Twilight boarded the train to Canterlot. It was the off season for tourism and the train was nearly vacant. There were only two cars attached to the locomotive. Twilight was in one by herself. Though the doorway, she saw a Pegasus mother with her daughter. The train whistle sounded as it pulled away from the station.

She watched as Ponyville drifted away behind her. She felt herself getting nervous about delivering the letter. She ran her hoof over her bag containing the letter. She opened the bag and pulled out a book she had brought to read. It was no short trip, and she was never without something to read in such times. She didn't even look at which title she grabbed. She opened to a random page and tried to read to take her mind off her building anxiety.

She had reread the same paragraph about six or seven times. She saw the text, she recognized the combinations of letters as words. But whatever message the author was trying to relay in that passage was lost on her. Every time her eyes ran along each sentence, all she could think about was the contents of her letter she was carrying. The printed words in the book transformed in her mind into the heartfelt scrawling of her quill.

For the first time in as long as she could remember, she could not read a book. It did no good for her worries. Her mind kept racing with what she had written. Did she say the right things in it? Did she say it the right way? She had reread it twice before she sealed it. Each time she tried to think of a better way to write it. But it was exactly what she wanted to say. It was just the way she wanted to say it.

The train continued smoothly along the tracks, in the vast plains at the foot of the Canterlot plateau. It would start its ascent upwards within the hour. Twilight took this time to get up and move her legs a bit. She paced along the length of the car. She needed to get her mind off things. She needed a distraction. She walked through the doorway into the next car.

The Pegasus mare was sitting with her daughter, reading to her from an old, bound notebook. It was blue with eight tile squares on the front and back in a two by four arrangement like a panel door.

“… and that’s how he stopped all the cybermares.” The grey mare finished as Twilight approached them. The little filly seemed pleased with the ending .

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Twilight said, once she was in conversation range. The grey mare looked up and sweeped her blond mane out of her face.

“Oh, no it’s okay. I was just reading a little story for Dinky here.” She said motioning to the filly in her lap. The filly, unlike her Pegasus mother was a unicorn. Her blond mane was a bit paler, and her coat a darker shade of grey with the slightest tint of lilac.

“We’re going to see The Doctor.” Dinky said gleefully.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you not well?” Twilight asked, noticing the mare’s eye patch.

The mare followed her gaze along with the question, remembering she was wearing the eye patch. “Oh, this thing you mean? No I don’t really need it. It just helps for when I’m trying to read.” She said, lifting the patch, revealing that her eyes didn't exactly… work as a team.

“Oh is he a pediatrician then?” Twilight asked, looking at Dinky.

“Oh, no he’s not that kind of doctor. The mare said, “He’s just, The Doctor.”

“We’re going to Canterlot on the train to see him because I can’t fly.” Dinky said.

“Ah. So just a social call then. Is he your very special somepony?” Twilight said with a smile.

She blushed, “I like to think so. But I just don’t think he realizes it yet.”

Now that, Twilight could relate to. “I guess I’m going to Canterlot for the same reason then. I’m going to help my very special somepony realize it too.”

They chatted a while longer. But the lack of sleep from last night was starting to catch up with her. She settled down in a seat a few rows away from them and rested her eyes a moment. She clutched her bag tightly in her hooves before finally relaxing as sleep finally took her.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Nearly an hour later, Canterlot appeared from around the mountain corner as the train rounded the cliff-side pass. Twilight was still sound asleep. A loud noise rattled the train windows, stirring her slightly. It wasn't all that loud in the train’s cab, though. It was loud noise, but distant. Twilight was about to doze back off. A second, louder roar shook the frame of the train much more violently, throwing Twilight from her seat.

Adrenaline flooded Twilight’s body as she jumped to her feet. She moved to look out the window. But before she could get a chance to look outside, something slammed into the side of the train throwing her against the far wall as the train went up, nearly tilting over. The frame of the train twisted and squealed as it fell back onto the tracks throwing a shower of sparks.
Twilight was flung to the floor once more. She lost her bag in the commotion. For a brief moment, she looked everywhere around her in a panic as she search for it. She couldn't find it. It would have to wait. There were bigger problems.

She looked back to the window. The train continued forward along the cliff’s path, the engine struggling to drag the damaged cars. Sparks continues to fly from the grinding wheels. She got up into the window looking down the steep cliff side. A large, dark red shape flew up the side of the cliff from the valley floor. It let out a terrible battle roar as its wings occluded her entire view from the train. Its large claws latched onto the train cutting into the metal skin like paper.

“Dragon!” Twilight shouted. She let out a reflex magic kinetic strike into its general area. It blew a hole through the roof and the dragon took off, not out of fear or pain, but most likely, Twilight figured, from surprise. It would be back soon though. She looked around for her bag again when a second, unseen dragon slammed into the rear car. The scream of a little filly rang out.

“Help!” The grey mare yelled out. Twilight ran to the back car, the dragon was peeling open the aft half like a sardine can. Dinky was huddled in the corner, her mother cowering over her, covering her protectively with her wing. The dragon saw them and reared up, taking a deep breath. Twilight dove into a slide, getting between them and the dragon just in time to raise a shield against the gout of flames.

She saved them… for the moment anyway. The old wooden frame of the train was turned into a speeding inferno. “Move forward! GO!” She commanded, as the others scurried into the forward car. She turned back to the dragon. It brought its claws back to take a swipe at her as she focused another kinetic attack. She fired the spell at him but it was just a glancing blow off his shoulder, throwing him off balance.

He tumbled off the side of the train, trying to grab at it to correct his balance. He fell, pulling the car with him. Twilight felt weightless as she fell with the car off the tracks. The dragon let go, flying away. The car rolled over the side of the cliff, still attached to the other two speeding cars. Twilight's fall was stopped by the door at the bottom of the wreckage. A mere pane of glass on the trains back door was all that was between her and plummeting to her death.

Flames roared all around her. The glass beneath her was breaking. She scrambled to climb up the seats like a ladder. The floor was quickly being ground away as it was dragged along the cliff side. Great chucks were torn from the car as it careened off rocks. Flames were disintegrating the ceiling. She jumped from chair to chair, she would have to time this perfectly. She braced her legs against the last chair and aimed for the front doorway. The had been smashed from its hinges. She watched the sky flying across above her.

She made the final jump, the doorway came at her. She flew through the doorway as the train car finally broke free, falling away around her. Time slowed down as Twilight flew up through the air. She watched as she and the front car moved at high speed over the ground. From her perspective, it was as though she and the train were not moving at all. And it was the land itself flying beneath them at terrible speeds.

Twilight had misjudged the arc of her jump. She realized she wasn't going to make it to the train car. The ground was coming up toward her quick. She couldn't use her teleport spell, she didn't have time. She couldn't even think. Her mind froze. She watched her death approach.

A grey blur burst from the car, slamming into her. Twilight felt the wind knocked from her as watched the ground fly away from under them. There were dragons about. Flying wasn't safe. Together they quickly turned and flew back to the train, down into the huge hole in the roof of the front car. The grey Pegasus let Twilight go once they were back inside the train. Little Dinky was clutching Twilight’s bag.

“You saved our lives.” Her mom said.

“You saved mine.” Twilight answered.

“I saved your bag!” Dinky said, holding it up proudly.

“Yes, you did. This is very important to me. It has a letter that I need to deliver to the Princess to tell her-“

SLAM

The train engine was struck by another dragon. It began falling over away from the edge of the cliff, and up into the mountainside, pulling the car over with it sliding to a halt on its side. The whole train fell onto its side, sliding along beside the track until it ground to a final halt. Twilight climbed up out through the empty window frame on the now up-facing side of the train.

“Is everypony okay?” Twilight asked, helping Dinky and her mom up out of the smoldering wreckage. They both just nodded at her. Twilight ran along the top of the sideways car to the silenced engine. The engineer climbed out looking about as bad as the five miles of track behind them.

“I’m alright.” He groaned. “I’ll make it.”

Another roar echoed above them. Twilight looked to the sky as another dragon flew passed them. She followed it with her eyes toward Canterlot. The train had wrecked just outside the gates of the city limits. The station wasn't far beyond. But none of that mattered. The skies above Canterlot were filled with dragons swarming above the city.

Twilight turned back to the group. “Can you three walk?” the others nodded. “Head back in the other direction. Get away from the city. The further the better.” She looked back at the city under siege. “It’s not safe here.”

Dinky’s mom stepped forward, watching the city under attack. “What are you going to do?”

“I need to deliver this.” Twilight said, strapping the bag tightly to her side. “And then... I’m going to save the bucking day!”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight galloped into the city, down the streets, ducking in and out of allies, between buildings. Taking cover whenever danger was near, and always watching the skies. Always watching the skies. She neared the castle. It had taken some damage, but the attacks did not seem very organized and were more or less random.

The residents were most likely taking shelter in their basements. Most of the stone buildings were intact. Though some of the wooden buildings were still burning. She could hear more roars in the distance. It sounded like they were regrouping for another assault.

She got to the castles main doors. No doubt they would be on full lock down, barred and barricaded from the inside. Twilight teleported inside and in a flash she was in the main entry hall, and surrounded by guards with spears aimed at her.

“AT EASE!” A voice commanded from behind the ranks. The spears lifted up and away from the terrified unicorn. The line of guards parted letting the Captain through. “Twily?!” Shining Armor said incredulously. “What are you doing here? The city is under attack, it’s not safe here!”

“Shining!” She ran up to hug him reflexively. He hugged her quickly and pushed her away, cutting it short.

“I’m sorry sis, but we don’t have time to catch up. I have a city to defend.” He put his helmet on, completing his armor ensemble. “I’m taking a detachment to meet up with Cadence at her villa where she is taking shelter. These bastards may have sucker punched us with a surprise attack, but together she and I will repel these invaders!” he growled through his teeth.

“Where is the princess?” Twilight asked.

“She is in a secure location that I'm afraid I cannot disclose for the safety of the kingdom and-“

“Your highness I really must insist you return to your bunker!” an adviser squawked, jogging alongside Celestia’s long stride.

She marched confidently out into the entryway, donned in her battle armor. Twilight had seen the Princess in her armor before, but it was beautiful, golden, ornate armor with jewels. It was for show, and parades and celebrations. This armor, however, was not beautiful. It was reinforced steel plating with sharp spikes and edges. It was marred with dents and scratches from ancient battles of years long gone by. She put on her helmet, never letting her eyes off the main door. And her eyes. Her eyes burned with the fury of a thousand suns. Her voice boomed.

“I WILL NOT SIT IDLY BY IN SOME BUNKER WHILE MY CITY BURNS AND MY CITIZENS ARE KILLED BY THESE REPTILES!” She pulled a great sword from the display rack with her magic, sliding into her sheath.

“Princess!” Twilight called out, trying for her attention. Celestia looked at her. The fire in her eyes faded for a moment.

“Twilight, what are you doing here? The city is under attack. It’s not safe here for you!” the Princess said in her normal, calm voice.

“I came to give you my letter!” Twilight said as she struggled to open her bag.

“I’m afraid your friendship report will have to wait, my faithful student...” The fire returned to her eyes. “I HAVE A CITY TO DEFEND!”

“But it’s not a-” Twilight was cut off as the princess deftly removed the barricade and threw open the doors.

“Your highness,” Shining tried pleading, “You can’t go out there. The city is swarming with dragons! You’ll be killed!”

She turned and looked at him. “Then try to stop me.” She dared, her eyes burning brightly.

Shining swallowed hard and stepped away. With a mighty flap of her strong wings, Celestia blasted off into the sky. Her drawn sword caught the light of the sun as she charged into battle. Her voice thundered, "FOR EQUESTRIA!"

"Dammit." Shining swore. "We need to get to Cadence so we can cast the shield spell to repel these dragons out of the city!" Shining looked at Twilight. "You stay here... As for the rest of you, MOVE OUT! Double Time it!" The guards began to trot out of the castle. "Twilight, I need you to stay behind and re-barricade the door. And keep out of trouble." Shining and the others marched off. "Eyes on the skies boys!" He closed the doors behind him with his magic.Twilight huffed, re-bracing the door.

"Like hell I'm staying here." She felt at the letter in her bag. She teleported back outside. Shining's detail was already out of sight, but it would be some time before they reached Cadence's villa way up in the palisades. Twilight strained her ears against the din of the battle in the city streets. There. Twilight heard Celestia's royal Canterlot voice to the south! She galloped in that direction.
_____________________________________________________

She turn a corner carefully, following the noise. Just up ahead, Celestia flew to the ground for a hard landing. Her armored hooves impacted the cobble stone with terrible force, cracking the ground. If it had hurt her at all, she appeared unphased. A dragon that had been following her flew over her position, moving into a hover before her. He drew back, preparing to unleash a torrent of flame. Celestia beat him to the punch, shouting at him.

"JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Her spell slammed into the dragon, knocking it from the air. It crashed into the ground in a heap, struggling to orientate itself. Celestia moved faster than Twilight had ever seen, closing the distance and beating the dragon about the head in a flurry of attacks before sinking the blade home, stilling his struggles.

"Princess!" Twilight called out. Celestia turned to her. Her beautiful white fur and armor was marred with blood from battle.

"Twilight. I told you it was not safe here. You-" Celestia's eyes faded slightly as she looked at the blood on herself, "you are not meant to see me like this. Nopony should."

"Princess! I need to give you this!" Twilight struggled to open her bag, tied so tightly to her.

"It can wait! We must defend Equestria." The fire returned to her eyes, as an eerie grin crept across her face. "Ride out with me."

"What?" Twilight asked, confused.

"Ride out with me!" Celestia repeated, her voice tainted with the blood lust of battle, "Let us beat back these demons. We shall make them rue the day they chose to cross Equestria!" Twilight was unsure what to think. But she knew three things. She loved Celestia. Canterlot needed to be saved. And the Princess just gave her an order.

"Then I am with you!" Twilight answered.

"You will need this." Celestia said. Her magic rending the scales of the dragon skin, fashioning them into small garments with ease and precision that would make Rarity jealous. Soon Twilight was outfitted in lightweight Dragon scale armor. Twilight felt strange wearing the skin of an animal. After all, she had a sick baby dragon of her own waiting for her back home.

Celestia pulled one of the teeth from the dragons head, giving it to Twilight. "Go for the throat." Celestia instructed, "Just under the chin before they attack. It's one of their few weak spots." Twilight nodded, holding the makeshift dagger with her own magic. Celestia turned away to check down another main street. Twilight took a few practice swings with her enamel sword. She turned to follow Celestia.

Another dragon swooped down behind her. Twilight was able to pull up a quick shield deflecting its first swipe of its claws as she tumbled away from it reach. The second swipe came faster. Twilight just barely got away as its claws swept past her face. Her cheek burned where one of the claws just barely caught her, leaving her with a bleeding cut. It lunged forward for another attack. Twilight turned to run but only saw a white blur flash over her.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!"

Celestia's hooves came down on the dragons head with a sickening crunch as bone broke and sinew snapped, leaving the dragon a limp mess on the ground. "Rule number one when fighting dragons, always watch the skies." Celestia said. Twilight nodded. Celestia put a hoof to Twilight's cheek, examining her cut.

"You're injured. Let me see to that." Celestia leaned in and kissed Twilight's cut cheek as her horn glowed. Twilight could feel the magic as the small cut closed. Twilight looked at Celestia with amazement. "I used to be a field medic way back in the Great Alicorn War." Celestia said with a wink.

Twilight was shaken from the bliss she felt from the kiss. Not the magic in it. Just the kiss itself. "Alicorn war?"

"A story for another time, my dear."

Celestia kept close to Twilight now. She would not risk another sneak attack to separate them. They moved along the streets, keeping close to the buildings. Celestia's initial flight aside, flying wouldn't have been wise. Dragons were masters of the skies, Alicorn superpowers non-withstanding.

At the far end of the ruined market square, a bigger dragon was perched on top of a bell tower. It would occasionally flick the bell with the sharp tip of its tail, garnering a dull ring from it. It seemed quite amused with itself. Twilight followed Celestia into the open courtyard, tempting it to come down to them on the street level.

"Be ready for anything." Celestia whispered to Twilight.

It watched them approach, tapping the bell a couple more times, louder. It was taunting them. It was... no. It was trying to... keep their attention. Twilight tried to warn her. "Princ-"

A cadre of dragons swooped in, landing in a ring, surrounding them. Twilight brought up a shield. It was all she could do. She couldn't hit all of them with her magic in time. Likewise, Celestia took a defensive stance, bringing her sword to bear. There was no way out.

"Princess, before we die, I just want you to know that I love-"

The elder dragon swooped in from the clock tower for the kill. His age and experience would let him brush off magic attacks. It was an innate ability of an elder dragon. It also meant that he could cut right through shielding wards. His hardened scales would deflect Celestia's steel sword like a toothpick. His claws and teeth would kill them instantly. Celestia watched death approach. She moved in front of Twilight.

Her long years flashed before her eyes.

She hadn't the time in that split-second to shed a tear to mourn her life.

Here it came.

This was it.

This was the end.

"Not yet!" was all Celestia could get out...

... before a blast of magic swept across the plaza, blasting the dragons from it. Nay, the whole city, a radiating ward without equal erupting from the palisades, sending the invading dragons hurtling all the way back to Draconia.

"Shining..." Twilight realized, "he got to Cadence! They used their shield spell together. They saved Canterlot!" Twilight yelled excitedly.

Celestia wiped the tear from her face before Twilight could see. "Twilight, what was it you were going to say before?"

"Hmm?" Twilight was caught a bit off guard. "Oh, I uh, I wanted you to know that- I love- this... armor you made for me. It's really very comfortable."

"Oh. Well it's nothing, really. Just a quick something in the field." Celestia said humbly as she scanned the skies still. "I just don't understand what would drive Draconia to an unprovoked attack upon Equestria." Celestia said, "It doesn't make any sense."

"Ha ha ha ha! Make sense?" came a familiar, disembodied voice "What fun is there in making sense?"

Celestia looked around her for the source of the voice, "Discord!"