. One with the faintest hint of spicy sulfur. A flavor I had come to adore. She gazed at me from inches away, her own mind probably swimming with her own wonderful fantasies. "Rule with me, please... Help me guide my...our people..."

"Yes, dear... Together." I whispered in bliss as we once again resumed that wonderful kiss. My only other hand resting on the back of her head, fingers resting between her long blue spines. "Show me how to lead... To reign..."

"I'll be there with you, my king... They'll know better... They'll learn to love their king." She cooed with such clarity in those beautiful scarlet eyes. But then...a most sacred fantasy escaped her lips. "And our heirs... Their reign will be...amazing, I'm sure..."

I could not speak. That wonderful...beautiful thought... I embraced Ember firmly as I kissed her most passionately. And that shrill trill in her muffled voice. She accepted that forceful show of affection and retaliated by wrapping her great wings around me. King... Queen... And a prince or princess? My heart was burning... I wanted this fantasy to be real someday.

As we held each other, as we kissed, my heart only burned hotter. I wanted to tell her the wonderful things I knew she wanted to hear. Ember cooed beautifully in that kiss, the Dragon Lord allowing the woman in her to emerge without restraint. And what a glorious woman she was. A princess who was gradually and painstakingly approaching the visage of a queen. And at the first opportunity, I asked softly without daring to open my eyes for a few seconds. "You would...have me sire you an heir?"

When I did open my eyes, I saw Ember gazing right back at me with a profound joyous smile on her face. "I'm hoping for a son... For a prince."

Once again, that wonderful kiss resumed. But only for a moment longer. It was faint, but I noticed a scent filling the air. Something...spicy. Something familiar. And Ember very reluctantly began to pull away from me. "OK, that's... That's enough... Enough! Really!"

Almost in a panic, we pulled away. But while we were both alarmed at first, we both burst into snickering in unison. We went way too far and were laughing at the passion we displayed. Ember then sighed as that scent in the air started to dilute. "We...probably shouldn't do that again... That was intense. Enjoyable, but...intense."

"Yeah, we...really shouldn't. Don't want to go say and do things we might regret." I retorted while having a hard time looking her in the eye. I was tempted to comment on how much I enjoyed her flavor. And how lovely she sounded when she cooed during a kiss. But I resisted. Such words might reignite her passion and send us back into a loving frenzy again.

Ember hopped down from the bed and brushed her armor off, but I was lost in thought. I could scarcely believe that she had voiced a desire for me to potentially father a child with her. I most certainly would, the idea of fathering a precious dragon child making my heart flutter in a way I have not felt in...far too long. But how much of that statement came from her heart and her head? I asked cautiously, "Ember... When you said...an heir..."

"It was a fantasy, James. Just a fantasy. You told me yours, so...I let mine spill out." She replied softly while avoiding my gaze. But when she turned my way, Ember spoke more sincerely. "But I will have to consider an heir eventually. There will come a time when I have to pass on the Bloodstone Scepter to someone. But that's still a loooong ways off to start worrying about it now."

I cracked a grimace while unable to withhold a snort of amusement. She had a point. Dragons may have impressive lifespans, but they are by no means immortal. The next Dragon Lord would have to come about eventually. And I doubt Ember could ever trust just anyone who was not her own with that scepter. But I knew for sure that despite being a wonderful woman, Ember was by no means ready to raise a child. That was something that would have to wait. "Yeah, good point..."

Ember looked uneasy. I suspected she had become overstimulated by what just happened and wanted to get away from me for both of our sakes. Although she then patted herself down in a manner that made me suspect she had forgotten something And I noticed what. Her dagger had fallen onto my bed. I took it in hand and asked, "Looking for this?"

"Oh, right! Don't wanna forget that!" She exclaimed in relief. But when she reached for the dagger, she paused before wrapping her hand over mine to hold it with me. Ember gazed up at me with those beautiful scarlet eyes and said, "Remember... If it comes to that, I'll do it... And I'll be following right behind you."

"Let's not go there again... Not unless the time really comes." I replied while desperately not wanting to consider that. Not in Ember's presence. She is one of the few who can really help me overpower this dread in my heart. I then asked while she slid the dagger back into its concealed sheathe, "You need to head out?"

"I have a few...itches to scratch after that. Need a cold shower." Ember muttered almost in embarrassment. Seeing her about to leave, I started to reach for her. But Ember saw this and gently placed her hand atop mine before pushing it down lightly. "Tonight. My place. All right?"

"I'll be there." I replied with a smile forming on my lips. And with that, Ember departed. I was alone once again. Along with my thoughts. And instead of all that dread, Ember was the only thing upon my mind. I remembered her touch. Her voice. Her taste. And I was almost furious with myself for not telling her the truth. I stood up and leaned to my side with my hand firmly grasping the corner of the cranny my bed was set into. "Dear god, I love you so much..."

Wanting to distract myself, I sat myself down at my typewriter and began to document this day. Just to channel my energies into something productive. But I knew the content of these pages needed to be hidden. So I would stash them right under my mattress once I stopped for the time being. It was still quiet by the time my typewriter's clicking stopped. I started to wonder what was happening. We would not be moving until tomorrow. I made my way downstairs.

The common area was quiet aside from the radar station and the Morse code operator receiving a message. Celestia was standing near the stallion in charge and it sounded like they received a message regarding the Alabaster's delay. From what I heard, they were staying docked in Canterlot for a few days for some engine maintenance. A perfectly understandable reason, but I did miss Novo.

My eyes gazed down the hall to the officer quarters. And to my horror, I saw Orbash emerging from Nightmare Moon's room. But there was none of his usual levity or jovial nature in his eyes. He looked truly crestfallen. And under any other circumstances, I would not have had a reason to fear the gentle moon king. But my mind immediately put the pieces together and I was left reeling. He truly loved his daughter and my presence had resulted in her nearly dying on the battlefield just yesterday.

I stood aside, expecting him to lash out at me in some way. But he did not even speak. Barely even cast me a glance. And he made his way right out the front door to step outside. To not even speak... It was truly not like him. And now that her room was empty... I felt it was my turn to pay her a visit.

Nerves steeled with a deep sigh, I made my way down the hall and knocked gently on the door. With there being no answer, I nudged the door open to peek inside. And there she was all alone. Nightmare Moon remained in bed while the hums and beeps of the medical devices in her room continued to monitor her vital signs. Even before I could push the door open, she saw me peeking through the crack and cast me a calm smile. "Please enter, my dear. I am alone."

"I can see that..." I retorted before entering and locking the door behind me. There was no bitterness in her eyes or voice. If anything, there was a genuine smile on her lips. It helped soothe my concerns as I was reminded of what happened just yesterday. I then asked, "Is it really a good idea to leave you unattended like this?"

"I am being constantly monitored. The medics will come running should anything unusual be detected. And I can still walk, if I must." She explained while appearing very relaxed. Maybe too relaxed. They might have given her a fresh dose of painkillers that messed with her head just slightly. That stuff can have some very weird side effects on a patient. She then asked, "And you... Are you well?"

"I...don't know anymore." I muttered now that fresh wounds had been reopened in my heart. Both from seeing what my presence in Equestria had done to her. And for what I had both gained and lost last night. I kneeled beside the bed and held her hoof, knowing what my heart wanted and knowing what I could never have. "You...haven't reconsidered?"

Nightmare Moon sighed deeply as that smile faded. And she spoke softly as she replied, "My love... I wish I could. But I know how my heart functions. It would only be a temporary bliss. In due time, I would...do something unforgivable. Something that would harm you and those who love you as much as you love them. I would harm Celestia... I would harm Novo. I would harm your dear Fluttershy. I would harm them all. Just to have you to myself. I know not exactly what I would do, but...it would be cruel. And I do not wish to do that to them...or their children. But know this. My heart will always be yours. Please take comfort in knowing that, my dear."

Those words did admittedly dull the sting in my heart. They made it bearable. But I still had to speak while resting my brow against my clenched hands. "I love you... I'm sorry it took me this long to realize it..."

"It was for the best my love." The beautiful Princess of Dreams whispered before she scooted herself back further in bed and beckoned me with her eyes. "Come. Rest with me. I know your heart has been heavy."

And so I did. While minding the placement of any tubes or wires connected to her, I crawled into bed with Nightmare Moon and found her wing draped over me. She whispered to me most sweetly, "At least now... At least now I do not have to hide my heart from you any longer."

"Thank you, love..." I whisperer while I held that beautiful creature in my arms. So many times, that feeling at the back of my mind edged me on since the night we reunited. And no more prominently did that urge present itself than during our days alone out on the Empty Plains. I wonder what would have happened had our allies taken any longer to catch up to us. I knew I could never truly have her now, but that did not mean I had to stop loving her. And so I whispered with my eyes closed, "My angel of the night..."

"Such honeyed words you have reserved for me..." The Princess of Dreams cooed to me. She placed warm kisses upon my head while she whispered equally honeyed words to me. "My guiding light... Shining so bright... I would be lost without you."

I was tucked against her with my back to her. Among the gentle and reassuring ambience provided by the medical equipment nearby, it was the perfect opportunity for a nap. But I did not want to sleep. My heart was too troubled. I whispered to Nightmare Moon, "I won't stop loving you... I won't."

"James, my love... Please gaze upon me." She pleaded sweetly. I did not want to deny her and turned myself over. We were face to face, those glorious eyes gazing at me in ways they never had before. She was so beautiful... Even with her wounds and bandages marring that beauty, her glory remained intact. She cooed to me, "Even if...we can't... Even so, I feel as if a great weight was lifted from my heart last night. Now you know. And I need not hide it from you. So please... Do not hide your heart from me either. For I will always be yours... Even if from afar."

"I think...I can live with that." I muttered before lowering my gaze as we rested our brows together. The long sighs of her tired lungs were soothing to hear. And when our gazes met again, our lips met as well. That...wonderful kiss. One of truest love so rare... This was fine. This was enough. As long as I could hold her and kiss her and tell her my heart's desires, I was content. "I love you."

"And I love you." She whispered with another kiss upon my lips. Even if her quiet joy, Nightmare Moon still spoke a somber truth. "Just...do be safe out there, my dear. I will not be able to watch over you during the remainder of this war. Mother is right... I am not fit for the battlefield now and I won't be until it is too late. Do not be reckless... Have faith in your companions Do not do this alone."

"I can't imagine you on the battlefield now either... Stay here. Rest. I want to see you live." I replied earnestly. Placing her back out on the battlefield now would be a death sentence. I thought I lost her twice already. And then a third time. And that time...I held her. Held what I was certain was her corpse. "I already thought I saw you die more than once..."

"It has been a while since that fateful night, has it not? Not even two years since and it already feels like half a lifetime has passed." The Princess of Dreams retorted with the faintest hint of a giggle in her throat. For such a wretched night that was and with what we did to each other, it was something we could both look back on without contempt. So much could have gone wrong, but the outcome was still a blessing. "Thank you for being there, my dear... The stings of your blade was a worthy penance to finally...be loved by my people. But that love pales compared to yours."

I remembered... All of the strings I had to pull just to reach the castle ruins. Having to deceive my own friends and even Celestia and Luna with half-truths and talk them out of using force right at the start. I ever once drew my sword in those halls. I looked my beloved in the eyes and said, "You deserved better. I knew you did. And you proved to be everything I hoped you are. Never a monster. Just...someone who didn't receive their just dues."

"Truly, my existence is a twisted miracle. Even now, I know not what it was that resulted in me coming to be or how Luna and I ceased to be one. But I am most grateful for what fate has given me." Nightmare Moon whispered as we reminisced together. From there to here... It is astounding all the little adventures that have happened since then.

I remained with her for a while longer. Holding her as we shared words and tender kisses. But as the minutes went by, she became increasingly lethargic. Nightmare Moon finally spoke to me, "Forgive me, my love. They administered some sedatives to me earlier. I've been fighting it, but I...don't think I can keep my eyes open any longer..."

"You do need rest, so I'm not surprised. I'll let you sleep." I replied before I started to reluctantly push myself up from the bed. I did not want to depart just yet, but there would not be much of a reason to stay if we could not interact at all. But once I was seated at the edge of the bed, I felt her hoof upon my hand.

Nightmare Moon looked exhausted. She could barely keep her head up. Eyes were barely open. She whispered to me, "Please... Stay. Until I slumber."

I nodded and kneeled beside her bed with her hoof between my hands. And she became still while the gentle billowing of her mane and tail became increasingly still while looking more and more like a proper full head of long hair. Seeing this triggered something in me. She looked...so similar to how she was when I found her upon the battlefield. I waited with bated breath, dread in my heart. But she never stopped breathing. And that breathing soon turned into steady snoring. I scowled to myself, annoyed that I was still that jarred by the memory.

There was nothing more I could do. But before I departed, I gazed down upon Nightmare Moon's battered and slumbering form. So much hard had befallen her. And it awoke a sense of disgust in me. I was feeling anger not just at myself, but the one whose toys had nearly murdered her.

When I returned to the common area, I heard a conversation happening within the war room nearby. The voices of the four other members of the royal family reached my ear and filled me with shame. I could not bring myself to peek in on them and see what was happening. I marched up to my dorm and was relieved to still find it empty. Smolder and Ocellus would probably not be back for a while longer. They needed a day spent outside after being cooped up in there for so long.

I locked the door behind me and just stared at the ceiling. I resented everything about this war. I resented being away from home for so long. I resented being away from my family in Ponyville for weeks on end. I resented so many getting swept up in a war that they had no business taking part in. I resented how someone I love had now being gravely wounded in battle. And I resented myself for being the catalyst behind the whole debacle. I was not merely depressed. I was genuinely angry. And that anger was pushing away my fears.

My eyes soon fell upon the helmet that rested atop my dresser. And then upon my sword and shield and the liquid state of my armor swirling in the tub by my typewriter. Disgust in my heart, I decided. We were much closer to the Heaven's Pillar now. I knew I had been caught when I last tried to sneak away to put an end to this war myself. But now that we had drawn closer, there would be less time for anyone to catch up to me by the time they noticed I was gone. Conviction in my heart, I growled to myself as I clenched my fists. "This has gone on too long already... I'm coming for you, old man."

I soon stood clad in my armor with the Lunar Shield on my left arm. I could not let my anger fade now. It was the only thing keeping my doubts quiet. I stepped up to the window at the far end of my room and gazed out through it as it faced south. The sentries atop the walls were paying much more attention to the east than the south. It would be the ideal direction to escape to. And with a use of the teleportation spell, I placed myself as far to the southern horizon as my eyes could scan. I found myself among some trees and took shelter. I knew it was very possible I was in range of one of our sensor crystals and could only hope no one was watching it at the time. I used a few more teleportation spells to hurry to the east, staying out of sight. When I was absolutely certain I was too far for anyone to really notice, I took to the air and soared east. I hoped I had gotten away without anyone noticing and that my higher altitude would keep me from showing up on the map. It would only be a matter of time before someone came knocking on my door to discover I was gone again, but distance was on my side. If I could make it to the Heaven's Pillar, no one would be able to interfere.

There was no lazy gliding for me. I rushed ahead through the air swiftly upon my armor's wings. Someone would notice eventually and Ember would likely volunteer to chase me down again. And if she caught up to me, I was convinced she would be able to coerce me to stand down again. I listen to her too well. And she was likely a swifter flier than me. But I stay focused and cast my gaze only on the sky ahead of me. I had a mission to carry out and I was not in the mood for distractions.

Time went by. And then I saw it. Like the thinnest piece of string dangling before me, there it was. A barely visible vertical line on that blue horizon. It would not be much longer now. The sky was not looking good either by then. There would definitely be heavy rain that night. A fitting backdrop for whatever bedlam awaited me. But just when I was so sure that I would reach the Heaven's Pillar without interruption, I noticed something around me. A shadow being cast over me. "What the..."

"Hello there, Sir James! Fine day for a flight, yes?" A familiar voice reached my ears from above as I flinched in frustration. But I certainly was not expecting who I saw. The moon king himself was gliding over me. Of all people to send after me, they sent King Orbash himself?

I ignored him and hastened my flight. I was so close... But before I got much farther, I felt something snatch me up. I was being restrained by an unseen force while a billowing silver aura surrounded me. Orbash lost the usual levity in his tone as we both descended. "All right, I tried being diplomatic. Let's have a little chat before anyone sees us, shall we?"

The two of us descended to the ground gently with Orbash placing himself between me and the Heaven's Pillar to the east. I could see it. Like a mirage reaching up into the sky. I was so close and now this kind king was the only thing in my way. I remained silent as I stood there, glaring him down in frustration even as he continued to smile at me. He then spoke again, "I know what you're thinking. Why am I here and not Ember? To be fair, she was the first to volunteer to chase you down, but I insisted I do it myself this time due to...recent events."

This was dangerous. I needed to keep my drive alive if I was going to reach the Heaven's Pillar and Orbash had always been too keen on making people laugh or smile. I had to get by him. "Please stand aside, your majesty. I have a job to do."

"Yes, I am aware. But not just yet." He replied while continuing to maintain his jovial tone. It felt les like he was there to stop me and more to just have a nice chat. "Now then, care to explain why you are out here again?"

"Stand aside, please." I again demanded while holding onto my anger. For just an instant, I started to reach for my sword before stopping. I would have to be a fool to challenge someone like Orbash and I certainly did not want to harm him. When he shook his head, I decided to bypass him the only way I could. In a quick flash of magic light, I found myself a ways behind him. The teleportation spell served me well.

I should have known it would not be that easy. Just when I started to spread my wings to take to the air, a flash of light burst before me as I stared perplexed at Orbash before me. A cheeky smile was plastered across his face as he said, "I can play this game too, you know."

"Would you just..." I started to growl before using the teleportation spell to transport me beyond him again only for Orbash to once again block my path. Several times. With every use of the teleportation spell, he would place himself ahead of me while always having his back to the east. He even started to laugh as if this was all just a game. And it was rather amusing in hindsight, but I was hardly amused at the time. Once I finally gave up on this approach, I felt myself seething with irritation. He never stopped smiling and now he was even laughing. It was the first time I felt genuine anger towards the kind moon king. And with a brisk pace, I marched up to him and grabbed his central horn in my right hand. "Would you just lose the smile already?! What the hell are you even smiling at me for anyway?! Your daughter nearly ended up dead because of me! How can you smile about that?!"

Orbash instantly lost that jovial gleam in his eyes. No doubt alarmed from me having actually laid a hand on him in a very hostile manner. And for just an instant, I felt the slightest twinge of fear that my anger had to actively press down. The moon king then asked softly, "You tire of my smile? Then how about this?"

His horns were coated with his silvery magic aura. And so was I. A powerful force took hold of me and began to force me to kneel. No matter how I struggled, I could not resist such power. That anger began to fade as the sheer helplessness of my situation started to dawn on me. All my power was nothing in the face of the mightiest stallion to ever live. Forced to kneel, I lifted my head as I gazed up in fearful awe at the true king of Equestria. And he stared down at me most imposingly. Not a shred of levity was in those blue eyes. Now thoroughly pinned in a kneeling position, I spoke while straining to resist his magical projection in futility. "You...really are...Sunflare's equal..."

"Now that I have you staying put, we can have ourselves a nice little chat before you do anything too reckless." Orbash declared with an imposing tone I would never expect to hear out of him. The powerful and glorious moon king standing tall above me, he then asked cordially, "So, why are you out here? Especially after the last time the Dragon Lord herself had to drag you back to your allies?"

I suspected it would be a mistake to withhold any information while being essentially interrogated. I then spoke sincerely, "I'm out here to put an end to this war before anyone else can have a close brush with death, your majesty. I don't want to see what happened yesterday repeat itself."

"And you really think you can? Without any form of assistance?" Orbash asked while continuing to exert his magical power over me with the iron grip of his levitation spell never loosening. "Those Hollows are not as simple as you believe. Just one of them nearly got the best of you yesterday. What if you end up in one's grasp again?"

"It got me while I was down and unready. It won't happen again." I declared firmly while remembering how thoroughly exhausted I was both physically and emotionally when that last remaining Hollow charged me. I could not even reach for my sword in time. But if my anger endured, they would never get their hands on me again.

Orbash was not so convinced. He then said, "I am not so certain. It would only take one to get its hands around your throat. And you would be deep in enemy territory. Say the emperor captures you and keeps you locked inside the Heaven's Pillar. And we have to proceed onward without your assistance. What then, Sir James? What if we can't reach the end of the line without you?"

My bitterness burning strong now that my fear of him was starting to fade, I said a most wicked thing. "Then maybe you should put me out of my misery right now and take the emperor out in the process. I'm helpless here and the enemy isn't around to interfere. No one will stop you."

For once, Orbash said nothing. That scowl on his face never wavered, but I think I did see the slightest hint of grief in his eyes. Since he did not speak, I assumed he was allowing me to continue. And so I poured my own sorrows out. "We both know it, right? My own allies are starting to resent me over this whole mess. They know I'm the emperor's life source. They know I'm complicit. Equestria's starting to remember its hatred for humanity. They want me gone. And who knows what'll happen to me when this war is over, even if we do succeed? Maybe I'll disappear one day until someone finds me bloodied and beaten to death in a ditch. They'd certainly have the right to after what the whole of humanity did so long ago."

It was only then that Orbash did speak. And he looked so deeply pained by what I was saying. "That's preposterous. I cannot imagine for even a second that my people would ever..."

I broke. "They will! They will and you know it! I nearly cost them their Princess of Dreams! I can feel it in their eyes, your majesty! Your people despise me! Even Rain Shine can literally feel the resentment around me when we're together! Why don't you hate me too?! Your daughter nearly died because of me! How's that not enough?!"

My head suddenly bowed. Orbash exerted more force to subdue me even as bitter tears finally began to fall from my face. And only then did he finally raise his voice to me with words I did not anticipate. "And just why exactly do you suppose she even lived long enough to reach the battlefield in the first place?!"

This silenced me and made me ponder what he was inquiring. His magic exertion loosening just slightly, I was allowed to lift my head to gaze upon Equestria's king. His anger faded, he then asked, "Do you remember that night last year? When the night became eternal once more? If so, let me ask you this. What do you suppose would have happened had Nightmare Moon's safeguard not been countered? What would have happened had the Element of Humanity not manifested that night to give the Elements of Harmony that vital push to overpower her defenses? What would have become of her...had you not come to this world? Had you not been there? Had the Elements of Harmony failed to save the day on their own?"

Such a profound question... One I had never once asked myself. And I had no answer. Because I could not fathom what would have happened. And so Orbash told me. "Sunflare and I were watching closely that night. And I am sure you recall the spear of light that pierced Nightmare Moon the instant the sun peeked over the horizon when she was pursuing you through the Everfree Forest. Not at all fatal, but enough to subdue her. But what if you and the other bearers did not force her to release her grasp on the night? What then?"

I felt a chill in my heart as my eyes widened. If the Elements did not end the eternal night... What other option would be left? And Orbash was quick to provide that answer. "If the Elements of Harmony were to prove unable to counter that makeshift set of imitations, Sunflare and I would have been forced to act. We would have appeared before you all that night. And we would have...destroyed her. I was...prepared to obliterate the Mare in the Moon alongside my wife if all other options had been exhausted. But we saw your approach and waited. Waited to see if you would find a way to do so without us. And then... The Lost Element bestowed itself upon you. And Nightmare Moon lived to see tomorrow."

Such heavy words... It never occurred to me that we were being watched that night. Or that Nightmare Moon would have been doomed to oblivion had we failed regardless. I bowed my head as this realization shook me. The kind moon king then spoke more tenderly, "Your presence in this world did not doom my daughter, James. Your presence saved her. She would have died that night and Equestria would be poorer for it had you not been there. Even I thought she was just a demon born of the shadows. I would have slain her myself without hesitation. But through you, she lived. And she became the daughter I never knew I had. You gave me my child back, Sir James. And for that, I thank you."

He bowed. Orbash lowered his head before me as the magic aura surrounding me and his horns also faded. I had been released, but I was still left stunned to see the wonderful king of Equestria bowing to me. I could have stood and ran, but I did not. He captivated me with his words. And when he raised his head, he spoke somberly to me. "I have said all that I must. You are free to go now."

My eyes opened wide. Did I hear that right? He was not going to stop me? "You're...not going to drag me back to the field HQ?"

"I will not force you to return, no. I will not. But please know this if you wish to proceed." He replied while I gradually rose to my feet. "Nightmare Moon will never forgive herself if her fate drove you to do this. If she loses you now, it will break her in ways you cannot imagine. And Celestia... It will weigh heavily upon her if she has to live with having brought you into this world just for you to die for our sakes. If you go through with this and don't make it back, the consequences will be heavier than you can comprehend. But if you are absolutely certain about what you are doing... I will not stop you. The choice is yours, my friend."

My eyes scanned the somber stallion before me. They then rose to gaze upon the barely visible form of the Heaven's Pillar to the east. I was so close... I would be there in less than an hour if I continued on swiftly now. But the words spoken by Orbash hit me in ways I did not expect. Was I making a mistake? Would I only be setting myself up for failure if I charged into the enemy stronghold? Even if I skipped whatever defenses were around the base of the tower by just flying up to the top like last time, would there be a trap waiting for me? I had almost been captured once before...

I weighed my options meticulously in my head. Pondering heavily the pros and cons. And after a moment of tense silence between us, I finally gazed upon Orbash once more. "I seem to recall hearing somewhere that a good leader needs to be a good speaker. And you...are a very good speaker, your majesty."

A smile spread across the king's lips. And a look of genuine relief filled those kind blue eyes. He knew what my answer was. And I confirmed it as well. "All right... Let's head back... If you really think they'll have me."

"Give it time, my friend. Storm clouds will always pass. Our people will forget all about this in due time. They at least know that you are not part of your predecessors. You and the emperor are cut from a very different cloth." Orbash replied with calm hope in his eyes. Not wanting to keep everyone waiting any longer, we both spread our wings and soared west together.

We were not in any great hurry and I wanted to glide along to really think about what had been said to me. Orbash remained close as we soared lazily along. I think he was allowing me to speak. So I then said, "Thank you for stopping me back there, your majesty... I don't want Nightmare Moon to suffer because of me. She's been through enough..."

"She has been quite the tragic figure in Equestria's history, hasn't she?" He replied with a more solemn tone in his voice. Although his tone brightened slightly as he added, "But what a bountiful reversal of fortunes she's experienced this past year. She's earned the love of her sisters and even her people at long last. And in a manner that was entirely unlike that of Luna's. All because of her...guiding light, yes?"

That term... I ended up forgetting to flap my wings for a moment. That was a term only Nightmare Moon used to address me. And only when no one else was listening. I glanced over at Orbash while he laughed at the look on my face. "Surprised? I'm very much aware of how dearly my daughter adores you. And let's not even start on Celestia..."

"Whoa, how much do you even know about her and I?!" I yelped when he mentioned the Princess of the Dawn. The father of my precious Celestia... Oh dear lord, I just about panicked when I began to wonder how much he had seen between us. There really is something about fathers and when their daughters become intimate with a man that I cannot explain...

True to form, Orbash only laughed at my response. "Oh, I know enough! I have to say neither of us expected Celestia to find love quite like that. Certainly not with the man she brought to this world. But I do see the chemistry between the two of you. You're quite good for each other."

Shocking, but reassuring. And all the more reason for me to be cautiously courteous to Celestia now that I knew her parents were very much aware of what was happening between us. But that was when I realized... Sunflare knew. The mare who could have and did try to end me. Horror filling my gut, I then asked, "Does Sunflare know? And does she approve?"

"She knows enough. And I'd say she's a bit...how you say...on the fence about it. I do believe she is reserving any final judgement for after the dust settles. We have more pressing matters to direct our attention towards." Orbash replied while giving me reason to let out a huge sigh of relief. The last mare in the world I would ever want to cross is Celestia's mother. Orbash then said softly, "Just please... Continue being good to my daughters. They believe in you."

There was one question I needed to ask while we still had a moment of peace together. "Your majesty... Do you really approve of us being together?"

"Do I? Let me answer it like this..." Orbash said with his eyes directed to the west. He was not looking at me, but he did speak to me. "I never knew what it was like...to have a son."

My eyes began to widen. The moon king then glanced my way with a warm smile on his lips. "Will you show me what it is like to be my son by being my daughter's man? By being her king?"

I was so taken aback by this request that I could not find any words. All I could do was nod. Orbash said nothing, but that beaming smile on his face was all I needed to see to confirm my thoughts. He was more than just in approval of my relationship with Celestia. He was more than happy to see me become her king. And that...lit a light in my heart that just made me giddy with joy. And I needed it by then.

The field HQ eventually came into view and we descended over it. Things were quiet now that I had a good look at it from above. They needed a day of rest after what just happened. The two of us set down before the command center as I became uneasy over who or what was waiting for me on the other side of that door. Orbash stepped forward while casting me a kind smile. "I'll go first."

I followed him in and was not surprised by who was in the common area. The entire royal family was present with the exception of Nightmare Moon. As was Ember. And unlike the rest of them, Ember cast me a stern glare while her helmet rested on the table before me. No doubt upset over me having made a run for the east and not being able to pursue me like she promised. Orbash then spoke, "We had a fine chat, the two of us. I think we don't have to worry about this good man running off again. Do we?"

I shook my head and said, "I'm not going anywhere... I'll be good."

Celestia and Luna both approached me together without a word. Those eyes... Such deep concern. I think they knew what was going through my head and they looked so dearly upset that they could not do more for me. They leaned into my embrace as friends, their wings holding me while my arms held them. While we stood there, Orbash and Sunflare stepped into the war room and closed the door behind them for a private discussion.

Celestia and Luna then departed the command center, but Ember remained behind. I could barely look her in the eye. "You mad at me?"

She said nothing, but she did act. Ember stood up from her seat and stiffly approached me. She took hold of my hand and pulled me to my knee before firmly embracing me after removing and setting my helmet aside. I heard her speak with a hiss into my ear, "Don't you ever run off again without me. Got it? I'm not losing you here. Not now."

"Right... Sorry." I muttered in shame only to feel Ember sneak a kiss onto the side of my head. Ember did not stay after that, but that single kiss was somewhat reassuring. I was expecting her to be much harsher with her words or actions. The fact that she resisted doing anything more scathing had me suspect she really was aware of how much duress I was under. Although before I could do anything else, curiosity took hold. What were Orbash and Sunflare up to?

With almost no one else around, I slunk over to the door to the war room and listened. I could hear their muffled voices rather well with Sunflare speaking first. "What did you say to that boy out there? I thought you were mad to go yourself. What side of the argument did you have to offer?"

I was not surprised by what I heard next. Orbash truly understood the situation well to volunteer himself. "He blames himself for Nightmare Moon's current condition. I am her father. I was certain only you or I would be able to talk any sense into him. Although you were never quite the one among us for the most diplomatic approach, my dear."

"You wound me, my love. But perhaps you are correct. And I doubt he no longer fears me... Truly you are the one among us who wields a silver tongue." Sunflare replied almost in jest. It was actually pleasant to hear them talk. Sunflare and Orbash do play off each other quite well.

"Ha, he more or less said the same thing. A fine fellow, that James... It is no small wonder our daughters adore him so." Orbash retorted while I noticed a teasing whimsical tone in his voice. I started to smirk a bit. He was about to get cheeky. "Why at this rate, it may not be much longer before we will have a son added to the family, if you catch my meaning."

Sunflare sounded more annoyed than anything. As usual. "Orbash, confound you! The man is already sworn to another! Even if he does have more than one mare in his family, Equestrian law dictates that they can only walk down the aisle with one. And I doubt even the royal family can pull enough strings to..."

"Oh, let technicalities be technicalities. Their love for each other is true enough. And besides..." Orbash chuckled at the first opportunity to interrupt his wife. And then... "I can only imagine what our grandchildren will look like."

Sunflare did not say a word at first. And I too was left speechless. He knew. He knew that Celestia and I are hoping to have a family together one day. But why was Sunflare so silent? "Um... Dear? Are you well? I'm not sure I care for that look... How do you feel?"

The sun queen then barked at her husband in a manner that just about caused me to burst out laughing and blow my cover. "Much older, thank you kindly!"

Knowing I would not be able to contain myself for much longer, I hurried up to my room and locked the door before allowing myself to laugh hysterically. Oh my goodness, what a laugh that moon king can be. Now in somewhat better spirits I removed my armor and set aside my weapons. And I was still alone. There was no sign of Ocellus or Smolder.

I relaxed upon my bed while the sky started to become dark and gloomy to herald the arrival of rain. The ideal weather to encourage those to stay indoors for a while. I turned my head towards the window on my right, gazing east. The Heaven's Pillar could no longer be seen and I was no longer filled with the drive to try and make my way there on my own. Orbash had done an admirable job in soothing my grim determination. I took what little comfort I could in knowing that the end was not too far off now. By then, the worst I could think of was the frustratingly long walk back home.

My hands pulled the two pillows I had received from overseas up to my face. I closed my eyes and inhaled the subtle scent within that was provided by freshly molted hippogriff feathers. I missed Terramar and Silverstream. Those two became such good friends to me during my first stay and wonderful hosts who were more than happy to show me around Capricorn Island. I longed for the days where we explored the forests and hiked along the more barren mountain paths. Even if they were just children by hippogriff standards, I valued their open kindness and friendship. "Can't wait to see you two again... Those were some good times."

I rested there with those pillows held in my arms. Longing for better days and hoping for a time where I could soon return to that little paradise in the middle of the ocean. But my thoughts were soon interrupted by a knocking on the door. I scowled in annoyance over my time alone being disturbed. At least they did not come barging right in since I did not bother securing the lock. But the voice that called out from behind it was one I took a moment to recognize. "Hello? James, are you there?"

"That's.....Gabby? Gabby, that you?" I asked with my irritation giving way for intrigue. I sat up in bed and called out more clearly. "Is that Gabby knocking?"

"Sure is! Thought I'd stop by and say hi before I finished my rounds and headed back! And I got something for you!" I heard that chipper voice call again. I hurried to the door and opened it to find exactly who I thought that voice belonged to. The same griffon courier I had met only twice before. And she had an unusually large and long extra satchel strapped over her back that did not quite get in the way of her wings. She then waved up at me and asked, "Mind if I come in?"

"Sure thing. It's just me right now. My roommates aren't back yet." I replied while stepping back to give her some room.

The one thing that caught Gabby's eye most was the pillow fort that served as the 'home' of Ocellus. "Ooh, nice pillow fort! Do you have a pet using it? Doesn't look like anyone's home."

"Yeah, sure... A pet. A pet love bug, if you can believe that." I retorted now that I had an excuse to crack a joke. I doubt Gabby even knows what a Changeling is or would even care when considering her general personality, but I chose not to go into much detail for sheer courtesy.

"Love bug?! Aw, I bet it's a real cuddle bug! I didn't even know love bugs are a thing. Are they big? Do they have wings? Are they like beetles? Or maybe moths or butterflies?" Gabby asked while completely missing the point. She inquisitive and innocent nature just made me snicker with a smile. A bundle of sunshine like her was a welcome change of pace.

Not wanting to take up too much of her time, I decided to cut to the chase. "Anyway... You said you have something for me?"

Gabby pointed her thumb over her shoulder and said, "Yep! It's in my top bag here. Could you get it? It's kinda hard for me to take off with these other satchels in the way."

"Sure, I got it." I reached out and got the bag open, but was surprised by what I saw. A pair of white paper boxes. As someone who works part-time at Sugarcube Corner, I recognized it immediately. The type of box used to hold two cupcakes or muffins at a time. "Something from Sugarcube Corner?"

"Nope! Miss Fluttershy baked them herself and wanted me to bring you a few! She even let me try one. Good stuff! Take a guess what's in them." The little griffon replied. And when I opened one, I was in for a pleasant surprise. Strawberry muffins. And they were even contained in cup with plastic lids to retain their freshness. "Baked just yesterday! Sorry I couldn't get out here sooner. There's a lotta ground to cover with how far east you've all gone. I had to stay overnight in this nice little village full of only mares. I think they called themselves kirin?"

"You found the Grove of Silence? Good eye. They're good people, aren't they?" I replied with a twinge of surprise filling my heart. I had not been back there in weeks and I genuinely missed the company of the kirin there.

"Yeah, that's what they called it! And those kirin really know how to cook! They made sure I had a nice time there. And there was... Um... Who was she...? Winter...Flame...?" Gabby muttered in thought while tapping a finger to her beak. But then she lifted that finger in an epiphany and said, "Right! Autumn Blaze! She said to give you her best regards! It sounded like she really misses you."

"Yeah, she was good to me back there..." I muttered as my fingers rose to my lips. I could never forget that kiss in the darkness of her own home. She left an impression on me, that much is certain. I was longing for her in that moment. And for all the other mares there. I could not remember there names. Rain Shine and Autumn Blaze aside, I never had the chance to really directly interact with any on a personal level. But then I was reminded of what was in my other hand. "Anyway, let me try one of these out."

Gabby waited patiently for me to sample Fluttershy's cooking. It was so nice to get some real homemade treats straight from my own wife. And when I took that first bite, I savored it. The sweet vanilla flavor of the batter mixed wonderful with all the bits of strawberry spread throughout it. And it left me longing for home. "I needed this... You have no idea how much I needed... Hm?"

It was only then that I noticed something had been tucked under that muffin. A little note was there. I did not even have to pick it up to see what was on it. The font matched Fluttershy's style and it read, "To my knight in shining armor, I hope these reach you in good health. We're all hanging in there and hoping you and everypony else makes it home safely. Gladesong misses you and Smolder so much. Scootaloo and her friends still won't take off her cape. They say they have a big surprise ready for when you all get back. Be careful out there, my love. Your dearly beloved, Fluttershy."

It only dawned on me then how long it had been since I last saw her. That one shared dream where she and I all got together with our closest circle of friends was a nice moment of respite, but it was just not the same as being back home and in her arms physically instead of just mentally. I have never miss my wife and child more than at that moment. "Thanks for getting this to me, Gabby... Really."

"Anytime, James. Do you have anything you want me to take back?" Gabby asked in return while putting on her best smile.

"I think I can, sure. Just give me a bit and I'll type something out." I replied before taking a seat at my typewriter. Writing has always come easy to me ever since I started doing this journal thing. But this time... I had no idea where to begin. I set up a fresh sheet of paper, made certain the ink supply was adequate, and...I just could not. My mind was swimming with thoughts over what I could tell her. And none were good.

Everything that had happened since the last time she wrote to me while I wrote her back... The explosion of daunting new information that had been revealed to us. The arrival of Equestria's true king and queen. The revelation that I am the source of the emperor's return and threat to Equestria. The discovery that he intends to unleash the world of Earth upon her homeland, a world I had told her about. And now even Nightmare Moon had nearly perished in battle. And...I could not tell her. I could not reveal this information to her. Not now. Not until all was said and done and everything would be just fine. It was bad enough that she was likely worried about me. I could not bring myself to tell that lovely little mare exactly how bad things had become.

Gabby could see that I was hesitating. She stepped closer and said, "You OK? You've just been staring at that for five minutes... You got writers block?"

"I...can't think of anything to say... Nothing meaningful that matters..." I muttered as I realized just how stuck I was. Out of options, I had the slightest idea. I turned to my friend and asked, "Do you take requests for oral messages?"

"Um... Not really..." Gabby replied while I understood it was a silly thing to ask of her. But then she beamed at me and said, "But I'll make an exception for a friend! What do you want me to tell her?"

Sweet little Gabby. Truly the kindest griffon I had come to know thus far. Her sweetness instilling a smile in me, I kept my request brief. "Tell Fluttershy I love her. Tell her I miss her. And that me and the girls are still hanging in there. Tell her the war won't be going on much longer and we'll probably be on our way home in a few weeks tops. Please?"

"Got it. I'll commit it to memory." Gabby replied before she rose up on just her feet and gabbed me for a cuddly embrace. "I don't really know what's going on out here, but I can tell things have gotten rougher for you since last time. But I'm rooting of you, James! And next time I stop by, I'll bring some turnip soup! I know how to make a mean pot."

"I'm always up for trying new home cooking. I'll appreciate it, Gabby." I said softly while I nuzzled my face into her feathery round head. Once she let go, I then asked, "You think you can make it back to Equestrian territory before dark? It's starting to get a bit late."

"Nah, there's no way I'll make it by then. But I can probably reach the Grove of Silence before by nightfall! I know those kirin really like company. And I can't wait to try some more pad thai!" She replied while starting to look very hungry. Being a courier who does a lot of flying must be a good way to work up an appetite. But when she stepped around me to reach for the door, Gabby looked over at me. "And since I'm gonna stop by there for the night... Anything you want me to tell Autumn Blaze?"

"Come to think of it... I want you to tell everyone this." I retorted while knowing that they were probably all listening in on the war effort with an ear to the ground. But for the sake of being thorough, I wanted them to know something from me. "Tell them Rain Shine and I are holding up fine. And that I still plan on stopping by when the war ends. And that I'm looking forward to seeing them all again."

"Will do. They really sound like they miss you. Something about having a natural preference for humans? Anyway, consider it done! I better get going now so I don't get lost in the dark. See ya, James!" Gabby said before heading out in a hurry. If she did not find someplace to set down for the night, she would have no hope of navigating that sea of black. The best she would be able to hope for would be to keep flying east until the lights of civilization came up on the horizon. I had been out there in that darkness before and I cannot imagine how I would have managed without that cottage Nightmare Moon had the foresight to bring along.

My thoughts went back to my beloved Princess of Dreams. She was managing fine in spite of the hell she was put through yesterday. Although I cannot help but suspect her more jovial behavior when I last saw her was a result of being drugged up on painkillers. I was not quite blaming myself for what happened to her by then. Doing so would be disrespectful to everything Orbash did to try and convince me to abandon my plan to challenge the emperor directly. But I could not ignore the resentment that was brewing among my allies. I needed some time alone. And not in the middle of the encampment where anyone could knock on my door.

I finished eating that muffin and set aside the other in my dresser to keep it out of sight. The other box of two muffins was left on my bed while I left Ocellus and Smolder's names scribbled on the lid. I suspected Fluttershy sent me that many because she wanted me to give some to friends. I then suited up in my armor, but left my helmet atop my dresser. I was not expecting to find trouble out there. And Seaspray would most likely have a cadre of archers watching over me regardless.

Once downstairs, I happened to cross paths with Sunflare. Her eyes narrowed while scanning my form, but she relaxed when she saw I was without my helmet or even my weapons. "Where you going?"

"Out on...patrol." I retorted while she offered no resistance. It was a pattern my allies had picked up and they knew it would be futile for me to try and run when I was being monitored by our sensor network. With nothing else to say, I stepped outside and took to the air. I kept my speed down to enjoy the wind in my hair and not let it get to strong for my eyes. Once I was beyond the western walls, I went for a stroll through the first woods I found. Perhaps half a mile away from the camp, but not so far as to be out of range of our sensor suite.

The sky was gloomy and I could feel the shift in air pressure that heralded the coming of rain. It was surprising to see that no rain was falling already. And yet... While I did appreciate the moment of solitude, I felt...too alone. Like there was no one watching over me. Were my allies placing too much faith in our sensors in keeping track of me and watching for enemy movement?

I took it as a blessing in disguise. It was nice to be truly alone for once with nothing but the trees around me. I even found one tree with an unearthed root that was thick enough to sit on. And so I did to rest and just savor the sound of the moist wind heavy with humidity. At least until I started to feel distinctly not alone.

There was an air of company in the air. But not many. Something reached my ears. The faintest rattle of metal lames. And then... Armored hooves. It would be pointless to run. I sat there and waited for whoever was out there to find me. And there was no wandering. No searching. The sound of hooves were coming right for me. As if they knew exactly where I was. And I soon saw why. When I looked to my right, someone peeking out from behind the tree I was sitting beside. And she smiled serenely at me. "Enjoying the silence, my dear?"

"Hey there, Rain." I muttered as I found Rain Shine gazing down upon me. One of the few people I could never hide from. I could see why I felt distinctly unsupervised at the time. Rain Shine must have insisted that she watch over me while Seaspray was assembling a small cadre of archers to follow me. She is impossible to ambush when surrounded by nature. If the enemy was drawing close, she would have known well ahead of time. I made no attempt to hide my reasons for being out there. "Just...getting some air. And hanging out somewhere away from any bad vibes."

"I know... I know. I felt them." She replied softly before stepping closer while her glaive remained affixed to her side. Rain Shine slowly turned her head to look out beyond the modest number of trees before us. Too few to be considered a forest. "We are safe for now. You picked a good time to do this."

"Yeah, thought so..." I muttered as my head was bowed. I started to wonder why Rain Shine was not taking a seat as well until I noticed the large flexible steel kilt that shielded her rear. It would most likely get in the way if she was doing anything but standing. I then asked, "What brings you out here?"

"You do. It would be unwise to leave you vulnerable during such trying times." The kirin chieftain replied while she nuzzled my head. She was too aware. Able to sense and see what others could not. She then whispered directly into my ear, "Let me speak what you need to hear. Even if your allies question your motives and your role in this conflict, you will always have me. I see your true nature and it is a most admirable one. You love this world and its people. And I love you. You will always have me, my dear."

"Thank you. Really." I muttered while Rain Shine gently touched her nose to my cheek. She remained near me, marching about as she likely tasked herself with serving as my sentry. And now that the situation was so much calmer... I started to feel a familiar aura about her that I had not noticed more recently. That...intrinsic sense of peace and belonging that is unique between man and kirin. Why had it been so dim recently until then? So much so that I did not notice at all more often than not.

Rain Shine soon looked my way and...she smiled. Without any real reason, she smiled. And she voiced my exact same concerns. "There it is... That wonderful mutual connection. I have not felt it in some time."

"You noticed too?" I asked as a twinge of surprise filled my heart. She definitely understood it better than I did.

The kirin chieftain before me nodded as she explained, "I can understand why. Why kirin are not creatures who seek conflict. Feelings of dread. Feelings of anger. Grief. Anxiety. These emotions can interfere with that peaceful connection. But once positivity becomes more prevalent, the heart becomes less clouded. And it can see and feel more clearly. And you are more at ease than you've been in a while, yes?"

All I could do was nod. She was right. After so much bedlam lately, a calm had come in the storm. Just enough to soothe my heart to be reminded of the simple things in life. And few things are more simple than love. I found the slightest smile form on my lips now that Rain Shine was the owner of my attention for the moment. She and Ember have sources of solace for me. They are... And then it dawned on me. "Before I can forget... What happens when the war ends? What will you do?"

"I shall return home. My people need me." She replied bluntly, although a gaze of concern filled her beautiful eyes. "And...you too shall return from whence you came?"

I nodded once more. It was much like the conversation I had with Ember recently. Rain Shine then asked, "Will I...ever see you again?"

A question that filled my heart with more pain than I expected. The prospect of having to part ways with this beautiful creature, perhaps never see her again... Maybe even until my memories of her fade entirely... "It's not like there's any practical way to return to the Grove of Silence from where my home is..."

Rain Shine strode up to me at a gentle pace, her eyes gazing down upon me as she frowned most sorrowfully. "Surely there must be a way... My people adore you. They would long for you to return from time to time. I can't imagine... Never seeing you again..."

It pained my heart to hear that. I stumbled across that little oasis out on the Empty Plains entirely by accident. And what a happy accident it turned out to be. I sighed deeply as I was left at a loss for words and a means on how to comfort my companion. Rain Shine soon lowered her lips to my head and kissed me atop my brow. "I can't say goodbye to you now... Not forever... I love you."

There was such sincerity in those words. No doubt at all. Under normal circumstances, I would have been more hesitant to accept them. But by then... The doubts I was feeling were not quite as strong as when we last discussed that heavy topic. Rain Shine noticed something in my heart and asked, "Are you still doubtful of me? Do you still fear...reaching out to me?"

"Not like before, no... It's still just... I mean I'm not..." I muttered while now much less sure about how to feel about this. I looked up at the beautiful mare before me. The love in her heart was true, I was sure of that. When she said she loved me, Rain Shine meant every word of it. And the traumas I experienced before meeting her felt...duller than they used to. Still wanting to not risk saying something I was not ready to, I took the wisest course of action I could imagine. "Could we discuss this later? Just...give me a little more time to think about that?"

"I shall. I can feel...uncertainty within your heart. But a powerful longing as well. I shall be patient and await your answer, my friend." Rain Shine whispered sweetly to me before once again nuzzling my hair with her nose. Although she then let loose another tender word of adoration. "My love."

Those words soothed my heart in ways I did not expect. Rain Shine was wise to follow me out there. She was comforting me in ways no one else could. And before much longer, we began to stroll through the woods together as we explored. Just man and mare in perfect harmony. Even though we were fully armored and Rain Shine was clearly armed, it did not feel like we were in danger or even at war. A moment of peace together.

Hours went by and we only began to make our way back to the encampment once the sun started to set low in the sky. Torchlight began to rise from beyond the walls as night started to set in. Curfew would begin soon, so we had best return to our housing for the night unless we had a reason to be out and about. But once back inside the walls of our home away from home... Rain Shine's steps slowed. Almost as if stepping gingerly to check for unstable ground. There was no one around now that night was falling upon us, and yet she was unsettled. "Rain...?"

"Stay close to me..." She muttered before her magical grasp took hold of the Viper Edge's shaft. It left its bonds and began to float near her while ready for combat. Rain Shine began to lead my along while I maintained a very close proximity to her. "This presence... I'm unsure if it is resentment...or malice. Somewhere on the threshold between the two."

This made my hair stand on end. I had resigned myself to being distrusted by my allies by then. But now... An actual desire to inflict harm? As we walked along, Rain Shine remained vigilant. She constantly moved her glaive around to be ready to counter an assault from either side. There was no way anyone would approach her without being detected first. This did not stop her from speaking a warning. "I know you're out there. I know you're watching. If you value your lives, you will stay away."

Whoever it was who had their sights set on me, we never saw them. We reached the command center without incident. But now under the cover of night, Rain Shine stood before me while gazing upon me with a very uneasy stare. "My friend... I assure you there was indeed ones around us who were considering to cause you harm. Until the war ends, promise me this. Do not leave the command center unless you are fully armed and armored. There is a growing desperation in the air."

There is nothing like knowing you had a close brush with a sincere assault to bring the mood down. I let out a sigh while glancing around me. No one could be seen. And once indoors, I would be safe. But I did not want to let Rain Shine walk away without showing her exactly how much I appreciated her presence that night. I reached out and took hold of her helmet before lifting off to fully reveal that glorious voluminous emerald head of hair that was illuminated by a pair of torches right outside the command center. Her eyes met mine before I pulled her close with my brow resting against hers. For a moment, we closed our eyes and basked in each other's presence. "Thank you, Rain..."

"I am here for you, my love. You will remain always safe at my side. For I will always be yours." Rain Shine whispered before sneaking me a kiss in the dark. It was dangerous to remain out there any longer. I said my goodbyes to my beautiful companion and stepped inside. It appeared that I had missed dinner and the buffet line had been put away. Almost no one was around aside from the officer who was watching over the radar system in the corner. I was sure I could go into the kitchen and dig up the leftovers with no one minding. But after what just happened, I had little in the way of an appetite. All I could do was fetch a glass of red wine in the hopes of soothing my nerves just enough.

I sat at the main table in the common area and just sat there with my thoughts. I barely sipped at all from my wine, my eyes glancing down the hall towards the chambers of our higher officers. And Nightmare Moon was there too. Resentment bordering on malice... I could certainly understand why. "I hope you aren't wrong, your majesty..."

The one thing that stood out to me most were the crystal panels in the corner that displayed the topographic information around our many sensor crystals. With the lights dimmed for the night, that pale blue glow was easy on the eyes and even generated a soft hum of sorts. The guard stationed between them was hardly paying them any mind at the time while reading over a magazine he had stashed under the desk. It was too soon for another wave anyway. The enemy would not be arriving so soon after the previous one we...

I froze as I saw something displayed on the panel that depicted the easternmost sensor's readings. A purple blip. And then it grew as it very slowly inched west. But it was not large. And the speed at which it was traveling... They were traveling light. Not at all heavy infantry. Hollows... But why at this hour?

Then it dawned on me. To be moving that quickly and with so few... It had to be another light infantry battalion. Not a unit meant for direct confrontation with the enemy. But this one... Larger than the last. And for it to be reaching us only a day after the previous battle...

A fire ignited in my gut. For there to be another battalion of Hollows following after the last one so soon, the emperor must have knowingly assembled them not long after the last one and specifically sent them after the previous army in a way that would insure they would arrive the following day under the cover of dark. They were surely all archers. They would reach our camp and rain arrows down upon our sleeping militiamen. A very effective tactic. And utterly dishonorable.

My angst was quickly replaced by disgust. And a growing wrath in my heart. I downed the rest of my wine with one gulp and stood up to approach the radar station. "Guard. What's that?"

"What's wha... Huh?!" The stallion in gilded armor yelped upon looking up from his magazine. A look of shock filled his eyes as he saw the approaching enemy. "At this hour?! Let's see... Numbers are approximately... Somewhere around five hundred. That's fast for being on foot... Estimated time of arrival is one hour..."

Five hundred. We would have them outnumbered 10 to 1. But they were not meant to attack directly. Light infantry are not frontline fighters. They are not meant to fight the enemy. Only to harass and demoralize them. And this was the perfect opportunity for them to strike. Even if the alarm was sounded and our mages could erect an anti-arrow barrier over the entire camp, our men would know they are under attack. They would have difficulty sleeping. They would not be able to rest soundly. Even if not a single militiamen suffered an injury, the light infantry would have succeeded in what they set out to do. Dealing a blow to morale.

Horrible thoughts filled my head. Memories of what transpired the previous day. The revelations that the king and queen brought with them. The knowledge that my own allies were starting to resent me with some of them surely wanting me to just disappear by now... I was not going to have it. My rage tempered by the wine now starting to flow through my veins, I spoke firmly to the guard. "Keep quiet about this. I'll take care of it."

"Right, I'll send... Wait, what?!" He barked as I summoned the Lunar Shield to my left arm in a flash of magic light and then my helmet before setting it upon my head. "Sir, if I don't report this, I'll be reprimanded for it. I have to tell someone."

"If you're going to tell anyone, tell Rain Shine and Ember. But don't sound the alarm. Let everyone rest. They've been through enough lately. They don't need to stress themselves over this." I spoke while keeping a straight face that only barely betrayed the fury in my heart.

"Sir... Be careful out there... Wait..." He began to reply before lifting is gaze to focus on something higher. His eyes narrowed in analysis as he focused on my face. Or what was above it. "That twin bird design on your helmet... Has it always been gray?"

My left hand rose to the brow of my helmet. The Element of Humanity. It was gray now? No longer the white doves that compose my cutie mark... Gray. Somewhere between black and white. A perfect representation of the state of my heart at the time. "Huh. Good to know."

I studied the map display carefully. The Hollows were approaching directly from the east, so they would be easy to find. They would surely disperse and spread out once they drew close enough to their destination. I needed to reach them before they could spread out and slip by me. And while that was still five times more Hollows than the last light infantry battalion we faced... I knew I could handle this. I was too angry to be convinced otherwise.

Knowing time was of the essence, I stepped outside and took to the air before flying as high as I could in the hopes of evading the attention of our sentries. They had no hope of seeing me fly east over that sea of black. But it did not remain so dark for much longer. We were expecting rain that night. And it would be coming at just the right time.

A powerful storm was brewing in the clouds above. A massive cloud cover stretched for miles as flashes of lightning began to fill them. Near constant bursts of light lit up the sky and even the ground below. I would not have to worry about not being able to see the enemy if the sky itself would illuminate the battlefield just well enough.

I eventually came out to a vast and empty meadow before I decided to land. The ground was level with very few shifts in ground. A flat surface ideal for a battle. And I waited. I scanned the horizon ahead of me while keeping my sword sheathed. Hiding in the dark, yet in plain sight. And in due time, I saw it. Like a stampede starting to peek over the horizon, there was a bobbing wave of shapes. With how they were moving, that light infantry must have been moving at a brisk jog to cover ground quickly while they still had the element of surprise.

Five hundred. And they were all Hollows that would never try to harm me directly. I could exploit that. But I decided to make the first move just so they knew I was there. With a clenching of my left fist, I cast my ice magic to summon a field of narrow impaling spires far ahead of me. I saw that shimmering blue ice even from afar. And with them, plumes of purple mist in the light of the storm above. And only then did the rain start to fall.

The downpour was light. Very light. Almost as if the storm was providing a prelude of a greater clash that was yet to come. Once that mist faded, the approaching battalion stopped. Under the constant flashing of light in the clouds above, I could see them. Directly ahead of me. I doubt they could see me easily, but they knew they were under attack by then. I spoke firmly, knowing they could not hear me. "You're not getting to them."

I began to approach at a brisk walk. Eyes were forward while a burning desire to tear something apart filled my thoughts. They were many, but I was powerful. I reminded myself of that yesterday. I began to understand at that moment what exactly it was that Celestia and Luna had bestowed upon me that night when they revealed the existence of my enchanted armaments to me. And I was finally about to get the most out of my gear.

I wanted to strike first and in a meaningful way. With my levitation magic focused on the hilt of the Celestial Sword, I forced it to fly out of its scabbard and across the plains like a shining missile. And my aim was true with the pommel smashing hard into the face of one of those Hollows. Another plume of purple mist filled the air as my sword's pommel shattered its skull and flew back to my right hand in a flash of light. The air was thick with tension. Even the change in air pressure brought on by the storm made the air feel heavier. The Lunar Shield then fell to the ground as I willed it to detach from my left arm. It would only slow me down in the end. And I did not need it. Defenses were a secondary concern for this battle. By this point, I was done fighting fair.

My sights set upon my prey, I charged under the storm. The constant flashes of lightning in the sky casting scattered glows of illumination across the plains. The storm above reflected the one in my heart. I kept my left arm forward with the Celestial Sword out to my side. Rushing at speeds only the swiftest stallions could boast of, I noticed the flashes above being blocked out. A hail of arrows had been launched at me. A quick flash of blue magic power from my left gauntlet deflected them all with a temporary barrier while I lost no speed. I brought the tip of my sword lower while channeling scorching white solar magic through its already bright glowing blade, the tip dragging through the ground as it left a trail of white fire in its wake. I could see the Hollows ahead starting to forego their bows and arrows for their sidearms. Arming swords and bucklers. And with a flap of my wings, I hurled myself forward for a burst of speed. With an upward swing of my arm, I cleaved right through one unfortunate Hollow with it being bisected and incinerated all at once. My mind was alive and aware, my eyes focused and my senses sharp. There were hundreds around me, but I was too furious to even entertain the notion of fear setting in. These pathetic imitations of human life were mere insects to me by then.

The Hollows around me began to try to box me in. Using their bucklers to try and push me around. But my sword was much too sharp. Every wide swinging of my arm cleaved through as many as there were around me. Even those that were just out of my blade's reach were ignited in white fire when even the faintest flicker of that celestial fire even licked them. In a matter of seconds, the opposition became more fierce when I noticed several off to my side starting to rush forward. I retreated with a flap of my wings to throw myself back and then flinging myself to the right to circle around them. The only advantage they had over me was sheer numbers. And at such close range, archery was nigh useless. Their only hope was to try and swarm me.

With some distance between us for the moment, I charged the blade of the Celestial Sword with fiery solar magic before hurling it through the air. Levitation magic took hold as that whirling wheel of white fire flew in an arc. Dozens of Hollows were obliterated, reduced to dust and purple mist as that whirling veritable maelstrom of destruction arced around before returning to my grasp. And they once again tried to drop a hail of arrows on me the instant my sword returned to my hand. I was quick to notice that darkening shadow over me and reflexively held up another blue barrier with every arrow that would have fallen into me bursting into mist and leaving brief ripples across my barrier. I decided to return the favor and reached my left hand high towards the flashing thunderclouds above.

Lightning magic was not the only destructive power in my left gauntlet. I could feel a subtle connection to the storm above. Before the archers in the back rows could ready their arrows again, I struck. Taking hold of the storm itself, I summoned pillars of raw lightning right down into the back rows. The Hollows tried to scattered, but the pillars of lightning sustained themselves for several seconds as they pursued them. Illuminated plumes of purple mist filled the air as the gradually intensifying rain mixed with the vapor. The ground around my enemies was starting to be stained a bold purple. And I was feeling more disappointed than anything with how rapidly I was thinning out the enemy ranks. I yelled at my enemies, not caring that they could not hear me. "Should've sent a thousand of you scumbags! Come on! I'm not done here!"

I was a war machine unleashed upon the enemy. I hurled my sword directly into a Hollow to impale it fatally while another tried its luck at coming from my left. I threw up my left arm to parry its sword swing, the sturdy vambrace on the back of my gauntlet holding up well. Then it was my turn. I reached out and grabbed my enemy's armored face. And with a quick flash of solar magic, it was gone. Incinerated down to nothing through just my touch. I turned to face the approaching Hollows while I summoned the Celestial Sword back into my right hand. The focus on solar magic was starting to become taxing on my mind, even if I was too furious to really lose focus. Golden yellow flames coated my gauntlet and traveled up the blade of my sword as I decided to lowball it with just fire magic.

With a sweep of my sword through the ground, I unleashed a trail of golden fire that rushed ahead and through the enemy ranks like a volcanic fissure erupting through the earth. Dozens were ignited, but the thinned numbers were starting to spread themselves out to make it more difficult for me to take too many out all at once. They never once bothered with their arrows by then. Probably as a response to how easily I could target the back row.

I was not foolish enough to let them swarm me up close. I took to the air and began to hover just over the ground at speeds they could not keep up with. Sword still ablaze, I began to essentially dance through the air as I swung my sword through the air to launch crescent waves of golden fire from my blade. Only then did more arrows fall through the air towards me. I did not bother with a barrier that time. I simply landed and folded my armor's wings over me to let that thick layer of metal feathers take the blow instead. Even if some got stuck on my wings, it would not inhibit me.

Now that I was back on my feet, the enemy rushed me en masse. Too many at once for me to cleave through each row as swiftly as they could reach me. nd with my mind having taken a moment to rest with less straining magic, I once again summoned solar magic around my sword. I reached high with both hands grasping the hilt, waiting. With a full power swing of my sword that would have been suicidal under any other circumstances, I smashed the blade right into the ground before me. A massive blast of raw white fire exploded forth and annihilated what I assume must have been a full fifty Hollows all at once. The ground before me had been scorched dry with no signs of life remaining upon it. I rose back to my feet and gazed out at the few remaining Hollows upon the plains. I did not bother to count them, but I suspect I had thinned out the enemy ranks by around 80% by then. "You've lost."

The dwindling numbers of Hollows began to try and fight as methodically as they could. Half of them fell back while the rest took up formations in a half circle. A diversion on the front lines to distract me from the archers in the back rows. But I was quick to notice this and decided I was not going to humor them. I thrust out my left hand towards them. As second later, a vast thicket of shimmering icy blue thorns erupted under the entire row of archers. And like that, they were gone. I had the enemy routed by then. All that was left was to take out the stragglers. In my focused fury, I failed to notice at the time that the patches of scorched earth being turned into patches of slick mud by the strengthening rain were rapidly regrowing the grass that had been incinerated moments earlier. Someone was nearby and supporting me from afar however they could. But they dare not intervene. Not when I had the situation under control.

Now completely out of options, the puppet master presiding over the Hollows commanded them to charge all at once. The battle had been lost, but they would fight to the last man. Which was fine by me. Almost annoyed that this was turning out to be too easy, I stabbed the Celestial Sword into the ground beside me to free up my hands. I spread my fingers as wide as my gauntlets would allow and began to channel my fire and lightning magic into them. With the rumbling of thunder in the air and the thundering approach of dozens of boots resonating through the ground, I thrust my hands out and put an end to this loathsome midnight assault.

A swirling vortex of golden fire and blue lighting roared from my hands and engulfed the approaching last stand of Hollows. And after several seconds, I relented. It was over. Not one remained. And I felt genuinely frustrated over how quickly it all ended. But not one got by me. They had not yet dispersed by the time I intercepted them. My allies would be sleeping peacefully that night. "Tch... Try harder next time. I was expecting a challenge, you old wretch."

I reached out and took the Celestial Sword back into my right hand with its bright glowing white blade casting a generous shine over the immediate area. The storm clouds above still flashed constantly as the rainfall started to increase. What started out as a light drizzle was developing into a proper downpour. But just before I could try summoning the Lunar Shield back to my left arm, wherever I had dropped it, something caught my eye up ahead to the east. A mystical pale glow. And my eyes narrowed in both irritation and a strange sense of relief. "Of course there would be one more..."

Even from that great distance, I could make out the form of a general standing in full plate armor with its silhouette made all the more pronounce by that magical veil engulfing it. Especially with those two glowing phantom eyes gazing out at me from behind its helmet. Standing there in the dark of the night with flashes of lightning within the clouds above lighting up the meadow... Almost like a ghost of a fallen warrior that died out there eons ago... This was not like during the battles we had faced thus far. This felt ominous. And I would have been genuinely unsettled to see that phantom warrior standing out there had I been too furious to let fear cloud my judgement.

With how it was clearly clad in full plate armor, this sole Hollow must have fallen behind its much more lightly armed and armored comrades. It probably only just reached the battlefield at that moment. And with my eyes locked onto that distant figure, I held out my left hand and fired a burst of magic lightning directly into it. My aim was perfect, but the veil held. My magic had no effect on it. At last, I had a challenge on my hands.

The Lunar Shield was summoned to my left arm as the rain started to come down harder. I could not take chances against this opponent. I would need a solid defense ready. And across the meadow, I heard that exhausted voice of an undying old man speak out to me. "You know by now. You know, and yet you still resist. Why deny your world everything Equestria has to offer?"

"Like you would ever understand, you senile old fool." I growled before readying my stance. Hearing his voice... It awakened a more nihilistic sort of wrath in my heart. I pounded the blade of the Celestial Sword against my shield as I roared out to him. "Come on already! Kill me! Go ahead and destroy us both!"

Genuine hatred burning in my heart for just that moment, I charged across the meadow in that raging storm. I remembered what befell Nightmare Moon just yesterday. And everything that had happened since the day I departed from Canterlot to fight this war. All this...because of one naive fool of an old man who did not know how to let this world go!

The general charged ahead at me at a much less swift pace than my own. I could see it holding its shield forward. A shield that would actually hold against my own unyielding blade. And in its right hand was a sword of notable length. A hand-and-a-half sword like my own. It was as if the emperor had knowingly assembled a fighter that was more or less a mirror of myself once magic was taken out of the equation.

We both lashed out once we came within range. Drops of rain splashed off our blades when they collided. That shimmering veil made the general stand out impressively in that dark storm as the rain poured down around us. I remained dry in my armor's underlying flexible bodysuit, but the rain did not bother my face. All I wanted then was to tear this warrior apart.

Sword against sword, shield against shield, we were perfectly matched as the emperor himself pulled his puppet's strings. The Hollow's sword smashed against my shield while even making quick slices to try and lash out at my head with the crossguard. With the shield being on its left arm, my sword could not easily find a way around it. In sheer frustration, I jumped back for a little distance and willed the Lunar Shield to detach from my arm. When the general came charging in, I hurled my great shield at it like a shoving wall.

The emperor must have anticipated this to some degree since my attempt to knock my opponent off its feet was not as effective as I had hoped. But it was not without results. The general responded in time to try shoving my flying shield aside, but its sheer size and the speed it traveled cause the general to perform a very unintentional pirouette before ending up on one knee. I hurried forward to try and impale my opponent while it was down. But I was then subjected to the same tactic as the Hollow hurled its own shield at my face.

This was just enough to force me to stand my ground and hold up my arms to protect my head. And once I had smacked the shield aside, the general had risen to its feet with its sword being grasped in both hands. Teeth gritted behind my lips in frustration and a strange sense of excitement, I mirrored that stance. I took hold of the Celestial Sword in both hands. We then struck, blades swinging and clashing under the thunderstorm as the battle evolved into a longsword duel.

All I needed was one. Just one cleaving slash to put an end to this duel. But the general's defenses were stalwart as it did everything in its power to compensate for its fragility. It wrested with my blade and even overpowered my defenses to lock my sword in a bind to shove it aside and smash its blade into my left pauldron. I was not used to such defense. And my frustration grew when its left hand suddenly reached out to grab me.

I learned then to be especially wary of swordsmen who fight with a hand free. I tried to keep my opponent's hand from getting too much of a grip on me, but it simply resorted to punching me right in the side of my head once its attempt to grapple me failed. My senses rattled just enough, I reacted fiercely with a kick squarely to the Hollow's belly. It went tumbling back a far ways, the blow not enough to cause fatal harm. I charged in as I desperately wanted to end this duel right here. But the tenacity of the emperor's cunning caught me by surprise again. The general managed to get up onto one knee before I could reach it and swung its sword low to catch the water on the ground with some grass and dirt and whatever else its blade could snag while flinging it up at my face. I turned my face away to avoid getting anything in my eyes, but it was just enough to get the emperor's puppet enough leeway to get back on its feet.

I tried to pressure the opponent with a suddenly lunge. I prioritized keeping my arms forward to try and shove the enemy's sword aside with my gauntlets, but I felt a brief twinge of fear as the general's sword slid along my arm's plating and nearly into my face. This was just enough to force me to fling myself backwards with a flap of my wings for some needed distance to regroup and rethink my tactics. The emperor did not want me dead. That was an accident that was a result of my own recklessness. Furious as I was, I had to rethink how I would go about this. But then...

During that brief lull in the dull amid that thunderstorm, something burst from the ground. A long narrow thorn shot up and pierced the general's arm. Not at all a magical construct, the magic-negating veil that engulfed it did nothing to dull the impaling strike. Another thorn burst from the ground to impale and restrain the general's other arm. And then through the legs as well. These thorns were not there to slay this one remaining Hollow. It was now restrained and helpless, but still intact. And those thorns... She was drawing near.

My rage faded enough to let me breathe a sigh of relief. The duel was over, even if the enemy had not yet been slain. I looked around and froze when I found the forms of Rain Shine and Ember approaching from behind me while armed and fully armored. But when turned to face them, Ember visibly flinched. She stepped back with a hand raised between us. Those scarlet eyes... Did I frighten her? Rain Shine then spoke first and said, "We were told... And we hurried to reach you, but..."

"You saw all that...?" I asked as the flash of fear in Ember's eyes forced me to let my rage go. There was no point in holding onto it by then. The skirmish had ended and all was well for the moment. And I felt comforted in knowing I was no longer alone out there.

"That...couldn't have been you..." Ember muttered as she minded her distance. Even as the rain poured around us, I could hear them clearly.

"You fought...horrifyingly well just now. Have you always held such power?" Rain Shine asked while also looking profoundly disturbed by what she must have witnessed during that battle. Although she did not appear as wary as Ember was. She could likely feel my rage fading. "It is not like you to embrace such fury..."

"I know... I just decided I couldn't be bothered to fight fair this time." I replied with my eyes cast downward in shame. It felt wrong to display such malice around such a creature of peace. And to frighten even the Dragon Lord herself... I then turned to face the Hollow that was now being held just off the ground in its impaling binds. "Well, you got this one... Care to do the honors?"

"Not yet. Please, grant me this..." Rain Shine pleaded as she stepped past me. The Hollow stared unblinkingly upon its captor while the veil of shielding light billowed around it. She then asked, "You're there... Aren't you?"

That tired old voice spoke as even the rain could not silence him. "Rain Shine... It has been much too long."

"It is! It is you, my love! But you sound...so frail..." The kirin chieftain spoke with a strange tone of longing, her sweet words only confirming my worst fears about the two of them. Although Ember only watched in confused silence. She knew nothing about Rain Shine's past connections to the emperor himself.

The emperor's whispering voice continued to fill the air. "Time has...not been kind to me. Even through whatever magical mastery I possess, time is a force no one can truly resist. Even now, I am little more than a corpse. But I cannot let myself fade yet. Not when I still have a duty to uphold to my people..."

"And...what is that duty?" Rain Shine asked with a tone of fear in her voice. "To unleash the evils of another world onto this one? I have felt what lies beyond the veil that separates our worlds from that one! A world plagued by more hatred and evil than I ever thought possible! Equestria will suffer in ways you cannot imagine if you go through with this!"

I listened with a growing anxiety in my heart. If anyone could convince the emperor to relent in his ambitions, it would be one who was essentially his wife at one time. But the words that came next caused my hopes to dim. "I failed to give my people what was rightfully theirs. So all I can do now is give this world is all that it has to offer to my fellow man of the world your champion hails from. It is a tainted world, yes. And it is in increasingly dire straits. It needs salvation. It needs more than it has to sustain itself in the future. And Equestria shall provide."

These words caused me to wonder how much the emperor knew about my world. A world like Earth... Yes, it was a world that was gradually collapsing under its own mismanagement. A world that did not know how or did not care to save itself in the long run at this rate. But with everything Equestria can provide, Earth's future could easily be brighter. It would be more sustainable. But at what cost?

Rain Shine was quick to notice the emperor's lack of mention about Equestria in this equation. And it chilled her. "But what of Equestria? What of the evils that will surely spill over into our world? Into our people? What if they become no different from the people of Earth in due time?"

The emperor's following words were preceded by a shocking lack of hesitation. "They will know their place. The people of Earth may not be my people, but they are still my own. And they still have so much potential to realize. And what good is potential if not fulfilled?"

"What happened to you... Is all you can see is what is ahead? So far over the horizon that you can only imagine what lies ahead? And not what is already around you?" Rain Shine asked in a most poignant way. Wise words from a wise creature.

For once, there was a moment of hesitation. But not for long. "She said practically the same thing... Just before she conspired with the royal family to cast my people out of this world. And yet, now Margaret is gone with so much potential squandered. She could have been so much more..."

Margaret... His own daughter. To hear him view his own daughter as anything that could be interpreted as a disappointment filled my gut with bile. I had heard nothing but words of praise about her from those ancient enough to have known her. And Rain Shine shared my disgust. Her eyes quivered without blinking once. And then... Oh so abruptly, several more thorns burst from the ground under the captive Hollow and skewered it through its torso. And she bid farewell with an icy tone in her voice. "You're dead to me."

With one snapping motion, the thorns suddenly bent and tore themselves outward. The Hollow impaled upon them was swiftly ripped apart with its many pieces flung across the soaked ground before they all dissolved into purple mist. Rain Shine remained rooted to the spot while she squinted her eyes shut. Fresh tears spilled down her face even as the rain poured down around us. I watched and waited in respectful silence. They had been in love once... And now this. It hurt to watch her having to say goodbye with such bitterness in her heart.

Fatigue took hold of me. This was not something I wanted to do at such a late hour. And to see Rain Shine too in such a dour state only made me finally step forward and hold her. She did not resist. If anything, my armored embrace broke the floodgates and allowed her to weep without restraint. Her muffled whimpers became sorrowful sobs while I could only stand there and sigh. We really did not need this...

It was only then that Ember approached even as the rain poured down around us. And she reached out with a hand, the other grasping her trusty spear. "Hey... Let's head over to my place. To get out of the rain for a while. Can you get us there, James?"

"Sure... Hang on." I mumbled as Rain Shine's weeping began to run its course. Once I had summoned the Lunar Shield back to my left arm, I channeled my gauntlets' magical energies. I pictured that humble cottage in my mind. And a flash of light later, we stood before Ember's cottage. Although I happened to glance back and saw all of Ember's subordinates still sprawled out on the archery range before her house while dead asleep. Even in the middle of the storm. "Those guys can sleep through anything..."

Ember led us both in out of the rain with the cottage being pitch black inside with no lighting to be cast over us. At least not for a moment. I heard Rain Shine exhale sharply before a noticeable glow began to emanate from her emerald hair. Almost as if her hair was on the verge of igniting. Somewhere between hair and flame, a profound warmth was cast over the area as I felt whatever rain was on my face was quickly drying. By the time Ember had managed to get the lights on, we were all entirely dry. The Dragon Lord then commented, "I'm not sure what that was, but thanks. I thought I would have to grab some towels."

"It was the least I could do." Rain Shine muttered while not really paying us much mind. I watched her and Ember remove and set aside their armor and weapons over in the far corner. Ember was quick to head to the kitchen to prepare some hot tea to soothe us after being out in the rain even as the quiet ambience indoors was enhanced by the pattering of rain all across the roof. I was concerned about the lack of my usual guard detail up on the roof, but I doubt anyone other than my two shield-sisters and the radar station attendant had any idea I ever left the command center to begin with.

While I went to fetch a small tub melt my armor off into, Rain Shine slumped onto the couch in the living room. She looked so miserable and heartbroken. I knew she was resigned to accepting that the emperor she once loved was no longer the same man, but to hear he directly confirm what he had became to her face must have been jarring. Once I had my arms and armor set aside, I held my helmet in hand as I began to step away from the living room. She needed a moment alone.

Or so I thought. When I was starting to approach the edge of the room, I noticed Rain Shine lift her head to gaze at me. When our eyes met, she lifted a hoof towards me. She needed me. And so I went to her. I set aside my helmet atop the back of the couch as I sat down and allowed the mourning kirin to rest in my embrace. I held her head with my fingers dragging through her voluminous emerald mane. And I swear I could feel her grief. Her heart was an open book as we basked in each other's melancholy. Her beautiful voice muttered, "I knew... I knew by then that what I heard was true. So why...did it hurt so much to hear it directly from him?"

I was at a loss for words. I could not emphasize even if I tried. All I could do was hold her and share in her pain. I just wanted to take all that grief away. And as I held Rain Shine, the exhaustion of that battle really started to set in. All that fury... Draining away to leave me feeling empty. And it did not go unnoticed by my beautiful friend. "The fury in your heart is gone... Thank goodness. Ember could barely believe that was even you out there..."

"In hindsight, I don't know where I found the courage to do that... I couldn't let them mess with everyone after what they went through yesterday. They needed a day of undisturbed rest." I replied in sincerity. One man against roughly five hundred light infantry. I am not certain if I was brave or stupid in doing that. I then asked softly, "What about you? Will you be all right?"

"As long as I have you, my love." Rain Shine whispered to me. This time, I did not dismiss her words. I brought my brow to hers and closed my eyes. And she continued to whisper to me. "You will not falter like he did. You have seen what the emperor has done. You know what he seeks to acquire. And you are revolted by it. I know you will not ever follow his path and that is enough to soothe me."

"I hope I won't... I can't imagine myself ever changing like that. Not when I love this world so much." I muttered before I was suddenly reminded that I had gone the entire evening without dinner. Ad after that clash on the plains, I was famished. And Rain Shine was quick to notice.

"You are most hungry. Allow me to handle dinner tonight. It's the least I can do for our brave warrior here. Focusing on cooking will be good for my heart, my dear." Rain Shine explained before she began to rise from the couch. She was downtrodden, but not enough to keep her from being productive. But instead of heading to the kitchen, she went right outside into the storm. Where was she going?

I relaxed upon the couch again and just cast my gaze at the ceiling. What a night. It was likely approaching midnight at that time. But just when I started to close my eyes, a voice spoke over me. "White looks so much better on your helmet than gray."

My eyes popped open to see Ember standing over me. Her eyes were focused on my helmet sitting atop the back of the couch. Indeed, the twin gray falcon shapes had returned to being white doves now that my heart was much calmer. Ember then asked, "Is that normal for that thing? That it changes color and shape depending on your mood?"

"To be honest, yeah. Although it almost never does." I replied before Ember rested atop me like she often does. But her eyes were filled with a great deal of unease. I remembered what she said after I returned to the command center with Orbash that afternoon. "Sorry for running off again like that..."

"No, I'm not bothered by that. We were informed of what was happening right away at your suggestion, so Rain Shine and I didn't fall behind that far. We just didn't intervene because it...didn't look safe..." Ember replied before her eyes glanced off elsewhere. And I could see why. "I couldn't believe that was you... That wasn't like you. That kind of daredevil ruthlessness... You shouldn't be capable of that. That was...terrifying. Like you had become someone else."

"I guess this war is really starting to get to me..." I muttered while not really sure how to explain myself. "It really is hard to remember how powerful I actually am with that armor. Too many reservations, I guess. I just didn't care about fighting fair by then."

"I think I'm starting to understand why my father was so wary of your kind... If that kind of ruthlessness exists in even the most timid of men... No wonder humans are to be feared." Ember muttered in contemplation while dragging a finger over my chest. She then said, "If you were that ruthless towards me when we first met... You would've crushed me. I would've been no match for you. Just thinking about it makes me feel so weak compared to you..."

"Ember, that kinda thing isn't something I can just do on a whim. I'm powerful in that gear, yes. But I'm not normally that...brutal. It takes a lot to get me that worked up, all right? It's not the sort of thing you should expect out of me on a daily basis..."I explained with my thoughts from less than an hour ago almost feeling like a blur as I basked in that emotional fatigue.

"You're only strong when you have to be, huh? A strength and a weakness..." Ember sighed with her finger rising to my cheek. She displayed a gentle smile as she said, "Well then, you just leave things to me when you can't be your strongest, all right? I'm still here for you. And I bet that little escapade burned you out."

"I guess I am..." I mumbled in exhaustion while tempted to just fall asleep right under Ember. My hunger was just about the only thing keeping me from nodding off to sleep by then. At least until I heard the front door open followed by another brief fiery glow. I glanced over to my right and asked, "Where'd she even go?"

"Good question. Hey, Rain? Why'd you even go outside? It's still pouring out there." Ember called out as she hopped down from the couch. I too was curious over where she had gone. And as it turned out, she did not go far. If those baskets composed entirely of very large leaves floating beside her was anything to go by, Rain Shine had used the open ground in front of Ember cottage to grow and harvest all the ingredients she needed to prepare whatever she had in mind. Ember just stared at Rain Shine while the kirin chieftain looked quite proud of herself before pointing at her goods and asking, "Scratch that, where'd you even get all that?"

"You forgot? Mother earth herself is at my beck and call. And the soil is fresh with nurturing rain to bolster the results of my magical influence. Now, make yourselves comfortable while I prepare dinner. I say we are all deserving of a feast tonight." Rain Shine said with a knowing smirk. She then trotted over to the kitchen with her goods, ready to put them to good use.

Ember cocked her head to one side in intrigue before turning her gaze up to me. "What do you think she's cooking up?"

"If I remember how the kirin cook... You're in for something new to try." I retorted while now starting to really feel my appetite peaking. It would take some time if Rain Shine was making everything from scratch, but that would just make it all better. Ember went off to take a shower to help pass the time while I sat myself down at the typewriter nearby to get some writing done in the meantime.

A spectacular aroma began to fill the house as Rain Shine worked her culinary wisdom in the kitchen. The hissing of sizzling oil in what was probably a large pot or a wok could be heard. And once Ember emerged from the hall with a towel over her shoulders, she stopped short of rounding the corner when she picked up that fantastic aroma. "Oh man, what is that? Smells...great!"

"I don't think it's ready yet. Best not get in the way." I replied as I was sure it would be best to stop typing and make sure Ember did not get too eager. I led her over to the living room again to provide a distraction and even put some music on with the phonograph in the corner. I had to think of a decent conversation topic to keep her mind off the aroma filling the house. "How you holding p after yesterday?"

"I should be asking you that. I saw how wild you went when...that happened. It's like there was no fear in you." Ember replied while she leaned against me. She then asked, "I saw what you did right at the end... That was scary...and kinda heartbreaking. I saw you collapse at the end just before the last man standing came running. Are you...and Nightmare Moon close?"

"It's...complicated. We...were basically in love in a way... I just...didn't realize it until I almost lost her..." I explained while thinking of the beautiful Princess of Dreams in the middle of the encampment. "I'd rather not talk too much about that... She and I... It's...hard to explain. And it really shouldn't ever go public."

"Right, got it. I heard nothing." Ember replied while tapping her fingers on the back of my hand. She then asked, "But what did you did at the end there... And what happened tonight. Have you always been able to do that?"

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I guess only when the fire in me burns hot enough. I'm too cautious and methodical in my ways to exert myself that hard most of the time. Don't expect me to do that very often."

Ember displayed a rather proud smile on her lips. And that smile was directed at me. "When you said that the human spirit shouldn't be underestimated... I think I get what you meant now. Human warriors must be respected. Even gentle ones can be a force to be reckoned with."

We started sharing war stories. Talking about any close calls or weird sightings we saw our allies pull off. And eventually, we heard Rain Shine call us over. And what a sight it was on the kitchen table. Pad thai, spring rolls, kelp salads, a pot of fragrant soup, there was so much to choose from and Ember was utterly awestruck. I did not realize how much I missed kirin cooking until I started to dine with my shield-sisters. We were all so hungry that there really was not much to say at the dinner table. After such a rough night, it felt good to stuff our bellies with such delicious food.

There were no leftovers. Anything that Rain Shine and I could not finish was devoured by Ember. And Rain Shine took the time to wash up in the bathroom while Ember and I handled the dishes. Ember let out a quiet belch at one point over the kitchen sink and had to direct the little flicker of flame from her mouth away from the cabinets. "Wow, do all kirin know how to cook like that?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Their cuisine comes from the far east, I ate very well the last time I stopped by the Grove of Silence." I replied while the pots and plates started to get stacked with clean leftover water shimmering along them.

"I guess it helps when you can grow your own supplies whenever you want to whip something up over a hot fire... I'll have to take lessons sometime." Ember retorted with a fresh sponge going to work in her hand.

It was my turn to take a shower before bed. And my eyes were getting heavy by then. My assumption was that Rain Shine made her way back to her hut. But when I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist and the cottage having gone dark, I was not expecting what I saw upon entering the bedroom. A single lamp was casting a glow over the room with Rain Shine and Ember relaxing upon the bed. As if they were waiting for someone. I then asked, "You haven't left yet?"

"No, I do not...believe I wish to be alone tonight. Certainly not after that. May I stay? Please?" Rain Shine asked sincerely, her body bare with no sign of even the simple gold crown she had likely left behind in her village.

Feeling like I was intruding on a private slumber party between friends, I started to step back from the door. "Oh, that's perfectly fine if Ember's all right with it. This is her place after all. Anyway, I'll eave you ladies alone and see you in the..."

"Ah! No no, get over here. You're not sleeping on the couch tonight, little warrior poet." Ember demanded while beckoning me to approach with a single finger curling inward. Being the mistress of that cottage, I felt it would be a bad idea to defy her. So I gingerly stepped back inside and locked the door behind me. "That's better. Now, get over here."

"I'm not sure I like where this is going..." I grumbled now that I found the gazes of two beautiful dragons locked upon me. One of the east and one of the west. While I had engaged in acts of great tenderness with Rain Shine and even acts of intimacy with Ember, being stuck with both of them at once was...new to me. I was wondering if they discussed some sort of plan while I was bathing.

"Oh please. The only place you're going is to sleep." Ember retorted while she scooted aside so that I could climb into bed between the two of them. I never felt entirely at ease. And when I turned my back to Ember to look at Rain Shine, the Dragon Lord embraced me from behind with her voice whispering to my ear. "Comfy?"

"Yeah... Although I should ask..." I replied while slumping into Ember's embrace. "What are you two really up to?"

"Simple. We just want to make you feel better. Especially after all that happened these past two days." Ember replied before looking past me at our guest. "Be good to him, Rain. He's been through a lot."

"I can feel it. The weight on his heart. I will do what I can." The kirin chieftain whispered as she crawled closer before her hoof rested in my upturned hand. She gazed lovingly into my eyes before her lips rose to meet mine. I closed my eyes, savoring her touch. Basking in her aura. She then whispered to me, "You are loved. Persevere and happy days will be waiting for you beyond this storm."

"I really hope so... Thank you, Rain." I replied before she began to kiss me once more. Over and over, our lips touched. It all felt right. My heart opening further and further. I felt the urge to tell her. To let go of any caution I had held prior. But I decided to wait. No sooner than when the war ends. What better way to surprise such a peace-loving creature than to tell her what she wants to hear most after something as dreadful as warfare has come to an end?

"You two make such a cute couple." Ember giggled before rotating me just enough so we could face each other. Those scarlet eyes filled with adoration, she then cooed to me. "My turn."

Once again, our lips met. And our tongues danced as our fingers intertwined. I was...surrounded by love. The love of dragons of both east and west. It was...its only little slice of paradise. And when I finally set my head down to sleep, we did not even bother with the bed sheets. I rested atop the bed in the embraces of those two beautiful women. They were all I needed that night. And when I dreamed, I dreamed well.

Morning came. And I awoke with the limbs of y dear Rain Shine holding me from my side A great wing draped over me from the other direction, Ember still sleeping soundly. With there being no way of wiggling my way out of their embraces without waking them, I decided to just go right back to sleep. And I did sleep for a while longer. At least until the two of them awoke me with kisses. To be surrounded by so much love from too very wonderful women I felt so strongly for... It reminded me of what I had opened my heart to when Fluttershy and Rarity suggested I reach beyond just the mare I walked down the aisle with. These two dragons of the east and west have reminded me just what a wonderful thing such a love life is when one has the integrity for it.

I have spent my morning typing away at the front of the cottage while Rain Shine prepares a kirin style breakfast. And Ember... She has been looking over my shoulder now and then. I think in order to study how I operate the typewriter? She did say she was going to report to the command center and insist that I be allowed to take a day of rest after what happened last night. I doubt anyone in the camp knows or even cares what I put myself through last night. Whatever, at least everyone is rested and ready to advance.

It will not be much longer now. How many more days until the Heaven's Pillar is right in front of us? We are close... So close now. Just a little longer and we can all go home. So many faces to see back home. So many new friends to introduce to my family. At least it will all be worth it in the end and I know I have gained much since I came out here. Just a little more...