Twilight trotted slowly towards the throne room of Celestia, her friends following her in her step. The guards before the great doors parted to allow the princess through, their stern expressions unchanging. Twilight took a deep breath and stepped into the hall. Celestia looked up from the many scrolls and pages to see her former student trot through to see her.

“Twilight, it’s good to see you despite the circumstances. What new do you bring me, or is simply that you wish to voice some concern?”

The lavender mare rubbed the back of her head nervously. “Yeah, actually neither. You see about ten or so minutes ago-” “Hello Princess!”

Pinkie burst through the doors, Rarity and Applejack galloping after her. It was a wasted effort in the end, Pinkie bouncing towards the throne with an unnatural amount of energy.

“Sorry Twi’, we tried to calm her down, but what can ya do?” Applejack chuckled to her friend. “Maybe Celestia is in good spirits and won’t mind?”

Twilight facehoofed. “It’s okay Applejack, Pinkie doesn't mean any harm.”

“Oh, and then there were these giant rocks that went ‘Fwwwwwwwissssshhh!!!’ and we were all like ‘Whooooooaaaahhh!!!’ and Rarity was all like ‘Save me Pinkie!!!’

“I was not!”

“Okay maybe only a little bit, but still, they had rocks and were throwing them like Frisbees, bid giant Frisbees that were round and made of stone. Oh no, it’s Tom all over again!”

Celestia rested a hoof on Pinkies shoulder, forcing her to remain still for a second. “It’s okay Pinkie, you’re within the walls of Canterlot now, you are safe.”

She turned back to face Twilight, beckoning the princess to come forth. “But this news of rocks being hurled at us is concerning. Care to elaborate.”

“They’ve got some kind of war machine, I don’t know, they’re like catapults.”

Celestia though hard for a second, her eyes wandering down to the floor. Even Pinkie seemed to have calmed down a bit. “This is troubling. Let’s just hope that my shield holds until aid arrives from Cadence. In the meantime we must be ready for the worst.”

Rarity raised her head proudly as she spoke. “If there’s anything you need of us Princess you have but to name it. I’m not much of a soldier but I’m ready to knock a few heads if the need calls for it.”

“Ah’m with ya Rare’s. Consider it done Celestia.”

“Oh oh oh, me to, me to! I wanna help!” Pinkie bounced back to her friends, Rarity rolling her eyes at her friends excitement. Applejack couldn't help but giggle slightly.

Celestia on the other hoof wasn't too sure what to make of the situation. She did not wish to send the Elements to battle, her friends. But here they were, offering to do just that. She let out a deep sigh. “Okay… if that is what you want then I shall not try and stop you. Twilight, take your friends to the Barracks and having Shining Armour prepare them for battle. I want our Elements of Harmony to be well prepared for what they may face.”

“Yes your majesty.”

“Just Celestia is fine Twilight.”

“Of course… Celestia.”

The Barracks were busier than usual, and certainly more crowded.  Arrayed across racks and walls hung golden armor and steel weapons. There were spears, swords, maces, daggers, everything. All unicorn crafted to the highest quality, each able to weather a thousand battles.

Shining Armour stood off to the side, watching as his guard armed themselves for war. The last time he had seen a movement like this was when the Changelings issued a threat against the city. Over three hundred guard were assembled to counter the threat, it had not been enough. Now they assembled whatever soldiers they could, desperate not to be outnumbered or outlasted.

Shining wore the traditional Captains Armour, regal violate plates with gold trim outlined his build, his helmet slung to his side. A bore little in the way of weaponry, only a small short sword for protection. The time for greater precautions would come soon.

When his own sister turned up with her friends his own heart sank a little. “So you really want to go through with this?”

“Absolutely, well at least I think so.”

“And you know what you may be facing. I doubt many of those ponies will have two thoughts about attacking you and your friends. Are you sure want to risk it.”

Twilight had to think a bit harder on this one, but she was confident in her friend’s abilities. “We’re ready. We don’t have much time so we better get started right away.”

Shining let out a sigh of submission. “Okay then Twiley. The enemy is on our doorstep so we’ll make this brief.”

The Captain of the guard indicated them towards a rack spread with various tools of war. “Over there are the weapons you may select. Choose wisely, you’re putting your lives in their hooves.”

“I choose this one!” Pinkie was already there, cradling a sickle in her hooves. “It’s so shiny and I want it.”

Shining gave a concerned look at the pink mare. “O-kay, the rest of you can go have a look. Just be careful.”

Rarity was at first rather put off by the variety of sharp objects, but eventually did as she must. It was certainly nothing extravagant, just a short bow. It was far easier to operate with magic rather than hoof and didn't involve all that rough and tumble that came with close combat. Applejack insisted that the only deadly weapons she needed were her hind legs, but with a bit of a lecture from Twilight chose a sword and shield so she’d stop worrying. Pinkie refused to let go of her new sickle and Twilight decided that she would only need as short sword, her magic easily compensating for any lack of weaponry.

The issue was that none of them had handles weapons before. Pinkie resorted to swinging hers around and pretending she was a pirate, Rarity seemed to be having issues with aiming and Applejack still was unsure about having hers in the first place. But when horns were heard in the distance all thoughts turned away from training.

Shining Armour rushed off to rally his guard, stallions and mares in full armor galloped down the streets and towards the city walls. Some begun to move civilians towards the palace while others rushed off to their defense. Applejack Rarity and Pinkie had just finished strapping on the last of their armor when Twilight teleported them back to the palace.

Even from as high as Celestia’s quarters the horns of war could be heard. From her balcony she could see them emerge from the forests and into the valley. There were so many of them, their banners flown high and proud, their spears and wall of nails. The princess cringed at the sight.

Even in armor Luna and Celestia could be seen as beautiful and regal. Celestia’s golden armor curved around her form delicately, her helm bearing the emblem of the sun. Luna’s by contrast was forged from dark iron, crafted to its utmost limits. They both wore cloaks of black silk, their mane still flowing in the non-existent breeze.

Twilight and her friends then appeared in their chambers, the others still found teleporting rather uncomfortable. The horns were heard once again in the distance, Applejack taking a rather audible gulp. “Ah don’t like the sound a that.”

Celestia turned to face the orange farm pony, now in full battle gear. “Take heart Applejack, you have your friends to stand with you.”

“And we have the princesses on our side!” Pinkie Pie cut in. “That’s like having a million ponies!”

No pony responded to her comment, but their mood wasn't helped. “We shall go see to it that Shining has the defense’s ready sister. We shall be back soon.” Celestia nodded at her sisters words.

“As you wish Luna, just be swift.” The princess of the night took to her wings and flew off the balcony and towards the front gates. The golden shield around the city still held on, but who knew for how long.

“Well…” Rarity was a bit unsure if her impute was really necessary, but she hated to see everypony down like this, especially Pinkie. “I guess we should all be strong about this, try not to be afraid.”

Celestia seemed to speak in a tone drained of emotion and spirit, much unlike her usual self. “Rarity, you would be foolish to not be scared, even I am.”

The horns were sounded again, and even now a chanting could be heard beyond the shield. They were ready. “Twilight take your friends and meet me at the second gate. I will be there soon.”

“Yes Princess. Ready girls?”

They all shook their heads in unison. “Ah don’t think so Twi’.”

Twilight let out a slight gasp before Rarity quickly intervened. “Indeed, this time we’re walking. No more teleporting for us.”

“Oh… well I guess that’s okay. Come on everypony.” Together they cantered towards the palace gates and out into the gardens.

“Good luck Twilight Sparkle!” Celestia called down from her balcony. She watched as her sun was beginning to reach its closing stages, drawing closer to the horizon. At this moment she hopped more than anything that they would see the dawn again.

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