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Ten days.

It has been ten days since I left everything I have come to know about Equestria behind to set out into this blighted province of forgotten human folly. And I was hoping that there would be more silver linings here and there since the time of my prior entry. But no... Nothing of the sort.

I should have known when I parted ways with Rain Shine and her people. After our departure from the Grove of Silence, Nightmare Moon and I have found nothing and no one else out here on the Empty Plains. No signs of civilization. No crumbling ruins to explore for curiosity's sake. Not even an eccentric explorer to share stories with. We are truly alone out here. And the deeper we delve into this beautiful, yet lifeless land, the more it feels like we will never see home again.

Even Nightmare Moon herself has begun to forage less and less often. And I doubt it has anything to do with our food supply. I am at my happiest and most composed when she is near me and I think she knows this. The constant isolation cannot be good for her psyche either. I fear for our long-term mental health if this goes on for much longer. I do not want this isolation to be the herald for dementia later on in our lives.

After yet another long day out on the plains of doing little more than trekking east, gathering fruit from trees and bushes we passed in the woods and forests, or resting by a river or pond, we finally set up shop once again in our little portable cottage. However, I insisted on staying outside a bit longer this time.

After Nightmare Moon went indoors, I flapped my armor's wings to propel myself up onto the cottage's roof with one great leap. I then sat myself down, set aside my shield and helmet, and just gazed out at the meadows before me. Under normal circumstances, it gets frightfully dark out in places that are very far from civilization. But tonight, there was a full moon with barely a cloud in the sky. If I was not so ready to just relax for the evening, I would have been tempted to keep going. The landscape around us was pleasantly illuminated by the pale glow of the moon and resulted in the usually very foreboding nighttime environment appearing to be much more inviting. My thoughts went out to Luna. Even though the moon's presence over us was the result of her simply fulfilling her duty, I sincerely appreciated the coming of a full moon on that night. I missed her so much at that moment...

Minutes went by in silence that was only broken by the sound of countless blades of grass being kissed by a nightly breeze before another sound reached my ears. The front door to the cottage opened. And seconds later, Nightmare Moon propelled herself up to the roof with a flap of her wings. She looked stunning in the glow of her father's moon now that her suit of barding had been removed to reveal her regal black form. She cast me a bemused smile as she asked, "Surprisingly pleasant evening, I see."

"Yeah, it is. I'm actually not scared out of my wits out here for once." I retorted while trying to maintain some degree of humor in spite of the maddening situation we had found ourselves in. With a flash of magic light from her horn, I noticed my helmet and shield vanish as they were likely teleported inside the cottage to leave us with more room on the roof. Nightmare Moon then set herself down beside me and placed a wayward kiss upon my cheek. I smiled. Perhaps it is because of how isolated we are, but...it has been so hard to withhold our affection for each other the farther we go on this mission. I cannot exaggerate how grateful I am for her presence. I would not have made it this far without her. And not simply because she remembered to bring along supplies.

"Luna has done a fine job with the timing of the full moon this evening... You suppose she is thinking of us right now?" Nightmare Moon asked as her mane billowed elegantly in the night breeze, the twinkling stars in her many blue fibers reflecting the countless stars cast over us in the night sky.

"She probably is... I can't imagine her having not found out about us by now." I replied somberly. While my heart holds a special place for Celestia, Luna and I have been friends since very early on in my stay in Equestria. I missed her. But as I gazed up at the pale glowing orb in the sky, a name came to mind. "Your father... He created the moon, right?"

"He did. And he did a fine job, did he not?" Nightmare Moon asked in turn while looking quite proud of her father's work. While Luna may be tasked with controlling it, the moon would never have come to be were it not for Equestria's king.

"Yeah, he did. Very fine job." I said softly while continuing to stargaze. Or so I tried. I was much more taken with the moon than the hundreds of stars around it.

"My memory is faint... But...I swear... Every time there was a full moon after my banishment... I could swear I heard him whisper to me. Sing me lullabies. And always without fail. Every twenty-eight days, I heard him. Even when I awoke and began to descend towards this world after a thousand years, I heard him wishing me well..." Nightmare Moon spoke quietly while looking so nostalgic as her eyes gazed up at her former prison.

"Sounds like your dad is truly an awesome guy. Every twenty-eight days...for a thousand years? That's...some impressive dedication. And I... I have a lot of respect for good fathers. There aren't enough of them where I come from." I retorted while finding myself smiling. While I had not heard the royal sisters speak of their parents often at all, I always got such a good feeling about their father. He sounded like a wonderful king. And knowing he was still out there put a good feeling in my heart. But as I pondered that precious ritual he stuck to for a full millennium, an unfortunate observation came to my attention. "But...when you did hear him... Do you think he was speaking to you...or Luna?"

A long sigh escaped Nightmare Moon's nostrils as that look of nostalgic joy faded from her face. "A thought I too have pondered every now and then. And... If I were to say he was speaking to me, or even both me and my sister... It would be nothing but wishful thinking. My existence is not natural, James... And no one could have foreseen Luna and I becoming separate beings when I was purged from her by the Elements of Harmony. I thought for sure that was the end of me back then. And yet, here I remain. It should not have happened, but it did..."

"Maybe... But that doesn't mean your survival wasn't for the best. Equestria would've been poorer for it if you didn't become your own person." I said quietly before turning my gaze to her while she continued to gaze upon the moon that had once served as her prison for a millennium. "This world loves you. You know that by now."

"I know... And I am so very grateful that they did accept me... This life I now live... I feel as if I exist as some sort of divine prank against a greater power that decreed that I perish. And the only thing that changed that fate...was the one light that guided me down another path when I was at my most lost." She said most sweetly before turning her gaze to meet mine. While she did not smile, those exotic elegant eyes never once blinked. "I have never once forgotten what you did for me, my dear... And that is why I am here. A world without you...is not a world for me. Without you, I am nothing."

"Don't say that... Even if you don't have me, you'll always have..." I began to speak before I was silenced with my jaws and lips being forcefully pinned shut by an unseen will. And I quickly saw why. Her horn was coated by her billowing deep blue magic aura.

"No. Not another word. I mean what I said. Yes, there are those in my life that bring me stability and happiness. And I have gained what I have always sought upon my return to the throne. But preceding all of that is that guiding light that continues to guide and comfort me to this day." She spoke sternly yet tenderly at the same time without blinking once. "Is it healthy? Is it wise? Whatever such an outlook may be, it means naught to me. I know what is most important to me... Who is most important to me."

I trembled. Just out of nowhere, I was touched so very deeply by those words even as the force holding my jaws released me. It had always been incomprehensible for me to imagine myself as being so vital to anyone beyond mere friendship or love. "Am I...really that desperately precious to you?"

"I would die for you." Nightmare Moon said without a shred of hesitation. "If this mission requires that one of us perish so that the other may survive, I will gladly give myself for you. And I will not be told otherwise."

"Don't say that!" I all but shouted as I reached out to her and held that precious mare of the night in my arms. I knew that there was not an ounce of exaggeration in her words. And they terrified me. "I didn't come this far to see you die out here! I don't...want to go home without you..."

My words shook her. Nightmare Moon did not speak for a very brief moment. As if shock had taken hold of her. I then heard the Princess of Dreams whisper to me, "Forgive me... I did not mean to speak out of turn... I meant... You are my..."

"Promise me something" I said sternly while still reeling from the very real possibility that Nightmare Moon could perish on this trek to the east. I then pulled away from her and looked my royal friend directly in the eye. "Promise me that no matter what happens, you'll do everything in your power to insure that you'll make it home in one peace. If not for yourself, do it for me. I don't want to walk home alone with only your helmet in my hand!"

Nightmare Moon had a look of horror and shame in her eyes. As if her eyes had only just then been opened to a fact that she had been completely blind to until just that instant. She whispered uneasily to me, "I... I shall... I would...never want to force that grief upon you... But in return, I must ask that you do the same... I would rather perish beside you than return to Canterlot without you."

"You mean...we live and die together... That... That sounds fair." I muttered while still shaken by what I had just heard and thought. My grasp upon her loosened as my panic began to gradually subside. "Just...don't throw yourself away for me... I would never want that."

"So long as you live, I will have no reason to die. Forgive me if I frightened you... I swear that was not my intention..." She mumbled while sounding a bit sheepish. As if embarrassed that a display of devotion from her had become a source of anxiety for me. "But my words still stand... You mean the world to me. Make no mistake about that."

"And I believe you..." I muttered with a nod of confirmation. I then turned my eyes back to the moon while Nightmare Moon did the same. There was a palpable moment of silence between us. As if that grim discussion had killed the mood. I certainly was grateful for her, but I was still just so disturbed that she would be willing to let herself die for me. How could I ever accept losing someone...that I love?

With my eyes fixated on the form of the full moon, my thoughts went back to the mention of my friend's royal father. Where was he? Or his queen? Where they watching us at that moment? "You think your mother and father might...reveal themselves to us before long?"

"I..." Nightmare Moon mumbled before casting me a most uncertain stare. "I...sincerely hope not. They only reveal themselves if they are convinced that their services are needed and the last time that happened was during the emperor's original uprising eons ago, as you were told. If it were Celestia and Luna they were to appear before, that would be one thing, but if it were just you and I..."

"You think they might...hold some degree of animosity towards us?" I asked with a sense of unease. Almost as if I felt lucky that we had not seen them so far.

"For you... I am not so certain... But...for me... I sincerely hope we do not cross paths with them." She said almost mournfully while casting her gaze to the moonlit plains spread out before us. "I am a nightmare. An unholy creature born of an unidentifiable dark magic with no known origin. I should not exist, yet I do. They would surely despise me as a true...black sheep to the royal family..."

A hard thing for her to say, let alone think. Such a torn and distant look in her eyes. I reached out for her with my armored hand going for her hoof while my armor's wing reached out and curled itself around her. And I remembered that precious title she at times refers to me with. "Let them think what they want. If they...cast you out into the shadows... I'll... I'll still be your guiding light. And I'll always lead you back to where you really belong and are appreciated."

She quivered at my touch and even moreso at my words. The Princess of Dreams then turned to look at me with our faces mere inches away with such a sad look in her eyes. "And I... I will always be there to shield you when the shadows draw near. Whatever evils lurk in the dark, I will take you into my wings as your angel of the night to keep you from the evils that may prey upon you. As I always have."

The two of us trembled under the moon. As if that celestial satellite was watching us. And we could not resist. The two of us in tears, we drew near and pressed our lips together as our eyes squinted shut. We were all we had at that time on the Empty Plains. And the future's uncertainty only made what little we had all the more precious. It was starting to feel like the entire world was slowly beginning to turn against us. Even if it was not true, there was an air of paranoia hanging over us. And it only made us cling to each other harder.

All too reluctantly, that precious kiss ended. And we descended from the roof and headed inside. We did not have much in the way of an appetite that night. Only a light helping of sandwiches and fruit was all that was consumed. I sat myself down at the typewriter afterwards to jot down a portion of this entry before turning in for the night. And a while later, I rested in bed with that wonderful mare by my side.

With only the glow of the lamp on the nightstand illuminating us, Nightmare Moon draped her wing over me. I could only gaze at the ceiling in longing. I was so sick of being out here... I just wanted to go home. "You are troubled, James... Tell me."

"I don't want to go out there again... I've had enough of the aimless wandering. The solitude out here is...maddening." I muttered while just so very tired. This cottage of ours may have been our own little haven out there now possibly hundreds of miles from any shred of modern civilization, but it would not be able to house us forever. Food supplies would eventually run out. Our reusable water supply would need its filters replaced in time. We would never last out here without aid.

"I must confess... It is hard on me as well. There are many distractions to draw my attention out here, but it is not a proper substitute..." She said with a sigh of longing. "I never thought I would find myself longing so much for the opulence of Canterlot. Even if doing so would mean having to contend with that dreadful paperwork time and again..."

Her words brought a slight smirk to my lips, but only for a moment. I thought back to my friends and family back in Ponyville. And even those beyond it. I missed my friends... My wife. Spunky little Scootaloo and... Oh god, I never thought I would feel such a powerful desire to hold little Gladesong in my arms right there. She probably misses her father right now...

And even beyond Ponyville. I missed popping into the Tasty Treat in Canterlot to enjoy that fabulous cooking by lovely little Saffron Masala. The sophisticated yet accommodating personality of Fancy Pants. Shining Armor... I wish I did not have to say goodbye to him the way I did. I hope he and Cadence are fine. And even so far away... I wish Sky Beak could be here to at least say...something. Anything a father would to give me a push in the right direction. Even just a hug from Silverstream would make me smile. And Novo... Oh god, Novo... She would make me feel safe. She would know how to make me feel like I could take on the world...

I do not know where it came from, but I just burst into tears as I brought a hand to my face. A shuddering sob hissed from my lips as I thought about everyone and everything I left behind to carry out this dreadful mission. As I did so, Nightmare Moon pulled me against her with her sable wing and placed kiss after kiss upon my forehead. "There, there, my dear... Weep if you must... We will be returning home in due time. I know you miss them all..."

I could find no words to say to that. I turned and clung to her desperately with my face buried in the nape of her neck. She whispered sweet words to me as I felt exhaustion starting to take me. Was she casting a spell? All I could process was the sound of her words. "Rest now, my dear. Tonight, no interventions or manipulations. Let your mind dream about whatever it desires."

When morning came, I awoke groggily and reluctantly. The sign of a good dream. I cannot even begin to recall what I had dreamed of, but I felt impressively rested as I rolled over in bed. I closed my eyes to try and go back to sleep, but my body would not let me. I finally relented and slowly sat up in bed while trying to bring myself to fully wake up. Morning light was peeking through the blinds.

Before I could even really process anything, I felt a wing drape itself over me before I felt a kiss upon my ear. "Good morning, sunshine. Did you dream well?"

"Uh huh..." I mumbled in drowsiness. I turned to look to my left and found Nightmare Moon gazing at me with a smile. I leaned into her embrace while she continued to hold me. "Dreamt...really well... Can't really remember what, but...it was nice... Wanted to go back to sleep..."

"If you require a midday nap, you just let me know. You are entitled to as much accommodation as you can receive out here." The Princess of Dreams whispered to me. "If you wish, you may bathe first this morning."

"Thanks... I'll go...get started." I muttered as I pushed myself off the bed and shuffled out into the hall and into the bathroom. After relieving myself on the toilet, I took a good look at myself in the mirror. My heart sank as I saw just how haggard I looked after only ten days at least out on the Empty Plains. I just looked so tired and miserable. I had even forgotten to shave for a while. I gripped the sink and bowed my head, sighing harshly as I was reminded of the situation I was in. "It's never gonna end... I'm never going home..."

I shaved. I brushed my teeth. I bathed myself in a hot shower. But my mood barely lifted at all once I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around my waist. And when I stepped out into the front of the cottage, I saw her in the kitchen while presiding over the preparation of our breakfast. My rock in this empty ocean. At that instant, I felt such an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief just seeing Nightmare Moon there. And so I began to approach her while she began to turn the stove off. Without her detecting my approach, I stepped up beside her and put my arms around her. She shook upon feeling my touch, but she merely asked quietly while looking back at me. "James...?"

"Thank you... You're the only thing that's keeping me going right now." I whispered with nothing but he utmost sincerity. It was a massive moment of weakness. I felt so weak and vulnerable at that moment. I wanted her to know that her presence was not unappreciated. "I'd be nothing without you..."

"Shhh... There is no need for thanks, my dear." She whispered to me while pulling free so that she could turn to me and put her wings around me. We held each other, her smooth silky coat pressed against my bare skin along wit hose supple and soft feathers caressing my back. "There is nowhere I would rather be right now. When I am with you... I am complete. Without you...I am nothing."

We soon looked into each other's eyes without a word. And once again, our lips touched. And they touched again. And finally, our lips parted. I held her. And embraced her. And now, I was tasting her... That kiss... Oh my god, that kiss...

Our voices hummed and moaned in the depths of our throats while Nightmare Moon began to push me back further and further until I was up against the corner in the kitchen. We clung to each other so desirably as we kissed like never before. My heart sand, yet ached. There was something in the back of my mind... Why was I doing this? Was there something I needed to say? Something that I wanted to say, but should not? Such a strange conflict in my heart...

This went on for a number of minutes as her wings and my hands caressed each other in need. Was it just a result of my own pent-up libido? It has been days since I last found release... No, it had to be more than that. I could never do that to a mere friend. And yet... She wanted me too. When that kiss finally ended, we panted for breath while gazing at each other in a haze. I could see a pronounced blush shining through her ebony cheeks. Nightmare Moon's eyes opened wide in realization of what we had just done while I too tried to avert my gaze in apprehension. Although she still whispered, "No matter what... You will always have me."

"Thank you... Really." I muttered in return. Once again, we embraced. Gently and somberly. Although my libido had not entirely been pushed back down. I caressed my hand down her smooth back and soon over the curve of her flank. She let out a shrill sigh while lifting her head high, my fingers sliding over her sensitive cutie mark. I felt compelled to kiss her, and so I did along her now fully exposed neck. "You've always been so beautiful..."

"Your.. Your words are always a... appreci... Oh, JAMES!!!" She howled as my fingers dug into her beautifully curved flank and the cutie mark upon it. She quivered as her voice rattled and trilled beautifully as I held her in a way I had never done before. "Oh my goodness... Oh god, James... There..."

My fingers firmly dug into the firm yet soft flesh of her rump as she all but welcomed my touch. She wanted this. I could tell by her voice. The Princess of Dreams made no attempt to rebuke me. At least at first while her wings spread wide. Finally, she suddenly pulled away while looking and sounding quite flustered. "I... I need to go wash up before we set out... You... Um... You go ahead and help yourself to breakfast! I'll...uh... I'll be right back!"

I looked on in embarrassment as my royal friend trotted out of the kitchen and down the hall before I heard the bathroom door forcefully slam shut. It was quickly followed by the click of the lock and the sizzling hiss of the shower running. I cupped my face in my hands and groaned loudly at myself. "Oh my god, dude... What the hell is wrong with me this morning..."

With no desire to eat until she was back to join me at the table, I decided to at least take the time to set the table. I poured us drinks, set out everything that had been cooked wit he most impressive choice being a skillet of frittatas, and general just got the kitchen ready. I also took the opportunity to get dressed in some freshly laundered clothes. Not much longer after that, I heard the shower get shut off before also hearing the bathroom door open. I kept my eyes glued to the table and everything that was on it while I took a seat. I did not want to think about what might have happened in there while I was not looking.

With only a quick glance out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Nightmare Moon once again had her very voluminous mane wrapped up in a towel on her head. And once she sat down at the table, I heard the phonograph on the other side of the house turn on as what sounded like relaxing house music began to play. A pleasant change of pace from the classical tunes we had been listening to more often than not. And it helped masked the awkward tension that had risen before.

We barely passed each other a glance as we dined. Not a word was spoken. I still could not believe I felt her up the way I did... Celestia is one thing, but Nightmare Moon? My heart and mind were in conflict. It felt like something I should have done. Something that came naturally. Much like the kisses we have shared more and more often. And yet, something in the back of my mind told me I was a fool to ever think such a thing should all right. I wonder if she felt he same way...

As delicious as her cooking was, I could not really bring myself to express how flavorful it all was. Something compelled me to remain silent. Nightmare Moon rose from her seat before taking our empty and used plates and utensils to the kitchen sink to clean them all before we could depart. I went to the living room over yonder and looked out the window. A warm summer morning, a vast meadow lay spread out before us. As if we were living in a cottage out on the countryside. I even saw a few wild rabbits grazing before one was suddenly snatched off the ground in the talons of a hawk. Just the workings of nature.

As I watched the grandeur of nature before me while the relaxing music from behind me continued to fill my ears, I felt something rest upon my shoulder before feeling something hook itself down over the front of my shoulder. I saw that Nightmare Moon had used her own long jaw to pull me closer to her in a very tradition equine invitation to an embrace. But instead of turning me around, she draped her wings over me in an embrace while resting her head across me shoulder. Her eyes were closed while I rested my hand upon her wing. I felt so touched by her unwavering loyalty, yet still felt so embarrassed that I had groped her earlier for reasons I still do not understand. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be." She whispered firmly to me. Slowly, she began to turn me around without ever once releasing me from the embrace of her wings. And that music... Was it supposed to be relaxing...or enticing? Whatever the case, that groovy house music that was coming from the phonograph was casting a...very specific type of atmosphere throughout the living room. As our eyes met, I noticed Nightmare Moon's horn become coated by her magic aura. So too was the towel around the top of her head. With a sway of her head, the towel fell free as her glorious billowing mane unfurled like a flag in a...oddly enrapturing manner. She gazed into my eyes again in all of her royal beauty, body bare with nothing to serve as a symbol of her royal nature. I was not seeing the Princess of Dreams. I was seeing the mare under the crown. "Tell me... Is the mare behind the crown what truly matters?"

"Yes... She is." I muttered softly as I began to wonder if I had been putting too much distance between us solely because of that crown. And if yes, I had to ponder what the reason could be. I had successfully learned to see past it in regards to Celestia. And as a result, we became so much more. We fell in love. And we became king and queen in all but name. But Nightmare Moon... I had to wonder... Did my heart want more? Was my adherence to protocol serving as an obstacle to a desire I did not even know I had? I barely even had time to think on this. Because once again, my lips found their way to hers. And soon, even my tongue offered hers to a dance.

I felt...so at peace as I held that wonderful mare in my arms. Long reviled as a demon, but now showing me that in her heart, she was no different from every other mare in Equestria. Just another beautiful creature who wanted to be desired and cherished. We sighed and clung to each other. Groaning in bliss as our tongues caressed each other. Where there may have been an awkward uncertainty the previous time, there was no such apprehension now. We both wanted this. We...wanted each other.

With great reluctance, our kiss ended as we sighed repeatedly with a haze in our eyes. I whispered to the beautiful creature before me, "God, you're so beautiful..."

"I have always been... But only you truly appreciate that beauty, my dear." Nightmare Moon cooed to me as my hand slid down her neck and along her back. I hesitated as I realized what I was doing, but she smiled invitingly at me. "Do go on... Just...be gentle this time."

My breath caught in my throat. What a...special type of invitation. And so I stepped to her side and began to run my palms along her elegant body. Such a smooth and silky black coat... Truly a princess of the night. And as my hand reached her flank, I heard her let out a long sigh. I was very careful to not apply pressure. Simply letting my hand slide along the contours of her body. But it seemed even that may have been too much. Just gliding my palm over her cutie mark was enough to send a shiver through her body. I stood in awe at how full her flanks were. Just as full and rounded as those of her sister. So curvy and feminine. Such beauty could only belong to the most royal of mares. I soon stood behind her, caressing my hands over Nightmare Moon's rump as I appraised her figure. "Such a beautiful figure... And the way your cutie mark wraps over your flanks... They accentuate your curves even more than Celestia's..."

"Oooh... They do, hm? Even after all the sweet little things you say to her in the bedroom, you say that my hips are finer than those of Celestia?" Nightmare Moon cooed almost flirtingly while looking back at me. I think she was actively trying to keep her wings folded lest they give away any unmentionable desires.

At first, I was flustered that she would know of what has transpired between me and Celestia over the months. At least until I remembered that hiding such a thing from her would be nigh impossible. And she looked like she had no qualms about my relationship with her sister. Composing myself before speaking, I nodded while continuing to hold her hips in my hands. "Yes... I mean don't get me wrong. Celestia has one of the finest figures of any mare out there. But the way your cutie mark wraps around the contours of your flanks... They only make your figure look better than hers do."

"Your words flatter me, my dear..." Nightmare Moon said with a smile while she began to bite her lip. All too unwillingly, she stepped forward and out of my grasp. "As much as I wish I could let you...continue doing that, I regret to remind you that we have business to tend to."

"Right... We...have a job to do." I muttered while being brought back to the reality of our situation. But before I could even approach my armor, Nightmare Moon turned to me and reached out with her wing in a way and curled its tip under my chin like a delicate finger. "Yes...?"

She looked directly into my eyes with a deeply sincere gaze. "I have not forgotten your words from last night. I will not throw my life away for you if I can help it. We will return to Canterlot together...or not at all. You have my word."

"Thank you... I... I don't know what I'd do if I lost you out here." I muttered before reaching out and holding her as tightly as I could. "Don't...die out here... Please... I... I..."

"Shhh... Calm yourself, my dear. You stand before the Princess of Dreams. Have faith in me, my guiding light. So long as you glow for me, I will never lose my way. And I will not stray to the path that leads away from this world so long as you give me reason to not be swayed to it." She whispered sweetly to me before placing a kiss upon my cheek. "Now then, let us fetch our armor. Equestria needs us, hero."

Satisfied for the moment, Nightmare Moon and I suited up and stepped outside the cottage in full armor. With a flash of her magic, the cottage was shrunken back down into its box and placed back into her saddlebag. We looked at each other without a word before beginning to resume our trek out east. The eleventh morning out on the Empty Plains...

This time, Nightmare Moon did not leave my side even once. I think she could detect something in the air. And I too was starting to notice something was...off about the meadows around us. And even moreso once we began to pass through some woods. I was noticing a distinct lack of life around us. Little bits of wildlife were always a constant on the Empty Plains, but now...

"It's too quiet..." I muttered to myself while Nightmare Moon's ear flicked at the sound of my voice. She looked my way as we came to a stop. I remained silent as I listened. No chattering of squirrels. No twittering of songbirds. No tapping of woodpeckers. Not even the sound of scampering woodland creatures rushing here and there. "Something feels wrong... It's like everything out here has gone into hiding."

"Yes... This is...not normal..." Nightmare Moon retorted as she carefully scanned our surroundings. While there was no sign of danger, there was a distinct lack of life around us through the trees. Something like this would often serve as a warning sign for a forest fire, but we surely would have noticed something like smoke rising across the sky well before we even entered the woods. "Something has disrupted the natural essence of this area..."

My eyes went wide as a nameless fear took hold of my heart. This was it. Today would be the day. Was I ready? Could I ever be ready? Nightmare Moon turned to me as a most grim scowl settled into her face. "Be on your guard. Whatever is out there, I doubt it will be long before we find it.

I could only nod without a word. And so we continued on with nary a songbird to serenade our march. But as the minutes went by while we wandered the woods, I suddenly came to a stop. I felt...something. "You feel that...?"

Nightmare Moon too came to a stop. And as I remained still, I could feel it. A faint tremor through my feet. I could not hear anything, but I could certainly feel something. And upon realizing what the tremor likely meant, that fear in my heart gripped me even harder. "Oh god... It's close... They're here..."

Nightmare Moon suddenly turned her head to look to the south. She took off at a brisk trot while I followed. I dare not get separated from her now. Minutes later, we burst out of the woods while continuing to head south as the sun shone down on a vast meadow. The Princess of Dreams suddenly stopped and turned east. And when I stopped to look... "Oh...god... This is actually happening..."

The emperor said that he was not without soldiers. And he was most certainly not exaggerating.

I stood rooted to the ground. There... Out there marching our way was the unmistakable form of a marching army. Not of monsters or anything of the sort. The forms that approached were distinctly human, and yet... The form of every individual soldier carried a dark purple hue of sorts. These were not men. Just...empty soulless imitations of human life. Puppets on strings. Their gear was varied and inconsistent, ranging from lighter armor to extra patches of clearly hardened plate armor. But every last one had its head and face concealed behind a helm. Was there even a face to see under each helmet?

I... I cowered. There must have been at least a few thousand in that approaching lake of minions that the emperor himself most likely conjured up himself using some foul forgotten magic of his own creation. If he no longer had an empire of soldiers to command, he would just conjure up replacements. And I... I was not ready. Not for open warfare! I have never been a warrior!

"James, compose yourself!" Nightmare Moon suddenly shouted at me. Her voice caught my attention as I looked at her while she looked back with a most defiant gaze. "Do not let their numbers intimidate you. You are the Bearer of Humanity! You carry the mightiest weapons and armor that have ever been crafted! You are more than a match for these cretins!"

"Yeah, I get that! I have the power! I just... I don't think I have the..." I stumbled over my words as I glanced at the army in the distance as they drew near, the constant rumbling of their many feet being felt through the ground below us. They were in no hurry and had not responded to our presence, but that would likely change once they came closer.

"No... You do not have a warrior's spirit. You never did. And it's not something I would wish upon you." Nightmare Moon replied abnormally calmly when considering that the enemy was approaching us and were well within sight. "You are not a warrior. You are a guardian. You do not fight to destroy, but to defend. And that is what we need. And you have me. We are two of the mightiest defenders Equestria has. And we CAN overcome this!"

She had unwavering resolve in the face of this seemingly insurmountable threat. And this was only the first wave. My eyes scanned the horizon. I still could not see anything over the horizon that could have been the Heaven's Pillar. We were still so very far off. And this detachment before us had likely been marching nonstop ever since the day I departed from Canterlot. How much further did we need to go and how many more of these would we have to face?!

I looked back and forth at Nightmare Moon and the approaching enemy. She did not waver. Truly a fitting leader. And so I asked, "Then...what would you suggest?"

"Where they have numbers, we have power. Strike with overwhelming force. Strike down as many as you can as swiftly as possible. Do not give them the chance to strike back. If we pressure them with all we have without reservation, we should come out through this relatively smoothly." Nightmare Moon explained while her horn was coated by her magic aura. She was already prepared to throw herself at them.

"I dunno... That sounds too good to be true. Just brute force? But I can't think of anything else, so..." I grumbled as I drew the Celestial Sword from its scabbard and stood ready with the Lunar Shield raised. "I guess...when they get near..."

"Good. Don't throw yourself at them without a plan. Wait until the proper time. They draw near..." Nightmare Moon spoke before she and I faced the approaching army, the droves of minions still marching along at a leisurely pace. She then said softly, "Remember... We live and die together."

"Yeah... I know." I muttered while trying to find the resolve needed to not turn and run. I just had to keep telling myself. These were not even real warriors. They were just facsimiles of human medieval soldiers. They had no will. Just tools of the emperor. They were nothing compared to me. But as I kept trying to psyche myself up, I happened to glance up and noticed something that had not been there before. "Whoa, hold up! What're those?!"

It was a...falling hail of glowing or shining orbs or oval shapes that were each glimmering with a different soft pastel color. Magic? From where? Nightmare Moon too noticed and said, "Are those... Quickly! Shields up!"

I stood my ground with shield raised while Nightmare Moon ducked behind me. Sure enough, the falling magic projectiles fell right into the approaching army with each exploding spectacularly as many of the marching minions were sent flying with those closest to the magic explosions being obliterated in bursts of purple mist. The army immediately stopped, no doubt due to having suddenly encountered resistance. All I could mutter was, "Magic mortars...? But...who..."

"Now, who said you could start without us?!" I heard a voice shout from behind us. A voice I had not heard since the day I left Canterlot. I froze in shock. No... Not there... They could not have...

Nightmare Moon was the first to turn and look. What started as an utterly flabbergasted gaze turned into one of utter howling laughter. And when I turned to look... "I don't...believe...what I am seeing..."

There they stood. Rows and rows of them. Dozens... No, hundreds! Clad in familiar gilded armor, many faces unfamiliar with some I recognized among their ranks... Ponies. Armed and armored. A spectacular rising fanfare could be heard being broadcast out over the plains as if to triumphantly announce their arrival. And standing at the head of the pack was none other than Shining Armor as he trotted right over to us with spear floating by his side. "Can't believe we caught up with you two right at the last minute! And those things are what we're up against?"

I was utterly speechless. I could not... I could barely even comprehend... They really were there. The people of Equestria had answered the call. Even though war was not and never should be in their nature, there they stood. Ready to take the fight to the invaders. And right behind him... They too approached. A familiar and beautiful voice spoke as I turned my gaze upward. "You will not face this threat alone. I am only sorry we did not depart with you."

Celestia... And Luna. The Princesses of the Dawn and Night stood before us, each clad in suits of full barding not unlike that being worn by Nightmare Moon. Sturdy, yet beautifully designed while bearing the gold and shimmering black colorations of their usual regalia. Nightmare Moon cast them both a very proud smirk as she rose from her crouched position and stared them in the eyes. "You impress me, sisters. And here I thought he and I would be facing this all on our own."

"What sort of sovereigns would we be if we were to stay upon our thrones as our greatest champions marched off to face this threat? No. No, I do not believe we will be sitting by idly." Luna spoke boldly to match her sister's tone. "If this Forgotten Emperor desires war, then we have answered. We will not lay down our arms."

"James... You're the one who got us out here in the first place. You sit this one out. We'll handle this first wave." Shining Armor said with a tone of seriousness I almost never heard out of him. He was in his element. As the captain of the guard, clad in his own personalized suit of armor, he was ready to lead this mission. I was in no presence of mind to defy his insistence. I rose to my feet and simply nodded while still at a loss for words. Shining Armor then turned to Nightmare Moon and asked, "Your highness. What are your orders?"

Nightmare Moon cast him a smirk before spreading one wing wide. I saw the entire militia of armored ponies suddenly hunker down as if ready to charge. The Princess of Dreams then turned to face the waiting army of lifeless puppets and pointed her wing forward. And with that, she called out the order. "Peril them where they lay!"

With that, the thunderous roar of galloping armored hooves reached my ears as Nightmare Moon personally led the charge alongside the captain of the guard. It was such a surreal experience seeing them all pass me with my body splitting the army down the middle like a stone in a river. A constantly flowing stream of gold mixed with bits of a rainbow of colors. I still could not believe this was happening. Should I be frightened? Should I have been worried? They should not have been there, and yet they were. This was really happening. The people of Equestria themselves were fighting back against this threat. When was the last time such an event occurred?

The instant the two forces collided, I saw clouds of purple mist filling the air as the ponies at the vanguard sank their weapons into the most lightly armored units. I knew right away that with them being so low to the ground by comparison, the ponies had a natural advantage. Humans are best suited for fighting other opponents with similar heights and builds, but not much smaller opponents that have superior agility. Fighting a pony was the equivalent of trying to fight off a large wild boar that was coated in armor and wielding a weapon that it could manipulate just as deftly as any human warrior. It is a task human fighters simply are not built for.

Even as the infantry clashed, magical projectiles soared overhead on a parabolic arc and far overshot the frontlines. Each magic mortar slammed into the farthest reaches of the enemy army, specifically targeting the rear guard. I turned to look back and saw rows of unicorn mages clad in cloaks as opposed to armor while Luna seemed to be issuing commands. They were not an entirely ragtag bunch of misfits. They had divided up some of the unicorns to essentially serve as artillery. And they were proving most effective. Especially since the enemy did not even seem to have any archers in their ranks at the time.

That was when it occurred to me. For being largely made up of what I assumed were volunteers, they were making excellent progress against this first wave. Way too much progress. I could see that they were clearly outnumbered, yet were rapidly thinning out the enemy ranks. And as I strained my eyes to try and get a look at some of the enemy minions as they were reduced to mist one by one, I saw something that perplexed me. Many of them were not even properly armed. I saw many that were carrying capturing devices of sorts. Chains and shackles, wide nets, and even poles with forked heads mounted at the tips that looked suited for pinning wild beasts. Did the emperor really think so little of the people of Equestria that he thought his puppets could just round them up like wild animals? I could not help but laugh at this realization of just how sorely he had underestimated Equestria's response! Then again, I too was shocked that they had mounted a proper resistance by then.

"I must say... I did not think we would be making such great strides at the first skirmish." I heard a voice speak to my left. A quick glance revealed Celestia standing by my side as she surveyed over her people meeting the enemy in the fields. She then turned my way and cast a warm smile. "Word spread quickly after you departed. And that little spark filled our people with the fire needed to stand and fight. You were the spark, my sunshine. My only regret is that we did not set out after you at the first opportunity."

I looked at her without a word. What could I say? I knew that war is not in their nature and I would never wish for them to ever set foot on a battlefield. And yet, there they were. Utterly decimating an army forged by a fallen monarch who had vastly underestimated Equestria's capacity in meeting the threat of an armed invasion. Celestia detected my conflicted mind and asked, "You are speechless? Is something troubling you?"

"They... They shouldn't be out here... They don't know what they've signed up for. This is war. They don't know the horrors that might come out of this..." I retorted while feeling so very much afraid of what may transpire after this day.

"James... It's true that they do not entirely comprehend what may lie ahead, but they signed up for this willingly. Because they were inspired by those who answered the call first. When word spread that Equestria's Princess of Dreams had set out alone to quell this invasion, volunteers began flooding in once calls were sent out for enlistment."

"They did, huh? Wow... I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Nightmare Moon is pretty awesome." I replied while glancing back out at the skirmish unfolding ahead of us. I could see bursts of magic lightning rising from the writhing mass of equine warriors as she no doubt was obliterating those false soldiers left and right.

"Well, most did. But she was not the only one to inspire our people." Celestia added before casting me a knowing smirk. "Most of our volunteers out there have never even heard of you before. But you would not believe the things they've wondered about you while we hurried to reach you. They think you are some sort of hidden hero of the people. Some secret champion who had come out of the shadows to protect our world. They are most eager to meet you."

I felt myself tense up at that quite heavy revelation. Me? A hero the volunteers were eager to meet? Man, I must have been blushing at the time. My face felt so hot. Although my thoughts were distracted as I heard Luna call out to the mages positioned behind us. The magic mortar shots ceased to fly. And I saw why. As I scanned the clashing armies ahead of us, I could see that the remaining mass of minions were beginning to spread themselves out much wider as if trying to encompass the mass of resisting ponies. This would result in the distance between the rear of the enemy army and our allies being much shorter and making them much more vulnerable to friendly fire should any of the magical projectiles end up falling short. I scowled as I saw that the enemy was not entirely helpless. "They're adjusting their tactics?"

Thankfully, our allies caught on and began to spread their forces out to help insure they would not end up surrounded. And as they did so, I began to make out individual soldiers in the mix as the action before me became less confusing. Among that mass of armored ponies was one that stood taller than most. Through the patches of gilded armor plating, I could see a bold red. And clutched in that mighty stallion's jaws was an impressive steel hammer with a head that looked close to half the size of a cinder block. I felt my heart swell as I recognized that form. None other than the mighty Big Macintosh. And with every swing of that hefty hammer that connected with a looming enemy unit, that poor minion was utterly was utterly obliterated in a plume of purple mist. Truly a giant of a stallion among his kind, he was proving himself to be a juggernaut among the army of volunteers.

Unfortunately, he was by no means invincible. As he destroyed another minion with a swing of his hammer, another came up from his side and managed to connect a shackle to his neck before trying to wrangle the struggling stallion with a long chain connected to it. Thankfully, a familiar mare came to his rescue. With a swing of her head, a mare struck at the leg of the minion with an impressive flanged mace before finishing it off when it went down. That orange coat under the armor... And her blond mane and tail tied at the ends... Applejack?

Big Macintosh shared a few words with his rescuer and their body language definitely showed that they knew each other. And as I got a look at the head of that mace in her teeth, I saw that it actually resembled an apple when viewed from certain angles. It even had a red finish to complete the look. But as I suddenly realized who I was looking at, a type of anxiety came over me. Were they all there? The closest friends I left behind without even being able to bring myself to say goodbye? All of a sudden, the enemy army was no longer my main concern. What would they say to me upon finding me?

Just to reinforce those thoughts further, I saw a cluster of minions dissolve into purple mist one by one in a manner that could not have been from several attackers. I then saw why. Out of the mass of armored ponies, one unicorn mare jumped back as she was beset by several minions. Half were armed with swords while the other carried pronged staffs for pinning their quarry. That white coat... And those beautiful indigo curls in her tail and mane... Rarity!

Much to my shock, I watched as a whirlwind of blades swirled around her and decimated her enemies in a matter of seconds in ways they could not defend against. And I quickly saw why as she struck a most proud pose. Floating around her were not one, not two, but eight sabers with a distinctively strong curve to their blades! I recognized their exotic forms. Rarity had taken up eight shamshir sabers as her weapon. All I could do was shake my head in genuine disbelief. Truly a feat only she would be capable of. I would expect no less from that mare. And the way she had four blades floating at each side of her brought to mind four bones serving as the frame for a wing on each side. Even in the heat of battle, Rarity could not help carrying herself with grace.

One by one, more and more familiar faces made themselves known to me as the enemy army steadily shrank in size. I saw Rainbow Dash swooping low at high speed with each sweeping strike taking an enemy's head off. I saw Shining Armor impale a minion's neck on the long tip of his spear. And not one pony was dragged back from the masses while wounded. And all Celestia could do was watch proudly as her people answered the call to action while that spectacular fanfare filled the air. Where was that music even coming from?

Just before I could even think about it much more, I saw a cluster of maybe two dozen minions break away from the edge of the army to the left and slip away with weapons ready while the rest of the militia was far too occupied to notice. And far out to the left was... Wait, were they basically going after the bard?!

"Hey! Hold on, I got this!" I shouted before rushing past Celestia while carried on my armor's wings. Far off to the side of the field was what seemed to be a portable disk jockey booth. And sure enough, Ponyville's local DJ was manning it while I could hear the fanfare that was playing heavily being emitted from the speakers on the front. The approaching minions did not seem to pay any mind to the sound. If I had to take a guess, the emperor was commanding his units to disable the music as a means to demoralize our allies. "Hey! You've got trouble coming!"

The DJ looked up at me while she adjusted her sunglasses and cast me a very fun smirk. "Well, fancy meeting you out here! What's up?! I'm just making sure all these ponies stay pumped with some sweet tunes!"

"You're the bard, huh?" I asked as I came in for a landing beside her gear. Even as I stood there, the two dozen or so minions were running right for us. "Anyway, take cover. They're coming right for you."

"Yeah, I see them coming. Hang on, I got this." She replied while not the least bit intimidated, her hooves adjusting so knobs and switches on the panels before her.

"Huh? You?! You're just the bard! What're you packing?!" I yelped as I could not even begin to comprehend how she would fend off an assault. I did not see any weapons on her at all.

"Me? Oh, I'm packing nothing." She replied as I noticed the main speaker on the front expand even further as it began to glow with blue magical energy. That was when the DJ smirked while looking at me over her sunglasses. "Nothing but my bass cannon!"

"Oh boy..." I muttered in dread as the volume coming from that main speaker suddenly spiked. Even though my helmet protected my ears from excessively high decibels, I still felt the air ripple as concentrated magical sound waves burst out of that main speaker on level while looking like something I would see out of the Project H comic book series! And as that wave of raw auditory power engulfed the approaching minions, they just...ceased to be. And there was a long swallow trench carved out of the ground for about as far as the eye could see. I looked at the DJ, both confused and horrified at what I had just witnessed, and asked, "You're certifiably insane, aren't you?"

"Woo, always wanted to try that! They didn't even know what hit them!" She cheered while acting like she did not hear a word I said. Either that, or her ears were ringing too loud to hear me. Come to think of it, that fanfare became much quieter once the cannon finished launching its payload. And I quickly found out why. "Huh? Aw man, I blew the subwoofers out! I guess this is the sorta thing you can only try once..."

"Uh... Yeah, sure! I'll...um...just leave you to that then!" I retorted as the DJ started to pull out a toolbox so she could start repairing her gear. I hurried back over to Celestia as I saw her giving me a most perplexed gaze. "You saw that, right?"

"Yes, I did. And I'm going to need to have a word with her about using that. Imagine if that hit any of our men." Celestia replied while sounding noticeably disturbed. Just...where do these ponies come up with these ideas?

The two of us watched as the militia steadily whittled down the woefully unprepared enemy army. I squinted my eyes as I closely observed the many ponies clashing against them. There was...almost no strategy being employed aside from just overwhelming the enemy with relentless force. No variation in armor or tactics. Everyone there, from earth pony to unicorn and even pegasi, were nothing more than infantry. If the enemy army had set out with any anticipation of resistance, I had no doubt that the result of this first skirmish would not have gone anywhere near as swimmingly as it was at that time. Nothing short of a lucky first break. They would have to revise their approach before continuing further...

Finally, after a rather sizable amount of time, it looked like the entire enemy army was about down to its last man. But right as it seemed like things were starting to go quiet as the action winded down, one of the infantrymen came galloping our way. He seemed to be a member of the royal guard if his coloration was anything to go by. "Princess Celestia! We're having some trouble with this last one!"

"There's one left? What's wrong?" Celestia asked while I too paid close attention to his words.

"We can't seem to get anywhere close to it! It's...not like the others. Much better armed and armored. It's keeping us all at bay and most of our weapons aren't exactly working." The guard explained while sounding only mildly distressed about the affair. And I could only wonder what he was even talking about.

As I listened in, I took note of my lack of involvement in this first skirmish. Maybe it was time that I did something about this. I spread my armor's wings as I said, "I'll take a look."

Before anyone could object, I took to the air and soared over the many colorful ponies clad in gilded armor. There was no sign of any dark purple human facsimiles to be seen among them. They had truly wiped them all out. All except for one. I soon noticed the form of Nightmare Moon standing at the front of the mass of ponies while many had spread out to form a very large circle of sorts to encircle a section of the meadow. As if trying to box in a target. Once I set down, I turned to the Princess of Dreams and asked, "What's the situation?"

"Decided to join us, hm? Well, it would seem that we've routed them. Except for...that one." She replied before directing her gaze ahead. "I am debating over whether or not I should dispose of this one myself, though it would make for some good experience if they fell it first..."

I too turned my gaze ahead and saw exactly what the issue was. There was something different about this one remaining minion. It was not lightly armed or armored at all. Clad in a full suit of sturdy plate armor and even brandishing a flowing cape on its back, the minion's head was encased in a cylindrical helm that provided excellent protection. And clutched in its hands was the unmistakable form of a halberd. I was convinced that this last remaining minion was the general of the army and the best fighter among them by far.

It was surrounded by several ponies who constantly kept their heads down to insure that the plating of their helmets stood in the way of them and their enemy's weapon. They kept calling back and forth as they tried to find an opening, their swords and spears clanking against the thick suit of armor. The general was quick to turn and drive them off with the pike on its weapon, but seemed to be trying to avoid the use of lethal force. Almost as if it was trying to insure that its enemies would be taken alive.

I scowled at the situation. They were using entirely the wrong weapons for the job. Swords and light spears are nearly useless against armor of that sort. And the length of that halberd would make it difficult for them to get in close and try to find a gap in the plates. In much how the enemy minions were ill-suited for combating armored opponents as small as ponies, the people of Equestria also had no idea of how to even fight the more sophisticated warriors of human shape.

"You know what...? I got this." I said as I began to approach with a new tension flooding my nerves. I had never faced off against a proper human opponent before outside something that was a product of my dreaming mind. I was afraid, as I should have been. But I did not come all the way out here just to stand by the sidelines and do nothing at all. "You can all stand down. I'll handle this one."

All eyes turned to face me in surprise as even the general drone stood its ground in waiting. Even the fanfare that was being projected over the battlefield faded out as if to reflect this change in tone. Without a word, though I noticed some excited grins on the retreating infantrymen, the armored ponies trotted away and joined the circle of spectators that had formed around us. The general before me seemed to understand that I was its opponent. And as I drew my sword, a new fanfare began to play that was just filled with bass and bravado. Cheers filled the air as I swear I heard Shining Armor call out to me, "You've got this, man!"

They were all watching. And they all had faith in me. The fear in my heart shrank away a bit as the howling of my allies reached my ears. I could do this. I knew I could take this one out. The general kept the head of its halberd raised, ready for a clash of blades. I kept the Lunar Shield ready, knowing that such a weapon would prove to be troublesome due to its sheer versatility. Not to mention its reach surpassed the length of my own sword. I was at a tactical disadvantage. Deciding to try and muscle my way in too close where the halberd would not be able to properly repel me, I made a lunge with shield raised to push past its defenses.

The audience roared as I made the first move. The general brought the head of its halberd down an in attempt to push or redirect my shield away. While it could not truly push me away, it used the leverage of its weapon to hold me back just long enough while it sidestepped to my left where my sword would not so easily reach it. It was then that the general employed one of the halberd's three defining traits. A hook extension on the back of the blade's head that it tried to snag around the right edge of my shield. It pulled hard, trying to create an opening where it could push forward and jam the pike on the top of its the halberd into me. While my armor would likely hold, I did not want to test its integrity against a hard thrust from a sturdy metal pike. Unsure of how to counter this, I managed to focus my left gauntlet's magic enough to use the teleportation spell and transport myself maybe twenty paces backwards to give us some distance. I heard the army around us roar and cheer at my sound display of caution. Hopefully they too would be inspired to be less reckless in the upcoming skirmishes.

"OK, that didn't work... Maybe..." I mumbled as I decided to try and brute force my way through the general's defenses with some magical firepower. Channeling the magical energies in my right gauntlet into the Celestial Sword and set its entire blade aflame with surging golden yellow fire. I came charging in with shield ready as the general took a stout defensive stance. It tried to bring the halberd's head down into me, but I held my shield higher to protect from the attack from above. I then went on the offensive, swing after flaming swing forcing the general back as I tried to prevent any openings. All the general could do was try and deflect each swing with the hardened edges of the halberd's head. The crowd whistled and cheered with every trail of fire my sword left in its wake. If I could just land a glancing blow, I might even set the entire thing on fire and call it a day.

Unfortunately, the general suddenly jumped back right when I was so sure I was about to land a strike. With this new distance between us, I saw the general grasp the halberd's shaft right at the bottom with only one hand. My eyes went wide as I knew what this meant. I was about to be on the receiving end of the hardest strike one could muster with a polearm. With no time to think, I threw up my shield as the general thrust its weapon forward and slammed that sturdy metal pike right into the middle of the Lunar Shield with shocking force. The audience let out a collective gasp as I was knocked right off my feet and right back.

I was not about to leave myself open on the ground. Upon making contact with the grassy ground under me, I used momentum while suddenly pushing my armor's wings back to catapult myself up into the air with a high backflip as the many spectators screamed in excitement from this recovery. As I started to right myself, I pointed the Celestial Sword out and fired off a fiery burst of magic at where the general was standing. In my haste to get off a shot before I could start to fall, my aim was not perfect and only impacted the ground right in front of the armored minion while merely singing its cape. I landed upon my feet with a clank and grit my teeth in annoyance. This was only the first encounter on the Empty Plains and I was already having some difficulty here.

I stared down my opponent from a very safe distance while it did the same. It was proving to be a very competent fighter. As one would expect from a battlefield commander unit. But as I looked at the patch of smoldering grass where my fire magic had struck, I looked down at the Celestial Sword and the gauntlet that was holding it. What was I thinking? I had no business trying to fight fair against something that may have been a simple puppet on strings. I was only wasting time. I gave the general before me an irritated scowl as I called out, "Oh, what am I doing?! I don't got time to waste on this!"

Ignoring my pride and deciding to take the quickest option to get results, I pointed the Celestial Sword high above me as I channeled my right gauntlet's searing solar magic through it. The blade was engulfed by a towering aura of white celestial fire that reached maybe five times the length of the sword it was coating. The general detected what I was up to and charged me with halberd ready. But it was already too late. I brought the Celestial Sword down to my left and performed a sweeping slice to my right. Well before the general could even come close enough to strike, the blade of solar magic cleaved right through it as the general was set alight in white fire. Seconds later, the flames faded to reveal that nothing remained of my opponent with the exception of the halberd it had been carrying. And even that dissolved into purple mist a few seconds later. I then dispelled the solar magic around my sword and sheathed it into the scabbard on the back of the Lunar Shield. All the while, the spectators around me howled in laughter at the sheer pragmatism I used to get this roadblock out of my way. "Well, that's that!"

As the fanfare faded, I suddenly noticed a rumbling through the ground. And before I knew it, I had been swept off my feet and was being carried along by a laughing and cheering group of ponies. As I yelled and flailed while having no idea what was going on, carried me right back across the field and bucked me off and onto my feet as I found myself standing before the three armored royal sisters. They all looked at me and the ponies that were surrounding us with proud smiles. Celestia spoke first, "Well done. Well done indeed."

"I... I still can't fully comprehend that you actually came out here..." I muttered as the thrill of that first skirmish faded. My eyes darted around as I saw that after days out on the Empty Plains, I was most certainly no longer alone. Surrounded by so many faces I did not recognize, but they were all there for the same reason I was. They all answered the call. "Is this... You really did come..."

"We had to do some soul searching after you departed... Make no mistake. War is not in our nature. And it never will be. But this is our world. And we will not let our world be taken by those that would seek to exploit it." Celestia said boldly as the militia around us let out a collective shout of agreement. They had all enlisted... "And that is why we..."

"Sister... Something approaches." Luna spoke up as her eyes were directed towards the eastern horizon. We all turned to look. And indeed, something was approaching across the sky. And quickly. A shining blue light shot across the sky before coming to a stop above us. We all stepped back as it descended and fell into the earth. Some sort of glowing orb of light. And seconds later, it emitted a matching pale blue glow that rose up and took on a...vaguely human form that brought to mind someone wrapped in a flowing robe. Luna's eyes narrowed as her voice began to drip with venom. "You... So, you truly do still draw breath..."

A murmur rolled through the crowd around us. They had no idea who or what was being projected before them. But I knew. And here I had been wondering whether or not someone like this could even still exist. But when a voice did come from the projection, it did not sound haughty or commanding. Instead, it sounded...tired. Very down to earth. I detected no malice as the voice echoed from the projection. "As I declared in my missive to you, Princess of the Night. And here I thought for certain that the people of Equestria remain as meek as I remember..."

"What do you take us for, traitor?!" Nightmare Moon suddenly shouted in fiery defiance. "Since the beginning, you and your kind stood by the rest of Equestria as equals and friends! And then you threw all of that away on a capricious whims of human greed! Well, gaze upon the sight around us. You have cast your declaration of war and we have answered! This is not your world any longer! This is Equestria! This is OUR world! We will not go like lambs to the slaughter! We will stand and fight!"

The ghostly projection of the emperor went silent as the militia around us burst into deafening cheering with weapons raised high. I found the will to smile. It was hard not to feel optimistic in the presence of such confidence. As the roaring bravado began to die down, the emperor spoke again. "The Princess of Dreams... Much has transpired since my reign ended and my empire collapsed. Do you even remember me?"

"As much as it shames me, the only thing we were able to forget was your name." Celestia spoke with a twinge of restrained bitterness to her voice. "I will never understand what possessed you to cast aside all you had with us. It is...beyond my understanding."

"As it always has been. The mind of a pony does not wonder as the minds of mankind do. You know not your true place in the grand scheme of things." The emperor said softly without a hint arrogance. Not so much that he was trying to put them down. More like he was simply declaring an established fact. There was no malice to his words, and yet... Everything coming out of his mouth disturbed me on a very personal level. It was so...very uncomfortable to hear one of my own species talking like this towards people I have come to adore.

I felt the emperor's eyes turn to me. And so he spoke to me. "You... The bearer of the Element I crafted so very long ago. Not of this world, yet it has chosen you regardless. You have ventured far into the realm of your forbearers."

The eyes of everyone around me turned to me. They knew so little about the Element of Humanity upon my helmet. And even less about the man who was speaking to us. How much had they been told before they caught up to me? I could not find the will to speak. I could only listen. The emperor then asked, "It is not too late. My empire may have ceased to be long ago, but it is not too late to make things right. Make them as they should be. I have need of you. Venture east. I stand atop the Heaven's Pillar. The last bastion of mankind in Equestria. You will join me, yes?"

My eyes glanced down at the orb of magical light upon the ground. Everything that I heard from him disturbed me. I wanted nothing to do with whatever he was offering. Without a word, I marches over to the projection and raised my foot high before stomping it down onto the orb. It burst in spray of magical mist that faded away along with the projection before us. The air went silent. I looked around at the many ponies around me as I tried to find something fitting to say. "You think he got the message?"

They all started laughing. A fitting witty delivery. And they deserved a good laugh after such a smashing first victory. Celestia and her sisters smiled at me before she and Luna looked at Nightmare Moon. The Princess of Dreams looked back at forth before realizing what they were implying. With a quick cough to clear her throat, she held her head high as her voice bellowed forth with the tone of the Royal Canterlot Voice. "Defenders of Equestria! Heed my words!"

We all turned and listened as the Princess of Dreams delivered what I could only describe as a rousing victory speech. "You have answered the call to defend our world from this encroaching menace! And you have performed splendidly! But be warned! This is only the beginning! The Forgotten Emperor will not play the same hand twice! With each clash, our enemies will strike back with increasing ferocity and cunning! The odds will continue to grow against us! But we must not waver! Equestria depends upon all of you! All of us! We must be ready and bring this war to an end! Tonight, we rest. But tomorrow, the true trials begin! Be strong, people of Equestria! We will bring back peace to this wonderful world we call home! Glory to Equestria!"

A deafening roar filled the air as Nightmare Moon's words were carried far. Indeed, I do not think she could have boosted their morale higher if she tried. I could only find myself smiling. After at least ten days of wandering the Empty Plains while fully convinced I may not ever see my home again and all those I had grown to know and value, here they all were with me. I was no longer alone in this endeavor. The odds could not be more in my favor. Finally, things were actually starting to look up.

"Now then! All of you, stand back!" Nightmare Moon called out as the militia of volunteers began to all gather at one end of the vast meadow that had served as our first battleground. I saw a large covered wagon get pulled along that likely held supplies for the journey this far into the Empty Plains. Celestia fetched a rather large chest from it and flew east until she was right in the middle of the meadow. Was she about to do what I was thinking at the time?

A moment later, she came flying back over as I noticed a bright orange glow coming from the wooden chest. And once the glow reached the brightest it could be, I was greeted with an impressive spectacle. Over the course of a few seconds, a massive encampment lined with rows of tents while surrounded by tall wooden walls burst out of the box. I stared with mouth agape. The portable cottage Nightmare Moon had brought along was one thing, but this?! I turned to Celestia and asked, "OK, really! Is there anything that magic can't do in this world?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised. Anyway..." Celestia retorted with a bit of a smirk before beginning to lead the many volunteers into the camp to probably point them to where they would be staying.

I remained where I was as I beheld the encampment before me. They really knew what they were doing. They were not going into this entirely blind. I looked to the sky as I took a minute to absorb and process how much the situation had changed over just the past hour or so. Some of the volunteers even greeted or praised me in passing as they stepped by me. No doubt one of the eager volunteers who had heard good things about me and were eager to meet me. But just after the last of the militia stepped by me, I heard a familiar voice call out from behind me. "Get 'im!"

Before I even knew what was happening, I was dogpiled to the ground by five very excited ponies. "Whoa! Hey, what're you all... Ack! What's going on?!"

"Whaddya think's goin' on, pardner?! Ya think you can just up and mosey on outta town and we ain't gonna notice?!" A very familiar voice spoke up next to my head. A voice that filled me with a powerful sense of familiarity. While it felt like I was being restrained, I also felt as if I was being held in a group hug of sorts.

My eyes darted around. Five familiar mares were pinning me to the ground. Applejack. Pinkie Pie. Twilight Sparkle. Rarity. Rainbow Dash. All but Twilight were clad in suits of gilded armor reserved for the royal guard. Twilight was shrouded in a mage's robe instead. Seeing some of the most important people in my life right there in my arms when I was so fearful that I may not live to see them again, I was left almost at a loss for words. "Girls, you... You're seriously here?"

"You better believe we are! What kind of friends would we be if we let you handle this all by yourself? We'd have to be really loco in the coco to just let you go into something like THAT on your own!" Pinkie Pie replied while sounding just so happy to see me. They all bounded off of me and lined up in a row to let me stand up, but I was quick to notice that they did not look particularly happy. Most of them were giving me a scowl, but Twilight and Pinkie Pie looked deeply concerned. "But... You could've said something before you left."

I felt a pit open in my gut. They had questions. And I did leave without ever saying goodbye, even though I had genuine reasons to not see them. Rainbow Dash then asked, "So, what gives? Why didn't you tell us what was going on?"

"You could have at least let us known that you were marching off to face this threat, darling." Rarity said sternly while looking rather frustrated with me. They had the right to be angry. I could not fault them for that. "Why didn't you tell us before setting out?"

I let out a long sigh. I knew my manner of dealing with this threat was not the ideal means of doing so, but I had to consider what would happen if I did inform them of the risk. "Let me ask you this then... If I had told you about what was coming and what I was going to do... Would you have tried to stop me?"

Their eyes went wide in realization. I knew them well by then. They would never have approved of me putting myself in danger out in the middle of nowhere so far from home. Their eyes looked every which way while trying to find an answer. I suspect they were desperately trying to tell themselves that they would have let me set out to face the enemy without objection, but those words never came. Finally, Twilight spoke with a shameful frown. "I... We would...never try...to... Ugh... Yes... I... I wouldn't want to see you do that. None of us would."

"Exactly. I... I had to leave while my drive to do something was still strong. Before anyone could try to convince me otherwise. I couldn't tell you... I'm sorry. There just wasn't an easy answer to what I had to do." I retorted while hoping that even if they were not happy with how I did things, they would at least understand where I was coming from.

"Well, we're not letting you do this alone. We've talked it over and we're ready for the long haul. Got it?" Rainbow Dash spoke while showing me a confident smirk. She certainly sounded like she knew what she had signed up for.

"I'd rather not see you all out here... But...I really am glad to see you all. Really, I... I didn't know how much I missed you until you got here." I said sincerely while still reeling from the fact that my closest circle of friends were there when I needed them most. But it was then I noticed something was not quite right. There were only five of them. Not six. "Wait a minute... Where's Fluttershy?"

Applejack cast me a cockeyed stare while she asked, "Seriously, James? You think Fluttershy would be cut out for this line of work?"

I stumbled over my words as I realized it was silly for me to think that Fluttershy would ever excel in such an environment. No, she would never be comfortable there. Although Rarity then added, "Trust us, she so very dearly wanted to come along. For you and us. It took a lot of convincing to get her to stay behind. The poor dear just isn't used to staying behind while we do all the work..."

"Thanks... She really wouldn't be happy out here. I'm grateful you convinced her otherwise." I said while dreading the thought of what this journey would likely do to poor Fluttershy. She was not meant for such a thing.

"Well, there's that... And someone needed to stay behind to look after Gladesong, right?" Twilight asked while showing a smile. "You better pull through for them, James. Your girls are probably wondering where you are right now."

Gladesong... And even little Scootaloo. In all the madness that had taken hold of my life lately, I had all but forgotten about the two little fillies waiting for me back home. I let out a sigh as I turned my gaze to the ground. "Now I feel bad... I get there was no easy way to do this, but... Now I've remembered how much I miss my kids."

"Then let's hurry this up so you can go home and play with the foals again! Right?" Pinkie Pie asked while still sounding chipper about the whole thing. Good to see. I was glad that she was still herself.

"Yeah... Just keep moving forward." I said while looking back and forth at my friends. It was such a bizarre experience seeing them suited up like members of the royal guard. Although I quickly found a means to change the subject. "So... Looks like some of you are packing some interesting choices of weaponry. That's quite a mace you got there, AJ. Pulverized those poor saps pretty good, right?"

"You know it! I was wonderin' if maybe I should go with an axe since I'm worth my salt when it comes ta choppin' wood, but then somepony said an apple mace might be better. And it sure is!" She replied before reaching for the holster affixed to the side and lifting that mace into her jaws. Now that I was up close, I could see that no matter which side I looked at it from, the head of that mace had a distinct red apple shape. "It don't matter none how I swing this beauty. It always pummels just fine!"

"Yeesh... Maces will work on anything..." I mumbled as I knew that few weapons can match the destructive power and durability of a flanged mace. I then looked at Rarity and was quickly reminded of that spectacular yet lethal sword dance I saw her performing. And affixed to the sides of her armor were four scabbards stacked atop each other on each side. "Whoa, I wasn't sure if I was seeing that right, but... Seriously, Rarity? You're packing eight swords at once?"

"Darling, you actually sound surprised. One blade simply would not do it for me. So I kept adding more and more until... Well, see for yourself!" My beautiful beloved exclaimed before her billowing blue magic aura engulfed her horn and the exposed hilts of her swords. Our friends stepped back to give her room as the eight blades were drawn before fanning out in a manner reminiscent of proudly spread wings. "And I so do adore the pronounced curves of these sabers! Such an air of elegance to them, no?"

"Come to think of it, aren't those shamshirs? I think those are the weapon of choice for the royal guards who are stationed in Saddle Arabia." Twilight Sparkle asked while likely having some extended knowledge of her brother's line of work. Indeed, the blades had a much stronger curve than most sabers and were impressively long for a sword that seemed to be meant for use in one hand. And the blades shone gorgeously with a shimmering silver finish that had me suspect that there may have been an enchantment of sorts imbued into them.

"Why yes, they are! There's just something so very exotic about the weapons from the desert regions. And I could not settle for any less than eight at a time!" Rarity replied as she weaved her swords around in perfect synchronization that resembled a type of fan dance. And the irony of her weapons of choice was not lost on me. That term. Shamshir. Where I come from, it roughly translates to 'lion's tail'. And the original unicorns of myth were stated to have leonine tails not unlike those of the kirin I saw recently. Fitting that a unicorn sword maiden would take them up as her weapon of choice.

Before anything else could be said, we all turned to look as we heard a voice call out. We quickly stepped out of the way as I saw Estoc leading a caravan of covered wagons that were likely carrying the militia's supplies along with noncombatants. There were dozens of them. And as we all watched them entering the encampment through the gate, we all looked at each other while simultaneously noticing that we were heavily stalling outside of the place. Rainbow Dash then flexed her neck and said, "Anyway... You wanna just call it a day and figure out where we'll be staying? I'm beat..."

Pinkie Pie too let out a yawn as she groaned, "Me too! We had almost no time to rest while hurrying out here. I think I've been getting by on just five hours a night! Lots of coffee each morning to keep me going."

"Well, I'm grateful that you all caught up when you did. I still can't believe that you're all out here right now..." I retorted while also feeling very drained while finally feeling like I had found a true port in the storm that carried with it some familiarity. I was not back home yet, but it felt like the journey would not be quite as harrowing now that I would not be alone from here on out.

Applejack cast me a smirk. "Yeah, wasn't that a lucky break? And we ain't goin' home without ya, pardner. Anyway, let's quit flappin' our gums and settle in for the night. I'm achin' for a hot meal right about now."

"Yeah, ditto." I groaned lightly before following my friends into the camp with the wooden gates locking shut behind us. A quick glance revealed that the walls were lined with walkways to allow for sentries to patrol. No one was up there yet, but that would surely change as everyone settled into some new routines.

While passing rows of tents as my friends were called away so they could be directed to their personal quarters, my eyes were focused on the horizon. There was a wooden building of sorts placed right in the middle of the entire camp. The field HQ? It was likely where I would find the royal sisters and probably the higher ranking officers. I made a beeline for it while the paths between each sprawling cluster of tents became emptier. But right as the pathways became empty, I came to a stop. I felt...something. Someone was nearby. A pair of eyes were gazing upon me. And so I turned to my left with a sense of caution coming over me. And I was greeted by a silent and stoic face I had not seen in some time. "Maud!"

After what felt like much too long, I saw a familiar face that I was legitimately happy to see. But as I stepped towards the silent form of Maud Pie, I came to a stop. She too was clad in armor, but...it was not the standard issue gilded armor of the royal guard. No, this was a very unique suit. It had a distinctive dark gray finish and looked closer to a full suit of barding like those worn by the three royal sisters. Upon closer inspection, I was shocked to see that it was not made of metal at all. That armor was composed entirely of stone! "Wha... Whoa, where'd you get this?! Is that all rock? That's...brilliant! This stuff is basically weaponproof!"

"Marble made it for me." She said softly with her usual lack of enthusiasm. But that name... Marble Pie? That sweet little mare I bumped into out on that rock farm? She chiseled this impressive suit of stone armor herself? "Pinkie Pie stopped by the farm while she and this army of volunteers were passing by. She told me what was going on. And I wasn't going to let her go through this alone."

"They did, huh? Well, it's good to see you out here." I said while dropping to a knee to bring us closer together. But instead of stepping towards me for a hug, Maud stood her ground. And her eyes narrowed just slightly. "Um... Maud?"

"Marble told me after Pinkie Pie let us know what was going on." Maud said with no change in the tone of her voice. After spending time with her during her previous visit, I have picked up on a few tricks when it comes to reading Maud Pie's mood. I have learned to pay very close attention to her eyes. And I could see a very faint glare of disapproval in that otherwise dour gaze. "You were there. And she told you that I was visiting."

I felt a tension in the air as I was once again faced with the potential repercussions of my methods of marching off to face this threat out on the Empty Plains. I saw Maud's eyes once again shift as that look of scorn became one of worry. "Why did you not want to see me?"

"No, that's not it, Maud... I did want to see you. I really did. But..." I tried to explain myself while choosing my words carefully. "If I had told you what I was doing out there... If you had known that I was heading out to face something like we all saw today... Would you have tried to stop me?"

Maud bowed her head. She did not immediately respond. At least not for a moment. With her eyes looking elsewhere, she quietly admitted, "Yeah... I would have grabbed you and not let go."

"But I am glad you're here now." I added while placing my hand upon her armored head. That helmet really was forged out of raw stone. I could not get my head around how she could move around in that heavy material like it was no problem, but I was quick to remember Maud's ridiculous displays of strength during her first visit to Ponyville. It probably felt as light as cotton to her. "I'm sorry I didn't say hello, but... You understand, right?"

She nodded silently before suddenly reaching out and grabbing me in a very tight hug. I was afraid she was going to crush me like an aluminum can, but she was careful to not apply too much pressure. "I missed you..."

"Missed you too, Maud..." I muttered softly while putting an arm around her. At first we did not say anything. Just sharing a moment of silence between two good friends. I only knew her for about a week before she departed last time. But in that time, I felt like I bonded with her in a way that only I could. I feel like there is...something kindred about us. That there is a reason why I am able to read her better than most. But the answer escapes me for now. What is it that she and I share that bridges that gap?

After a moment of silence, I heard Maud speak to me. "Marble had some really nice things to say about you."

"She did, huh?" I replied before we released our grasps on each other so that we had enough space between us to make eye contact. "She did come off as amazingly shy. Like...not even Fluttershy was ever that timid. I'm surprised she even spoke to me."

"She said you had some sort of noble air about you. Like an honorable knight." Maud said before looking up at me. I saw just a slight smile settle into her lips. "I can see why. I never knew you had a suit of armor like this. You look...gorgeous."

"Heh, yeah... I only break this stuff outta the vault only when I really need it." I said with a bit of flattery making my cheeks feel warm. I just was not used to the compliments. "Although I could say the same about your sister. She's absolutely beautiful. And so very sweet and demure. She made for some very pleasant company."

"Mmhm. She said you made her feel safe. That you were very patient with her." Maud replied while I tried to think back to that sweet little mare. It was a chance encounter, but a very meaningful one. I was glad I got to meet her. "And she wanted me to tell you that she's thankful you were so nice to her."

"Awww... Well, she was very nice to me too, so the feeling is mutual." I retorted while finding myself smiling at the thought of that pretty little thing being so happy for our interactions. "Anyway... You're going to be sticking with us out here?"

"Yeah. I'm not letting Pinkie Pie put herself in danger like this without me. I'll make sure she comes home safe and sound." Maud said with unwavering sincerity. Although I noticed her bow her head slightly while she added, "And I'll...keep an eye on you too."

"Thank you, Maud... I have a hunch you'll be very helpful in all of this." I said quietly while patting her on the head. "Anyway, am I keeping you from anything?"

"I was on my way to where I'll be staying. I'm bunking with Pinkie Pie." Maud said before stepping forward and resting her head against me. "I better get going. Take care of yourself, James."

"You too, Maud. See you soon." I replied before seeing her off. I then turned and continued on my way to the center of the encampment. I was most curious of what I would find there.

A pair of stallions that were undoubtedly from the royal guard stood watch just outside the door, but they paid me no mind as I stepped inside. The first room was spacious, but still had a low ceiling as if as a means to conserve space. I saw royal guardsmen going about while installing...stuff. Like maps and panels that seemed to have holographic properties to them. Things I had never seen during my time in Equestria. I immediately felt like I was getting in the way and started to step back towards the door I had just entered through. At least until I saw Celestia peeking around a corner that seemed to lead up a narrow stairwell. She motioned her hoof for me to follow before stepping out of sight. Having no desire to turn down an invitation after having gone almost two weeks without seeing her, I stepped around the working stallions and made my way up the stairs. I was honestly a bit shocked with how narrow it was while wearing my armor. Definitely a bit of a tight squeeze.

I stepped through a door at the top of the stairwell and found myself in what felt like a cozy dormitory. A small bathroom was just on my left while some humble accommodations filled the room I found myself in. A wooden closet was before me while a bed was tucked in a cavity in the wall just beyond it. There was a wooden nightstand beside it and there was even a typewriter right in the opposite corner. And seated beside the bed was Celestia herself while devoid of the armor I had seen her in a while earlier. She pointed to a small tub nearby and I quickly saw why. Eager to get out of that armor and just relax, I stepped into the tub after setting aside my armaments and helmet before using the necessary spell to melt my armor off. It felt pleasant to feel the smooth polished hardwood just under my socks. "Finally..."

"James..." Celestia said softly once I had stepped out of the puddle of liquid metal. Her gaze was pained. As if she was uncomfortable with just being there with me. "It needs to be said. I... I must apologize for back then."

"Celestia, it's cool. I get why you..." I started to say while knowing where this was going. But I was interrupted as Celestia stood up and approached me with a very apologetic look in her eyes.

"No... What I did.... It was an act of cowardice. I should have gone with you. I should not have stayed behind." She said firmly and almost despertaely as Celestia backed me up against the door to the bathroom behind me. "I love you... I called you my king... How could I ever watch you go off on your own to face this invasion while I stayed behind?"

"Celestia..." I muttered while putting my arms around her. I could not blame her for the hesitation she showed. Even if she has centuries of experience and has likely witnessed dark times that only the wisest could endure without losing sight of the best the world had to offer, I knew she should not immediately respond to war with eagerness. "Don't apologize... Please... I wish you didn't have to be here right now."

"I wish we did not have to be here either... But please... Know this. From here on out, I will be by your side. I may have hesitated at first, but no more. I will face this evil with you, my love." The Princess of the Dawn whispered to me before our lips found their way to each other. That kiss... Oh my god, how I missed it. That one loving kiss did wonders for my mood. My beloved Celestia was finally there with me and we would face this threat together.

For a moment, we just held each other in our arms and wings. Not as friends or superior and subordinate, but as lovers. Her warm presence... I missed it so much. I whispered sweet words to her, thanking her for being there and reminding her of the love we share. We were quiet with whatever we said. There was likely not that much preventing sound from passing through the walls to the rest of the headquarters. Although I did finally ask, "I guess now's a good time to ask... Where will I be staying?"

Celestia pulled her head back so that she could look at me. And as she did, an amused smile spread across her lips. "Where? Why, right here. This will be your private chambers for the duration of this journey."

"Huh? Here? Almost everyone else has to sleep in tents, but I get my own room? I thought this place is reserved for the army's superiors." I replied while knowing I was in no way such a person. I had no real leadership skills.

"Oh, it is. And you most certainly qualify as someone important." Celestia explained with a smile. "You are one of our mightiest fighters here, James. And beyond that, I was hoping to ask you to serve as...a strategist and advisor."

"Um... Come again?" I asked while having no idea where this was coming from. Me? A strategist?

"What I'm saying is..." Celestia muttered while starting to look rather embarrassed. "As silly as this sounds, you have more knowledge of war than everyone in this militia combined. The world you come from... It has centuries of warfare in its very long history. And I was hoping that...you could use whatever knowledge you have to help us in the war room."

It was definitely not a observation I was expecting. But I suppose her had a point. With some hesitation, I let out a sigh. "Well, I... I've never been much of a war aficionado, but... Sure, I'd be happy to provide as much extra input as you might need."

"Thank you, James. We're all playing things by ear right now, but I'm confident we'll pull through in the end. Even the emperor does not have all that much experience in the art of warfare, so you may have a leg up on him in that department." Celestia said while almost getting a laugh out of me. What irony. Two human men, but from very different worlds and cultures. No matter how devious he may be, Equestria never had much in the way of experience in war.

Although there was one thing about what Celestia said that did raise some concern in me. "Yeah, I... I noticed. I'm honestly shocked with how disorganized everyone was in that first skirmish. Aside from having the sense to keep the mages away from the front lines, I didn't see much in the way of strategy out there today. It's a miracle that the emperor did not anticipate an organized resistance to the invasion. We're going to have to overhaul just about everything about how this militia conducts itself in battle if we're gonna win this war."

Celestia grit her teeth in unease. She knew where I was coming from. "Yes, we... We didn't have much time to truly prepare. We were prioritizing rendezvousing with you and Nightmare Moon over everything else. Training was light and we only had access to what was readily available. Our weapon and armor... My goodness, we really do need to overhaul things around here..."

"Sounds to me like you're not really ready to advance. You think it would be a good idea to camp out here for a while and train everyone until they're ready for the next wave?" I asked while not wanting to see a bunch of oblivious volunteers rushing off to their doom without any idea of what they were doing.

Celestia's gaze became much more serious as she said, "It would be suicide not to. Yes, we will spend at least the next week revising our stratagems and equipment. And thankfully, we already have reinforcements en route. Everyone here isn't all there will be. We're going to make sure we're ready."

"Really now? There's more coming? Huh... Well, now I'm kind of excited. I'm looking forward to it." I spoke while now feeling quite curious about how things will unfold in the coming days.

Celestia finally released me from the embrace of her wings and began to step around me to the door leading out to the stairs. "Anyway, I think that's all that needs to be said for now. Take some time to rest before dinner. You've had a long week out here and deserve some recuperation."

"Thanks, I'll do that. See you in a while." I replied while Celestia departed from my room. With no one around me, I plopped myself down on my bed. Finally, some real privacy and time to just be alone to chill.

I specifically requested that I not be disturbed unless absolutely necessary this evening. Even Nightmare Moon did not want to be bothered and wanted the evening to herself to just relax. Not that I can fault her. We have...had a hard time out here lately.

After a good hot shower this evening and a heaping bowl of vegetable soup, I have sat myself down at this typewriter to chronicle the rest of this day. While there is no phonograph around to provide some musical ambience, I did find a little cassette player in the closest along with a few albums. Right now, I just have some soft classical music playing. It is helping with my mood.

At least things are now looking up. Even if this ponies do not know what they are getting themselves into. I really hope we can find a means to turn the tide in our favor. When you have something as malleable as magic at your disposal, the possibilities are nigh endless. And Equestria has always had plenty of that.

And yet... Even with all the optimism in the world... I cannot ignore a most painful observation I have made. This should not be happening. What I have seen today should not exist. But I cannot ignore what has transpired. Something that I thought was simply not possible in Equestria has become a very grim reality. As if fate itself is openly trying to spite this world. And it makes me fear for the near future.

Equestria is now at war.