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With it being late in the morning by the time I finished my prior entry, I decided to go ahead and set out into the encampment to see what had changed. The place felt more alive than yesterday and had a certain kind of energy in the air once I was outdoors. I had recalled passing by some larger open spaces in the encampment yesterday. Probably locations meant for the sake of training troops. I was most curious of what I may find at one of them. Upon finding one of the maps plastered around the camp, I picked one such spot and began to make a beeline for it.

I did not get far before I glanced up as a pegasus came flying in low over me. And when she came back around for a landing, I was greeted by a familiar voice. "Morning, James! Where you headed?"

"Hey there, Rainbow... Wait... Whatcha got there?" I asked upon being greeted by my boisterous friend. Instead of being decked out in a suit of the royal guard armor, she was instead wearing a full bodysuit of soft fabric with metal hoof coverings. The pattern on it brought to mind a type of camouflage. Specifically one that brought to mind the blue sky and white clouds. And lining her suit were little silver rivets. Far too many than would be necessary. Unless it was... "Oh, wait! Is that brigandine?!"

"Sure is! They got the first batch of them ready just this morning!" Rainbow Dash replied before tapping her hoof firmly against her chest. The muffled sound of metal tapping could be heard. Many steel plates riveted inside a suit of soft fabric. Tougher than it seemed and impressively flexible without the glaring weak spots to the underside barding possesses. An excellent choice for aerial units. "And it doesn't really slow me down! Those blacksmiths sure know what they're doing!"

"No kidding... I bet that would even stand up to arrows. And that camouflage would make you hard to track when looking up at the sky." I said while stepping around her to thoroughly examine this subversive choice of armor. Brigandine does not get as much respect as it deserves when compared to more dedicated types of plate armor. "Anyway, you on your way for the drills?"

"Yeah, it's happening right over there. We've gotta be there at 11 o'clock sharp, so I better get going. See ya!" She replied before taking to the air and swooping away without showing signs of being slowed down by her armor at all. Now that I was thoroughly impressed with how seriously the militia was taking the preservation of their own lives, I was very interested in seeing how Spitfire's suggestion was going to pay off. I followed after Rainbow Dash at a brisk pace.

I did eventually come across the training field for the militia's aerial units. And sure enough, dozens of pegasi and even a handful of griffons were lined up in rows. Rainbow Dash was easy to spot thanks to her rainbow-striped mane and tail, but everyone else was harder to identify due to them all wearing the same camouflaged suits of brigandine. Well, perhaps not all of them. Quite a few were without matching uniforms, but that was likely due to the blacksmiths having not gotten caught up on their quotas yet. Forging armor likely takes time, even if there are types of magic that may speed up the process.

One familiar mare with a fiery orange windswept mane paced before the rows of ponies and griffons, her eyes concealed by a pair of sunglasses. I noticed Gilda standing a few spaces down from Rainbow Dash while also suited up in a matching set of brigandine, but it looked like the two were trying very hard to not acknowledge each other. Although I did notice each of them glance my way. I delivered a wave of greeting to them. But right as they started to do the same, Spitfire suddenly spoke up in an.....uncharacteristically higher pitched voice than I was used to hearing. And one that was laced with an equally unfitting biting cold tone. "So! You're all here for one reason or another, right? You thought you came out here for glory and thrills, just to bust some skulls and go home as heroes?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Just about everyone there barked in unison. I stood my ground with arms crossed, observing with interest while being more than just a bit put off by Spitfire's tone... Was that even Spitfire at all? That voice did not sound like the voice I am used to hearing from her... Did she have a twin sister I had never heard of?

"Well, you're not!" Spitfire suddenly barked at the fliers before her. "You've all got it easy! Staying way up high and outta the enemy's reach! But what about everypony else down below? The ones with swords clashing? What if one of them goes down? And there's nopony around to get them back to HQ to patch them up?"

A very good question. And I could see where Spitfire was going with this. Even if her tone left something to be desired. Every last recruit looked back and forth at each other. All except for one. Her face with an electrical shade of green with her mane a vibrant orange. That hue... Was that Lightning Dust? If anything, she seemed entirely disinterested in Spitfire's words. Spitfire then suddenly pointed her hoof at one end of the long row before moving her hoof to point down the entire row of volunteers. "That's where you all come in! You're not here to fight! You're here to make sure our colts and fillies make it home alive!"

"Yes, ma'am!" They all called out in understanding while standing at attention. No one really seemed to be in disagreement.

"Good. Most of you got a glimpse of what to expect just a couple of days ago. Everything that happened there? Forget about it. You will not be facing the enemy in direct combat." Spitfire explained as she paced back and forth before her subordinates. She then said, "If you see somepony drop, it's up to you to get them back to field HQ. Deliver them to the infirmary, then get back out to the battlefield to watch for any others that drop. It's not complicated, but your comrades' lives will be in your hooves."

She then suddenly pointed over at me out of nowhere and shouted, "That's why I'm gonna show you how its done! You! Get over here!"

This startled me quite a bit and I did hesitate. Spitfire nodded at me as if to confirm that she had indeed called for me. With some trepidation, I approached her before she pointed at the ground. I assumed she wanted me to serve as a substitute for a wounded fighter, so I got on the ground and curled up into a partial fetal as if clutching at a fresh wound on my torso while writhing in pain. I then watched as she darted up into the air before suddenly diving down onto me and draping herself over my body. "You'll probably only have a few seconds to get a good grip! Get yours hooves under them, hold tight, and take off!"

And she most certainly did. With an impressively strong flap of her wings, Spitfire shot up from the ground with me very tightly held in the grip of all four limbs. But now that I was about thirty feet off the ground, I was more than just a little uneasy. "Whoa, hey! Captain, not so high!"

Everyone below me got a good laugh at my frightened flailing before Spitfire gently set me back down on my feet. While still maintaining her cool tone of voice, she then said to me, "Sorry about that. You're dismissed."

Having seen enough to know that this new rapid evacuation squadron was in good hooves, I started to see myself away from there. All the while, I looked back as Spitfire continued to lecture her recruits. Or was that even Spitfire at all? Such a chilling yet fierce temperament. Almost as if she was going out of her way to intimidate the militiamen under her command... "At least they're taking this seriously, I guess?"

I decided to make my way back over to the magic R&D lab. I was curious of what Twilight was up to over there, especially now that the militia and its commanders now had a stronger idea of how to face this threat. It took a while to get all the way over there since it was pretty much right at the opposite end of the encampment. Once I stepped inside, I looked left and right to see unicorn mages and researchers at work in each of the controlled environments behind magic barriers. Spells meant for offense, those meant for defense, and everything between were being cast. I did not recognize one of them, so I instead turned my attention to the very middle of the lab to see Sunburst looking over the table lined with formulas and other schematics I could not begin to make sense of. Twilight Sparkle was beside him and once again had her mane styled up in an adorable ponytail.

As I drew near, I could hear the two of them discussing all manners of magic. While I know how to utilize the magical energies in my armor's gauntlets, actually explaining how is beyond me. But the two unicorns did not avoid noticing me for long. As Sunburst looked up from the sheets of magic formulas to turn his attention to Twilight, he noticed me out of the corner of his eye and turned to me in greeting. "Oh, hey! Good morning, Ja... It's James, right? Can I help you?"

"I'm just checking in to see what's new. Spitfire is already training the fliers to serve as an emergency evacuation unit for wounded fighters and I was wondering if anything was happening here that might be related to that." I explained while finding the muffled sounds of many types of spells being used around us to be providing a certain kind of pleasant ambience. Or maybe it was just me.

"Actually, we've been working on something to work in tandem with that!" Twilight spoke up while pointing her hoof at some formulas on the table. "Princess Celestia has requested that we develop spells or artifacts meant to benefit the survivability of our frontline fighters."

"And how's that going?" I asked while feeling much more confident than yesterday. I even found myself cracking a smile at this sign of good news.

"We've already got a working prototype." Sunburst replied before using some levitation magic to bring over what seemed to be a small four-sided blue diamond that was sitting in the middle of the table. "It's not the final product, but I'm confident this will do a lot to save lives. A little combination of barrier projection and time inversion to give wounded fighters a larger window of opportunity to be transported back to the infirmary to be tended to."

"Time...inversion?" I asked while finding that term to be particularly extreme. What in the world had they come up with?

"Here, I'll go ahead and show you. Right over here." Twilight replied as she took hold of the gem in her magical grasp. The two of us followed my friend and watched as she entered a vacant test chamber. She then looked back at us from the doorway and said, "I'll go ahead and trip it manually so we can see how it functions."

"Will do. We'll be watching." Sunburst replied before a barrier sealed the doorway. I watched with intense curiosity as Twilight set the gem on the ground while her horn's pink magic aura remained billowing. A few seconds later, a large spherical barrier suddenly expanded from the gem and reached past Twilight. It glowed quite brightly with a pale blue glow. Very easy to spot from above. But as Twilight stood there, she appeared...not entirely aware of what was happening. In fact, the billowing aura around her horn... Its fluctuations had greatly slowed. For the first five seconds, it was as if time had slowed to a crawl in her immediate vicinity. Sunburst brought a hoof to his chin and stroked his beard while observing the results. "Very interesting..."

After that first five seconds, I noticed something about he billowing aura around Twilight's horn. The movement of the aura began to invert. As if...time was rewinding? Around five seconds later, the barrier suddenly faded while Twilight lost her focus and looked around in confusion. Even though her voice was muffled by the barrier that contained the chamber, I could still here her voice her surprise. "Huh?! Whoa, that was... Did you see that?!"

"Yes! And it worked!" Sunburst replied while using a spell to lower the barrier that blocked the doorway. Twilight stepped out of the test chamber while looking mildly disoriented. I suppose that would make sense when considering she had been out of sync with the flow of time for a moment.

"It... It did? Wow... Almost feels like nothing happened at all, but..." Twilight muttered before looking at me. "James? What did you see?"

I crossed my arms while considering how to describe what I saw. "Well... Hm... At first, it looked like time slowed down around you. And after the first five seconds, it looked like time was flowing backwards around you. And then... I guess the spell wore off after ten seconds."

"Seriously?! Then that means it worked!" Twilight exclaimed while looking genuinely overjoyed. She soon calmed down and levitated a notepad and pencil over before jotting down some notes. "Just ten seconds... The spell works, but we'll have to find a means to extend the duration of the spell to make it genuinely effective. If we could get it to last even just one minute, the results could be lifesaving."

"And how exactly will this save lives?" I asked while stepping back over to the central table with the three of them.

"I can explain that." Sunburst replied while he and Twilight started making adjustments to the formulas on the table. "With the slowing of the flow of time around the wounded, the loss of blood will be slowed along with any other adverse effects. And then, once the time inversion phase of the spell activates, the wounds will begin to regress right back to the instant they were made, thus granting the wounded even more time for the medics to treat them before the worst can happen."

I stared in bewilderment as I tried to process what was being described to me. It sounded complex, but the effects were actually quite simple. A spell that literally gave wounded combatants more time to have their injuries treated. "That's... Huh... That's actually brilliant! Even just one minute can make a huge difference if those fliers are as quick as the Wonderbolts can be."

Twilight nodded while also looking quite optimistic. "Yep! But while the goal is one minute, it would be great if we could get the spell to last even longer. And to make sure it only triggers when the individual experiences a particularly grievous injury. It'd be a total waste if even the tiniest scratch or bruise would cause it to activate."

"Yeah, that would be some smart foresight... Is there anything I can do?" I asked while deciding to see if I could make myself useful at the moment.

Sunburst held up a formula while he studied it. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and said, "As much as we'd love to take you up on your offer... Well, if you can make any sense of this, we could definitely use your help."

I took the sheet of paper in hand. And in a matter of seconds, my mind went all but blank as I tried to decipher or interpret the information on the paper before me. "Ummmmmm... Actually, never mind. I would just be dead weight in here."

"Peheheh yeah, I thought not. It's OK though. Not everyone understands the workings of magic." Sunburst said with a chuckle as I set the sheet of paper on the table again. "Anyway, if you need anything, we'll be here."

"Yeah, sure. See you around, guys." I replied before saying my goodbyes and seeing myself out. I would just be getting in the way if I stuck around longer.

I looked toward the sky and saw that the sun was hanging pretty much right over the encampment. Noon. That meant it was time for lunch. I made my way over to the nearest mess hall and found that many others were lining up before the food carts for a hot meal as the place started to get noisy like any indoor cafeteria. I was in the mood to actually sit down and enjoy a meal, so I pulled up a seat at one of the tables and waited for a server to come over. I was pleased to see that the menu had already been expanded after the first supply runners showed up yesterday.

Barely two minutes later, I felt the table rock a little as someone took a seat across from me. Upon setting my menu down, I was most surprised to see Spitfire sitting across from me while still suited up in her uniform. And she was all too happy to greet me. "Hey there, James! Got room for one more?"

"Hey there, captain. Everyone breaking for lunch?" I asked while wondering if they had finished exercises for the day or if everyone under her watch were really just pausing for a meal. I pretty much ended up getting an answer without anyone having to say anything to me as I noticed many pegasi lining up for the food carts with their camouflaged suits of brigandine making them stand out quite a bit. "Oh... Guess that answers my question. How're they holding up?"

"Some of them are taking to their roles pretty well, but there are some stragglers. But I'm sure I'll get them all whipped into shape. It's not like they have to learn how to fight. Just fly, dive, grab, and carry. It's not a complicated job, to be honest." Spitfire replied while looking confident about the whole ordeal. "It's a lot easier than training Wonderbolt cadets, I'll tell you that. Far less complicated."

"Heh, I can imagine... Say... Uh... Was that really you back there? That didn't really sound like you... You got a twin sister or something around here?" I asked while noticing her demeanor was just as warm and friendly as it had always been on top of her voice still oozing that relaxed and amicable tone I had always heard from her.

"Huh? What're you talking about? That was me who used you for an example on how to... Oooooooh, I get it. You mean..." Spitfire asked before clearing her throat and suddenly giving me a very icy glare as her voice suddenly spoke with a higher pitch and harsher inflection. "When I sounded like this?"

"Huh... So that was you..." I muttered as I found myself unprepared for that revelation. Spitfire just laughed as she quickly regained her usual warm disposition while I roled my eyes. She really had me fooled back then. "Anyway, would you mind not lifting me that high next time you need a volunteer? I didn't need that kind of rush at the time."

"Heh... Yeah, sorry. Just had to show them how it's done, you know. I didn't scare you that bad, did I?" Spitfire chuckled right before she looked over and down at the menu. She then pointed her wingtip at something on the menu. "Ooh, try one of these."

"Seasoned corn on the cob? Never had much of a taste for corn, but it does sound good." I muttered as I examined the menu. It was in the appetizer section and mentioned corn on the cob placed on a stick that was covered in seasoned mayonnaise before being covered in spices and even bits of cheese. Although once I had turned my attention back to Spitfire, I then asked, "But anyway... What's with that voice you were using? It really doesn't sound like you."

"Trust me, I didn't always use that when instructing cadets. It's just... Well..." Spitfire mumbled as her eyes wandered while her sunny demeanor faded with an uncomfortable frown on her face forming. She then looked at me again and said, "There's actually a story behind that, if you've got time to listen."

"Sure, I've got time... Oh, hold on." I replied just as the server came over. We both placed an order for a bottle of cider and one of those seasoned corn cobs, but I withheld ordering an entree for the moment. Once the server left our table, I turned my attention to Spitfire once more. "OK, what's the story?"

"It all started several years back. Right when I was first promoted to captain. And things went fine at first. I wanted the cadets to have an enjoyable experience whenever they signed up and tried to make sure they knew that for all the danger and high stakes our jobs sometimes put us in, I wanted them to enjoy themselves all the same." Spitfire replied while looking quite nostalgic in the process. I could tell she loved her job and would not trade it for anything. "I taught them well and they excelled."

A question then entered my mind. For as much as I have heard about them, I never really understood what the Wonderbolts actually are. And so I asked, "Before anything else... What exactly are the Wonderbolts? Performers?"

"Only half the time at most. We're actually a rapid response team trained for rescuing people in dangerous situations. Lost in the mountains or at sea, dealing with rogue tornados and other natural disasters, and sometimes even particularly large wild beasts. I remember this really weird case that came out of nowhere about a dragon suddenly showing up and making a scene in Ponyville a couple of years back... Not sure where it went after the mess was over though..." Spitfire explained while becoming momentarily distracted by thoughts over that last one. "You'd think a massive brute like that would be easier to keep track of, you know?"

"Huh... News to me. None of my friends ever brought up anything like that... Although I have a creeping suspicion I shouldn't..." I muttered while also puzzled over such a local crisis being all but forgotten or just swept under the rug. I have seen how massive dragons can get. One of those running amok in Ponyville? Yikes... "Anyway, I get it. You guys are pros and are called in to rescue folks. So then... What happened?"

"This newest batch of cadets ended up passing just fine and we even had a few successful operations when there was an earthquake way out west. But when we had our first flight performance..." Spitfire explained before going quiet. I could see that she was uncomfortable discussing what happened, but she pressed on before I could try to insist she did not have to tell me. "About halfway into the whole thing, a couple of the new recruits broke formation. I could hear them yelling at each other as if they were egging each other on over some kind of stunt dare. Before I could do anything, they went into a tailspin and...right into the spectator seats..."

I felt my blood chill. A performance by the Wonderbolts does not sound too far removed from an aircraft show back on Earth. And the very thought of one of those malfunction in flight and dropping right into the spectators seats... Spitfire must have realized where my thoughts were going and said, "Whoa, what's with that look? Pegasi aren't exactly heavy, you know? Nopony died. Although...several did end up in the hospital. Both of my boys included."

"Oh... Right then... So...what happened?" I asked while seeing that the whole incident was a massive breach in protocol resulting in pony error.

Spitfire let out a long sigh as she looked up at the tent's ceiling above us. "I almost got fired... Inspectors questioned my boys while they were in the hospital and reviewed guidelines. They cited a 'lack of discipline' as the cause. I was even called for an audience with Princess Celestia to determine if I was fit for the role of captain. If Soarin hadn't vouched for me at the time, I doubt I would've been given another chance."

I was familiar with that name. He certainly is one of the more recognizable pegasi in the Wonderbolts. I then asked, "Soarin, huh? What's your story with him?"

Spitfire's face shifted to show a calmer smile. "Him? The two of us go way back. All the way to flight school. He's one of our senior officers and has been in the Wonderbolts a few years longer than I have. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"Sounds like a good man." I replied while having developed a very favorable opinion on the guy after having met him often enough to know him more than I would to just any client at the spa. "So he got you out of trouble. What then?"

"Well, I kept musing over what the inspectors found. The thing about the cadets lacking discipline. And that's when I...well...came up with that tone and voice. As much as I didn't want to, I had to start making sure our cadets understood that you can't get careless or cocky like that during a performance. And especially when lives are on the line." Spitfire explained before cracking a more awkward grin. "I mean I'm glad it works, but it's the one part of my job I don't like too much."

"Yeah, it really doesn't fit you when someone's gotten to know you... You're way too sweet a mare to try and pass yourself off as a much colder and stricter person." I replied as I still could not get over how unfitting such a facade is for such a friendly and kind person. At least to me, Spitfire gives off a sort of really chill and doting older sister vibe. Perhaps all of the younger Wonderbolts see her as such in a way.

"Thanks, James. You're sweet yourself." Spitfire replied with her characteristically warm tone while showing her best smile. She then let out a sigh and said, "I don't drop the act until I'm completely confident that the cadets know how seriously they need to take their jobs. A lot can go wrong when you're flying at those kinds of velocities. I mean just look at those basic lessons I gave you a while back. Those were the basics of the basics and you still needed me to bail you out a few times!"

I let out a borderline embarrassed snicker at those memories. I really had no idea what I was doing when I first received that armor. Although when I thought back to that night and how she mentored me, I felt the need to ask. "Do you think you'd have to use that harsher act with me if I was a cadet?"

Spitfire just stared at me in silence for a few seconds before she reached out and placed a hoof on my shoulder. She smiled warmly and said, "Nah. You're way too serious and sincere for me to have to bother with that. You listen and you're the kind of guy who strives to not repeat his mistakes. You're disciplined enough already."

"Thanks, captain... Oh, hey." I spoke before directing my attention to the server approaching with our orders. And I have to say I was quite impressed with that cob of corn loaded down with the fixings. "This...actually does look really appetizing."

"It tastes even better than it looks." Spitfire added while holding hers by the stick in her wing. As she started going to town on it, I took my first bite and scraped my teeth along the cob to get as many kernels into my mouth as I could.

I was utterly floored with how flavorful that was. I took a swig of my cider after that first bite and was eager for more. "Wow... A corn dish I actually like!"

Spitfire just laughed while we feasted on this little teaser for our full meal. We did not stop until there was nary a kernel left on our cobs. "Told you. Good stuff, right?"

"Mmhm. Thanks for the recommendation." I replied before wiping my fingers clean on a towel that had been provided. I then picked up the menu again to decide on an entree. But it was then that I noticed Spitfire chug the rest of her drink before she started to get up. "Done already?"

"Yeah, I'm going light right now. I still need to report back to Princess Celestia and see if there's anything that's needs to be revised with this new role we're being assigned to. Got a lot of kinks to iron out." She replied before stepping down from the table. She then looked up at me and said, "Hey... How're you holding up? You really looked like you knew what you were doing with that first wave, but... You OK?"

"I'm hanging in there... Although I'd rather be back home right now." I replied while being all too reminded of how much I would rather not be there right now.

Spitfire did not immediately respond, but I soon felt a hoof rest upon my thigh. When I looked down at her, she looked back up at me with a very concerned frown. "You're way too sweet a guy to be out here. This line of work just isn't for you..."

"None of us should be out here, captain. But if we don't see this through..." I replied while momentarily losing my appetite. I then set the menu down and said, "Just...please make sure they're ready. This isn't about destroying the enemy. This is about saving everything we know and cherish in this world."

"That's a pretty epic thing to say, James... Never thought I'd hear words like that out of you." Spitfire retorted as a proud smile started to form on her lips. She returned her hoof to the ground and said, "You do your part and I'll do mine. Hang in there. We'd hate to lose you."

"Thanks, captain. You have a good one." I replied with a grateful yet somber smile before Spitfire trotted out of the mess hall. I knew that the militia's fliers were in good hands if she was the one watching over them, but now that my attention had returned to the reality of this dire situation...

I started letting my eyes wander over the menu once more in an attempt to distract myself with thoughts of delicious food. I still had an entree to order and I was restricted to just one until dinner time. And some of the new additions did sound amazing. But right as I was starting to narrow down what I was in the mood for, I felt the table shift again. I assumed Spitfire had forgotten something and come back. "You forget som... Um..."

"Yo. This seat taken?" It was Gilda. And like before, she was still suited up in a full suit of brigandine. But unlike her equine wingmen, her hands were covered by gloves that had steel plates riveted to the backsides. She then pulled up a menu and looked it over quick. "Hey, this corn on the cob stuff wasn't here yesterday. It any good?"

I just stared at her in bewilderment. Why did she pull up a seat at my table? She eventually noticed my prolonged silence and lowered her menu to look at me. "Uh... You all right there? What's with the stare?"

"Why're you over here with me?" I asked while not entirely certain what to even make of her anymore. I could still remember the rather vicious first encounter I had with her the previous day, but by then...?

Gilda tilted her head to one side slightly as the gears in her head started to turn. "Why...? Oh, wait... You don't want me over here?"

"I didn't say that. It's just... I'm not so sure of what to think of you." I retorted while not being quite as uncomfortable around her by then as I had been yesterday.

"You don't, huh? I guess I must've been given off a lot of mixed messages yesterday, right? Guess that's my bad." She replied before bringing up her menu again. "Well, I think you're a pretty cool dude."

"Thanks... How was the first training session?" I asked now that I was at least comfortable enough around her to at least try to strike up a conversation.

"Ehhhh... Not what I signed up for, but I get why they think it's a good idea. And there's kind of a thrill to zip down, grab someone, and zip right back up with them. Kinda like bungee jumping without the cord." Gilda replied before holding up her hand and flexing her fingers. "And I probably do better with these little beauties than anyone with hooves."

"Huh... I guess you would. Those are useful for grabbing up slippery fish too, so you must have a good grip." I replied while noting how wild eagles use their talons to snatch up fish while skimming along lakes. Although Gilda's talons looked much more filed down to keep them from getting too long and cumbersome. It was then I said, "And yes, that corn on the cob is amazing. I recommend it."

"Sweet. Hey! Yo, over here!" Gilda called out over the clamor of the mess hall to get the attention of one of the servers. I averted my eyes to pretend I did not know her since she looked like she was starting to try and make a scene like an unruly barfly. Thankfully, the server made his way over before Gilda could get too noisy and took her order. A bottle of hard cider and two cobs of that seasoned corn. I decided to just forego getting an entree and just order another cob of corn since it was just that good. Once the server had departed, Gilda took my empty cider bottle in hand and gave me an inquisitive smirk. "Is Dash still a light drinker?"

"One bottle and she's halfway wasted. They had to put her on a blacklist." I replied without hesitation. Gilda started laughing under her breath, more than likely too familiar with Rainbow Dash's notoriously low tolerance for alcohol. I too could not help cracking a smirk as I found Gilda's laughter to be rather contagious. "She always been that way?"

"Oh, you have no idea. Every time I dare her to a drinking contest, she can't make it farther than three bottles before she's on the floor." Gilda replied while placing her finger on the bottle's mouth and tilting it forward before rolling it around like a sundial. "She didn't do too bad during the tryouts, come to think of it. She still a speed demon back home?"

"Yeah. She's always been fast and impressively nimble. I'd say she's definitely Wonderbolt material. Not sure if she has the discipline for it though, what with her ego and all..." I replied while wondering exactly what happened during that first training session.

Gilda finally left the bottle alone and turned her attention entirely to me. "Anyway... What's your story?"

"Elaborate." I retorted as I was left unsure of where she was going with this.

"No, I mean... How long have you been doing this whole knight in shining armor business? And where'd you even get that gear you were using? They're not passing that stuff out to just anyone, right?" Gilda asked while leaning a bit closer with an arm draped across the table.

"No, that suit of armor and my weapons are entirely unique. There's nothing else like it in the world." I replied before turning my gaze to the ceiling. "As for how long... A little over a year ago. That unusually long night last year? That was when I first got it."

"That... Oh yeah, that day. I thought they pulled some weird Daylight Saving Time prank and went right back to sleep." Gilda mumbled while her eyes wandered in recollection. "And what did getting that gear have to do with that night?"

"I needed it to face Nightmare Moon. She returned that night, separate from Princess Luna. She was the one who brought the eternal night back." I explained while trying to not give away too much information that someone like her did not need to know. The identities of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony did not seem to be common knowledge and that was probably for the best.

"Nightmare Moon... Wait... Isn't she one of the big shots leading this whole operation?" Gilda replied as she started to connect the dots. She started gesturing with her hands as she asked, "So you're saying... Nightmare Moon... That way old school boogieman that everyone knows about...came back as her own person? And she's now one of the good guys?"

"Horrifically misunderstood. I didn't set out to kill her. I honestly just wanted to talk to her and save her. And it worked out for the best, as you can see. She's a wonderful ruler with her sisters." I replied while remembering that night quite clearly. Such a harrowing ordeal, but everything turned out fine in the end.

"Whoa... You were the one who brought her back, huh?" Gilda asked with eyes wide open as she looked genuinely impressed. She followed that with, "How'd that go? You two just sit down and talk over tea and all that jazz?"

A crooked grimace spread across my lips as I was left unsure of how to exactly break it to her. "We...uh...almost ended up killing each other at one point. It's a long story and not a fun one. Lost a lot of blood that night..."

Gilda went silent as she stared at me almost unblinkingly. Her eyes scanned me as if searching for any scars she might not have noticed before. "But...isn't that armor supposed to be indestructible or something? That's how those one of a kind suits of super armor goes, right?"

"I never said it was. Yes, that armor is exceptionally tough and is especially resistant to magical attacks, but it's far from indestructible." I explained while still recalling how busted up my armor was by the end of that night. "I'm still amazed by just how hard Nightmare Moon could hit me. Even fractured my pauldron with nothing but lightning magic at one point."

A whistle escaped Gilda's beak before she said, "Whoa. Sounds like that princess is pretty hardcore. No wonder she was the first one to head out to deal with this mess. But you two are both OK with each other now?"

I let out a sigh as I thought about that beautiful and powerful mare. "I don't know what I'd do without her."

Gilda went silent for a moment to let me collect my thoughts. Especially since that was when the server stopped by with our orders. Although I had already used up my drink ration for lunch, I was still provided with a cup of water. Gilda started doing away with her cob of corn after removing her gloves and seemed to be loving it, but my thoughts were elsewhere now that I was thinking about that night. Although there was one aspect of that event that left me wondering. Right at the end... When that spear of light from over the eastern horizon pierced Nightmare Moon when she was on the verge of casting some dark spell to finish me off...

What was that spell? I strongly doubt Celestia had anything to do with it. It utterly decimated Nightmare Moon. I thought she was dead when she hit the ground. A spear of light cast from the rising sun. Was it nothing at all? Just a result of fortunate serendipity that I should simply be grateful for? Or did someone else...intervene at the earliest possible instant? And if so, then who? Surely not...her mother?

I immediately put that thought out of my mind. My thought about that conversation Nightmare Moon and I had atop the roof of our portable cottage a few nights ago remained fresh in my mind. And the very thought of Nightmare Moon's own mother striking her down was nothing short of uncomfortable. A part of me sincerely hoped the king and queen of Equestria would not reveal themselves to us. I suspected I had everything to fear about them by then.

"Dude? Your grub is getting cold." Gilda finally spoke up halfway through her snack. She then went to scraping every kernel off with her beak and munching them up with the molars in the back of her head. "Mmmm, you were right. This stuff rocks."

"Oh, right..." I mutered before quickly distracting myself with mine. Just as tasty as the first, if not better. "Man, I can't get enough of this stuff..."

We both finished up our meal pretty quickly while Gilda pulled her gloves back on after licking her fingers clean. She then started taking swigs of her bottle of cider while I was reminded of what she was wearing. I looked up and down her armored body that was coated in a layer of camouflaged fabric and asked, "Is that stuff heavy? Does it weigh you down in the air at all?"

"Yeah, you'd think that, but I swear I almost don't even notice. The plating in this stuff is lighter than it looks." Gilda replied while stretching her impressive wings wide. "Not like it gets in the way of these babies. And I'm always as limber as when I'm not even wearing the stuff."

Even though it was not the first time I had seen a griffon display their wingspan, I was still very taken with Gilda's wings. Much grander than those of a pegasus, though not quite as impressive as those of a hippogriff. I started to reach for her left wing as it was right beside me, but Gilda then spoke up, "Hey. Did I say you could handle the goods?"

"Oh, right... Sorry." I muttered before lowering my hand. But I then noticed Gilda crack an amused smirk. "What?"

"I'm just goofing. Go ahead. You've been a nice enough guy already." She replied while folding her right wing while keeping the left fully spread. I hesitated for a moment before bringing my hand to her wing's frame. The consistency of the feathers was not too far removed from those of a pegasus, though her primer feathers were much longer and spread out. They must be very effective for gliding. Gilda held her head high while looking rather proud of herself. "Bet those ponies back home don't got wings like this, huh?"

"No... You have a very impressive wingspan. Beautiful, really." I replied while not able to hide my soft spot for avian creatures. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the feathers along Gilda's neck and even her head puff up. "Um... You OK?"

"Heh... No, I mean... Just... Tough girls like me don't ever expect that kinda compliment, you know?" She replied while looking and sounding quite nervous. Come to think of it, I am surprised she did not respond in a more hostile manner like Ember did when I used that adjective. It was only then that Gilda noticed how her plumage was puffier than usual and smoothed it all down with her hands. "Um... It's not supposed to do that most of the time."

"You in a good mood?" I asked while only then noticing my attempts to keep an emotional distance from Gilda had been very inconsistent. If anything...I think I was starting to like her.

Gilda's eyes wandered erratically, as if she was trying to will herself to avoid the question. However, she relented and looked at me out of the corner of her eye as she said softly, "Yeah... Yeah, I guess I am. You're...um...good company."

I hesitated in providing a response as well. My feelings toward Gilda were still conflicted, but any wariness I initially held for her was fading away rapidly. It was still too soon to have much of a concrete analysis of her personality, but she was being easily the most reserved and pleasant I had seen from her so far. And so as I slid my hand along the length of her wing, I replied, "You too."

Gilda did not fold her wing until I released my tender grip upon it. She then asked, "You want me to jam for you again tonight? They're letting me borrow that guitar for as long as I need it."

"Well, if you're offering." I said while liking the sound of that. But before either of us could say anything else, I looked past Gilda and recognized someone approaching. "Hey... Isn't that your roommate?"

Gilda was quick to look the other way. Sure enough, a familiar pegasus mare approached us while suited up in a matching set of brigandine. That electric green and vibrant amber complimented each other well and gave off a rather...intense presence. Her equally yellowish eyes looked our way as she came over while Gilda gave her roommate a greeting. "Yo, Dust. Almost time for the next drill?"

"Maybe. I'm just here to grab a bite to go." She replied with a voice that was not terribly different from that of Rainbow Dash. If anything, she sounded a lot like Rainbow Dash on a bad day. Before anyone could say anything, Lightning Dust snatched Gilda's bottle of cider off the table, took a big swig, and set it back down. And she just sounded very bitter about something. "Can you believe they're putting us in the backseat like that? Did they even see how many heads I rolled two days ago? I didn't sign up for this to be a benchwarmer!"

Gilda only looked mildly annoyed that her roommate had snatched a mouthful of her own cider away like that, but maintained her composure. "Hey, it's still pretty fun to do the bungee dive. You saw how fun it is, right?"

"Maybe for you, but the Wonderbolt's aren't looking for those who play it safe away from the front lines." She replied before turning her attention to me. I really did not like Lightning Dust's tone and certainly not her cavalier disregard for the purpose of her unit's role. She let out a sigh and said, "You're lucky. You get to be out there mopping the floor with those punching bags while we're back here playing the crane game. Bust some heads for us, all right?"

I could not even get a word in before she trotted away and got at the back of a very long line for one of the food carts. Seconds later, I saw Lightning Dust duck low before suddenly propelling herself forward with an incredible burst of speed that ended up launching everyone she passed under a good two feet into the air before they landed back on their hooves while having no idea what just happened or that she had even passed by them. Too confused and startled to noticed she had cut to the front of the line, no one noticed as she received her order and trotted away with a brown lunch bag on her back. All I could do was watch in a bizarre combination of confusion and disgust as I beheld such a brazen lack regard for her allies. "I see what you meant when you said you had a bad feeling about her. Girl is a loose cannon at best."

"Gotta admit, I didn't see that coming. That was new..." Gilda muttered as her eyes narrowed while watching her roommate leave the mess hall. "There's trying to be cool and then there's...whatever you call that. Call me crazy, but I'm starting to get the feeling she's dangerous."

"She certainly doesn't understand the gravity of the situation. I mean... Really? I'm the lucky one?" I retorted while utterly mystified over such a statement. "I don't even wanna be here! I never asked for this role! I'm only doing this because I have to or else! There's no fun to be had in war!"

Gilda just stared at me in silence. It was only then that I realized how vocal I had just gotten and averted my gaze for a moment. I seldom raise my voice like that and I was grateful that the usual clamor that comes from crowded eateries kept my voice muffled. I did not want to be the center of attention. Although Gilda then asked, "Got a question for you. If you're no fan of trouble, why did you really know what you were doing a couple days ago?"

"You mean...my swordsmanship skills?" I asked as the topic turned to something I had some fascination with. "Well... I guess... If I had to give a reason, it would be that I see swordplay as an art. And I've always been something of a sword aficionado."

"Go on." Gilda said while resting her beak on the back of her hand, her long leonine tail swishing gently from side to side.

"It's just that swordplay isn't all about overhead swings and straight stabs. There was a time when I was just a little kid and thought that was all there was to it. Swordplay is a very technical art, especially when using one with both hands since you have to use leverage to have your sword serve as your shield as well." I explained while finding myself pleasantly interested in the topic. "I can't really effectively explain the details of it all. I'm not the best teacher. And I'd say I'm only of intermediate levels of skill at the moment... At best, anyway."

"Heh... I can see that. So, using a sword is an art to you?" Gilda replied while smirking at me with unwavering interest. "And I saw you clicking away on that typewriter last night. You an artist of some kind?"

"Kind of... I've done a lot of writing since I came to Equestria. I guess you can call it an autobiography of sorts." I explained while trying to not come across as bragging. It was more of a hobby than anything. "Although people who've read my entries tend to be quite impressed with how well written they are. Novel level, some of them say."

"I can respect that. I mean music is an art and I've got a thing for guitars, like you saw." Gilda replied before glancing to her left and back at me. "Anyway, I've think I've done enough chatting for now. I better go find Dust and make sure she's not making a mess back at our spot. Catch ya later, all right?"

"Oh, huh... Yeah, sure. Have a good one, Gilda." I retorted before she spread her wings and flew just under the ceiling of the mess hall and out of sight. It was only then that I realized how much more relaxed I was this time when talking to her. Hardly any wariness on my part, if at all. Was I really starting to like her? But before I could think on it any further, I happened to glance to my right and suddenly realized why she was in such a hurry to leave. "Um..."

Rainbow Dash was standing beside me while giving a rather accusatory stare. An awkward moment of silence passed before she asked, "What's the deal with you and G? Was she given you trouble again?"

"Actually, no... I think she's quite comfortable around me, to be honest." I retorted while Rainbow Dash took a seat across from me. Her gaze softened a bit while doing so, prompting me to ask, "How'd the first drill go? Gilda compared the experience to bungee jumping."

"She did, huh? Yeah, I guess I'd call it that too. It is pretty fun." Rainbow Dash replied before asking, "Are you sure Gilda's not getting on your case? Especially after the last time yesterday?"

"I swear she hasn't been harassing me at all. If anything, she's been surprisingly pleasant." I replied before I suddenly had an idea in my head. I had heard testimony from Gilda. Now it was time to hear from the other side. "What's your history with Gilda anyway? She said the two of you go as far back as...what was that flight school thing called?"

"Junior Speedsters? Yeah, that's the one." Rainbow Dash spoke before she looked away in thought for a moment. "G never talked about where she came from. And I never asked. You probably shouldn't either."

"All right. I won't." I said quietly while Rainbow Dash looked very nostalgic with her gaze not looking at anything in particular. I then asked, "She said you were a big inspiration for her back then. Said something about being a really timid and insecure flier at the time?"

"Yeah, that sounds like her... She was kinda like Fluttershy, if you can believe that. Just not as super duper shy like she was. But I was convinced she could do better and I stuck with her. And she got really good. She could almost always keep up with me." Rainbow Dash explained while looking like she was enjoying the memories. But she then let out a sigh as she said, "Kinda makes me wonder what went wrong... G and I were always tight... I don't get it..."

"I think I know what went wrong with her." I replied as I confirmed that what Gilda told me had been true. And with a bit of cross-examination, I put the pieces together. "It sounds like for everything you did right in being an inspiration to her, you did just as many things wrong in being an influence on her in the long run."

"Huh?! Whoa, hold on! What did I do?! I thought Gilda was the jerk, not me!" Rainbow Dash shouted while looking completely caught by surprise. But when considering her ego, she probably would not see that coming.

"Let's just say you haven't always been the best person, Rainbow. Not even a week into my stay in Ponyville, you threw a salad in my face for laughs. And I seem to recall you...almost took Applejack's eye out during the Running of the Leaves a few years back?" I proceeded to explain while Rainbow Dash's face went blank in utter embarrassment. "I don't like saying this about someone I cherish as much as you, but.....there have been times where you were a really egotistical little twit. So imagine how much worse you must have been when you were at an age where juvenile amorality is a frequent issue."

Rainbow Dash brought her head down rather hard onto the table and let out a long frustrated groan as she rolled her head back and forth with her forehead. I did not want to blame her too hard. She was a much better person now than she was back then. I do not know what I would do without her. And so I reached out and stroked my fingers through her mane as I said, "And it sounds like she wasn't around you to follow your lead as you improved as a person. She emulated all of your traits, especially your worst ones, but didn't have the same life experiences you did after you moved to Ponyville. I'm still not too sure of what to think of her right now, but she's not a bad person."

I heard Rainbow Dash let out a long sigh before she turned her head up to look at me with a very disappointed look in her eyes. "You ever look back on stuff you did even just a few years ago and feel reeeeeally stupid about it? Yeah, I'm getting that in spades right now."

As she straightened herself up, I took my hand off Rainbow Dash's head. She did not say anything, so I took the time to give my two bits. "I think... Maybe... You two should probably have a talk with each other. It sounds like you both screwed up and should bring each other up to speed."

"You think she'd want that?" Rainbow Dash asked while looking very uncertain about the whole thing. She probably had written Gilda out of her life entirely by that point and was not in a hurry to revisit someone who had burned a bridge with her.

I nodded as I decided to not hide anything from her. "She had some really nice things to say about you. Even defended your honor when I brought up the messy history about your ego. I think she really misses you, even if she wasn't acting like it last time."

"G misses me...?" Rainbow muttered with a...most vulnerable and even hopeful look in her eyes. Maybe her feelings for her old friend never truly died. Perhaps they were just mixed with the pain of disappointment from their final encounter, but I had the distinct feeling that Rainbow Dash did not hate Gilda at the time. With a long sigh, she nodded and said, "All right... I'll...hit her up for a chat during dinner tonight... We'll see what happens."

"Sounds good. She'll probably come looking for me, so I'll step away from the table when she does so you can approach her. Let's try for this mess hall here, all right?" I asked as a plan started to form in my head. It felt nice to reunite a couple of old friends who ended up parting ways because of bad decisions on both sides.

"Yeah... Yeah, sounds like a plan." Rainbow nodded before she started to get down from her seat. "I'll be watching for you. And I better get back to my rounds. I already finished lunch and just wanted to see if I could chat with you for a bit. See you in a while, James."

"You too, Rainbow. Have a good one." I said in farewell as Rainbow Dash trotted away. With my own appetite sated for the moment, I decided to make my way back to the command center and see if anything else had come up.

The walk back was uneventful, but I started to notice something coming up on the horizon as I approached the front door from the east. Shining Armor was suited up in full armor while dashing forward from the west at full gallop. I was about to reach the door when he called out, "Excuse me, James!"

"Oh, sure." I spoke briefly as he used his magic to fling the door open and rush inside. Definitely had something urgent on his mind. While tempted to change course and continue on my way, I felt compelled to follow him in and see what was up. "Something new?"

"Your highness? Ah, there you are!" Shining Armor spoke as he approached Celestia and Luna while they seemed to be having a discussion at the table in the middle of the main room. Nightmare Moon was absent. No doubt somewhere else in the camp. "We have a situation here. A dragon has been sighted at the west gate. Our sentries have it pinned down and are awaiting your orders."

"A dragon? Out here? At the west gate?" Celestia asked while I too was surprised. Until I suddenly remembered that one dragon who circled overhead for a short while yesterday. Was that indeed a scout?

Luna then asked, "And only one? What has happened so far? Why has it not tried to attack?"

"Well, it's not a big one. Kind of on the small side, actually. But the dragon is fully suited up in armor and is carrying a type of...stone scepter as a weapon. It hasn't attacked yet, but we're holding it down for the moment." Shining Armor explained while making the situation sounding like the intruder was just a messenger awaiting entry into the camp.

I was quick to notice the mention of a stone scepter. I could not imagine a brute like a dragon packing a simple craggy stone staff. Unless... "Say... That scepter. Did t happen to have a very large red gemstone housed at the top of it?"

Shining Armor turned to look at me while appearing to be surprised that I would make such a suggestion. "Actually... Yeah. I think it was even glowing at one point."

"The Bloodstone Scepter? Then..." I muttered with arms crossed, my eyes glancing at the floor. My eyes then went wide as I suddenly realized what this meant. Only one dragon is allowed to lay their hands on that artifact. "Ember...? She's here?"

"How do you know of the Bloodstone Scepter? Did something happen before we managed to catch up to you?" Celestia asked as all eyes fell upon me. I suppose Nightmare Moon did not tell her sisters everything.

"Yeah, I... I stumbled right into the dragon lands by complete accident. And I met the Dragon Lord while I was there." I explained while now filled with a new type of anxiety. I was certain I should not cross paths with Ember again and now she was at the west gate while most likely requesting entry. This could not be a coincidence.

Luna then cast me an uneasy gaze as she asked, "You did? And...did something happen? Did they...mark you as an enemy?"

"I..." I muttered while thinking back to those bitter words Ember spoke before I departed the dragon lands. And then to the memories of that dream we shared. Such conflicting memories... And so I answered as honestly as I could at the time. "I don't know... Maybe they're here in peace... Maybe they want my head on a pike."

The three of them turned to look at each other in ominous silence. A moment later, they looked back to me as Luna spoke first. "James. Fetch your armor. Leave your weapons for the moment. Meet us at the west gate immediately."

"Got it." I replied before hurrying up the stairwell nearby and into my private quarters. I quickly suited up in my armor, but left my helmet behind. The three of them were already gone when I came back down, so I hurried outside and flew west on my armor's wings as quickly as my unshielded eyes would allow. I made sure to keep a low altitude so that whoever was out there would not be able to see me over the walls.

Many armored royal guardsmen stood ready before the gate with weapons drawn as Celestia and Luna too stood ready while in full armor. Lining the tops of the encampment's walls were more armored ponies, each taking aim with what were clearly large crossbows. Too cumbersome for battlefield use, but surely much more effective for point defense. Celestia then called out to one of her men atop the walls, who then called down to whoever was on the other side. "You are trespassing! State your business!"

I moved closer towards the sturdy wooden gate to hear a bit better while also prepared to hide behind them once they opened inward if I needed to. A voice I almost immediately recognized called back. "I am Ember! Ruler of the dragon lands! I wish to speak to your leaders!"

Ember... She really was there. But why? Did she merely want to confirm if we were a threat to her territory? The sentry called back down to the two princesses and relayed the message to them without mentioning Ember's name. Celestia and Luna looked at each other in silent conversation and nodded to each other. Luna then called back, "Grant them entry! Request that they keep their weapons lowered!"

I stepped back as the guards removed the thick wooden beams used to secure the gate from the inside. The doors slowly swung open as the sentries lowered their weapons while keeping a constant watch over our guest. As I peeked from behind the gate, there she was. Gilded armor with patches of blue scales and folded blue wings. Ember walked along with the Bloodstone Scepter held over her armored head with both hands. She did not notice me, but she was taking this closely supervised entry completely seriously. My breath caught in my throat. I was strangely relieved to see her again, yet I was afraid.

The gate was closed and secured behind Ember before I followed closely behind her. The soft grass slightly muffled my sabatons' metallic clinks to mask my presence. Once she stood before Celestia and Luna, Ember dropped to one knee while returning the scepter to just her right hand. "Princesses Celestia and Luna, I presume? It is an honor. I am Ember."

"Ember...? Where have I..." Celestia muttered in thought before suddenly gasping in realization. "Oh, Ember! Has it really been that long? You've grown!"

Ember's head snapped upward to look at Celestia before she pulled her helmet off. "Huh?! I've... Excuse me, what? Am I missing something?"

Celestia suddenly reached out with her wing and pulled Ember closer until her brow was pressed against Celestia's neck. "You don't remember? You were very small at the time. Torch was so eager to introduce his little princess to the royal family and he would not hear of it if I did not see you at least once. Such a precious little thing you were. I think I still have those baby sketches in the archives..."

"Whoa, hold on! I didn't come here to reminisce! I mean... With all due respect..." Ember yelped as she pushed herself away while Luna and I could only smirk and snicker at this unexpected reunion. I never knew Celestia had a slight history with Ember, even if the latter was much too young to recall at the time. It was around this point that the guards around us lowered their weapons and began to disperse. They knew Ember was not a threat by then. "I'm looking for someone. And I was hoping I could find him here."

The levity in the air faded in an instant, at least for me. I remained silent while making certain I was standing in one of Ember's blind spots. Luna then asked, "You are? Who, exactly?"

"He... Uh... What was his name?" Ember mumbled as her gaze wandered with her head turning every which way. She had already forgotten my name? I do think I only told her once. "It was some sort of human name... Jay? Ja... Um... Jams?"

I almost laughed at how difficult it was for her to recall my name. And those smirks on the royal sisters' faces as they glanced at each other hinted at a desire to have some fun with the situation. Celestia spoke first as she asked, "Hmmm... I can't say we know anyone by that name... But he's human, you say? Does he happen to wear a suit of winged armor?"

"Yes...?" Ember retorted as they caught her attention.

Luna then asked, "And does its plating match the color of my coat? And does its wings match those of my sister?"

"Yes!" Ember barked more enthusiastically. I too was starting to smirk as they played along with her.

Celestia then added, "Does he have a full head of soft brown hair and equally brown eyes?"

"Yes, that sounds like him! Do you know where I can find him?" Ember finally asked while sounding quite thrilled As if she was a little too eager to locate me.

"That does sound like James... But I'm afraid we do not know where he might be." Celestia replied while looking and sounding like she was trying very hard not to laugh. But she then pointed her hoof in my direction and said, "Why don't you try asking him? I think this gentleman might know of his whereabouts."

Ember promptly turned around with excited eyes, but that look on her face soured immediately as she stared up at me. All I could do was silently wave at her while also wearing a very amused smile on my lips. She then slowly turned to face the royal sisters and asked with a very dry tone of voice, "How long has he been standing there?"

"Since the moment you set foot inside our walls." Luna said with a snicker as she and Celestia burst into giggling. Ember remained rooted to the spot while not showing the same appreciation for that silly prank.

A moment later, Ember began to face me and turned her gaze up at me once again. That dry glare did not leave her face as she looked and sounded utterly annoyed by then. "And you didn't say anything because...?"

Now that I was cornered, I quickly found the situation to not be quite so funny anymore. My eyes darted from side to side as I tried to find a way out, but I relented and provided an honest response. "I...wasn't sure if you wanted to see me..."

Ember's response was loud and abrupt as she took a step towards me. "Of course I want to see you! I sent my scouts out yesterday just to find you!"

I took a step back. That scout who soared over the camp yesterday had explicitly been ordered to find me? Now that I knew Ember had been searching for me, I was alarmed. What did she want with me? She was not armed. And if she wanted to scorch me with her natural flame breath, she could have done it the moment she first faced me. And so I asked, "But...what do you want from me?"

Her response was not what I expected. She moved her helmet to be held in her arm with the Bloodstone Scepter to give herself a free hand. She then reached out and took my armored hand into hers and looked up at me with an almost apologetic look in her eyes. She then spoke to me with a much softer tone of voice as she said, "I wanted to talk to you."

That tone of voice... I had all but forgotten what it felt like to hear her address me in such a subdued manner. She was actively trying to be as civil and approachable as possible. It felt...nice to hear her speak like that again. It was almost enough to make me forget about our less than ideal first parting. Not wanting to turn her away, I looked towards the two royal sisters and asked, "Is there a place where we can talk in private?"

"Um... Yes, right this way." Celestia replied as she and Luna led us back towards the command center. Ember had nothing to say during the walk. Neither did I. I think she too could sense the lingering tension from our prior encounter. Everyone we passed were quick to stare and gawk at the armored dragoness being led along, more than likely having no idea that they were witnessing the arrival of the Dragon Lord herself.

Once we stepped into the command center, Celestia led us over to a room that contained a large round table. I assumed it was the war room meant for strategic meetings. Luna then looked past her sister and said, "Take all the time you need. We will be out here should you need us."

"Thank you, your highness." Ember said with a slight bow. The door was soon closed before Ember and I sat down at opposite ends of the table. She set her helmet atop the table while propping the Bloodstone Scepter up in a corner. For a moment, there was only silence in that room. Neither of us had anything to say as the scent of high quality wood filled our nostrils. Ember seemed to take note of this more than I did and inhaled deeply as if to savor this exotic scent. Understandable since dragons most likely have more experience with stone and metal than wood in that desolate volcanic wasteland.

I felt I should not speak first, so I remained silent as Ember and I maintained lingering eye contact. I expected her to be bitter or angry, eager to speak her mind to me. Instead, she was very subdued and even looked uneasy. There was no anger or frustration in those eyes. She finally let out a sigh as her gaze left mine for a moment before looking back at me. "I didn't think...I would be this happy to see you again. I missed having someone around who knows how to listen."

In caution, I nodded without a word. Ember seemed to take my silence as a bad sign. She then asked, "Are you upset with me?"

"I wouldn't say that..." I replied with a quiet tone. I had difficulty looking her in the eye as I then said, "I'm just...not sure I should be seeing you now."

"Why not?" Ember asked quietly as she leaned forward with an arm draped across the table before her.

"Because...you were angry with me when we last parted ways..." I muttered quietly while sure she was still holding some degree of animosity. I know what I said was true at the time, but it was understandable if she took offense to my observations.

"No... No, I wasn't. I swear." Ember said a bit more firmly. Not in anger, but just to get my attention. I looked across the table as I was legitimately surprised by this confession. "Yes, I was angry, but not at you. It was just...a lot for me to process and take in. And...it hurt. Not because of what you said, but...because..."

Ember paused as she let out a sigh. Her gaze wandered as she seemed to struggle to find the right words. I waited patiently, listening to every word she said. She then muttered, "You said something important... And I didn't listen... I didn't...want to listen. And...I've thought about what you said every day since then..."

I still said nothing as I listened. With another long sigh, Ember looked directly at me. "You said some...harsh things about my people and our land. Harsh, but sincere. You said that my people have made no progress over the course of centuries. That they are barbarians with no culture or nuance who know nothing of civilization."

I saw Ember's hand curl into a very firm fist as she closed her eyes. And what she said next was not something I expected to hear from her. "And you're right."

I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to say that. I am sure dragons carry a strong sense of pride and for it to be challenged like that... My thoughts were interrupted as Ember spoke with her eyes showing a profound look of apology. "I told you to leave because I did not want to lash out at you. I was...frustrated because I knew what you said was true, but...it was so hard to accept. And I've thought about it day after day until I..."

Without a word, I leaned forward in my seat to bring myself a bit closer to her. I listened carefully, taking in every word. She then said, "I... I had to find you. I had to tell you. You were right and...I'm sorry. My people are... They really are a bunch of boulderheads and...they don't know what they're doing to themselves by staying stuck in the past while the rest of the world goes on without them..."

I averted my gaze while still unsure of what to say. A part of me still felt compelled to stay silent. Until Ember suddenly reached out with one hand and spoke rather loudly with a desperate tone of voice. "Please, say something! I don't want to talk to a wall!"

It was my turn to speak. And I quickly tried to find something to say. And as I thought back to those words I said before we parted ways, my thoughts went to those who came before her. "Do you think your father... Did he know about this problem with his people?"

Ember sat back in her chair as she began to relax, her gaze wandering and looking down. "I'm...not really sure. Like I said, he was about as reasonable as dragons could get. He was open to suggestions and... Well... I'm not sure why no one ever discussed the issues of our land with him. His subjects rarely approached him... Maybe he was too imposing for them. Maybe they were too complacent and set in their ways to think that change was needed. And...maybe he too was...too complacent in that regard as well..."

"Meaning no disrespect, but it sounds like your father was a little too short-sighted in the long run. Maybe your grandfather was like that too..." I muttered while wondering what kind of person Torch was. I had heard high praise for him from those who have been around long enough to have known him, but after seeing the dragon lands for myself... It really did feel like there was no progress under his reign.

"You just might be right..." Ember muttered as she then turned her gaze to the table while her fingers slid over it. I think it was only then that she really took notice of what her surroundings were actually made of. With a look of keen interest in her eyes, she looked closely at the polished wood while dragging her fingers along it. "Is this...wood?"

"It is. Wood is commonly used for construction purposes and is usually the primary resource in the creation of housing." I replied while only then realizing that Ember had likely never laid eyes on Equestrian architecture before in her life.

Ember lifted her head and gazed around at the room, its polished wooden walls plain to see. I do not believe war rooms are meant to have much in them aside from the bare necessities for a meeting. Even so, she muttered, "What have we been missing...?"

"What you'll see in this camp isn't much. It's just a glimpse of what Equestria has to offer." I explained as Ember surveyed her surroundings. "There's just not much here because there's only so much you can and should bring when you're heading off to war."

"War...?" Ember asked as her eyes glanced at me. Before I could elaborate, her eyes widened just slightly as she fully turned to me and leaned forward in her chair. "Wait... We never... You never told me why you were..."

Ember's tone darkened as she curled her hand into a fist. "What were you even doing in the dragon lands in the first place while fully armed and armored? What are you doing out here? Why is this encampment here?"

She was right. I only said so much about what was happening around the time we first met. And so I carefully said, "We...are at war out here. There is a threat approaching from the east, deep within the Empty Plains, and we even had our first clash with the enemy a couple of days ago. I had set out alone at first with only Nightmare Moon in my company and we were lucky that this militia caught up to us when they did."

"Who...?" Ember asked while looking utterly confused. "There has been no signs of civilization in the Empty Plains since long before I even hatched. Nothing but crumbling ruins that eventually disappeared. Who could possibly be out there with the manpower to declare war?"

"Definitely not your usual warlord." I replied as I started to explain more thoroughly. "It's true that the human population of Equestria ceased to exist a long time ago, but one managed to hide away and linger in the shadows until just recently. The last emperor of the human empire. I don't know how he pulled it off, but he's still out there and issued a declaration of war to the royal family. And he doesn't need his people to fight for him. That army we faced... They were just magical constructs. Human facsimiles made to look like human warriors. And it's likely that he can create as many as he needs. We're on our way east to what is likely the last remaining bit of human architecture where he is probably sending out these armies from. That's why we're here."

Ember merely stared at me with unwavering attention. She rarely blinked. As if she could barely comprehend what I had just said to her. "The last emperor...? He still lives? And he's waging war with Equestria?"

All I did was nod. I told her all that I knew at the time. She then asked, "Do you...think that the dragon lands will also be invaded in due time?"

I decided to not sugarcoat or hide my concerns about that question. "If Equestria falls, everything else will surely be next. I don't care how tough your people think they are. He has all the time and resources necessary to eventually overrun you. If he can't conquer your people, I'm sure he will instead opt to eliminate you all."

Ember's eyes quivered in uncertainty. I am sure her pride was at war with her common sense at the time. And so I reiterated something I already said to her once before. "Do not underestimate the tenacity of the human spirit. If he has the means to do so and wants something, he'll do everything in his power to get it. He betrayed and waged war on Equestria eons ago and he's doing it again. If we fail, you and your people will be next."

"And I believe you." Ember replied grimly as her eyes narrowed. With a long sigh, she looked right at me. "I need to speak to Celestia and Luna."

"You do that." I said as we both rose from our seats. Ember retrieved her helmet and the Bloodstone Scepter before stepping out of the war room while I followed. It was quite a shift with the topics we discussed. I could only wonder what was going to happen next.

Celestia and Luna were waiting out in the command center's main room and were discussing a few things with Estoc in the corner. Something about those crystal displays hanging on the walls? Setting her helmet aside on another table, Ember approached the two royal sisters as they turned to her. "Is it true? You are at war? With the last emperor of the human race?"

The two sisters looked at each other with uneasy expressions before Celestia spoke next. "Yes... We do not know yet how he has returned or how he could even still be alive after all this time, but we have confirmed that he means to invade and conquer the rest of Equestria. That is why we are out here."

"And I suppose my people will be next should you fail..." Ember muttered as she closed her eyes in contemplation. A moment later, she looked up at her superiors and said, "Would it be acceptable if I were to muster a platoon of my men and assist you in facing this invasion?"

I twitched in disbelief. Did I hear that right? The Dragon Lord herself offering to form an alliance with the militia to aid us? I could only imagine what kind of literal firepower a squad of dragons could bring to the battlefield. Celestia and Luna glanced at each other in equal bewilderment before the Princess of the Night spoke next. "Are you certain? We are confident that we can win this war as is. We are refining our tactics, redesigning our armor, and supplies and reinforcements are inbound. You do not need to concern yourself with..."

Before Luna could finish, Ember dropped to one knee with Bloodstone Scepter in hand with her head bowed and eyes closed. "Your highness. I believe this would be a prime opportunity to improve relations with the dragon lands."

A moment of unsure silence later, Ember looked up at them with a profound smirk on her lips. "Maybe after seeing what your people can do in a crisis, those boulderheads back home might develop some humility."

This sudden snide remark caused the two royal sisters to snicker together. Celestia then asked, "I take it the people of the dragon lands are still as arrogant and unruly as ever?"

"You have no idea." Ember said with an amused yet exasperated wheeze as she rose to her feet. "When I return home, I will begin to assemble my men. Or at least any that will be willing to listen. If I fail to rally them, I will at least return to inform you of the situation."

"That sounds like a plan. It will be good to have you with us, Ember." Luna replied as she took a step forward. "Although I do believe this is the first time you and I have crossed paths. Introductions are in order."

Ember smiled warmly and bowed with a hand over her chest. "I have heard of your return in recent years, but I never had the opportunity to actually introduce myself. Although your sister made quite an impact when she happened to stop by with your friend here."

"Oh dear, did Nightmare Moon flex her might for your people? That must have been quite humbling for them." Celestia mumbled with a giggle in her throat.

"Trust me, they had it coming. And it was glorious to behold. I like her." Ember retorted with a most smug smirk on her lips. "Come to think of it, where is she?"

"I believe she was at the magic R&D lab at the time of your arrival. She should be back at any time." Luna replied as she and Celestia shared a brief glance. "Although...is there anything else we can do for you during this visit?"

"I've already discovered far more than I could have expected out here. I set out for this location entirely for personal reasons." Ember explained before looking back over at me while I stood by and listened patiently. "May I remain here and discuss things for a while longer with your friend?"

"You are free to stay as long as you must. Take your time. Now, if you will excuse us..." Celestia replied as she and Luna saw themselves out of the command center. A number of guards remained indoors to carry out their tasks, so we were not entirely unsupervised.

Ember looked around at our surroundings, no doubt finding them to be utterly alien when compared to the harsh rocky environment she had known for the past century or more. She muttered clearly, "Everything here feels...and smells...so sophisticated..."

"This is your first time seeing modern architecture?" I asked as I started to suspect seeing just how far ahead of her people the rest of Equestria likely is was starting to elicit some feelings of insecurity in her. I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder while she had her back turned to me, her pauldron providing a gentle sturdy curve to grasp. "You all right?"

"I don't know... It feels like everything I've known my entire life has been turned halfway on its head in just these past couple of weeks... An invasion from the Empty Plains. Meeting you... And now this. Just...how far behind have we fallen?" She mumbled while sounding so very tired. Her hand raised to mine and rested upon my gauntlet. "Can we go back in that room for a while? I just want to rest and talk."

"Sounds good. I'll be right there." I replied as Ember left my view. For the moment, I decided to fetch us both a mug of tea from the refreshment counter in the corner. I was glad they had more than just coffee available. And much to my surprise, I found the tea was black tea that was laced with raspberry. A quick sniff of the steam rising from the surface once poured into the mug tickled my nostrils with that sweet berry scent. Once I stepped into the war room with mugs of tea in hand, Ember glanced my way while I held out the mug. "Hot tea?"

"Tea?" Ember asked while taking hold and inhaling the steam. "Smells...sweet. What is it?"

"Black tea. It's...um...seasoned water, if you want to get down to it. You just steep the contents in water for a while and the flavors and nutrients merge with the fluid." I tried to explain while not being surprised she had no knowledge of it. "Take a sip."

Ember did just that and paused in silence. "Hm... Doesn't taste like much... Although I... Mm, there it is. Some kind of aftertaste?"

"Tea isn't partaken in like other foods. Most people drink it for its benefits or to relax rather than as an actual beverage." I explained while sipping at my tea. Hot, but not enough to inflict pain. "I'm not sure how hardy you dragons are, but most tea will be beneficial to your health in some way."

"If you say so." Ember muttered as she sipped away from her cup periodically while I did the same. I still averted my gaze, trying to focus on thoughts about more pressing matters. Was Spitfire making progress with her trainees? How was the redesigning of the infantry's armor coming along? What other sorts of spells or magical artifacts would be developed in the lab? I had high hopes, but now I was more curious than worried. However, my train of thought was interrupted as I heard Ember's voice. "How have you been out here...?"

I looked over at her while she looked back at me. She looked genuinely worried and even uneasy. Almost fearful. As for why, I could not say at the time. Regardless, I set down my mug and said, "It hasn't been an easy journey out here... The farther east we went, the more harrowing it got. Almost no one around to talk to. The isolation here...isn't good for the psyche. Just before the militia here caught up to us, I was convinced I was never going to see home again... I'm actually really glad that they caught up to us when they did. Not just because more men means a greater chance of success, but because a lot of familiar faces are here with me now."

"I see..." Ember mumbled as she sipped quietly from her mug. A moment went by as I once again averted my gaze. But this did not go unnoticed. "You're so distant today... Am I...scaring you?"

"No, I'm not afraid of you. It's just..." I muttered while still uncertain of what to think of her at the time. "I was convinced you and I should not meet again... I thought you...resented me for what I said."

I was startled as a loud clack rang out through the air. I glanced at Ember, seeing that she had set her mug down on the table with a bit of force. Her gaze was...conflicted. Upset? Angry? Afraid? I could not tell. But she then firmly said, "I already told you... No, I don't resent anything you said. If anything, I'm the one who feels like I made a mistake... You come into my home and are the first person I've met in ages who actually listens to what I have to say. And I... I really appreciated that. But then you said something important. And I...didn't listen. Because...I didn't want to accept it..."

I watched and I listened to every word she said. Ember then cast her gaze towards the table and said softly, "I'm sorry... You spoke and I didn't listen. And I didn't really come to accept what I heard until days later. Long after you were gone."

She looked ahead at me and leaned forward with an arm on the table, her eyes filled with a pleading gaze. "That's why I sent my scouts out to find you. I needed to tell you that I did listen. You were right about what you said and I acknowledge that now. Please... I don't want to alienate you. Please...don't stop listening to me. And don't stop letting me hear you too."

Ember looked so vulnerable... A side I am sure she would desperately try to hide in the presence of her subjects. And she was quick to notice this as well. She suddenly cracked an uneasy smile and looked down at her arm. "Huh... It's funny, really... I'm always on edge when dealing with those idiots back home, but with you... I don't really get it. I feel...at ease when I'm with just you."

"I thought you weren't good with explaining your emotions." I replied with an unintentional jab as I recalled something I heard from her during our first meeting. Maybe I was starting to lighten up around her. I certainly did remember how pleasant her company was once inside the mountain that serves as her castle.

Her eyes opened wide as if to show that she too recalled that part of our conversation. Although that look of shock faded quickly from Ember's eyes as they began to wander. "Yeah, I did... Although I guess some feelings are easier to describe than others..."

I then asked, "But really...? I make you happy?"

Ember hesitated in her response. I suppose even she knew better than to speak too quickly. After a moment, she showed a meek smile as she said, "You... Um... I mean... All right, yes. I...do feel better when I'm with you."

My eyes wandered for a moment as well as I too felt those familiar emotions return. She was such a good host when we first met. At least after that first skirmish had ended with Nightmare Moon's arrival. I had heard the worst thing about dragons from both Spike and Smolder and just about everyone else who had any experience with dragons. Even my first encounter with them on their home turf was far from pleasant. And yet, Ember was the best they had to offer in so many ways. I managed to crack a smile as I tried to fight my lingering feelings of uncertainty and said, "You...make me happy too."

"I'm...glad to hear that..." Ember said quietly while giving me such a gaze of gratitude. I think she knew how vulnerable she was making herself seem at the time, but could not care less about it. Although her eyes wandered while they glanced every which way almost in embarrassment. She then finally let out a sigh and said, "I feel really stupid for having to say this, but...what's your name again? And I know it's not Jams."

I raised an eyebrow at this bizarre question. I had no difficulty remembering Ember's name, but she could not recall mine? She must have read my mind since she then said, "I know, I know... It's just that human names aren't all that elaborate, right?"

"To be fair, human naming conventions don't seem to follow those from most of this world... Ember, Applejack, and so on... Yeah, human names tend to have similar meanings behind them, but they're much more subtle about it..."

"They do, huh?" Ember asked as she leaned forward with her long jaw resting atop the back of her hand. With a look of keen interest in her eyes, she then asked, "Then what's the meaning behind your name?"

"Um... Lemme think... I did look it up once..." I muttered as I chugged the rest of my tea, maybe because I was hoping the caffeine might give my brain a small boost. "I seem to recall it meaning.....the one who follows?"

Ember suddenly let out a snicker as she asked, "Pretty ironic then, seeing as how everyone out here followed you east."

I too found myself smirking in amusement at the irony. "Oh wow, they did... But to be fair, I'm not a leader. Never was. Never will be. I just don't have it in me."

"But it sounds like leaders would do well to at least listen to you." Ember replied while showing a rather confident smile. But she then asked, "All right then, One Who Follows. Please, tell me your name. I swear I'll try to not forget it this time."

"Oh, right. It's..." I started to say before noticing something on the table that could be useful at that moment. A notepad and pencil. I reached out and took them in hand, although I did fumble them a bit at first due to the bulky plating on my gauntlets. "Here... Look it over all you need to."

Ember cast me a cockeyed glance as I passed her a freshly written note with just my name on it. She took it in hand and looked it over. "Ja... Jams? Wait... Oh, James! Yes, that does sound familiar. Thank you. I'll study it until I've got it memorized."

I suppose Smolder was right. The Dragon Lord's territory must have some semblance of an education system in place if she knew how to read. Ember continued to mutter to herself, "James... The one who follows... He who follows... James... Funny how just one syllable can say so much."

"Yeah, human naming conventions are funny like that. Subtle." I retorted while finding some amusement in her fascination with the unexpected wordplay in my own name. But as she studied my name, I studied her. Now that I was starting to overcome my prior uneasiness, I was rediscovering Ember's outward appearance. That gilded armor complimented the lovely shade of blue in her scales as well as those vibrant scarlet eyes. I could not see any way around it. For as barbaric as her people were at the time and for how tough she is, Ember was undoubtedly the single most beautiful female among her kind. She had to be. I would not be convinced otherwise.

My unwavering gaze did not escape Ember's attention for long. She soon looked past the note in her hand and asked, "Um... What?"

I did not expect her to notice and replied, "Oh, uh... I just forgot how...um...beautiful you are."

She flinched at my words. Which I suppose I should have expected by then. Ember then cast me a crooked sneer as she growled, "I thought I told you that dragons don't do beautiful."

Her irritation with my compliment was as amusing as ever. I then said, "In that case, you're looking absolutely..."

"No, don't you go completely in the other direction and say I'm utterly hideous either! It wasn't funny the last time and it won't fly here!" Ember shouted as she pointed at me from across the table. I burst into laughter for a few seconds, but then paused as I suddenly remembered when I last pulled that bait and switch. Even Ember recoiled at the memory and brought a hand to her head with her eyes glancing elsewhere. "Wait... When did... Why do I remember... Wasn't that...just a dream...?"

"You... Yeah... I was there. I saw it. With Nightmare Moon." I explained as I too recalled that shared dream we had. Such a dark beginning to it too... "You remember it all?"

"I... It felt like I wasn't dreaming at all. It felt so real... Like I was awake the entire time..." Ember muttered as I thought back to hat night. When I saw Ember at her most fragile. She looked across the table at me as she said quietly, "I begged you to not leave... You listened... And you stayed."

"I did." I retorted with a nod of my head. It was...a magical experience, spending that night with her. "And at the end...I asked you something. But I didn't hear your answer."

"Why do you think I'm here?" Ember asked before chugging down the rest of her tea and setting her mug aside. She then stood up from her seat and stepped around the table until she was standing before me. With some hesitation, she raised her arms to me just like once before. "I wanted to see you again."

With a deep breath, I reached out and took Ember into my arms as she too put hers around me. I... I missed her. And it was good to see her again. However, I soon heard Ember grumble as she muttered, "This felt nicer when all this metal wasn't in the way..."

"Yeah, it did..." I said quietly before the two of us had a good chuckle at how our armor was getting in the way of what should have been a tender reunion. Although I did make a quick observation and added, "Just mind your horns if you have to turn your head..."

"Yes, I haven't forgotten about that." Ember replied as she looked up at me and brought her hand to the side of my face. She even remembered which cheek her horn pierced back then. "That never happened before. Are you sure that wound is gone?"

"No worries. Dream wounds never stick, you know." I said while enjoying the warm yet smooth caress of her scaled hand.

"Phew... That gave me a good scare too. I didn't even know my horns could do that." She muttered before stepping back from me. She then looked up at me with a rather tender gaze as she muttered softly, "It's...really good to see you again."

"Likewise, Ember." I replied in earnest. Although I then felt the need to ask, "Although... What now? If there really is a problem with how things are back home... What are you going to do about how the dragon lands are?"

She let out an exasperated sigh before crossing her arms while looking at nothing in particular. "That's a good question... You weren't wrong. Something does need to change in the dragon lands, but... Knowing what the problem is doesn't exactly give you a good idea of how to fix it..."

"You think there's any hope for your people to...transcend what they've always been?" I asked while feeling conflicted about the situation. I admit I did not have much love for the dragons of Equestria aside from a few very notable exceptions, but I felt compelled to at least feel some sympathy for their misguided barbarism. It was hard to hate after living among the more idealistic ponies of Equestria for so long by then.

"I hope so... I mean I am sick of what a bunch of morons they are, but I've never hated my people..." Ember replied with her gaze turned towards the floor. She tapped her foot against the smooth polished wood and muttered, "Maybe a look outside our borders might be just the push in the right direction they need..."

I raised an eyebrow just slightly. Was Ember suggesting what I was thinking? She then looked up at me and said, "When this whole war business is over, I... I want to see what my people have been missing out on. I need to...see more of Equestria. With my own eyes."

"You won't be disappointed." I replied while knowing full well just how well off Equestria as a whole tends to be. "I've met some wonderful people out there. The ponies. The kirin. The hippogriffs. There's lots of good people in this world and they're all doing well for themselves."

Ember showed a curious smile as she rubbed a finger against her chin. "Kirin? Hippogriffs? Can't say I've heard of them before, but I am intrigued... Is the world of Equestria beyond our borders really that good?"

I made no attempt to hide my adoration for the world I now called home. "I wouldn't trade this world for anything. If it's a world I think is worth fighting for, then it's a world worth loving."

"And I believe you." Ember replied warmly. She ten placed a hand upon my cuirass and said, "Then you and I will fight to save this world. If I can't convince some of my people to assist in this war effort, I will return alone and lend you my spear. And I will not return to the dragon lands until this threat is dealt with."

"Alone?! Ember, you don't have to do that. If they won't..." I started to say before she suddenly pointed up at my face as if commanding me to stay silent. And so I did.

"You're the only one who has ever listened to what I have to say." Ember said firmly with her eyes showing a much firmer stare than before. "If anything were to happen to you out here..."

Her gaze softened as a much more vulnerable look settled into her eyes. Those scarlet irises looked up at me as her hand lowered, a fearful frown set into her lips. "Who would listen to me if you were gone?"

A strange way of saying that she cared about me, for sure... I was uncertain of how to even respond to that. And so I asked, "What exactly are you saying...?"

"I... I'm saying... I..." Ember stuttered as she began to trip over her words constantly while struggling to find the right response. After maybe ten seconds of fumbling her words in a fashion that sounded like she was slurring her words while intoxicated, she finally let out a frustrated groan and pointed at me in irritation. "Look! All that matters is that I'm going to be right there with you with spear in hand! And that's final! Got it?"

"OK, OK! It... Uh... It'll be good to have you with us!" I retorted loudly while leaning away from this very aggressive manner of declaring her allegiance to our cause.

Satisfied, Ember lowered her arm as a confident smirk formed on her lips. "Good. Now then, I think I'd like to see what this army has to offer. If you don't mind, I'd like to take a look around for a while."

"Oh, go right ahead. Maybe one of the princesses can be your guide." I replied now that it seemed our conversation had finally wrapped up. Ember returned to her side of the table, but seemed unsure if she should reach for the Bloodstone Scepter and her helmet since she was not yet departing. "I think you can leave those here. The command center is a safe zone of sorts. The guards stationed here won't bother them."

"Hmm... All right then. But they better be here when I get back." Ember retorted firmly. Though when we stepped out into the main room, we found Nightmare Moon discussing a few things with Celestia. Ember was quick to recognize the Princess of Dreams and gave her a hearty greeting. "Nightmare Moon! Good to see you again! Raising havoc against the enemy?"

"Ah, Ember! Well met. I heard that you had stopped by. So sorry I could not be there at the gates when you entered." She replied as Ember bowed respectfully to her. "What brings you to our headquarters? I trust you did not simply visit for pleasure."

"On the contrary, I've decided that I will be allying myself with you in this war along with any fighters I can convince to join in." Ember replied while maintaining an air of confidence in her tone. Though she then said, "Although I would appreciate getting to know what your people are doing to combat this new threat. Could you show me around the camp so I can get brought up to speed?"

"It would be my pleasure. Right this way, please." Nightmare Moon said as she stepped towards the door and led Ember out of the command center. I knew I should leave the two of them be for the moment and did not follow.

"Sounds like the two of you made quite the scene when you showed up in the dragon lands. I hope Nightmare Moon didn't rough anyone up over there." Celestia said as she turned to me, an amused smirk on her lips.

"Oh, I'm sure she wanted to, but they all ran for the hills after she flexed her magical might to remind them who's in charge of this world." I retorted while remembering just how entertained Ember and I were with her display of raw power. "Not like they didn't have it coming. A handful of them pelted me in the back of the head with a rock and even sicced Ember on me when she first showed up. If Nightmare Moon didn't show up when she did, it might've gotten ugly."

Celestia rolled her eyes in both amusement and annoyance. "Typical dragon juveniles. I would apologize for that, but even I never expected you to stumble upon the dragon lands out here."

"It's fine. Ember apologized enough for her people's barbaric practices." I explained in brief while still remembering the punks who harassed me right after I arrived. "Sounds like even she doesn't appreciate them very much herself. Are the dragons some of the worst people you've ever had to deal with during your reign?"

Much to my surprise, Celestia let out a snort of amusement as she said, "Actually, no. For what a bunch of primitive boors the dragons can be, the Dragon Lords have always been a respectable bunch. I have had nothing but respect for Torch and even her forefathers before him. And I am relieved to see Ember might be the most progressive of them all thus far."

This blew my mind. I could not expect anyone being more undesirable than the dragons. Although I then did recall something I had been told during my visit to the Grove of Silence. "They're not? Then who...? The deer?"

That look of surprise in her eyes showed that she more than likely not expect me to have happened upon information about a civilization that collapsed millennia ago. But Celestia still shook her head and said, "Good guess, but not quite. At least the deer settled into a humble vagabond existence."

"Then who...? What could be worse than barbaric dragons and haughty forest deer?" I asked as Celestia began to guide me to the nearest table to take a seat. I was expecting quite a tale by this point.

"A race so arrogant and universally stupid that they nearly brought about their own extinction." Celestia retorted with an uncharacteristic amount of venom in her voice. As she poured the two of us some tea before taking a seat, she added, "I have never had greater misfortune in establishing contact with a race as much as I did when I first made contact with the yaks."

Yaks...? Asiatic mountain cattle? "Um... Can't say I've heard much of them before... Actually, I don't think I've ever heard of them at all."

"I'm not surprised you haven't." Celestia replied before taking a sip of her tea. "They mostly disappeared several generations ago. And they were not particularly adept with diplomatic relations. An entire culture built around sheer arrogance with no subtly. And their leadership was never much better. Proclaiming superiority in absolutely everything, they would often entertain the notion of declaring war until I had to directly remind them of why that was a bad idea. I swear, I felt like I was playing nanny to a bunch of toddlers every time I had to contend with them..."

I could barely wrap my head around this. The dragons and deer were one thing, but being savages on top of being genuinely stupid? "I... Uh... I don't even know what to say to that... And that stupidity combined with their arrogance led to their downfall? In what way, exactly?"

Celestia let out a long wheeze of irritation. No doubt from unpleasant memories. "I will confess that the yaks are a hardy bunch, but setting up shop in the arctic circle, let alone in the mountains, wasn't a good idea."

"The arctic...? I mean I can get setting things up in the tundra since the vegetation up there is still pretty lush, but the arctic circle? And in the rugged arid mountains? That's...suicidal. How would they ever feed themselves up there? Even where I come from, feral yaks don't live anywhere close to that far north." I asked while unable to grasp the logic behind those poor fools calling such an inhospitable place home.

"I've often pondered that myself. Even if it is much too late to ask their leaders." Celestia replied while stirring some honey into her teacup. "They managed for a while... Somehow. But during one particularly harsh winter, I noticed that their usual messages had ceased. I assumed that they were merely snowed in and getting word in and out of the mountains was difficult at the time. But it went on for much too long, forcing me to consider the worst and sent a scouting party into the mountains to survey the situation."

I did not like the darkening tone of her voice. A chill fell over the corner of the room we were in. "What did they find?"

Celestia let out a long and contemplative sigh. Not out of disdain... More like one out of pity. "The unusually fierce winter chill had ravaged their crops and the heavy snowfall had left the huts all but buried... Many of the yaks starved or froze to death. Only the young ones managed to survive long enough for help to arrive."

No words were spoken for a moment. Foolish and unpleasant as the yaks may have been, a near genocide of their kind was hard to see as justified or even deserved. I said nothing as I could not help but feel a twinge of pity for them. With nothing for me to say, Celestia continued. "I could not leave them there. All the surviving calves were removed and relocated to the area that is now known as Vanhoover. A place with familiarly cold winters that they would find more bearable than the rigid harshness of the arctic circle. They would grow up to become more educated and integrated themselves nicely into the local culture. They've since bounced back quite well and no longer hold the toxic arrogance and ignorance that nearly doomed them so long ago."

A sigh of relief left my lungs. "Sounds like things worked out for the best in its own weird macabre way... And the yaks of today are good folk?"

"Quite good folk." Celestia replied while looking happier than before as she sipped her tea. "They thrive in the winter in ways that the local ponies can't. They are hearty and rugged, but very friendly. Very strong too. Stronger than most earth ponies, to be honest. If you ever head far enough north to wind up in the more forested locations of the Vanhoover region, you're likely to come across them."

"I'll keep that in mind. Glad to know things turned out OK in the end." I replied before sipping down the rest of my tea. I did not know enough about the yaks at the time to have a conclusive take on them, but I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that Celestia was entirely honest about what they are like today. Although the thin comparisons of the yaks to other undesirables like the dragons brought my thoughts back to Ember. "Anyway... You and Ember go back a ways?"

"Well, we never really knew each other personally. The few times Torch requested an audience with me when Ember was with him was during her infancy. She was much too young to remember me at the time." Celestia replied as she gulped down the rest of her tea. "If what I heard through the walls a few times is true, she came out here just to find you?"

"That's what she said... Although I think she's not used to having friends." I replied while thinking back to how...difficult it seemed for Ember to say some things. "She is good company in spite of that. Very accommodating host. Made a good first impression once we stopped fighting."

"Oh, that's right. You two did get into a scuffle at first, didn't you?" Celestia asked while leaning a bit further forward in interest. "How did that go anyway? She give you a hard time?"

"For using something as primitive as a spear, she did. I had to heavily rely on my shield most of the time. It was tricky trying to subdue her without lethal force and I think even she knew I wasn't really there to cause trouble. I can see why she's the Dragon Lord. She's tough." I replied while still remembering what an impressive fight she put up. A very competent spearfighter who could probably overwhelm most human warriors without resorting to using her flame breath.

"Well, I'm glad to see she didn't rough you up too much before Nightmare Moon could intervene. And I'm relieved to see that Ember turned out as respectable as she did. I had high hopes for her under Torch's watch." Celestia retorted while sipping down the last of her tea. "She must be fond of you to have come all this way outside her territory just to speak to you. Even after such a misunderstanding?"

I nodded while also feeling quite glad to have had the chance to see her again after a less than stellar departure. "Yeah... She's the best the dragon lands have to offer. I didn't have high hopes for them after what I heard and saw, but she surprised me. She's no barbarian. Although she had the funniest response when I pointed out how beautiful she is for her kind."

Celestia cracked an amused smirk while leaning a bit closer, her chin resting upon her wrist. "Oh my, what did she say?"

I snorted with a suppressed snicker as I thought back to that unorthodox reply to my observations. "I think she got mad at me. Asked me if there was something wrong with me to say such a thing about a dragon. It was hard not to laugh."

"Ooooohohoho Ember... She needs to learn how to loosen up and look past traditional values out there..." Celestia chuckled while I shook my head in amusement. Really, since when is beauty a negative trait to possess?

"To be fair, I think she is. She's not exactly fond of how things are out in the dragon lands. I think she's just insecure about her public image with her people and trying to be true to herself. She does have it pretty rough out there..." I muttered while thinking back to some more somber memories regarding Ember. I still could recall that dream Nightmare Moon and I walked in on... It spoke volumes of Ember's insecurities.

Celestia nodded solemnly while pouring herself another cup of tea. "Believe me, I would like to expand control over the dragon lands and help provide some guidance for them, but the Dragon Lords have always insisted on autonomy for their land. Ember would have to personally request that they be annexed into the rest of Equestria. All things considered, it would be for the best, but it is not my call to make. And the Dragon Lords have always done enough to keep their people in line so as to not require us to take their land by force."

"When you put it like that, annexation might be the best thing that can happen for that place. It's not like they have anything to lose should they start exposing themselves to Equestria's cultures and industries. Maybe they have mountains of untapped potential that they just don't have the guidance or ambition to utilize." I spoke while wondering if Ember had any plans to reach out to the royal family. "I wouldn't be surprised if Ember has considered it at times. Although her people might not be OK with the idea..."

"As I said, it is not our decision to make. I trust Ember will make all the right choices when the time comes, whatever they may be. From what I gathered from her today, she seems to be the least traditional Dragon Lord to date..." Celestia muttered quietly while appearing deep in thought. She must have been very aware of the dragon lands' issues as the eldest of the royal sisters. But I had faith in her and her sisters. When the time comes, they would make the wisest decisions.

Before long, I bid Celestia farewell and stepped out of the command center. I did not have much to do at the moment, so maybe it was a good time to head over to that mess hall and set into motion that little reunion with Rainbow Dash and Gilda. If I waited long enough, they would eventually show up. At least until I remembered that I was still wearing my armor when I did not really need it at the time. After a quick trip to my private quarters and shedding my armor into its tub in the corner, I left the command center and tried to find my way over to the correct mess hall.

However, seconds after leaving the command center, I happened to notice something...off about the shadow of the building behind me that was being cast upon the ground. There was an odd shape right atop the roof. Out of curiosity, I turned and looked up. And much to my surprise, I saw a griffon perched atop the place. She was out of uniform, but I was quick to notice a brown satchel of sorts strapped to her sides. I did not recall seeing her among the other trainees that Spitfire was lecturing that morning. And she did not look like a recent arrival. "I don't think she belongs here..."

I somehow avoided her detection at first. Her hand was held to her brow to aid her in viewing distant targets, eyes narrowed to scan her surroundings. While the bird flesh of her hands was a vibrant yellow, her plumage consisted of varying hues of grayish blue. Like Gilda, the tuft of fur on the tip of her tail as well as her wings were darker than the rest of her while the feathers on her head and down her neck were lighter than her body. There was a prominent patch of an almost white hue along her jaw and down the front of her neck while a handful of symmetrical lighter spots were set around her head. I even noticed she kind of hand her plumage slicked back on her head and tied behind it in a sot of tiny ponytail, giving her head a distinctly round look. Her beak was smaller than Gilda's while having a more pronounced downward curve to it. Taking her beak in mind and the spotted bits of her plumage, her appearance brought to mind a burrowing owl, although I could have been wrong. She did not seem to be up to any trouble and it was unlikely she had gone unnoticed by anyone else in the camp, so I turned around and continued on my way.

I did not get far before I was interrupted. A very peppy young lady's voice greeted my ears as I felt a pair of hands grasp my shoulders from behind. "Excuse me! I'm looking for someone. Can you help me?"

"Um...maybe?" I replied before turning around to see that same griffon hen now hovering before me with her impressive dark wings spread and flapping in a steady rhythm to hold herself aloft. Now that I had a much closer look at her, I started to see her feline side less as that of a lion and more as that of a panther. And...I must confess she looked quite cute with those big round bluish eyes gazing at me. She must have been very young. Probably in her very early twenties at the most. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, you can! I'm looking for... Uh... For..." She mumbled while looking left and right with a fist rubbing her chin and her other hand resting on her hip. She then suddenly reached into her satchel and pulled out a large sturdy envelope. "Gimme a second here... Um... Oh right, I'm looking for one Mr. James! And... Right, he's a human! Whatever that is... Do you even know what a human looks like? Because I don't!"

I cracked a smirk at this adorable griffon's ignorance to what I was. Still, I was not going to lie to her. "Yeah, that would be me. I'm James. What can I do for you?"

The griffon's eyes lit up in inspiration as she looked at me with a huge smile on her gaping beak. "You?! Oh wow, so you're a human! I've never even heard of them before, so I couldn't even guess what they look like!"

Before I could even get a word in, she suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand for a friendly shake. "Anyway, pleased to meet you! I'm Gabriella! Or if you wanna be friends, you can just call me Gabby!"

"Oh, uh... OK then, Gabby. So, whatcha need?" I asked while both confused and amused with this very friendly and cute griffon hen. While I have not met many griffons thus far, she was easily the most pleasant one yet.

"Oh, I don't need anything! But I do have something for you." She replied before releasing her grip on my hand and passing me the envelope in her other hand. Sure enough, it had my name on it, but not much of a defined destination. Understandable when considering exactly where I was at the time. "I've got a few others to pass out while I'm here, but I wanted to find you first since you sounded really different from all my other clients. I just had to see what a human is. And you're not at all like what I expected! Then again, I didn't know what to expect!"

"You and Pinkie Pie would get along just fine." I said under my breath as I took a look at the parcel again. I then asked, "You a mail carrier?"

"No, not exactly mail. I'm just a courier. You know, the kind who delivers parcels with a more personal touch. And it's always nice to see the smiles they put on everyone's faces." Gabby explained as she finally set herself down on the ground. "It was a lot of work flying all the way out here. I mean wow, we're really deep in the Empty Plains out here! Nobody ever comes out this way!"

"Yeah, there's a good reason for that..." I muttered before looking the envelope over. It was much too big to just be a folded letter. Why would it need to be so big? But when I looked at the return address, I felt a knot form in my throat. The return address was my own house. And the name it had been sent under... "My wife gave you this?"

"Huh? You mean... Oh, Miss Fluttershy is your wife?! No wonder she was so particular with who you were and how nice you are..." Gabby muttered while rubbing her chin again, eyes glancing at nothing in particular. She then looked up at me with a smile and said, "And you are nice!"

I hardly paid any mind to her words at the time. I felt my hands quiver for a moment as I realized who had sent this parcel in the first place. I did not even go home to say goodbye. I left my family behind to face this invasion while courage was still strong. I could only imagine what angry words could be inside it, but I could not run. Not from this. Gabby must have noticed the shift in my mood and asked, "Are you OK?"

"Um... It's just... Thanks for bringing me this. I better check it out right now." I replied as a chill flowed through me. The kind one gets when someone demands their presence for a meeting that you know cannot be for a good reason.

"OK, sure! I'll be around a little longer. Gonna grab a bite to eat and get a good night's sleep before heading out tomorrow. I think they've got a courier barrack around somewhere... Anyway, who else did I have something for?" Gabby replied before rummaging through her satchel for more parcels. I immediately made my way back into the command center and up to my private chambers. I had probably headed out too early anyway and would end up waiting around a while for Rainbow Dash or Gilda to show up.

"All right... What have we here..." I muttered to myself as I cautiously and carefully opened one end of the parcel and sat myself down on the edge of the bed as I slid the contents out. It was a few sheets of paper that had not been folded. And it looked like it had all been typed out on the typewriter I do most of my writings on. With a deep breath, I began to read.

"Dear James. I hope this gets to you safely. When you didn't come home, I went to Twilight's place to ask about you. And then we were all called up to Canterlot. I... I still can't believe this is really happening. War? There's a real invasion coming? And there had always been a human empire in Equestria so long ago? I still am not sure how to really process everything I've learned... But I know you're not like the ones who came before. You are my husband. And I've known you long enough by now to know that whatever they did to get banished from this world, you would never do the same."

Her wording was much softer than I anticipated. The text before me was not harsh or angry at all. But I remained on guard as I continued on before eventually setting the sheet aside to read the next page. "I wish I could be there with you right now. I so dearly wanted to go with the rest of the girls, but... They were right. I would just be dead weight. I'm not a fighter. I never was. And I don't think I would be able to handle whatever happens out there. And more than anything, Gladesong needs me more than ever. I can't just leave our little girl behind. Even if you can't be here for her, I still can. And I'm sure she misses you so much. Scootaloo doesn't really know what's happening right now and I think it's for the best she doesn't know for the moment. I don't want her to have reason to think you're in danger..."

I took a moment to process the words before me. This undoubtedly was written by my loving wife. The small eloquent letters were definitely in her style. And it was the first form of contact I have had with her in roughly two weeks. It almost felt...surreal to be reading this after being convinced at one point that I would never see her again. I then moved on to the last page. "I wish you could've come back and said something before you left. But...I know that I would've tried to stop you. We all would have. It was bold of you to head out on your own like that. And I understand why. I'm not angry with you. I can't be when I know why you're out there right now. Trying to save the world and the people you love so much. All I can do is watch over our home and our little ones, making sure they'll be safe and happy when their father gets home. I've included a little something special in this package too. A little something to help keep your spirits high. I miss you, my love... We all miss you. Please, stay safe out there. And come home soon. We are waiting for you. With all of my love, Fluttershy."

I was touched. I felt the urge to shed a tear or two. But upon realizing that there was one more item under that page, I set aside the last note and was caught entirely by surprise as I gazed upon it. "Oh my god, dear..."

A photo. And I should not have been surprised of what was on it. It displayed Fluttershy resting upon the sofa in the living room. Scootaloo was seated by her and waving to the camera while surely saying hello. And sitting at the other end was Smolder while cradling little Gladesong in her arms with the little filly wrapped in swaddling. They were all smiling optimistically. And written in the corner was a stylized line of text. "We all miss you! -XOXO"

This was too much. Actually seeing my own family, who I did not even have enough time to say goodbye to, was more than I could handle. I set the photo aside and held my head in my hands, letting out a haggard wheeze as a few tears leaked from the corners of my eyes. How I missed them... Fluttershy. Scootaloo. Dear Smolder. And my own flesh and blood. Precious little Gladesong. She could not hope to understand what was happening, even if one were to try and explain it to her. I feared what would become of them if this counterinvasion failed. Now all the more determined to see this through to the end, I muttered to myself quietly. "I'll be home eventually... Just...wait for me..."

I did not want to tuck this photo away in a drawer. I wanted to put it somewhere where I could easily see it every day. It was not framed and I could not prop it up easily. Unsure of where to put it for the moment, I set the photo upon my bed's pillow. I would never overlook it there. Looking down at it and the message that Fluttershy had so thoughtfully written out, all I could do was smile somberly. I had to write a response. But not at the moment. There was somewhere I needed to be. Promising myself that I would write something out before bedtime, I made my way back downstairs. It was almost time for dinner and someone was likely waiting for me.

Before I could leave the command center, I happened to notice Shining Armor off in the corner looking something over. And that look on his face... He was very distracted with what he was seeing. And I could tell he liked what he saw. And so I stealthily approached him while no one else in the room seemed to be the wiser. And sure enough, I looked over him and saw exactly why he was so distracted. Resting on the counter was a freshly opened parcel not unlike the one Gabby just gave me. And floating before him was a photo of Cadence. Resting on a bed while gazing lustfully at the camera while decked out in some gorgeous black lingerie. There was only one thing I could utter. "Wow."

At the sound of my voice, Shining Armor suddenly turned around while the photo floated behind his head. "Whoa, James! You weren't supposed to see that! Um... What's going on?"

"Your wife sending you nudes?" I asked with a bemused smirk on my face. I know Cadence is holding down the fort back in Canterlot with Spike serving as her assistant, but I can see why she was more comfortable with sending that photo in a parcel through the mail service instead of letting Spike handle it at all. "And it looks like you've got something nice waiting for you back home."

"Pffffft, I guess I do." Shining Armor snickered bashfully while looking very excited. "Anyway! You got somewhere you need to be? I'd like to retire to my quarters for the moment to...take care of something."

"Yeah, you do that. See you around, captain." I replied before stepping out of the command center with a huge grin on my face. That was certainly amusing. Now we both had something to look forward to when we got home. But for the moment, there was somewhere I needed to be.

I managed to find the same mess hall as before and found a seat at a vacant table. But as I looked around, it appeared to be too early for dinner. Hardly anyone was getting anything from the food carts and no servers were to be seen tending to customers seated at the tables. I rolled my eyes as I came to realize the obvious. "Guess I showed up too soon..."

With nothing else to do for the moment, I took a menu in hand to at least plan ahead. What was something that sounded new? I barely had two minutes to examine the menu before I felt the table shift just slightly to signify that someone had taken a seat across from me. But when I set the menu down to look, I found it was not at all who I was expecting. He quietly asked, "May I have this seat, sir?"

I stared in confused silence for a brief moment. One of the royal guards of pegasi blood sat across from me with his helmet missing even as the rest of him was still clad in the standard issue gilded armor. His appearance still consisted of the white coat and blue mane as most others, but I was unsure if it was a result of the spell infused into the armor for that coat of arms effect or if it was his natural hue. He was...visibly young. No longer a colt, but not quite a stallion either. Finally, I asked, "Um... Can I help you?"

"Phalanx, sir... My name is Phalanx." He replied in a very polite and almost subservient manner. "And I... Well... You are Sir James, right?"

"I haven't been officially knighted, but yes... I am James." I replied while unsure of what to even make of this young guardsman. "Anyway... Do you need something?"

"I just... I don't know if... I mean..." He mumbled while having some difficulty looking me in the eye. I could see that he was troubled and waited patiently for him to find his verbal footing. He did eventually say, "I guess I...just need some advice."

I was unsure of how to even respond to this request. Although I did soon reply, "I'm not sure what advice I can give, but sure."

"Thank you. It's just... I've only been in the royal guard for a few weeks. I had just completed training a few days before the call to war had been made..." Phalanx explained to me as I started to understand where he was coming from. He really was just a boy who had not quite become a man yet. "I mean I want to serve and protect the people of Equestria. But this... It's just so much so soon, you know?"

"Yeah... It's a lot happening in such a short time frame." I retorted while knowing how much stress such a development must have been on the mind of a fresh recruit. "What do you need me for then?"

"I've heard nothing but good things about you among the royal guard. Our captain has had the best things to say about you. Like you're a good friend of his..." He explained while still having some difficulty gazing at me. His mind was clearly elsewhere as one wing reached up and brushed along his jaw. "But you... You don't look like a warrior... So... Is there anything you can tell me? Like...any advice to help me excel? I just need to know what to do..."

A long sigh hissed through my nostrils. I knew all too well of where he was coming from. Willing to protect others, but woefully unprepared for the rigors of the battlefield. Even I still had doubts of how I would handle the coming clashes with the enemy. But knowing where he was coming from, I could feel his concerns resonate with me. And so I said, "I'm not the best to provide advice for this stuff, but... All I can say is take things one day at a time. Focus on what will happen if you run away instead of facing this threat. It might be the only thing that gives you the drive to keep going."

"Is that what you did, sir?" Phalanx asked while almost sounding doubtful of my words. Or perhaps he was doubting himself.

"I don't think it would've taken much to convince me to not go if someone I cared about tried to stop me... It's why I set out as soon as I did without telling anyone back home." I replied while looking at the young stallion before me. "You're not the only one here concerned about what might happen. But I'm a lot more confident in our odds now that I've seen the preparations that are underway. I have faith in the people serving here. And I have faith that you'll do just fine when the time comes."

"Thank you, sir... That means a lot to me." Phalanx replied while standing up from his seat and letting out a wheeze of some relief. I think he was only just slightly more relaxed by then. "I...uh...don't want to take up too much of your time, sir... But...if I... If I still..."

"If you need to talk to me again, you go right ahead. Come see me anytime you need something." I replied while hoping the poor guy was feeling a bit more grounded by now. "Grab a bite, get some rest, and check in with Shining Armor in a while if you have more questions. You have a good boss. He'll point you in the right direction."

"Right, thanks... I'll check in with you later, all right?" Phalanx replied with a small smile on his lips before trotting off to one of the food carts. I went right back to looking over the menu before me, hoping he would be fine in the end. Phalanx seems to be at an awfully young age to have to go to war...

Before long, I felt the table lurch again. But when I set down the menu to look again, I was greeted by a much more familiar face. And one I was expecting. "Hey there, James. Am I on time? You ready to do this?"

"I dunno, Rainbow. Are you ready for it?" I asked now that Rainbow Dash had met up with me for our planned operation of sorts. It was right around then that more of the camp's personnel began to flood into the mess hall for a meal. It was dinner time and things were starting to get noisy.

"I'm about as ready as I'll ever be... I really wasn't expecting to ever talk to G again after last time, so... Kinda feels like I forgot to tie my cord for a bungee jump. Almost scary..." Rainbow Dash replied while looking very uneasy. It is never easy to approach someone you are no longer on good terms with. She then said, "She'll probably be here any minute. We just finished drills for the day and have free time for the evening."

"In that case... Um... Way over there. Wait there, act natural, and wait for me to leave the table after she shows up." I said while pointing to a far corner that had another occupied table in front of it. She could use them for cover to avoid giving her position away.

"Right, got it. Wish me luck, big guy." Rainbow Dash replied with some apprehension as she left the table and trotted away. And now a moment too soon. Barely a minute after she left the table, I saw her. Gilda stepped into the mess hall and scanned her surroundings. As soon as she saw me, the griffon hen made her way over with a brisk pace to her stride.

I said nothing as Gilda took a seat across from me and cracked a sincere smile. "So, how's your day been?"

It was hard to try and maintain an emotional distance with Gilda by that point. She had managed to endear herself to me by then. At least enough to loosen up around her. So I did not even try to reserve my tone. "So far, so good. How'd the drills go?"

"Better than in the morning. We're starting to get the hang of it, but I think I'm doing better than most." Gilda replied before showing her gloved hands again, her body still coated by her suit of camouflaged brigandine. "Helps that I've got these grabbers here, you know?"

"Hands are a useful tool to have... I should know." I replied while looking at my own right hand. Although it was then that I knew what I had to do. "Anyway, I'm gonna get in line to grab a bite. Wanna see what they have over there for once."

Gilda cast me a cockeyed glance as she asked, "Uh... Dude? The line's are getting kinda long over there. I bet the waiters will be over pretty soon."

"I have the patience for it. Feel free to order if they get to you before I get back. See you in a bit." I replied while standing up from the table and making my way over to the nearest food line. And sure enough, I saw Rainbow Dash come out of hiding and approach the table while Gilda had her face buried in a menu.

I felt a certain tension fill the air as Rainbow Dash sat down across from Gilda, a look of nervousness in her eyes. Even amongst the noise of the mess hall, Gilda had detected someone at the table. And her eyes shot open with shock as she realized who had joined her. Rainbow Dash raised a hoof in greeting and muttered a single word. Gilda soon did the same, but much more reluctantly. It had begun.

I watched from the line as the two old friends fidgeted in their seats. Neither looked angry, but both of them were clearly extremely uncomfortable to be seeing each other like this. It was much too noisy for me to make out what they were saying from that distance, but I did not need to in order to process what was going on. They both had difficulty maintaining eye contact, only saying very brief lines to each other. But as the minutes ticked by, I saw them starting to relax. They began conversing back and forth, going from sitting straight up in their seats to leaning comfortably on the table. Eventually, they started to smile. I could even make out Gilda's tail swishing in a feline display of emotion. And later still, I could see them starting to laugh. A smile spread across my face as I saw that this operation was a success. A couple of old friends who's poor decisions at different times of their lives compounded problems for both of them in different ways.

It was only then that I reached the food cart and decided to grab something light. Just a banana since I was more interested in what the command center's kitchen was offering that evening. I then headed back over to the table to find Rainbow Dash and Gilda chatting and laughing together like nothing had even gone wrong in the first place. They did not even notice me approach at first. "Everything OK over here?"

The two of them looked my way before Rainbow Dash patted the table to ask me to join them. "Heh, yep!"

Once I took a seat, I asked, "So... Everything cool between you two now?"

"Yeah, we're cool. Just a couple of idiots who've done some stupid stuff before. But not so stupid anymore, right?" Gilda asked while glancing at the two of us.

In a way that only a longtime friend could get away with, Rainbow Dash cracked a smirk and said, "Oh, I dunno about you, G. I think I still see some turkey in you. And you know what they say about turkeys and rain, right?"

"Hey! At least I graduated from flight school! Can't say that about you, Little Miss Dropout." Gilda shouted back while sounding more irritated than angry. But a fun kind of irritated.

"Long story, long story, G. Seriously, there's a good reason I never introduced you to my folks. They'd make you wanna fly to the ends of Equestria too!" Rainbow Dash replied before the two of them had a good laugh together. It was like the dynamic between them had never really changed after all that time. Rainbow Dash then looked at me and said, "In all seriousness though... Thanks, big guy. We didn't know how much we missed each other until now."

"Anytime, Rainbow. You two do look like you're having a good time here." I replied while seeing just how well the two of them meshed. It felt good to see these two old friends reunited, especially now that they had both acknowledged the baggage they likely held for years. Gilda seemed especially pleasant when compared to when she and I crossed paths for the first time just the other day. Still with a hefty dose of tough girl charm, but without the bitterness that came with it before. "So, you two good now?"

Rainbow Dash then cast a smirk at Gilda as she said, "Maaaaaybe if she's willing to take one little walk down memory lane with me. Right, my fellow Junior Speedster?"

Gilda's eyes went wide if discomfort. "Ugh, that old thing? Wasn't it enough the last time? You know that lame chant got old after the first week."

It became clear to me that Gilda did not share all of Rainbow Dash's enthusiasm for their days among the Junior Speedsters during their childhood. But that did not stop that rowdy pegasus from pressuring her harder. "Come ooooon, G. Do it for James. He hasn't seen it before."

With a long groan, Gilda rolled her eyes before looking at her old friend. "Only for you, Dash."

"Sweet! But...uh...lets take it outside. The ceiling's way too low in here." Rainbow Dash replied before the three of us left the table. I had no idea where this was going, but I was at least interested in seeing this old ritual. Once out of the mess hall, Rainbow Dash stood beside Gilda and asked, "So, you ready?"

"Does it even matter? Let's just get this lame thing over with so we can scratch it off the bucket list." Gilda said with a groan. She then looked at me and said, "Watch closely because this is the last time you're ever gonna see me do this."

"Fair enough. Carry on." I spoke with my arms crossed. What were they up to?

What followed was... Um... Well, while Rainbow Dash shot up into the air to begin, Gilda did so with significantly less enthusiasm as she lazily lifted herself into the air with her impressive wings. Gilda posed with her arms reaching out in varying directions as if she was not even trying while Rainbow Dash did some much more responsive and reactive movements including a rapid tornado spin in the air. And while Rainbow Dash called out with the gusto of a cheerleader, Gilda sounded amusingly bored. "Junior Speedsters are our lives! Sky-bound soars and daring dives! Junior Speedsters, it's our quest..."

It was then that they suddenly descended and took biped stances with arms held wide in mirroring poses. "To someday be the very best!"

All I did was stare in mild bemusement. It really was something only young kids could get a kick out of, but it definitely looked like something most adults would not be interested in. Even so, Rainbow Dash dropped back on all four hooves and asked, "So, how'd we do! Pretty rad, right?"

I was not about to sugarcoat my words for this one. I held out my arm with my fist out, thumb starting to point upwards, only to suddenly give her a thumbs-down. I then shook my head as I grumbled, "Mm. Mm mm! Lame, Rainbow!"

Gilda let out a much more delighted grunt as she lifted her head high and said, "Finally! Someone who gets it! I told you that chant was lame, Dash."

"Oh come on! It's not that bad! I always got a kick out of it!" Rainbow Dash groaned while being less than willing to admit that little routine had not aged well.

"Rainbow, I'll put it like this. You two have aged like fine wine. But that chant? It's aged like milk." I retorted while Gilda could only wholeheartedly laugh at my declaration. Now it was Rainbow Dash's turn to roll her eyes in disapproval.

"Ha, I love a guy with a healthy dose of snark in him!" Gilda spoke loudly before walking up to me, standing tall on her hind legs, and poking me in the chest with one finger while showing a very approving smirk on her beak. "You're totally cool in my book. Glad to know ya."

"Um... Sure. Thanks." I mumbled while unsure of how to respond to that praise. I then followed them back into the mess hall and returned to the table we had been using. "So, you girls gonna stick around for dinner?"

"Hey, good idea! The girls and I always meet up for dinner here. You wanna stick around and say hi, G?" Rainbow Dash asked now that it was likely that our closest circle of friends would soon be showing up for a hot meal.

Gilda's expression quickly became one of apprehension. She was not entirely comfortable with the idea. "Um... I mean... Not this time, Dash. There's still some bad blood between me and some of your friends, right? I mean I'm all for owning up to my screw ups from back then, but it'll probably be safer when it's one at a time instead of all at once."

"You sure? I'm pretty sure the only one of my friends you owe anything to is Pinkie Pie. And...was it Fluttershy I heard you roar at?" Rainbow Dash asked while I merely listened.

"Yeah, that sounds about right... Look, once things are cool with... Gah!" Gilda yelped and almost fell out of her seat as Pinkie Pie herself popped up right next to her with an accusatory glare in her eyes. Gilda then looked under the table and said, "What the... Where'd you... Has she always been able to do that?!"

"Yeah, pretty much. She's just being Pinkie Pie. You learn to stop questioning it after a while." I replied while Rainbow Dash just got a laugh at Pinkie's usual unexpected shenanigans. "Anyway Pinkie, it's good that you showed up when you did. Gilda has something to say to you."

"Oh, I bet she does." Pinkie Pie said with a scowl on her face, although her tone was hard to see as menacing. "So, what're you doing over here with Dashie and James? Wasn't that last time enough for you?"

Gilda held up her hands before her to try and put some distance between her and Pinkie. "Whoa, easy there. I'm not giving your friends trouble. Actually, it's lucky you showed up alone. I've...uh...got some apologies to make..."

Pinkie Pie cocked her head to one side as she asked, "Wait, really? You're actually gonna say you're sorry for being such a grumpy griff?"

Rainbow Dash then patted Pinkie Pie on the shoulder and said, "Pinkie, it was kinda my fault too. Gilda and I...haven't made the best decisions in the long run for each other. I...uh...wasn't the best influence on her growing up and when we fell out of touch, I changed as a person while she didn't. We've both made some bad decisions and we had to...well...apologize to each other for it."

Pinkie Pie then turned to look at Gilda when giving the griffon hen an uncharacteristically stern glare. She said nothing, as if waiting for a confirmation from Gilda. When all eyes fell upon her, Gilda held her hands up before her and said, "What Dash said. And to be honest, I guess I've always known it in the back of my mind for a while after that day. Just...didn't have the nerve to admit it. Really, I'm sorry for the way I was. It won't happen again."

A moment of silence passed. Or at least as silent as one could get in a noisy mess hall. Pinkie lifted and lowered her eyebrows in a strangely analytical fashion as she asked, "Sooo... You're gonna be a good griff from now on?"

"Uh....yeah? I'm not gonna cause trouble for you guys." Gilda replied while looking understandably uncertain of what to make of Pinkie Pie's gestures. Even I was unsure of what to say after having never seen her like this before.

After a moment longer of a very careful scan, Pinkie Pie suddenly smiled brightly and said, "Oki doki loki! Sounds sincere to me!"

"Huh? Really? Just like that?" Gilda asked while being understandably confused by Pinkie Pie's sudden shift in tone. I was hardly surprised though. Pinkie Pie tends to be a good judge of character.

"Uh huh! I can just tell you meant what you said." Pinkie replied while waving her hoof at Gilda. "And you're right about Dashie. She used to have her head in the clouds a lot more often than she does today."

"Heh, didn't we both." Gilda retorted while Rainbow Dash did nothing than roll her eyes in bemusement. The griffon hen then reached out and patted Pinkie Pie on the head. "You ponies are no dweebs, that for sure. Although I don't think I saw what you were up to during that first wave."

"Oh, I was busting them all up with a hammer! But not that huge block on a stick Big Macintosh uses." Pinkie Pie replied before reaching under the table with her head and pulling up something in her mouth. "Here it is! I just got done doing some drills with it. Really fun to bonk stuff with."

"Um... Isn't that just an ordinary hammer with a really long handle?" Gilda asked while clearly not understanding the nuances of war hammers. While the head of the hammer certainly looked roughly the same as most carpenter hammers, the forked part at the other end that is used to pry up nails had been swapped out for a sturdy pike. Langets were riveted down the sides to make it even less likely to break if struck by a blade. It was definitely a weapon more than a tool.

"No, that's definitely a battle hammer." I replied while reaching out and taking it in hand. I was not quite long enough for two-handed use, but it was not really meant to be when used by a pony. "It doesn't look glamorous, but you'd be surprised how badly you can bust someone up with this when they're in full armor."

"Really, huh? Guess all that metal doesn't stand up too well against things that smash." Gilda replied while looking it over as I passed it back to Pinkie Pie.

"Sure did! I think I even broke their legs a few times with... Oh, hey! Over here, girls!" Pinkie Pie said before holding an arm high and flagging down some familiar faces. Our closest circle of friends were on their way over. Even Maud had tagged along like before while still suited up in that custom stone armor.

Gilda flinched as she saw them approach, no doubt aware that they likely knew of what happened the last time she was in Ponyville. She did not have anything to say and did not even wave in greeting. But it was only when they all took a seat around the table that Twilight Sparkle spoke up. "Um... Wait a minute. Have we met somewhere before?"

I could see Gilda visibly beginning to sweat as the white feathers around her head started to look a bit moist. Rarity then asked, "I seem to recall... Around four years ago? Rainbow Dash had a griffon friend stop by for a visit? And a welcoming party was thrown?"

"Ye... Yeah, that was me... Guess you girls don't have good memories about hat day, huh?" Gilda replied while all but surrounded by familiar faces she had likely only seen once before. She looked just about ready to bolt at the slightest sign of hostility.

Applejack then said, "Yeah, I recall ya bein' a real sore sport at that party. What was that about?"

"Girls, easy. Gilda and I both screwed up back then." Rainbow Dash replied while tapping the table to get their attention. "You girls know I haven't always been the best person, even on my best days. I wasn't entirely a good influence on G way back in the day. So she wasn't the only who made some mistakes. She's a lot better now, but if you still wanna hold what happened against her, make sure you hold me accountable too. I'm mostly responsible for how she was back then."

"That's a really brave thing of you to say, Rainbow." Twilight said as we all looked at her. She then turned to Gilda and asked, "So...what happened back then. It doesn't apply to how you are now?"

"I've...um...done a lot of soul-searching since yesterday. Had some talks, looked at things in a new light... Yeah, I screwed up. Did things I'm not proud of." Gilda retorted before giving them all an uneasy smile while showing a thumbs-up with one hand. "You're all good in my book."

"Well, all right then. If we're all on the same page, how about we all start over then?" Applejack said while looking more than convinced by Gilda's sincerity. "The name's Applejack. Pleased ta meet ya."

One by one, renewed introductions were made as I watched in satisfied silence. Gilda had certainly proven herself to me by then. Although as introductions were made, I noticed a card of sorts floating beside me. Had I dropped it? I looked at who was offering it and took it in hand to look it over. "Huh? Oh, thanks Trixie."

As I looked the card over, I paused as I realized what I had just said. And the card in my hand... It was a business card. I then looked to my right, which had been unoccupied a minute ago, and found a familiar caped unicorn mare smirking at me in knowing silence. When did she get there?! Regardless, I was more than happy to see a familiar face I had not seen in some time. "Trixie!"

The sound of my voice caught everyone's attention while I reached out and held my friend in an embrace. She did the same while letting out a delighted giggle. "Oooh, it's been too long! How are you, my friend?"

"Hey, I know you! I was there for your comeback tour in Manehatten a couple months back!" Gilda exclaimed as she pointed across the table at our unexpected guest.

Sure enough, it was indeed Trixie Lulamoon. When was the last time we crossed paths? Back during the holiday season? But if she was there... And I was not the only to notice the reality of her presence out there on the Empty Plains. Rarity spoke up with concern as she asked, "Whatever brings you out here? You do know what is happening, yes? This isn't a pleasure trip!"

"Oh, of course I know what's happening! I just disembarked from the most recent ferry with the newest batch of volunteers." Trixie replied as she looked around at the rest of us. "Trixie the Illusionist may not be the mightiest unicorn magician in all the land, but she has a few new tricks up her sleeve that she is certain will be of use on the battlefield."

"You sound pretty sure of yourself. What about your performances?" Twilight asked, no doubt concerned as a fellow mage in the militia.

"It's true that I had to put them on hold, but the war effort made it at least understandable. I intend to pick up right after this whole mess is over. Not to mention the publicity that serving in this war will bring me." Trixie explained while showing a wily wink. But she then looked at me and spoke with a more sincere tone, "Besides, I couldn't just let my friend face this alone. As soon as I heard you were out there, I was on the next ferry out."

I recoiled at that statement. Was I really the only reason she was out there? "Trixie, you don't have to do that. I've got plenty of able comrades backing me up out here already. You don't..."

"No! I won't hear another word! Trixie the Illusionist always values her friends highly, especially when she owes them a debt! I came out here on my own free will and I intend to see this through to the end!" Trixie spoke defiantly and proudly as she held up a hoof to silence me. Always the showboat in her theatrics. She then softened her tone as she spoke with a smile, "Besides, I've missed you. And I think we'll be seeing each other much more often for a while."

"Well, when you put it like that... It's good to have you here, Trixie." I replied while stroking my hand over her gorgeous icy blue mane. All of my other friends smiled in agreement. Except for Maud, of course. But then a thought came to mind. "Hang on... Exactly how what do you plan to do here?"

Trixie cast us a smirk as she explained, "Let's just say I've been cooking up something a bit more.....specialized for use on the battlefield. I may be no good at exerting magical force, but I have my other strengths. Just need to figure out the best way to apply them here..."

"Something special, huh? Cool! I'm whipping up something special to go with the rest of my stuff too!" Pinkie Pie spoke up from across the table. "I'm thinking something that goes boom. Maybe some firework bombs? Or something for my party cannon?"

The conversation just derailed right there and went into just about everyone talking about their experiences and preparations in dealing with the upcoming wave of the enemy's forces. Never before have I heard someone make war sound like something that was actually kind of fun. Although Gilda did eventually lean my way and ask, "Hey, uh... What's up with her over there? She's kinda creeping me out..."

I glanced at where Gilda was pointing. Maud Pie was being as silent as ever while seldom blinking as she listened in on the conversation. I understood Gilda's concerns and whispered, "Who? Maud? Yeah, she's always been like that. She's not one for much emoting. But if you need to read her, pay close attention to her eyes."

"The eyes, huh? I'll...try that?" Gilda muttered before returning to a proper sitting position. She then at least tried to break Maud's silence by asking, "Hey! Um... Maud, right? What've you been up to with the drills? What kinda gear you packing?"

Maud actually hesitated for a bit in responding. As we all listened in silence while the clamor of the mess hall filled the air around us, her eyes looked elsewhere. Was she embarrassed? "I'm not really using any weapons. And they asked me to stop with the drills since I kept wrecking the training dummies."

Wha... No weapon? And she was still destroying the training equipment? Applejack then spoke up and asked, "Whoa, hold on there! If you ain't swinging somethin' around, what were ya doin' to those cronies two days ago?"

Maud's response was brief and to the point. "I punched them."

We all stared in confusion. Just brute force? An armored hoofed jab? Or maybe a kick? I then asked, "Um... You mean...all you did was...punch and kick holes in each of them back then?"

"I don't know about punching holes through them..." Maud replied while not appearing to see what the big deal was. "But they did go poof with just one hit."

"Crazy... Guess that means you're the one-punch mare in this army, huh?" Rainbow Dash asked while looking both amused and disturbed all at once. I too was not sure what to add. A pony so strong that all she needs is her own hooves? No wonder she does not need a weapon. Those stone boots are enough for her.

I knew it would not be much longer before the server would stop by to start taking orders. And I was more interested in what the command center was serving up from its own kitchen. And so I stood up from the table and said, "It was good talking to you girls, but I should get back to the command center. They're probably serving up dinner soon and I'd like to see what they have available."

"You wanna have the grub the big wigs are pigging out on, huh? Lucky you." Gilda replied with a snarky smirk on her beak. "Well, if you're bunking with the top of the food chain, you might as well milk those benefits for all its worth. Let's catch up later."

One by one, my friends saw me off. I soon made my way out of the mess hall. But as I made my way back to the command center, I happened to cross paths with a familiar griffon hen. I even almost tripped over her as I rounded a corner. "Whoa, sorry! Uh... Oh, hey... Um... Gabby, right?"

"Oh, hi! Hello again! What's your name again? Jim? Juniper? I know it started with a J..." Gabby replied as she scratched her round feathered face. Her eyes wandered, trying to search her memory for my name. Not that I could blame her. Human naming conventions are not orthodox in Equestria.

"It's James. Where you headed?" I asked now that I had her attention. I left on such short notice last time, but now I had less on my mind.

"Oh, I was just looking for a place with a little more...activity. Things are pretty quiet over at the courier barracks right now, so I'm looking for a place to socialize. Got any leads?" She replied while looking up at me with those pretty round eyes. Such a happy bird.

"Actually, yeah. There's a mess hall right over there. There's even some friends of mine seated at a table. I think they wouldn't mind you joining in if you tell them I sent you." I explained while pointing to the long tent in the distance. For all I knew, Gabby and Gilda could have been old acquaintances.

Her eyes brightened up instantly as she held her face in both hands in delight at the prospect of having a fun conversation. She must have been really lonely on her way out here. "Ooh! A lot of friends to chat it up with? I'm there!"

"Yeah, they're... Oh, wait! Almost forgot!" I suddenly called out as Gabby was just about to take to the air. "Will you be around tomorrow? I want to send a message back to Ponyville if you're going that way."

Gabby promptly lowered her wings without bothering to fold them as she said, "Oh, sure! I'll stop by at your place before I leave! It's the biggest building here, right? The one at the middle of the camp?"

"Yeah, that's the command center. My room's on the second floor, if you need to find me." I replied as I patted her on her fluffy feathered head. "Anyway, I won't keep you. Have a good one, Gabby."

"You too! Have a good night, James!" She chirped before propelling herself into the air with a mighty flap of her wings before soaring over the rows of tents towards the nearest mess hall.

As I watched that precious griffon fly away, all I could do was smile and shake my head. What a positive attitude she has. I then turned around and continued on my way. "Heh... Little bundle of sunshine, that one."

I continued on as the sun was starting to dip quite low in the sky by then. My friends and I had really lost track of time. But right as the command center came within view, I noticed Nightmare Moon standing outside it while having a conversation with Ember. As I drew near, Ember was quick to detect my approach and turned to face me. "Oh, there you are! I was hoping I'd get to see you before I headed out."

"You had a good look around the place?" I asked as Ember stuck the shaft of the Bloodstone Scepter into the ground to get a hand free since the other was still holding her helmet. I was glad to see her too. I would have been disappointed if she left without saying goodbye.

"Mmhm. And I'm liking what I'm seeing. These ponies really look like they know what they're doing. My people would probably be singing a slightly different tune if they could see them now." Ember replied with a satisfied smirk. "I think after seeing all this, I might have better luck convincing some of them to pitch in. If there's one thing you can count on those boulderheads respecting, it's power."

"If you are indeed successful in getting even just a few of those brutes to enlist, I will be most impressed." Nightmare Moon replied while appearing to have faith in the Dragon Lord. I certainly did.

However, I still knew that the dragons of that blighted land would not be easily convinced to aid ponies. Or really anyone from beyond their borders. And so I asked, "But...what if they won't help out? What then?"

"If they do not..." Ember muttered while closing her eyes, her body leaning lightly on the Bloodstone Scepter. She soon opened them and looked up at me with nary a hint of joy on her face and said, "If they refuse... I will return anyway. Even if I have to be the only one to pitch in, I will lend you my spear."

"Is that so...?" Nightmare Moon mumbled with a look of utter awe in her eyes. She then bowed her head respectfully and said, "I pray it does not come to that. But if it does, it will be an honor to have you at our side, Dragon Lord Ember."

"No, it will be my pleasure to see to it that our enemy does not succeed in their goals. You have my word that regardless of the outcome back home, I will return her and face the enemy with you." Ember replied boldly, yet sincerely. She had a faint smile on her face. There was no hesitation in those eyes.

I was impressed. What did she have to gain from this? Was she looking for an opportunity to prove herself to her people by being fearless in battle? And in an actual war? Was she legitimately fearful for our survival and just wanted to help us Or was there something else driving this decision? Regardless of her motives, I was quite impressed. "You're awesome, Ember. It'll be great to have you with us."

Her smile only brightened as she looked up at me, perhaps looking just a bit too delighted to hear me. "That's sweet of your to say. Really, I'm...kind of looking forward to this. Not to the danger, but just being able to be there with you."

She really was the best the dragon lands had to offer. I had nothing but respect for her by then. But it was then that she placed her helmet upon her head and said, "Anyway, as much as I would like to stay longer, I really must be going. The sooner I get back and return here with reinforcements, the better. Don't go anywhere until I get back. I'd hate to waste time trying to locate you all again."

"No worries on that front. We will be remaining here for at least another week to refine and plan our strategies. We anticipate your return, Ember." Nightmare Moon said while Ember and I shared a handshake in parting. The Dragon Lord then took the Bloodstone Scepter in hand before spreading her great blue wings and launching herself skyward. I saw her gaze down at me for a few seconds before flying west and beyond the borders of the camp. And like that, she was gone.

I had nothing to say for a moment. Though I did feel a strange sense of longing as I watched my friend depart. As my eyes scanned the horizon with the sun setting beyond the encampment's walls, Nightmare Moon stepped toward me and said softly, "She had many kind things to say about you."

"She...did...?" I muttered in slight surprised. They had been together for a number of hours, but without me. I had no way of knowing what had transpired in my absence.

"Oh, yes. And she worried about you. Asked if any harm had befallen you since the two of you last crossed paths." The Princess of Dreams replied with a knowing smile on her lips. "She was quite concerned with the possibility that you resented her after your prior departure. That she had made a mistake. I assured her that such a thing was not the case. And she spoke fondly of your time together. Especially with how you listened to her when she spoke. Said you made her feel important."

"Heh... She never said quite all that to me..." I muttered while quite flattered at this revelation. I did cherish our time together at our prior encounter, even if I was left confused and unsure of what to think afterwards. Although Ember's presence that day did a lot to assuage those concerns.

"I think she highly values you, even if your time together thus far has been brief." Nightmare Moon spoke while she too turned her gaze west, as if trying to spot Ember in the sky somewhere. Unfortunately, she was long gone by then.

"That's kind of dangerous, really... Putting that much value on someone you barely know." I replied with a cautious sense of cynicism coming over me. I did not want to say Ember was reckless for putting so much trust in me, but...

Nightmare Moon shot me a perplexed stare, as if surprised to hear me say such a thing. "Is that so...? Well then, let me ask you this. Why is it that I immediately felt a longing for you after you and I first crossed paths in the Everfree Forest? A desire to see you again and to please you? Or...if what I have heard is true... What of your first day in Equestria? When you were welcomed with open arms by the six mares who are undoubtedly the closest to your heart? Did you not feel a powerful attraction and sense of faith in them after that first day?"

She... Good lord, she was right. My six closest friends in Ponyville. After that first night... I barely knew them, but I felt so indebted to them. So unwilling to leave them. Nightmare Moon surely could sense the questions rolling around in my mind and then said, "Perhaps it is not the amount of time you have known each other that serves as the binding chain that connects you, but perhaps in how different they are from everyone and everything else you have come to know."

"Please, go on..." I mumbled softly as I listened. She was much wiser than myself. I had to listen.

"You were the first to openly thank me for my role in providing the calm of the night when so many had long feared and despised me before then. The ponies of Ponyville, especially the six you have come to cherish, are surely vastly different from the people of your world on a deeply fundamental level. After all, we ponies do not share the same inherent mindset or instincts of humans. And lastly... If what I have gathered over time and from her is of any indication, you were the first person in a very long time to place any importance and weight upon what Ember has to say." Nightmare Moon explained before casting me a rather confident smirk. "Is it any wonder that Ember would seek you out? When you actually listen to what she has to say without her having to shout?"

A long sigh escaped my lungs. I certainly could see where she was coming from. That sudden change to your routine. When something or someone comes along and provides you with something you needed that you may not even had been searching for at the time. I certainly did not expect to come across a dragon as respectable and amicable as Ember right in the depths of her own territory when her people are such barbaric brutes. I then felt Nightmare Moon place the tip of her wing upon my shoulder as she said, "Just know that you are valued, my friend. The Dragon Lord herself came all the way out here just to see and speak with you, yes? Take that as proof that she holds you in high regard for giving her something precious that she could never receive from her own subjects."

"You are most wise, your highness... Thanks. I needed that." I replied quietly while trying to take those words to heart. I still felt modest about the whole thing, but I wanted to believe that Ember was not making a mistake by placing so much importance on me. Assuming such a thing was even true, that is. Although as my thoughts also went to the six mares who came to me in my time of need two years ago, my thoughts settled on one mare in particular. And I was reminded of what I had to do. "Before I forget... There's something I need to write before tomorrow. I'll join you all for dinner in a bit, all right?"

"Take all the time you need. We will be downstairs, my friend." Nightmare Moon retorted before we both entered the command center. I then made my way up the stairs nearby to my private chambers and was immediately greeted by the photo that was sitting upon my bed. I stepped over and took it in hand, closely examining the four familiar faces being displayed.

They all looked happy. Smiling while Gladesong was gnawing on a little carrot. Despite their reassuring smiles, I was certain they were still worried about me while trying to hope for the best. I owed them an apology and a reply. Setting the photo back on the bed, I sat myself down at my typewriter and began to tap out a resounding message. "Fluttershy... I got your message. And I need to say right now that I am sorry I did not return and tell you what was happening. I couldn't... Not when I knew that it would not take much to convince me to stay. I had to leave while the drive to do something was strong. Things are looking up now. Everyone caught up to me at the best possible time and we mopped the floor with the first wave of the enemy. No casualties. No significant injuries. Right now, we are biding our time and revising our methods and developing more effective ways to insure that no one will have to die out here. I had my doubts before, but now... Now I am convinced that victory is definitely attainable. With magic on our side, the odds are looking to be in our favor. As for right now... Please, don't tell Scootaloo everything that is happening. Or really, even the other Cutie Mark Crusaders. I am not sure if Rarity or Applejack told them anything, but do not give them reason to be afraid. Quite frankly, their sisters proved themselves to be incredibly efficient on the battlefield. If you must tell them anything, tell them that we are out saving the world and things are looking up. That will be enough to satisfy them. It is still too soon to say what exactly will happen. We are not even entirely certain of what the...Forgotten Emperor is even trying to do now that he no longer has an empire to reign over anymore, but I am confident that we will all come home safe and sound. Until then, be safe and have faith in us, my love. I'll be home when the time is right. With love, James."

Satisfied with my message, I placed the sheets of paper together and stood up from my desk. But it was then that I happened to look out the window and saw how dark it was getting out there. "Huh... The night's coming sooner now. Hopefully we'll be home in time for Nightmare Night this year."

I did not bother to flip the light switch on as I left the room. The central area of the command center was lit with electrical lighting as the faint scent of what I assumed was a hearty soup filled the air. But I still needed to find a sturdy envelope to transport my message in. I did find one in the corner where a lot of office supplies were kept, no doubt for the sake of any paperwork that might be needed, and placed my message inside one before writing out the recipient on it. I was sure Gabby would get it to Fluttershy without any issues.

However, once I set it aside with some other envelopes that looked like they would be sent out the next day as well, I heard a knocking at the door leading outside. Everyone in the room turned to stare at the door. There was another knock at the door while we all looked at each other. Luna then asked, "Do they not know that knocking is not necessary to enter?"

Since I happened to be nearest, I reached for the door and opened it to see who was there. And of all people it could have been, it was the last person I was expecting to see at that hour. "Ember...?"

The Dragon Lord herself stood in the doorway in full armor with the Bloodstone Scepter in hand. She said nothing at first, but could probably tell that we all had questions over why she had returned so soon. No doubt detecting our unspoken questions, she said, "I had to turn back because it would've gotten too dark to navigate before I could find some territory that I recognize."

"You... Oh right, it does get crazy dark out here." I replied while knowing exactly where she was coming from. Unless the moon was full and there was not a cloud in the sky, it would surely be hard to navigate while soaring over a sea of black."

"Yeah, it does." Ember said dryly as we maintained a mostly silent stare for a moment longer. She tilted her head down with eyes looking elsewhere as she muttered, "Soooo..."

Seeing where this was going, I turned to look at the royal sisters while mildly amused by Ember's predicament. "Ember wants to know if she can have a sleepover with us."

"A... A what?!" She barked while surely not being familiar with that term. While we all smirked or snickered, Ember just rolled with it and played alone. "I mean... Yes! Yes, a sleepover! Where I remain here and sleep until morning, right?"

Nightmare Moon let out a hearty laugh as she cast our guest a smile. "Yes, we know. And you are more than welcome to remain here until morning, Ember. In fact, you are just in time for dinner."

Ember quickly stepped inside as I closed the door behind her. She then set aside the Bloodstone Scepter and pulled her helmet off, revealing that she looked pleased at being offered some food. "Oh, excellent. I could use some rubies after a long day."

"Umm..." I mumbled as I was reminded of just how unusual a dragon's diet can be. I decided to not spoil the surprise and followed her over to a long table set against the wall. It seemed to be a modest buffet with a large soup pot. One by one, everyone helped themselves. But Ember just looked side to side while browsing what was available. I waited right behind her while loading up a plate with mashed potatoes and mixed stewed greens. When Ember continued to not help herself to what was being offered, I asked, "Um... Something wrong?"

"Where's the diamonds? Or maybe some opals?" Ember asked while unwittingly revealing how little she knew about cooking. She literally could not recognize actual food when she saw it.

"Ember... Here, have some of this." I said while trying very hard not to laugh. I reached for a bowl and used the ladle in the pot to pour her a serving of what seemed to be some hearty minestrone. Ember held the bowl in both hands while almost looking disturbed. I then asked, "What? Is there something not right with it?"

She visibly cringed at the sight of the fluid in the bowl. "This water is horribly polluted... Do you really drink this stuff?"

I let out a laugh at this hilarious show of ignorance. As did everyone else who overheard that. "Wha...?! No, no, that's not polluted water! It's seasoned water! You load it up with so many ingredients that it stops being water and turns into a broth. That's how soup works."

"Soup...?" Ember asked with an utterly bewildered gaze in her eyes. It was hard not to find her obliviousness and ignorance of Equestrian cuisine to be kind of adorable.

"Yeah... Soup. Minestrone, to be exact." I said while deciding to not load up a plate with the other ingredients available and let her start small. I grabbed a spoon for her as well and led Ember over to an empty table for us to share. I then held the spoon out to her and said, "You'll need this. It's for eating liquid and soft foods without making a mess with your hands."

"Um...OK then?" Ember mumbled while taking the spoon in hand and eventually holding it in a...less than traditional fashion. I did not want to tell her how to hold a utensil. It would be up to her to decide what the most comfortable grip was for her. She then looked down at the steamy bowl of soup while still looking skeptical about the quality of the food that was being provided to her. "Are you sure this is safe to drink? It...smells really good, but it doesn't look right."

"I swear it's safe. I know we don't have the kind of stuff you're used to eating, but now's a good time to introduce yourself to Equestrian cuisine. Trust me, you'll like it." I replied while helping myself to a spoonful of soup from my own bowl. Indeed, it tasted as delectable as I expected. "Mm, see? It's good stuff."

"Well, if you say so..." Ember muttered before trying to mimic my actions. She scooped up some of the broth and its solid ingredients, though her lack of a steady hand spilled some of it back into the bowl. She noticed and froze, waiting for the contents of her spoon to become still as she leaned forward to bring her mouth closer to her food. I looked away and focused on my meal now that she had figured out how to do it. And a few seconds later, I heard Ember hum in delight. "Mm... Mmm! This is packed with flavor! This stuff is no gemstone, but it's still tasty!"

"Glad you like it." I replied while glad to see Ember enjoying something new. But as the seconds went by, I froze while raising an eyebrow in confusion. There was a particularly loud crunching sound coming from Ember as she chewed. What could possibly be in a pot of minestrone that could have that kind of crunch to it? Did some egg shells or undercooked cauliflower fall in?

Just as I looked at her, Ember swallowed and held her spoon out to me. "OK, I'm convinced! These ponies know how to eat! May I have another?"

Her spoon... The head of it had been snapped right off while leaving the now useless handle intact. I stared in utter disbelief at the ruined spoon before looking at Ember with unblinking eyes. "Did you eat the tip of the spoon?"

Ember stared at me in confused silence for a moment before she asked, "Was I not supposed to do that?"

"Oh my goodness, Ember..." Celestia said while dissolving into a chuckling fit as she passed by, her hoof held to her head in bemusement. "No! You aren't supposed to eat the cutlery! It's entirely reusable!"

I saw a blush form on Ember's cheeks as she came to understand what she had done. She then glanced at me with an annoyed scowl and said, "It's not like I've ever spent much time outside the dragon lands, you know! So I don't get this cutlery stuff!"

"Then we will have to teach you." I replied with an amused smirk as I gave her another spoon. "Consume the food, but not the utensil it is being held by."

"Right, got it." Ember retorted in brief. This time, I closely observed her as Ember fed herself. It was only this time that she did not accidentally break anything she was eating with. Satisfied with her first bowl, she quickly went back for seconds while also trying a little bit of everything. Although Ember especially liked the soup and had no less than four bowls that night. Once she had eaten her fill, Ember leaned back in her chair and let out a satisfied sigh. "Well, I'm glad I stayed for dinner after all. You ponies know how to eat."

It was by then that the cooks starting levitating the empty pots and pans back into the kitchen nearby for a good rinse. Although it was also then that a plume of smoke slipped right under the door leading outside and billowed up to Celestia before suddenly solidifying into a paper scroll. No doubt a message directly from Spike. While Ember was preoccupied with licking her bowl clean, I stepped over to Celestia to see what was up. I did not even get a chance to ask her what was being mentioned in it before she suddenly spoke up with a very pleased tone, "Oh, perfect! The RAS Alabaster is en route!"

"Alabaster...?" I asked while recognizing that acronym used before its name. An acronym that is shared with the Olympia. A Royal Air Ship. But whose?

Celestia rolled up the scroll with her magic and looked at me with a knowing smile. "Yes. The private transport of the royal family of Capricorn Island. I specifically requested the aid of their finest archers to help train our newest cadets."

I froze at the mention of that place. Capricorn Island. And with the use of the royal family's personal airship. That could only mean... "Then that... Novo is coming?!"

Most eyes in that room fell upon me since it is not like me to raise my voice like that. I could barely believe what I had just heard. Novo... Queen Novo. She was surely on her way to our current location. That beautiful creature I so dearly loved... But now I was afraid. I could remember what I said to her when we first parted ways. What would she say? Were her feelings towards me the same now as they were then? Had something changed? I should have been utterly excited to see that wonderful queen again, but now I was filled with so much uncertainty. Now I was left wondering if I had made a mistake when we said goodbye...

"Yes, she will most likely be aboard. I can't imagine her not being present when her own private vessel is being... James?" Celestia began to say before I think she noticed how anxious I must have felt. I was sweating profusely in such a short timeframe. She stepped closer with a look of concern in her eyes. "What's wrong? I thought you would be more excited than this to see Novo again."

"I... I kinda am, but... I... I'm worried we may... I... I did insist that we wait... And she was so insistent that we not keep any distance at first..." I muttered and sputtered while thinking back to the tension in the air when that wonderful queen and I had to part ways. "I just...have a sinking feeling in my gut that she's not going to be happy to see me."

"James..." Celestia whispered before casting me a comforting smile. "Novo loves you. I saw and heard the way she was with you. And I have known her for millennia. She is so dearly in love with you. And that is not something a hippogriff would let go of so easily. I can only imagine what sweet and smothering loving words she'll have to say to you when she arrives."

I wanted to believe her. I truly did. And yet, that fear in my heart would not be swayed. I was expecting the worst. She had given me the key to her heart and I had insisted on creating some distance for a while for the sake of caution. But was that a mistake? Had I sorely underestimated the stalwart devotion of a hippogriff's love? Regardless of my thoughts, Celestia lowered her head until her horn touched the top of my head with her eyes gazing into mine. "Please, James. When she arrives tomorrow, go to her. She will want to see you, I promise you that."

"All right... I... I guess it would be wrong to run from this..." I muttered in resignation. I was ashamed to know that for all my insistence of taking some time to think about our feelings, recent events had forced me to keep Novo out of my mind to focus on some very pressing issues. I was so in love with her when we parted ways. I could only hope those feelings would be the same the next time I laid eyes on her...

"Um... Are you quite done with that?" I heard Luna ask, prompting me to turn around. Ember was still licking her bowl. Or she had before moving onto her plate. "I can assure you that you've cleaned your plate quite thoroughly, Dragon Lord. If you want more, you must wait until morning for breakfast."

With a sigh of satisfaction and disappointment, Ember set her dishes down before they were carried away. She only then took notice of her enthusiasm and cracked a crooked grin. "Eheheh... I just...didn't know how flavorful foods can be when they're not gemstones. I mean they do fire up our taste buds in all the right ways, but... Just so much flavor! I couldn't get enough!"

"I will be certain to pass along your compliments to the chef." Nightmare Moon replied while looking quite amused. "Now then, where will you be staying tonight? We don't exactly have guest rooms out here..."

Ember was surprisingly nonchalant about such a dilemma as she stood up from the table. "I could just find a spot on the roof. I'll be out of your way up there."

"Ember, no! You're our guest! You should be provided with something more comfortable than that." Celestia spoke up with an almost motherly sort of hospitality. I too did not like the idea of a friend and guest sleeping in such a place with the cool night creeping in. But where could she stay under such short notice?

She hesitated and even seemed taken aback by Celestia's rather vocal insistence. I watched and waited while hoping Ember would take up Celestia's offer. With eyes wandering, Ember muttered, "Well...if you're offering..."

I then decided to just go ahead and make an offer. "She could bunk with me tonight, if she wants."

Ember glanced at me suddenly while looking as if she was at a loss for words. She did eventually nod, though I found it odd with how quiet she was. Nightmare Moon then spoke up, "If you're not comfortable, feel free to speak to any of us and we will try to find a room that is more accommodating. Until then, it is getting late and we should start turning in for the night."

Luna then took Ember's helmet and the Bloodstone Scepter into her magical grasp and said, "I shall store these in the armory. They will not be disturbed there."

"All right, thanks... Just make sure the scepter doesn't go missing. I can't return home without it." Ember said while reflexively reaching out for the scepter. She almost grabbed it, more than likely placing a great deal of importane on her possession of it as the Dragon Lord. She then stood up from her seat, still clad in the rest of her gilded armor, and turned to me. "So...you showing me to my room?"

"Yeah. Right this way." I replied as the lights in the command center started to be dimmed for the evening. I doubt everyone was going to sleep soon, but the graveyard shift would have to keep the lights low except where needed. I then stepped over to the narrow stairway in the corner and led Ember upstairs to my place. I pushed the door open and stepped aside to let her in. "Well, here's my place. It's not much, but..."

Ember stepped past me and gazed around in observation at the confines of my private quarters. It must have seemed alien to her when compared to the rugged and undeveloped badlands that her people called home. I started to suspect she was uncomfortable and said with some reluctance, "If it's really not to your liking...I won't stop you from sleeping on the roof..."

"No, no, it's fine. It's just...so...cozy." Ember replied while looking around. "All those massive chambers in the Dragon Lord's mountain... I always felt so tiny... So insignificant. But here? It feels...just right. Like I'm not several sizes too small."

"Oh, really? But I could swear we passed by some smaller chambers carved out next to the main audience chamber..." I retorted as I tried to think back to those much more compact halls we walked through before standing at that cliffside where we first parted ways.

"Oh, those? Right, those were added a few years back. But even then, I spend more time out of them than in them. So nice to be somewhere that feels just the right size for me." Ember said before she started to remove her armor piece by piece. I too took the time to take off my shoes to relax, but refrained from undressing in front of a guest.

I looked back over at Ember once every component of her armor was tucked under the furthest window in a neat pile, her beautiful blue body now exposed and looking just as elegant and feminine as I remembered. She was quick to notice my prolonged stare and pointed at me with one finger while giving me a defiant glare. "Don't say it."

"Say what?" I asked while starting to know where this was going. "Oh, right... Beautiful. OK, I won't say it."

"Very good." Ember replied as she started to turn away to look around the rest of my room.

And then I struck. "But you are gorgeous."

She flinched so hard upon hearing that to the point she nearly fell over. Ember then turned around while looking utterly exasperated as she spoke with a louder tone of voice than before, "Hey! I just said..."

"But I didn't say you're beautiful!" I retorted while trying so hard to not laugh. I did not want anyone to think something was wrong since I was sure our voices could be heard through the walls to some degree.

"You... You..." Ember growled before she relaxed while giving me a very annoyed yet dry stare. "Why do you keep saying things that aren't true? You know dragons aren't supposed to be beautiful. It's not in our nature."

"And why's that?" I asked while wondering exactly what Ember would say to explain such a mindset.

As it turned out, she could not. She probably did not expect to ever have to explain something that is simply ingrained in the barbaric culture of her people. After a few seconds of struggling to find the words, she turned away from me. "I'll get back to you on that."

"I'm sure you will." I said with a smirk of triumph. I knew beauty when I saw it, even if she desperately wanted to believe otherwise. But I then noticed her take an interest in the tub that held the swirling metals of my armor's liquid form. As she started to reach for it, I spoke up in urgency. "Don't touch that. It's my armor. And it's not picky about who wears it."

"You're... I'm sorry, what?!" Ember yelped in confusion as she looked back at me before pointing at the liquid metal below her. "You mean to tell me this... This...swirling goop...is your armor? That impressive suit of hardened metal that let you fly through the air on feathered wings?"

"Yes, it really is. There's a specific spell that melts it off into its original liquid state and it allows for easy repairs too. If you touch it, it'll crawl all over you and harden into a fitting design for you. And I won't be able to teach you the spell to get it off." I explained while remembering all too well what happened when Silverstream tried my armor on for herself back on Capricorn Island. "Just...please don't touch it. You have your own armor anyway."

Ember still gave me a cockeyed stare while not looking particularly convinced of my claims. It did sound absurd on paper, having a suit of armor that turns into a liquid when not in use. But she still ended up rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms. "All right then... I still don't buy it, but fine. This bin and its contents are off-limits, right?"

"Right. Anyway..." I replied before stepping over to the dresser in the far corner and grabbing a clean pair of boxers from it. "I'm gonna wash up in the bathroom. Make yourself at home, but be careful if you decide to examine my sword there."

"Huh? Oh right, these are your armaments, right? Still impressive how the shield serves as the sword's scabbard..." Ember retorted before taking a closer look at the Lunar Shield propped up against the side of the dresser. But she then looked back at me and said, "Wait... How do you intend to bathe? We're not near a lake."

"I... Oh right. Your people don't have indoor plumbing... It's a good thing most of your excrement is simply belched back up as soot." I replied while trying to remember what Smolder had told me about that. "At least...I think that's how your body works? Everything you eat... What doesn't get absorbed as nutrition comes back up as ash and soot?"

Ember did not look entirely comfortable with the subject, but spoke to me anyway. "That's how it is most of the time. Everything we eat just gets burned away and has to come back out. It's very rare for anything to...make to the other end. Usually it's just the youngest dragons that have that issue since their smaller bodies take less time to pass through..."

Only baby dragons...defecate? I never liked discussing that topic, but then a thought hit me. "Except...dragons normally only eat rocks and gemstones... What's it like when it comes out the long way?"

"Basically smoldering sludge that's not too far apart from lava." Ember replied while also not liking the sound of that. "Can we...uh...change the subject? I like talking with you, but...not about this."

"Yeah, ditto. I need to wash up anyway." I retorted hastily while wondering what kinds of diapers would be needed for a hatchling. Unless traditional foods burn away in them so quickly that they would never make it into the bowels... "Anyway, I'll be back out in a bit."

"All right. I won't make a mess." Ember said while I stepped into the bathroom after making certain the door to the loft was locked. I then locked myself in the bathroom and undressed before getting a steamy hot shower going. After roughly twenty minutes, I stepped out and clothed myself in my clean boxers while keeping a large towel draped across my shoulders for some extra modesty. Not that dragons have much reason to worry about anything showing, but I wanted to at least keep some modesty around Ember. But when I stepped out of the bathroom, I froze as I saw her holding something in her hands. Something that commanded her full attention. The photo I had left on my bed. "Ember...?"

She looked my way with that photo in hand, a look of curiosity in her scarlet eyes. "Who...are these?"

I stepped over to her and looked down at the photo, almost feeling embarrassed that I had not put it away before coming upstairs. "That's...my family. They sent this picture to me today."

"You can make still images like this on sheets of paper?" Ember muttered while being completely oblivious to the existence of modern photography. I think she did not want to ask too many questions at the time, but her eyes then focused on the one person in that photo who looked out of place. "And...her... Who is this dragon child? Why is she there?"

"Smolder? I just happened to find her in my chicken coop one morning. She started visiting now and then before basically moving in with us." I explained while only telling Ember as much as she needed to know. "She said...she was kicked out of her home two years back by her folks. Said it's...tradition or something. I don't suppose that's the norm in your territory?"

Ember immediately let out a frustrated groan as she placed a hand over her face and passing the photo to my fingers. I set it aside on my typewriter's desk while turning my attention to my guest. "That old practice... That was one of the few traditions my father outlawed during my childhood."

"It's...not allowed? But then...Smolder's family?" I asked in some confusion. That practice is outlawed under Ember's watch, but not everywhere in the dragon lands?

With a long sigh, Ember turned to look up at me. "Yes. In the territory ruled over by the Dragon Lord, there are laws that are enforced. Not many, but it's enough. But then there are the...outlying wild sectors... My father and his forefathers never touched them. Granted them some degree of leniency because they wanted to live the way they always had. Though I think...my father just wasn't certain of how to bring them under his rule in a diplomatic manner."

"Smolder doesn't seem to hold a high opinion of where she came from... It sounds like she has no desire of ever going back." I replied while still remembering just how bitter and despondent Smolder had been when I first found her. It was not fair to her.

"I don't blame her... I mean you've seen what a bunch of brutish idiots those boulderheads tend to be." Ember said with a bit of a sardonic chuckle in her throat. "I'm not sure if I can bring those outliers under my reign myself... There's a lot of change that needs to happen... Just like you said. I just don't know how..."

I reached out and stroked my hand over the highest blue spine on her head as I whispered, "You will. You're the best the dragon lands has to offer. You'll find a way."

Ember tilted her head down and clenched her fists at her sides. Did I strike a nerve. She suddenly let out a hissing breath as she sharply inhaled before stepping forward and holding me with her forehead pressed against my lower chest. "Do you...really that kind of faith in me?"

"Yeah... I do. You made a very good first impression when we met." I said softly while taken aback by this sudden show of weakness. I was not about to question it. Considering how frustrating it must be to keep her people in line, Ember likely rarely gets moments to let off steam like that. I placed my hand on the back of her neck, treading lightly as I tried to be patient. "You're a good ruler. And you're a lot more aware of the situation at home and are willing to make changes. I'm sure you'll be far better than your father ever was in time."

"That...means a lot to me... Really, no one's ever praised me like this..." Ember muttered as she trembled in her embrace. Though she soon relaxed a bit after a long sigh before turning her gaze up at me. "I...read a few sheets of paper lying around. I think you wrote them... It sounded like things were hard for you after you left."

"It was... The isolation out here isn't healthy... It was really starting to get to me the last few days before everyone caught up to me." I explained while still so grateful that the most solitary phase of my trek out east was over.

Ember once against tilted her head down and rested her brow against my chest. "I'm sorry... If I had known how hard things were for you out there, I would've set out to find you sooner."

"Why...?" I asked now that I was left wondering exactly why Ember had gone to such lengths just to find me again. I could still remember what Nightmare Moon had told me, but those were still assumptions brought on by observation. I did not get the chance to ask Ember herself until then. "Why would you go so far just to see me?"

She then looked up at me with such a forlorn and even apologetic gaze in those beautiful scarlet eyes. "Because you listen."

I am not sure why, but those words...carried unexpected weight in them. As if they held some significant importance to Ember. I was at a loss for words. And I think Ember knew this since she then averted her gaze and said, "We should get to sleep... It's late and I shouldn't keep you up like this..."

"Right... Would you like to bathe first? We don't have any lava lakes, but..." I muttered in response as Ember tried to diffuse the situation. I too felt it would be best to not pry too much with her.

"Bathe? Um..." Ember mumbled as she took a step back. She ran her hands over herself, feeling along her scales. "I don't feel any sort of buildup. No grime or layers of soot... I took a lava dip today already..."

"I guess it helps that your scales don't generate much in the way of oils or grease..." I replied as I pulled off my towel and hung it over the back of the chair by my typewriter. But I then notice Ember giving me a rather perplexed stare. "Um... You OK?"

"Those markings... On your arms... I think... Wasn't that also on your helmet?" She asked before looking up at the helmet resting atop my dresser. The Element of Humanity's polished white form emblazoned proudly on its brow. "Yeah, like that! What is it? War paint?"

"No, that's just my cutie mark. Completely natural. It doesn't...come off. Just like with ponies." I explained while expecting Ember to find the term silly.

"Cutie...mark? You mean...those different mark on the hips of those ponies?" Ember asked while more than a bit put off by that term.

Her bewildered cringing scowl almost made me laugh. "Yeah, it takes a while to get used to that terminology, but it grows on you after a while. And yeah, I thought that was just a pony thing, but it seems humans can get them too."

"You don't say..." Ember mumbled before her eyes glanced elsewhere. I noticed those scarlet eyes suddenly widen in alarm as a hand rose near her mouth. I was about to say something only for her to confirm what she was looking at. She stepped forward and...very tenderly placed her hand upon that scare upon my waist. "You have seen battle... You have the scars for it."

"I'll be honest. I don't know where that one came from." I replied while not making a move. I allowed Ember to do as she pleased.

"This was not the work of a blade... This wasn't a clear cut. A ripping tear caused by a claw..." Ember muttered as she examined the old healed wound. With how often her people likely brawl with each other, she has probably seen enough old battle scars to get a feel for how they were made. "What sort of creature could do this to you? And how would it get by your armor?"

"Again, I have no memory of how that got there..." I reiterated as I struggled to think of a time where that wound could have happened, but nothing came to mind. And maybe that was a good thing.

She then looked up at me more sternly than before and spoke with a much firmer tone. "Well, if whatever did this to you comes back... Let me know. I'll take care of it."

"That's bold of you to say, Ember... But really, don't worry about me." I replied as I stepped towards the bed after reaching over and turning the lights out. All that was left was the moonlight shining dimly through the curtains over the windows. Although I could tell by her uneasy gaze that Ember was not so convinced by my words.

Right as I started to get comfortable on my bed, I glanced over at Ember and saw that she...was curling up on the floor under the window near the dresser. "Um... Ember? What're you doing?"

"Trying to sleep." She replied without a shred of irony. She looked up at me from the floor and said, "This actually feels a lot smoother than the rock slabs I nap on. Very even with no friction."

Even if she was rather comfortable, it felt so wrong to see a welcomed guest, let alone the honorable Dragon Lord herself, curled up on the floor like a lowly animal. I debated with myself on how to fix this. I knew there was not a single empty bed in the command center. While not entirely comfortable with it myself, I could think of only one solution. I patted my mattress as I said, "No... No, come here. There's enough room here for you."

She raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Are you...asking me to share your bedding with you?"

"Um... Yes?" I retorted while equally uncomfortable with sleeping together with someone I barely knew, even if I found myself becoming quite fond of her. "I just... It feels wrong seeing you sleep on the floor like some beast that doesn't know better."

For a good twenty seconds, Ember averted her gaze to the point where it looked like she was going to completely disregard my offer. But just as I was convinced she would not be swayed, I saw Ember slowly place her hands on the floor for leverage before pushing herself up to her feet. But as she stepped forward, I noticed her eyes glance out of the corners. Was she looking at her horns? She must have been since she then asked, "Do you...have anything I could wrap these in?"

"Oh... Right..." I muttered as I recalled what happened the last time her head was too close to mine. Even if it was in a dream. I then pointed at my dresser and said, "Trying sliding a sock over each of them. That should provide some padding."

"Socks? I don't even know what those are..." Ember retorted before stepping over to the dresser and rooting around in the drawers. She did lift out a pair of clean white socks and turned to face me with a look of confusion on her face. "OK, I think I got some, but...what are they for?"

I cracked an amused grin as I pointed at my own feet. She understandably cringed as she asked, "These go on your feet?"

"They're clean. You don't have to worry about it." I insisted while knowing that the feet tend to get quite dirty when not clothed. With a grunt of protest, Ember pulled one sock over her left horn before doing the same with her right. They were almost the same color as the sleeves being worn over them, so seeing those socks on her horns did not look quite as ridiculous as I had anticipated. "OK, they look pretty padded now. Come on over."

Ember sighed with some irritation and stepped my way. But instead of resting on the edge, she crawled across me and tucked herself against the wall and just under the window. She tried to tuck her impressive wings against her body even further to not take up too much space while I draped the covers over the two of us. With her head resting on the pillow and her body resting mostly on its side while facing me, Ember let out a long sigh. "This... This is so much softer than... Wow..."

"Comfy, right?" I asked while seeing Ember resting on a proper bed for what might have been the first time in her long life. I too got comfortable and looked at her with the dim moonlight shining through the curtains. That beautiful blue of her scales almost seemed to glow. While she gazed at me lazily, all too ready to just turn in for the night on a comfortable mattress, I decided to throw one last compliment to her for the night. "You really are beautiful in the moonlight."

Once again, her gaze sharpened to display a disapproving scowl. One I could not help finding amusing. Her eyes refused to make contact with mine as she looked out of the corner of their sockets. But as the seconds went by, that glare of irritation began to soften as it became less annoyed and more...thoughtful. She eventually looked at me with the frustration in her eyes gone, her head resting before mine, and asked, "Am I?"

Why actually entertain the thought that I may have been right at that moment? She had always been so defiant up until that point. But I still replied with honesty. "Yes... Very beautiful. The most beautiful dragon I have ever laid eyes on in this world. Am I wrong? Is there someone that much more beautiful than you?"

"You are too kind... No... No, I don't know of any beautiful dragons..." Ember muttered softly while having difficulty looking at me. "Because...being beautiful...means that you're weak... Right?"

"Is that why it offends you?" I asked as I suddenly realized why such a term would not go over well with her people. As if they are walking stereotypes of brutal power. Such a primitive mindset to have...

"No, it doesn't offend me... It's just...as Dragon Lord... They barely listen to me at all... If I were beautiful, they'd probably disregard me entirely..." Ember muttered unhappily with such a forlorn tone to her voice. "To be beautiful is to be fragile... Something that could be shattered with ease. Something that could be shredded like a flower. I can't be beautiful... I just can't..."

I said nothing. I truly believe that she wanted to believe what I was saying. That being told she is beautiful is a positive trait to possess. And yet, the barbarians she reigns over would never let her live it down if they thought she was. She was convinced that she had to uphold the shallow expectations of her people to maintain any degree of respect from them. But I could plainly see the fallacy of such a mindset. And so I asked, "By that logic... Is the act of showing tenderness or kindness also a sign of weakness?"

Ember's eyes went wide upon hearing that question. She could barely bring herself to look at me. "Wha... No, it... You are very tender... You've been most kind to me. But you... You proved your mettle in our duel. You're... You're not weak... But you're...so tender... You... You..."

"See?" I asked with a slight smile on my lips. "Tenderness is not a sign of weakness. And beauty does not make one fragile. I mean just look at Celestia and her sisters. They're easily some of the most beautiful mares in the world. And they rule over nearly the entire planet. And even then, they're personally leading this war while clad in full armor on the battlefield. And you've seen the kind of power they're packing. Nightmare Moon showed you herself."

"They are... Father did speak at times of how facing the royal sisters in battle would mean certain death if they used their full magical might..." Ember mumbled while still having difficulty looking me in the eye. She looked so insecure.

"Ember..." I whispered gently yet firmly as I placed my hand upon her side under the sheets. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to avoid my gaze. "Please listen... The truth is it takes strength for one with power to show weakness. And you are strong. Both in body and in spirit. I barely know you, but I have nothing but respect for you."

I thought that was the end of it. That I said all that I could and that Ember would just fall asleep without another word said. But right as I was about to lift my hand from her body, Ember's eyes opened as they gazed at me with a profound look of need in them. I felt the sheets stir before her hand slid out and rose to my face. She cupped my cheek as she whispered, "Am I beautiful?"

I could only state the truth. "Very beautiful. The most beautiful dragoness in all of Equestria."

Her lips quivered, even as her hand never left my face. And tears began to flow from her eyes. Such a pained smile spread across her maw as Ember let out a gasping sob. "I'm weak... I can't even try to hide it right now..."

"No, Ember..." I whispered as I bright a finger to her face to wipe a tear away. I doubt she had ever been so vulnerable before. I had to choose my words and actions very carefully here. "You're not weak. You never wear. But you can still show weakness at times."

"You always listen..." She whimpered to me, that pained smile never fading. Her fingers curled inward on my face, going from merely cradling my face to now lightly grasping it. "And I need to start listening to you..."

I moved my hand on her body until it was resting on her lower back. Right wear her tail began. I then whispered tenderly to her. "You are strong. And you are beautiful. Do you believe me?"

She sniffled and squinted her eyes closed to squeeze out more tears before gazing at me with such a desperate look in those scarlet eyes. "I really want to... I want to believe what you say is true..."

As I pulled her closer to me, I felt something drape over me as the covers over us were lifted higher for a few seconds. That smooth yet leathery scaled texture... She had draped her wing over me. Ember shuddered as she closed her eyes once more. "I don't what all these feelings are... But...I think these are good feelings right now..."

"Maybe...we should sleep now. You've had a lot to think about lately." I whispered as I knew the longer she was like this, the harder it would hit her physically. She needed to rest. I could only wish there was more I could for her...

"Yeah... We... We should..." Ember muttered as her mood started to stabilize. Though she still kept her hand on my cheek as she smiled crookedly with fresh tears still staining her face. "I'm...so glad to have met you... Good night, James..."

"Good night, Ember..." I muttered while not finding it in me to smile back at her. I was hoping that she would be all right in the end. I did not want to think of the pressures she had to face back home. I closed my eyes, feeling her wing hold onto me under the covers. Before long, we both drifted off to sleep with little difficulty.

When morning came, I had all but forgotten about what had transpired. I slept well enough with my eyes directed at the ceiling above me upon awakening. But as I tried to move, I felt something draped over my body that was not the soft fabric of the bed sheets. It even restrained me a bit with how it was partially wrapped around me. And when I got an arm free and lifted the covers to take a peek, I found myself with a familiar blue dragon wing easily wrapped over my entire torso. And to my right was Ember still slumbering peacefully.

I hesitated to wake her. She looked very much at peace in sleep while only snoring quietly to the point where I barely heard her breathing. But I would not be able to get out of bed with her wing still trapping me in its clutches. With a sigh, I brought a hand to her sleeping face and caressed her long jaw to try and rouse her. "Morning, Ember... Time to get up."

It worked, at least for a moment. Ember grumbled at my touch and groggily opened one eye just a little. But instead of speaking a greeting, she adjusted her body a bit without releasing me from her wing's embrace and went right back to sleep. Was that bed really so comfortable to her? Regardless, I felt even more reluctant to awaken her and just got comfortable to try and go back to sleep myself. I would not mind sleeping a little longer. And in Ember's embrace, I felt secure enough to quickly fall back asleep.

That slumber was interrupted a while later when I awoke to tapping on my door. Ember was still soundly sleeping beside me and was not fazed by the knocking on wood. I then saw a blue magic aura engulf the knob as I heard the lock being manually disengaged. But before it could open, I heard Luna's voice on the other side. "James? Are you awake? It's starting to get a bit late in the morning."

"I am now. But...um..." I started to reply upon noticing that Ember's wing was still firmly draped over me. I did not even have to look to feel it. "Maybe you should see for yourself."

"Very well then." Luna replied as the door opened before the Princess of the Night herself stepped inside. And she immediately cast me a perplexed gaze upon noticing Ember tucked between me and the window over the bed with soft sunlight shining through the curtains. "Did...something happen last night?"

"I just didn't want Ember sleeping on the floor." I replied with total honesty. "But I think she got a little too comfortable and...well... I can't get up."

"Why is that? Have you experienced a sudden case of sleep paralysis this..." Luna began to say as she used the levitation spell to pull the covers down. And she immediately went silent upon seeing Ember's wing draped across me. "Oh... I see... She needed a teddy bear to get to sleep and had to settle for you?"

"That might be one way of putting it." I mumbled as I found the context amusing. It was hard not to laugh. "Anyway, can you get her up?"

"I'll see what I can do." Luna said before she stepped forward and rubbed her bare hoof along Ember's wing. "Dragon Lord Ember, it is time to awaken. The sun has risen and now you must do so as well."

It started to work after a moment. Ember did open her eyes and drowsily looked at the two of us before pushing herself up and lifting her wing from me. She turned to Luna while still on her knees and reached her arms high to stretch while her wings did the same the best they could in the confines of the walls at the front and back of my bed. But just as I thought she was about to crawl past me, Ember fell right across me and even knocked the wind out of me in the process. And just like that, she was out like a light again.

"Goodness me, it's as if she hasn't had a good night's sleep in her entire life..." Luna muttered while looking like she was not sure if she should laugh at Ember's extreme unwillingness to wake up.

"When you consider that they don't even really have beds where she's from, that just might be the case." I said while letting out a snicker. This was too funny to not laugh at. Ember would hate to have her people see her like that. "Anyway, can you get me outta here? I need to get up, but I'd rather let Ember sleep if she's not ready."

"Yes, I suspect the poor thing needs all the rest she can get. One moment, please." Luna replied before using her levitation magic to lift Ember right off of me. I took the opportunity to get out of bed before Luna turned Ember so that her head would be resting on the pillow. Once properly situated, I pulled the covers back over her to make sure she would stay comfortable. "I hope she did not give you any trouble last night."

"Oh, not at all. She was very good company." I retorted while looking down at the slumbering dragoness. "We talked a lot too. I hope she'll be OK in the long run..."

"I certainly hope so. She has a certain...awareness to her that her father did not." Luna replied while gazing at Ember with a look of concern. "I hope she has success in rallying her people for our cause. Having dragons on our side would provide quite a boost to moral."

"I can imagine. Maybe they could torch the rear guard while the main force is preoccupied with the front line." I muttered as I tried to imagine just what a soaring platoon of dragons could do. "Anyway, I'll be down in a bit. Please make sure they save some breakfast for us."

"I shall. Take your time, James." Luna said with a smile before leaving my room and locking the door behind her. I then grabbed my towel and stepped into the bathroom for a quick morning shower to really wake myself up.

Not even fifteen minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel draped over me in my boxers and found Ember just now starting to push herself up in bed. With a very long yawn, she stretched stiffly before sitting at the edge with her legs hanging off the edge. She still did not seem entirely awake, but at least she was not going back to sleep. I then asked, "Sleep well?"

"Uh huh... Really...well..." Ember mumbled groggily before lifting her head and letting out another yawn. "I don't know how you can even wake up from something like that... It's far comfier than anything I've ever slept on... What's even in this thing?"

"Um... Metal springs inside a mass of polyester fibers, I think? I'm not terribly certain on what exactly goes into a mattress..." I retorted while not really certain on how to respond to that question. But it was no surprise that Ember enjoyed the experience.

"And I have no idea what any of that is..." Ember mumbled while looking ready to push herself off the bed, but ultimately decided against it. She then rubbed her eyes, but not in a manner to suggest she was trying to wake herself up. I think her eyes were still sore from all that crying she did. She seemed to realize this and said, "I'm sorry you had to see me like that last night..."

"Don't apologize. It's why tears exist. They're supposed to be shed at the right times." I replied as I took a seat beside her on the bed. "You did nothing wrong. Tears might show vulnerability, but they don't show weakness."

Ember wheezed with a very long sigh. Without even looking at me, she whispered, "I'm...very glad I got to meet you... You don't just listen... You...understand things I don't... Things...we dragons don't want to understand."

A horribly sad thing to admit. And I was not certain of what to say to that. All I could do was place my hand upon hers to at least try to reassure her with my presence. Before long, Ember looked at me with a look of profound somberness. And she asked, "Am I beautiful?"

A question I did not expect, but one I did have an answer for. "Yes. You're the most beautiful dragon in all the land."

She then asked, "Am I...strong?"

Again, a question I had an answer for. "Yes. Very strong. A skilled warrior and a wise leader. You're the Dragon Lord. Of course you are strong."

She then completely turned to me and placed both hands atop my own. With a pleading gaze, Ember said, "Tell me I'm beautiful and strong."

"Why...?" I asked while wondering where this was coming from. Why did she actually want me to tell her that after being so irritated with such praise before?

Ember's response was spoken softly without blinking once. "Because I want to believe it."

I let out a sigh as I saw just how vulnerable Ember was making herself. She would have never dropped her guard like this around her own people. I gently placed a hand on Ember's back and pulled her closer so that her head was resting against my chest, having all but forgotten that this mighty Dragon Lord was easily six times my age. "You are very beautiful. And you are strong and tenacious. You're everything you need to be."

"Thank you... Really..." She mumbled softly while quivering in my arms. I did not try to stand up or say a word. She was my guest and I was allowing Ember to call the shots. She would only move if she wanted to. Though she did eventually ask, "Will you still be here when I return?"

"Yeah... I'm not going anywhere without everyone else here. When they advance, I will too. If they set up camp, I'll stay put with them. I'm not going anywhere alone." I said softly while not releasing my grip on her. She looked...so fragile. Easily as delicate as Smolder on her worst days. And I wanted to hold her and keep her safe and comfortable. "I'll be here."

"Good... I'll...want to see you again." Ember muttered without moving her head away from me. Although she did finally let go of my hands and sigh in reluctance, "I...really should get ready to head out... I already stayed too late by coming back."

"Would you at least like to wash up first?" I asked while knowing she was more than likely still a bit groggy after such a fulfilling sleep. A shower would surely wake her up effectively.

"A lava dip does sound good right now...although I doubt you have any in this area." She muttered while completely missing my point.

"Huh? No, I mean in the bathroom. It's called a bathroom for a reason. Creatures that aren't fireproof use water to bathe." I explained in the hopes of convincing her to give it a try. "And it's a very different experience from using lava. I promise you'll like it."

"Well, I'm willing to try anything once by this point. Sure, I'll see what it's like." Ember replied while standing up from the bed. I led her into the bathroom, which was even more cramped now that I was not alone in it. "OK then... Where's this...shower you speak of?"

"Right here. In this stall." I said while the air was still rather humid from the shower I had just taken. At least by then, the hot water supply should have replenished a little for her turn. "Just step inside and turn the knob."

"What, this?" Ember asked while turning the handle on the wall enough to trigger the telltale sound of water starting to rush through the pipes. "What's next? Something coming froaiaiaiai that's cold!"

Unsurprisingly, Ember did not have the sense to turn it far enough to generate hot water. Only cold water was pouring down on her as she stepped rapidly in place with her wings wrapped around herself. I quickly reached in and turned the handle further to bring up the temperature, "You didn't turn it far enough! Here!"

"You said I would like this! And I am totally not liiiiooooohhhh... Oooooh, that's better..." Ember said loudly before quivering in delight at the rapid change in temperature as steam started to rise from the shower stall. She slouched forward while just looking so much more at ease with the hotter water washing over her. "Well, if I wasn't awake earlier, I am now... That's some goooood rain..."

"I guess that's one thing to call it." I snickered while finding Ember to be enjoying the experience a little too much. I then pointed to the sponge on a stick hanging from the wall and the bottle of shower gel I had used. "Just pour some of that onto the sponge and scrub it all over yourself. It'll clean you up, though make sure you don't let water wash it away from the sponge."

"Uh huh... OK, this stuff?" Ember muttered as she reached for the stick. I closed the door to let her bathe in peace while I stepped out of the bathroom to get dressed. I never heard Ember turn the water off to let herself lather up all at once, so she must have been really indulging in the pleasant feeling of a hot shower. Maybe a full twenty minutes later was when I heard her finally turn the water off. I looked over at the door and soon saw Ember step out with a towel draped over her shoulders. Her blue scales still glistened with lingering moisture. "Wow... I see why you like it. Lava baths tend to put me in the mood for a nap, but that really perked me up."

"Glad you enjoyed yourself." I replied while noticing a faint fragrant aroma sticking to her body. No doubt the scent of the flowery shower gel she had used. I then asked, "If that's all for now, shall we head down for some breakfast?"

"In a minute." Ember retorted while using the towel around her shoulders to try and get rid of every last lingering spot of moisture on her. "Just me suit up and I'll be right down."

I watched from the door leading down the stairs as Ember took her armor and started placing each part on her body piece by piece. It took a short while, but she soon stood ready for battle. Not that she was looking for a fight in the first place. "There we go. Now then, what's available to eat this time?"

"Not quite the same stuff as last time. Different meals call for different ingredients." I replied while leading her down the stairs. Once we stepped out into the command center's main room, we were greeted by the sight of another buffet in the corner lined with all manner of breakfast staples. But while Ember made her way right over while saying hello to the royal sisters, I heard the door leading outside open. And I was most surprised by who I saw. "Eh? Oh, Gabby. Morning."

"Morning, James! Just stopping by before I head out! You said you had something for me to drop off in Ponyville?" The little griffon courier replied while looking and sounding just as chipper as she was yesterday. She already had her satchel at her side which looked packed with a number of other parcels or envelopes for delivery.

"Oh yeah, right over here." I said before stepping over to the corner where I had left my message for Fluttershy. "Right...here."

I passed the sturdy envelope to Gabby and watched as she stashed it in her satchel. "Phew, I've got a whole bunch of parcels to drop off around Ponyville now. At least I'll be seeing plenty of smiles when I get there. Nice town too! Wish I could visit more often."

"It really is one of the nicest places around, isn't it? There aren't many places I'd rather be, if any." I said before noticing Gabby's big round eyes looking off to the side at something new. "Huh? What?"

"Ooooh, who's that? Is that a dragon?" Gabby asked with her eyes focused on Ember. She had just loaded up a couple of plates with hefty doses of breakfast fixings and looked eager to chow down.

I leaned her way and said, "Yep. And not just any dragon. That's the Dragon Lord herself."

"Wow, really? She the queen of the dragons or something?" Gabby asked while sounding rather ignorant of the outlying regions that were not exactly under the reign of the Equestrian royal family. She then looked up at me and said with a smile, "She's really pretty. Just look at how that blue goes with all that gold armor."

This compliment did not escape Ember's notice. She suddenly looked ahead at us with that glare of unease while I decided to play along too. "Yeah, she really is gorgeous. Dragons don't get much more beautiful than her."

Ember buried her face in her hands and groaned, somewhere between a squeal and a growl while eliciting no end of laughter from the royal sisters as they dined with her. Gabby got a little chuckle out of Ember's reaction before looking up at me. "Anyway, I've got all this stuff to deliver, so I should get going. But next time I swing by, you wanna grab a bite and talk sometime? It was nice getting to meet you, James."

"That sounds like a plan. Have a safe flight back, Gabby. And thank you." I replied as I stroked the top of her fluffy round head. Gabby cooed like a happy little owlet before stepping outside and spreading her impressive wings before taking to the sky. With no other distractions in the way, I joined everyone else for breakfast while I still had the chance.

Ember did not have much to say during breakfast. Probably because she was more focused on the new flavors she had to try. Although in time, she fetched her helmet and the Bloodstone Scepter from the armory. I waited just outside the command center to allow her to say farewell to her hosts. I felt conflicted over having to see Ember depart. After so my uncertainty after our prior parting, it was reliving to reunite in the manner we did. But now it was time to say farewell once again.

When Ember stepped out of the command center, she was completely coated in her armor with the Bloodstone Scepter in hand. Her eyes were plainly visible through her helmet, though her voice was slightly muffled as she spoke to me. "I really shouldn't delay any longer..."

"Right... Gotta get back and make sure those idiots haven't started raising havoc next door." I reiterated as I knew that things would probably descend into some kind of chaos if Ember stayed away for too long. And yet, I was hesitant to see her go. I did not realize how much I wanted to see her again until she was actually there before me.

She turned away slightly, but kept those crimson eyes focused on me. "I will return. With or without reinforcements. You have my word."

Again with that insistence on assisting in a war that barely concerned her... We hardly knew each other. I could not chalk this decision up to mere friendship. Why go so far to fight for our sake? "Ember... I know you mean well, but you don't have to do that... We'll be fine at this rate You don't need..."

"No. I'm not gonna hear it." She spoke very firmly while pointing the Bloodstone Scepter at my face as if to command me to be silent. "I will return home and try to rally some men to fight alongside you all. And if I fail, I will return alone and stand by you on the battlefield. If I can't lend you the services of my men, then I will at least lend you my spear. One way or another, I will return. Understood?"

As inspiring as her resolve was, I was still left confused. I had heard her reasoning the first time, but I was still not entirely convinced if she understood what she was saying. She could just as easily have fortified the borders of her territory to ward off an invasion. And so I asked, "Why...?"

"I already told you." I could see Ember's gaze soften inside her helmet. She tilted the Bloodstone Scepter back and away from me before reaching out for my hand. Or at least I thought she was before her hand stalled for a few seconds and instead grabbed me by the wrist with her gaze tilted towards the ground. "Because...if something were to happen to you... If you don't survive the coming battles..."

Ember then turned her gaze up to me with her voice softly speaking from inside her helmet. For as menacing as that helmet could make her look, there was such tenderness in her eyes. "Who would listen to me?"

A simple statement, and yet, it hit me harder than I expected. I brought myself down to one knee as Ember released her grasp on my wrist. Despite the hardened plating covering most of her front, I reached out and held my friend in an embrace against me. Her backside was less protected with only a flexible leather bodysuit of sorts that the plating was attached to. I felt Ember bring her bare hand to the back of my head as I whispered to her, "It'll be good to have you with us..."

"It will... I want to be here. Stay safe until I get back." Ember said with a whisper before she stepped back out of my embrace. But instead of spreading her wings, her reached her fingers in the tiny gap between her breastplate and bodysuit and pulled something out. A little paper note. The one I wrote my name down on. She looked at it, my name still inscribed upon it. She looked at it before looking back to me. While I could not see it, I was sure she was smiling at that moment. "I won't forget your name again, James. You take care."

"You too, Ember... Best of luck." I replied as Ember once again tucked the note under her breastplate. She then spread her great wings and launched herself into the sky before hovering in place above the camp. I waved up at her while she waved back before soaring to the west as the morning sun shone down on the camp.

I have spent much of my morning chronicling this entry in my chambers while sipping tea Celestia had brewed up for everyone in the command center. I did not know how much I missed Ember until I saw her again and now I find myself longing for her yet again. She really is a diamond in the rough when it comes to her kind. Truly a wonderful woman who is more than worthy of her title as Dragon Lord. I really hope she knows what she is getting herself into by insisting on fighting in this war... Even though I will be confident if she is by my side.

But now... Dear lord... Today is the day. Queen Novo is en route for this camp. My beautiful bird of paradise... But who else is aboard that airship? Will silly old Seaspray be there? As captain... Oh, I am sorry. As admiral of the Capricorn Island detachment of the royal guard, he surely must be present with his men. But who else will be there? Sky Beak? That wonderful father bird who all but offered me a place in his family? I... I did not realize how much I missed that wonderful stallion until I thought of him just now...

Now I am anxious in more than one way. Eager yet afraid to see what that airship will bring to us. But there is no sense in running. I must brace myself and prepare for their arrival. It will not be long now...