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I tried to stay my course, gliding along with only an occasional flap of my armor's wings to maintain altitude. I was not flying as fast as I could have gone. Possibly a subconscious means of buying myself time. Perhaps I was just allowing myself to enjoy the scenery as I continued to fly east. I dare not look back. I did not want to be deterred by the temptation of a relaxed and easygoing home life back in Ponyville. A grave threat was approaching from the depths of the Empty Plains. A threat I felt I had a responsibility in standing against.

Thoughts and questions filled my head whenever I stopped focusing on the scenery below me. Was this a wise course of action? I really had no idea of where I was going or what the enemy even had in store for Equestria. I did not even bring any...

It was only then that I detected something. A faint kind of want, specifically in my gut. Hunger. I cringed to myself as I made a critical observation all too late. "Aw, crap. I didn't even get the chance to have lunch before I headed out!"

If only Twilight had gotten around to passing me that scroll an hour later. I would have had time to enjoy one last lunch break at the café. And now y body was starting to demand that I stuff my face with something tasty. I knew I could ignore it for now, but I would need to eat eventually to keep myself going. But where was I going to find something to sustain myself with?

Minutes later, something to the southeast caught my eye from maybe a mile up in the sky. A large clearing in a wooded area with what seemed to be some sort of housing in the middle of it. A small farm? If so, then they would naturally have plenty of food on hand. As much as I hated the idea of pestering complete strangers for food, I had some comfort in knowing where I was. This is Equestria. Surely they would be hospitable enough to share with me even a few bits of fruit. Hoping that this was not a bad idea, I veered to my right as I began to descend. At least I was not in the middle of nowhere just yet.

I circled the farm to survey the lay of the land and was shocked by what I was seeing now that I was much closer. It definitely had the layout one might expect for a farm, but... I set myself down at the edge of the clearing and stared in bewilderment at my surroundings. If this was indeed a farm, it had long since been abandoned. The ground was rough and barren, plenty of craggy rocks jutting out of the ground all over the place. Not at all suited for tilling the soil to plant crops. What few trees dotted the premises were dead and bare or were barely clinging to life enough to allow a few leaves to grow from them. There was a fairly modest farmhouse right in the middle of the place as I had thought I had seen and was ringed by a low crude wooden fence. A grain silo stood just beyond the house with one of those...weathervane windmill wheel things standing near it. Not exactly one or the other, but I have no idea what to call it. If this was indeed a farm, it had long since been abandoned ages ago. "Well... So much for that... Not gonna find anyone around here."

As my eyes fell upon the farmhouse in the distance, I began to wonder if there was anything edible inside. There was no way I would find anything perishable inside, but maybe the prior occupants had left some dry goods behind that would weather the passage of time fairly well. Even if the door was locked tight, I could just teleport myself inside if I could just look inside through a window. And I must admit there is a certain curious thrill to exploring abandoned dwellings for me. Deciding I might as well check things out while I had a moment, I began to make my way towards the farmhouse with nothing but the desolate silence of the tiny wasteland around me reaching my ears along with the clanking of my armor's sabatons.

It was almost creepy being out there in the middle of nowhere. Was this location just inside the Empty Plains and was an abandoned remnant of a settlement that had been overrun ages ago? No, that was not a possibility. The farmhouse would not still be standing if it had been. And I distinctly remember seeing a train line leading towards its general direction on my approach. But as I neared the sad excuse of a fence serving as the borders of the yard, I noticed something at the corner of my vision. Another rock, but of an unusual shape that was just inside the yard. Taking a moment to investigate, I changed course as followed the perimeter of the yard until I was standing as near as I could the anomaly without stepping over the fence.

The rock before me was very large, easily standing above my height. It was perfectly oval, being in the shape of an egg. I almost assumed it actually was an egg until I saw the texture was definitely that of some sort of rock. Was it a grave marker? A local treasure? But as I started to reach out to it, my ears suddenly detected a startling new sound. "WHO'S TOUCHING HOLDER'S BOULDER?!"

That voice came out of nowhere and definitely sounded fierce. Where did it come from?! What did I do?! Wanting to get out of there before the owner of the voice could reach me, I turned my gaze to the woods at the edge of the clearing and used the teleportation spell to quickly transport myself over to it before ducking behind a few trees. My eyes were focused upon the stone egg. And sure enough, someone came running out of the seemingly abandoned farmhouse mere seconds after I had taken cover. "Too close..."

I cringed as I realized I stopped shy of barging in on a house that was very much occupied. And by a most aggressive-looking mare at that. While much too far away for me to make out much in the way of details, I could see that her mane and tail were cropped short, giving her a much rougher visage. Her body language was aggressive as she circled the stone egg, sharply glancing around as if looking for an intruder to attack. After maybe a full minute, she finally relented and began to trot back towards he farmhouse. But not before suddenly looking back over her shoulder to be sure that no one was there. Only then did she leave my sight. "Oh boy... That could've been bad. Something tells me I don't want to have to deal with her..."

I stepped out of the woods near some larger rocks that I could even relax upon. I was sure to get a hostile response if I were to go knocking on that door. And when considering the bleak setting of that dying farmland, I was probably going to get the harshest welcome yet of my entire time in Equestria. Probably best to move on and try my luck elsewhere. "Yeah, better not bother them... Guess I'll... Eh?"

It was only then that I noticed something at the corner of my vision. And right at my feet. Resting upon the ground and tucked amongst the rocks to my left was a mare. Completely still as if her natural gray colorations would allow her to blend in with her rocky surroundings. The two of us shared a silent yet indecisive gaze, her vibrant purple violet eyes looking up at me in unblinking anticipation. "Um..."

That was all I needed to say to provoke a reaction out of her. At the slightest sound and the most minute movement of my hand, she bolted. The mare took off at full gallop away from me and towards the farmhouse without a word. Either painfully shy, or deathly afraid of me. Considering that she had never seen anything like me before, I could understand her apprehension. I lost sight of her as she went behind another larger rock big enough to hide her. "Ugh... Yeah, no point in sticking around here..."

I let out a sigh of disappointment. I was not going to find any help around here. I would just have to tough it out until I stumble upon another source of food. But just as I was about to prepare to take flight, I noticed a tiny bit of movement from the rock that had abstracted my view of the mare who had just fled from me. She was sticking her head out from behind it. Watching me. Gauging me...

Had her curiosity started to override her fear? The two of us shared a gaze once again as I realized that she was sticking around long enough for me to get a word in. Still hating the thought of having to ask strangers for something as base as food, I took a deep breath to resign myself to my needs and called out to her. "Excuse me! Please... I... I'm a very long way from home and I might not get another chance to ask. I'm hungry... I'm sorry, but do you have anything you can spare? Anything at all?"

I think she heard me. Her gaze wandered as her head turned in different directions as if pondering a response. I think I noticed her nod to me before trotting away towards the farmhouse. I breathed a sigh of relief. I suppose it really never does hurt to ask. I waited where I was to avoid running the risk of drawing the attention of that much more imposing mare. And no more than two minutes later, I saw that same mare emerge from the farmhouse with a straw basket hanging from her jaws. She trotted my way as I expected them to be lined with all manner of fruit. But once she drew near enough for me to actually see what was in the basket... "Um... I... I thought I asked for..."

Rocks. Just...rocks. The basket was lined with rocks. The earth pony mare before me was not at all slowed down, being much stronger than she seemed, but she still approached me with a slothful pace once she neared me. So very timid, yet she was being brave enough to not run. But why rocks?! Who gives rocks to someone to eat? "Um... Is this a prank? I mean... Do you really eat those things? Are those rocks genuinely edible?"

"Mmhm..." She mumbled demurely while hiding half of her face behind her long mane. Edible rocks? Like... Wait... I was only then reminded of that rock candy that Pinkie Pie whipped up shortly before Maud Pie came to visit that one time. There was actual edible rocks mixed in with them. Could these rocks be the same kind?

"Well... If you insist..." I muttered in bemusement as I took a seat on one of the larger rocks near me, the Lunar Shield propped up against one as I set it aside along with my helmet. The mare drew near to allow me to take one such rock in hand. Even though I have consumed edible rocks before, I knew better than to chomp into one with full force. I instead brought the thing to my lips and very gently closed my teeth onto it.

It took only a matter of seconds for me to realize that my teeth would break long before the rock would. Cracking an amused smirk over the fact that someone would really assume that rocks would make for a handy snack, I dropped the rock back into the basket. "Sorry, but... There's no way I can eat these things. Do you have any...um...traditional foods available?"

The mare glanced left and right in embarrassment, a blush forming on her cheeks. Maybe her jaws really are as strong as Maud's and she can eat rocks like that without trouble. I guess it just did not register with her that most other people cannot do that. She sheepishly nodded without a word before trotting away. I felt bad to have to ask her to go back and try again. She was very demure... Almost...like Fluttershy, only even more reserved. Why did I feel like I had a hunch I had been told about someone like that at one point not that long ago?

A couple of minutes later, the mare returned with the same basket hanging from her jaws. I was not going to ask how she managed to slip in and out of the house without anyone asking questions. And to my delight, I found that the basket was full of a variety of fruit. Bananas, oranges, apples, pears, and so on. The kind of fruit that is big enough to grasp in your hand. "Oh, much better. This is fine. Thank you."

My host still did not say a word, but she did hop up onto the rock beside me with the basket set between us. I suppose she was taking the opportunity to help herself to a snack as well. There was too much fruit in the basket for just me anyway. Perhaps that was how she came and went without anyone asking questions. Probably using her lunch break as a cover. As I peeled a banana, I glanced over at the mare beside me. "I hope I'm not getting you into trouble with whoever's over there... They didn't bother you, right?"

"Mmhm." She mumbled again while balancing a pear on her hoof and taking a bite. I could see she was not a mare of many words, so I respected her choice to not engage in conversation. I glanced at her frequently, though I noticed she also glanced at me at times. Most likely because she was quite interested in my armored form. Her body and mane were shades of gray, her mane and tail looking quite similar to Fluttershy's in length and style, though without her long strands of hair tapering off into narrow tips. Almost in spite of her dull gray hue, she was quite beautiful in her own right. So timid... So demure and soft-spoken... So very much like Fluttershy. Maybe even moreso.

As my thoughts went back to my wife back home, I was then distracted by another thought as I examined the mare beside me without a word. Her cutie mark was visible. A trio of light purple marbles. Marbles... I struggled to think back to a conversation. Pinkie Pie mentioned someone she knew... Someone a lot like Fluttershy... And this mare was definitely similar to Fluttershy in appearance and disposition.

As I thought back further to things Pinkie Pie had told me now and then, especially her home before moving to Ponyville... I looked at the desolate field around me. A barren lifeless place with craggy rocks dotting the ground. Rocks...to mine? A rock...farm? It was only then that I managed to connect the dots. Even her color scheme brought to mind Maud Pie. I had to wonder... "Are you...Marble Pie?"

Her eye opened wide in unease as she froze in the middle of a bite, the other hidden behind her mane. I waited patiently while trying to not pry any further. I did not want to intimidate her after she was hospitable enough to provide me with a snack. Her eye wandered as if debating whether she should run or stay. Eventually, she appeared t calm down just enough to give me the only response she could. "Mmhm..."

All the clues came together. This seemingly abandoned farm devoid of crops was not abandoned at all. It was just a very different kind of farm. And... It only then occurred to me that I had, of all places, stumbled upon Pinkie Pie's family home. What are the odds? I almost laughed as my eyes scanned my surroundings now that I knew exactly where I was. "Heh... No wonder Pinkie Pie doesn't live here anymore... It's no place for someone as vibrant and full of life as her."

It was only then that I noticed my host was giving me her full attention. She looked very surprised to hear a name I am sure she is very familiar with. I then realized that I had not explained how I knew her name. "Oh, uh... I know your sister. She's had nice things to say about you. And she's a good friend."

"Mmhm..." She mumbled while showing a quiet smile. I think she knew at that moment that she could trust me. Any friend of her sister is probably considered to be on good terms with the Pie family on principle. She soon went back to partaking in the fruit we were sharing as I used the levitation spell to peel the rind off of an orange. But just as I was convinced I would not and should not try to illicit a complete sentence out of her, I heard Marble speak. "Are you.....James?"

I was caught entirely unprepared. The last thing I expected was to hear her actually try to talk to me. I looked over at her while she looked back at me. I decided to not hide anything. "Yeah... That's me. How do you know my name though?"

"Pinkie Pie...sometimes writes to us... She...mentioned someone with your name..." Marble explained with great care, as if not entirely sure if she should speak. With her exposed eye looking elsewhere, she then spoke oh so softly, "And...Maud has said...such nice things about you."

"Maud... Oh, Maud! She's your sister too. Yeah, we've met. Got along really well too." I replied as I was happy to hear that name after so long. I had to wonder how she was at the time.

It was then that Marble brought something up I really was not expecting. "If you want... I could...bring her out here."

I took a moment to process those words as I swallowed the rest of that zesty orange in my hand. "Wait... Maud? She's here?"

"Mmhm. She's visiting. Would you like me to bring her over? I promise I won't let Limestone know you're here." Marble replied while starting to speak more fluently and with less hesitation. There were fewer pauses between her words. I think that was a good sign. I guess I had managed to endear myself to her by then.

I very nearly agreed on the spot. I have not seen that mare in a while and would like to see her again. But just before I could say anything, I remembered what I was doing out there. I had to leave without saying goodbye just so my loved ones would not try to stop me... Would Maud do the same? And she is much physically stronger than the rest... She is probably the only mare I know who is physically strong enough to overpower me. With a sigh, I shook my head. "I... I do want to say hello, but... I'm sorry. I must ask that you refrain from telling her I've been here."

Marble tilted her head slightly as if not entirely sure as to why I was hesitant to reveal myself. "But...why? Maud has always been so eager to talk about you whenever your name gets brought up. She says things like...like that you just seem to get her in ways almost nopony else does. I think...she misses you."

Those words... It only made it harder for me to turn down an opportunity to spend some time with my friend. I too remember when we met on that first day. We...got along so well. She even laughed at one point... Was it solely because of my patience and lack of expectations? I wonder why we clicked as well as we did... I do not have an answer on that yet. Even so, I did not relent. "Really... She can't know I'm here. I'm...going somewhere and I can't risk her trying to stop me."

She silently scanned me, her face not showing a pleasant emotion. "Are you...going somewhere dangerous? Are you part of the royal guard?"

"Yeah... Very dangerous. Something's coming. Something big. And...I'm hoping there's something I can do to stop it." I explained briefly while not wanting to give away too much. I did not want to scare the poor girl.

While Marble seemed to get that I was not joking in the slightest, she was not particularly alarmed. "Are you a...knight? A knight who is a hero to Equestria?"

"Heh... I guess I do look the part... No, I'm just a freelancer who happens to have some really awesome gear at my disposal. I've never been knighted. Probably never will be." I replied while finding some amusement in her assumption. She does kind of give me the impression of being a girl who was really into fairy tales of knightly legends while still a little filly.

"You're not? Oh... Sorry... It's just that..." Marble muttered as she looked away from me for a moment before trying to smile at me. "It's just...you really look like a noble warrior. The helmet. The armor. The shield... You... I feel...safe around you... Like you can protect me."

"Is that why you started to talk to me?" I asked while recalling how nonverbal she had been at first.

"Mm... Mmhm..." She mumbled while falling back into that habit. I snorted in a suppressed laugh for a moment as she seemed to prove my point. She then muttered, "I hope you'll be all right out there..."

"Me too..." I said softly as I tried to focus on finishing up some more fruit. I did not want my apprehension to quash my hunger only for me to regret it later.

Few words were shared for a while longer. I think even Marble was uncertain of what to say. Once the basket was empty, I stood up and took a moment to stretch now that it was time to depart. "Ugh... I really appreciate this, Marble. I should be OK for a while now."

"Mmhm..." She mumbled once more. But just as I was reaching for the Lunar Shield, she then spoke up. "Before you go... May I ask a favor?"

"Sure. What's up?" I asked without a second thought. After going out of her way to be such an accommodating host, I at least owed her that much.

Marble looked a little nervous over what was going through her mind. Something personal or special to her? "May I...see you with sword in hand? Like a...real knight in shining armor?"

"You mean...just strike a pose? Yeah, I can do that. Just a second." I retorted while I secured the Lunar Shield to my left arm with the clasps on its backside. I then placed my helmet upon my head, her eyes lighting up in wonder as its plume emerged from behind me. I then drew the Celestial Sword from its scabbard and widened my stance as I held my shield out before me, sword raised as if ready to lash out with a thrust. For the cherry on top, I spread my armor's great white wings. "How's this?"

"Oooooh my goodness... Just like in the fables..." Marble gasped while so very enthralled with my rather heroic armored form. "I... This gives me so much inspiration... Thank you. Thank you for letting me see this at least once."

Her curiosity having been satisfied, I sheathed the Celestial Sword in its scabbard and relaxed my stance. "It's been a while since someone enjoyed something like that so much... Anyway... Thanks for being a good host, Marble. It was...really nice to meet you."

She bowed her head politely and displayed a calm smile of her own. "Mmhm... You too, James. Be careful out there."

Satisfied for the moment, I took to he sky with a flap of my armor's wings and continued east while looking back just once at the lovely little mare as she observed me flying away. Such a precious young lady. I see why Pinkie Pie was so sure I would get along with her. Now with a full belly, I soared on high towards the east.

Fewer and fewer signs of civilization passed under me as the minutes went by. I really was approaching the edge of Equestria's inhabited territories. Before long, there would be no turning back. Although... I was soon distracted by a more pressing matter. In my bowels.

A twinge of alarm reached me as I brought myself back down to the ground along a wide path in a wooded area. I began to curse my decision to rush off as hastily as I did. I only then realized that I had left without any means of supplies. No food. No camping supplies. Not even...a roll of toilet paper. Which I was going to desperately need before long. "Oh come on... I didn't think this whole journey was going to be so... Huh?"

I turned my gaze skyward as a shadow drifted over me. A large bird? Perhaps an eagle? A moment later, something swiftly swooped overhead again with the sun to its back. It was so dark with the sun directly behind it, but I was quick to deduce that it was not a bird. No... It was...definitely equine in form. And the shape of those wings... Could it be? Here?

The unexpected arrival soon came back again and swooped back towards me as it descended. With a fluttering of its sable wings, she stood before me. Those beautiful teal eyes of exotic form gazed at me as she spoke firmly. "I am most fortunate I was able to reach you when I did. It was admirable of you to answer the call as readily as you did. Admirable, but nonetheless foolish."

The Princess of Dreams herself. Nightmare Moon stood before me. At first I assumed she was going to escort me back to Canterlot. But if so, why was she... Two impressively large saddlebags hung at her sides. And her armor... I was quick to recognize her famous blue helmet resting over her head instead of her crown. Her peytral and armored greaves were there as they have always been. But the rest... She was more heavily armored than I had ever seen her before. Resting upon her body was what I could only describe as a full suit of plate armor of matching blue. From her shoulders to her flanks. A full suit of barding. Even her neck was wrapped in a layer of flexible lames to leave no exposed patches of her black coat. She was fully armored. Like a warhorse. I was quick to realize the implications of this much more complete suit of armor. "You're...not going to take me back?"

"Whatever do you mean? You think I would retreat?" She asked as if she had been insulted. Only for that scowl to turn into a smirk. "If we were to retreat, who would be left to face the enemy?"

She... She really was there for me. Not o take me home, but to march off to face the enemy by my side. I was at a loss of words. Of all the ponies in the world, truly only the Mare in the Moon would have enough fire in her soul to be prepared to wage war with an invading enemy. I should not have been surprised... And yet, I was immensely grateful as I stepped towards her. "I don't think I've ever been so happy to see you..."

"As am I, my dear." She cooed tenderly before stepped forward and wrapping me in her wings embrace. I held her, our suits of armor being the only thing in the way. There was no one I would rather have at my side than the Princess of Dreams. Her very presence provided a hefty boost to my morale. She then jokingly muttered, "And unlike you, I took the time to prepare for our journey. These supplies will last us for weeks."

I felt all the more humiliated for having departed with nary a food ration when I departed from Canterlot as swiftly as I did. But at the mention of supplies, I was suddenly reminded of the building pressure in my bowels. I stepped back as I cringed at the feeling, all too embarrassed to directly bring up my current predicament. "Speaking of supplies... Do you happen to have...um...any..."

I froze when I saw my friend cast me a most crooked smirk. Her horn was coated by her billowing deep blue magic aura as the saddlebag on her left had its flap open before a roll of toilet paper rose out of it. Followed by a bottle of hand sanitizer. Or hoof sanitizer, depending on who you ask. "I believe this is what you're looking for?"

"Oh, you're a lifesaver! I'll be right back!" I all but shouted as I grabbed the roll of paper and rushed off into the trees. All the while, Nightmare Moon was howling in laughter. But so what?! Nature was calling with a megaphone!

After taking some time to.....do my business, as it were, I stepped out of the woods with the roll of paper and bottle of sanitizer still in my hands. Nightmare Moon was waiting patiently where I had left her, that smirk never leaving her face as I handed the supplies back to her. "You couldn't have shown up at a better time. But how exactly did you find me all the way out here? You could've overshot me at any time."

"So I see. As for how..." She snorted as the two items descended back into her saddlebag. Nightmare Moon then pointed her armored hoof at the Lunar Shield on my left arm. "That right there is how. My own magical energies were infused within that shield, so I can follow it if I need to find it. You could never hope to hide from me so long as you carry it on your arm."

I rolled my eyes as I chuckled with a snort. She could sense my location across the world? A most fiendish trick to anyone who would try to steal the Lunar Shield. Although she soon lost that smirk as she then said, "Now then... Back to the more pressing matters at hoof. You are certain you are prepared for the coming storm?"

The tone darkened as I was reminded of what I was even doing out there. "In all honesty, no. I'm not ready. I mean how could I be? I don't even know what to expect."

"Neither do I. It's still a mystery of what we will find out there. All we can do is press onward until we reach the emperor himself." Nightmare Moon replied while not looking or sounding thrilled about the up and coming clash we were sure to face.

Even so, there were a few more questions in my mind. All I knew was that the enemy would be approaching from the east. But...what exactly was our destination? "Hey... Um... Where are we even going to find the emperor anyway? We don't even know where he is. He didn't even say where he's hiding."

"I can hazard a guess..." Nightmare Moon muttered as her eyes glanced away out of their corners. "The most likely stronghold he has chosen for himself is the Heaven's Pillar. A colossal stone tower that pierces the sky which was constructed seemingly as a testament to mankind's tenacity. To reach for the stars, if you will. Although I believe it was also done so as a tribute to our parents' sun and moon..."

"And...you think it's still out there? I mean it's been well over a thousand years since then, right?" I asked while unsure if the size of the tower was being exaggerated. Almost sounded like Equestria's equivalent of the Tower of Babel. But if magic had a hand in its construction, then who could say?

Nightmare Moon sighed as her gaze continued to wander in thought. "I cannot confirm as of this moment. Surveillance of the Empty Plains has been sparse for some time. But if any manmade architecture is still standing out there after all this time, it is undoubtedly the Heaven's Pillar. If we find it, we will likely have some answers."

At least now we had some semblance of a destination in mind. All that was left was to press on. Even so, I had to ask. "Are you sure you're up for this? I mean I'm not exactly doing this willingly myself, but... I mean war isn't in your nature, right?"

"It most certainly is not." Nightmare Moon replied sternly before a most focused gaze was cast at me. "But...I am a mare of the night. Rather than cower, my blood boils when faced with opposition. I am more versed in fight than in flight. And more than that..."

She stepped closer as her wavering mane reached out and lifted my helmet just enough to expose my brow. I stood my ground, shuddering as she placed a kiss upon it. "You are...and have always been...my guiding light. To lose you is a horror I cannot bear. If you are to march into the bowels of hell, I will gladly walk that path with you. All to see you come home alive and well."

"You... I..." I muttered as I was subjected to some of the heaviest words I had heard in a very long time. It almost sound too fantastical to believe. I know she and I have been close since the night she became more than the Mare in the Moon, but still...

"No, James. I am not exaggerating. This is not a display of hyperbole." She said softly as she lowered my helmet back upon my head. "I would not be here had it not been for you. I would not be the Princess of Dreams. I would not be one of Equestria's true sovereigns. And I most certainly would not be loved by my people even now. Away with your constant modesty. If nothing else, believe me when I say...you...are my world. My everything. To lose you...would be to lose myself. And I will NEVER stand for it."

As if to further reinforce her words, my royal companion stepped forward and held me in her wings. Her chin rested upon my pauldron as she whispered to me. "Believe me or do not. It matters little. You will always be my guiding light. And I will follow your glowing radiance until you glow no longer."

"No, I... I do believe you." I muttered as I put my arm around her. "I believe you. I believe every word you say. It's just... I have such a hard time processing it... At the very least... Believe me when I say I'd rather have no one out here with me but you in this dark time. Thank you...for being here."

"And I will remain here by your side, my dear. Until my last breath, if need be." She whispered to be both firmly yet tenderly. I felt like I was in good hands so long as she was by my side. The Mare in the Moon is quite possibly the most infamous entity in Equestria's long history. A reputation she would most likely validate in the coming weeks. Although she soon pulled away from me and asked, "Now then... No more delays. We have a world to save, do we not?"

"Yeah... We have a job to do. Lead on, your highness." I retorted softly as I tried to resign myself to the task before us. Without another word, we proceeded east on foot. We could have covered more ground quickly had me chosen to fly, but I think we were both trying to buy ourselves some time to really let the gravity of the situation set in. It was calm and relaxing out there in the wilderness. One would never know of the calamity that was in the making just by looking around. We trekked through forests for the next hour or two, only briefly soaring over the canopies when the terrain became too rough to walk through easily.

We said little during that time, but we soon began to climb a very shallow slope along a long clearing that felt like it may have served as a road in the distant past. The grass was naturally low, failing to hinder our movement. I noticed Nightmare Moon suddenly accelerate into a gallop, prompting me to try and keep up as my enchanted greaves carried me along at speeds only the swiftest of stallions could reach. But I soon slowed as she stood silently at the end of the path with sunlight shining down where the forest ended. "What...?! What's happening?"

The Princess of Dreams looked back at me with a solemn gaze set into her armored face. She spoke briefly, her voice carrying a tone of finality. "We're here."

My eyes widened. I had to see this. With a brisk pace, I jogged up the path until I stood beside her while coming out into the afternoon sunlight at the top of a gentle slope. And there... Laid out before me... "We're here, my friend. Welcome to the Empty Plains."

Miles upon miles of untouched wilderness. With no signs of civilization to be seen. Not even a single ruin of a village overrun with vegetation. It was...beautiful. And yet...so very poignant. As I beheld this vast valley untouched by time, a single tear trickled down my cheek. A land where a once thriving empire of faithful friends to the people of Equestria once stood, now empty and forgotten after committing a grave sin. A plains so full of life...yet entirely devoid of life. The paradox was unsettling.

This would be where war would be waged. Where we would breathe our final breaths if fortune will not be on our side. For all the natural majesty that lay spread out before us, I knew dark times were ahead. For now, all we could do was march forward. As the first people to enter the Empty Plains knowing full well what had transpired there in a time long forgotten, all I could do was pray that a miracle would occur.

All I could do was wait and count the days. I can only hope that the Empty Plains will not serve as my resting place.