I woke up the next morning to a knock on my door. It wasn't the usual wake up that my superiors often did, so I let out a groan and slunk out of bed. My horn illuminated the room as I moved over to the door, then pulled it open with magic. I gasped softly and widened my eyes, rubbing them vigorously to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

"Did ya miss me, Twily?" I practically threw myself onto him, clinging tightly and knocking him to the ground. "Gee, thanks for that."

I laughed weakly and got up, pulling him back up to give a slightly less powerful glomp. "What are you doing here?!" I exclaimed. "Cadence and the others-"

"Relax, sis. Those things don't go far into the tundra, even with their machines," he assured me, glancing to my chest. "Captain already, huh?" He ruffled my mane, and I playfully pushed his hoof away. "Congratulations. At this rate you're gonna make me look bad in front of the Royal Guard."

"I'm sure I will," I laughed, nuzzling him softly. "Why are you here? Even without the Arthanian presence in the Empire-"

"Arthanian?" Shining questioned, tilting his head with a smirk. "Don't tell me you're naming them now, Twi."

"Shining Armor, I'm not," I said sternly. "They're not exactly what we think they are. There are different species, a language, a chain of command, their officers and so much more that I don't know yet. We're not the first to fight them."

He stared at me, puzzled at what I was saying. "Did you actually talk to one and it somehow spoke Equish?" Shining asked me, skepticism in his tone.

"No... I spoke to their enemy." His eyes widened slightly, but he still couldn't shake that look of doubt.

"So does it speak-"

"He speaks Equish, and yes, he's the one who showed me what they are," I stated, a bit aggravated.

Shining's demeanor shifted when I mentioned Reku'un. "Wait, he's here? In the castle?" he asked.

"Probably not right now, but he's staying to help us. Shining, we don't know anything about his kind other than the fact that they've been fighting a thousand year war, and that the only reason those monsters are still out there is because they can breed faster." I dug through my saddlebag and skipped through my journal until I came to my latest entry. "This is what he's told us so far."

Shining glanced at me, then sighed as he took my journal and started to read the bolder text. His expression went from interest, to shock, to disgust, and ultimately, horror. I slowly guided the book away from him and waited for him to say something, no matter how badly this situation had become.

"So... all those few we managed to kill... they've already been replaced by more..." I nodded, putting my hoof on his shoulder. "Heh, you shouldn't give that information out, y'know. The last thing we need is a hit to whatever morale's left."

I knew as much, so I closed my journal and set it under my pillow. "Don't worry. We're not out of this yet," I told him. He gave me a half-hearted smile, but I returned a genuine one. "Alright, so what's going on?"

"The princesses wanted me to come here so I could coordinate with the other Generals for one of their recon missions," he told me. "You're probably gonna hear from your division's CO about this."

Which meant Reku'un wanted to know something. If Generals were meeting from across Equestria, along with my brother, then he was talking about something important. It might not have meant he wanted to see something, either. Maybe... just maybe... he wanted to make a move. If so, he'd need help. And the princesses were willing to do what was necessary.

"Twily?" I looked up at him, and he ruffled my mane once again before turning to leave. "I'd better get there before they start. Wouldn't look good for the newest general to be tardy."

I rolled my eyes at his joke and nudged him along. "Then get going. It sounds important," I laughed. He chuckled as he fumbled out into the hall, but turned back to me quickly.

"I almost forgot!" He reached into his bronze breastplate, the armor of a general, and pulled out a letter. "It's from Cadence. She says to open it when you get a chance. Don't forget!"

"I won't, now go!" He grinned as he started galloping down the hall until he exited the barracks. From there, I was left standing with the letter still in my hand.

I wanted dearly to hear from Cadence, seeing as she was my favorite babysitter in the world; and now sister-in-law. But... knowing that the princesses needed all of their available generals made it unbearable to keep away. I went over to my saddlebag and placed the letter in a hidden pocket, then shoved it back under my bunk.

"I'll talk to you soon, Cadence. I promise."

I followed after my brother, but I knew I would have to find which meeting room they were having the discussion. The guards paid me no mind as I glanced at each door's threshold, looking for signs of light that would lead me to the right room. It was the one nearest to the throne room, one of the larger meeting rooms and one of the most secure. A platoon of guards surrounding the throne room could defend them instantly. 3 of said guards were guarding their current meeting.

Luckily, I outranked them.

"You three," I said loudly. They saluted to me, and I pointed down the hall. "I'm going to need a moment in absolute privacy. Stand by the eastern entrance until I return."

They briefly glanced at one another, then replied with, "Yes, Ma'am."

The trio marched down the hall without another word, and I released the breath I'd been holding. The voices on the other side of the door sounded like murmurs, although it was obvious there was some tension. I lit my horn and casted a clairvoyance spell on the door, making their voices audible and clearer than before.

"That journey would take weeks! We don't have enough supplies to send even the smallest regime with him!" General Ashen hollered.

"But we would be able to send word to the Griffon Empire ourselves," Stomper retorted, calmer than Ashen. "With Reku'un there, they'll see we have a chance."

"And what if there's a conflict? The griffons barely trusted us before all this, and even less since our messengers never reached them!" Ashen reminded them. "If that biped so much as implies an insult, they could throw them out on their flanks! Or the monkey can start a fight and get them all killed!"

"Ashen." My brother's voice silenced the room, and I listened closer to try and hear better. "From what I've heard, whatever he's capable of is doing unbelievable things. Not to mention there are more of his kind. We should help him until he gives us a reason to believe we shouldn't. They made it out of Canterlot!"

I smiled softly, sitting down and waiting for more words. "General Ashen, we know you lost your nephew during the griffon war, but that's in the past," Celestia softly spoke. "You know they would make a strong ally in this fight. You know that."

"But allowing old hatred in our current living conditions to impair your judgement is ignorant to the ponies you've sworn to protect," Luna added, her voice as cold as winter. "Ponies will die if you cannot leave it in your past."

Ashen was silent, along with the rest of the room. I knew Ashen was a hard-flank because of his nephew dying 30 years ago, we all did. It was why we all put up with his stiff attitude and hefty training.

"Do whatever you need to," Ashen sighed, grabbing my attention again. "I'm going to be sloppy if I try to help. Just tell me what it is you need."

I gasped softly as a hand placed itself above me, and I glanced up to see Reku'un's hardened, neutral face. He gestured for me to follow him as he pushed open the doors, and the room focused on us. The generals and princesses all stared at us as we walked in, and I held back a grin when Shining looked up at the titan of a creature. He looked back down to me, and I just smiled.

"I want you all to know something," he said. "This mission to this Griffon Empire isn't my main focus. My dragon and I can have your team there by dawn if we left at dusk. They are a side-mission, of sorts."

He pointed to the map on the table and followed the edge of its borders until he stopped just inside Diamond Dog territory.

"There is a prison here that these mutts assembled," he informed us, crossing his arms and smirking. "Similar to the one used to contain me. I want to know who's in there."

...another Signa?

"How do you know that?" Shining questioned. I smirked at him to let him know I could hear his anxiety.

Reku'un reached into his pocket and pulled out an Arthanian dagger coated in black blood. "As your kind say... I have my ways."

So that's what he was doing all this time.

The others looked at the dagger for some time, then to him in mixed emotions. Fear was most prominent.

"Reku'un, we understand how personal this war is for your kind," Celestia began, a mild hint of shock and horror in her voice, "but we won't allow... brutal methods."

"Don't devolve to their level," Luna added. She was glaring at him, much more offended than Celestia. "Are we clear?"

Reku'un looked ready to disregard them, but he gave a submissive nod and turned back to the others. "Rescuing this Signa is our priority. Whoever it is inside there can double our efforts if we extract them," he stated. "Once we return, I'll get started on contacting my people."

"And why haven't you started before?" Shining asked. His eyes narrowed at the Loki'irian with a piercing gaze. "We couldn't survive out there, and you want us to give away our position?"

Reku'un furrowed a brow slightly, then stood closer to the table and leaned in. "I'm doing this because there isn't another option." He shook his head, a flicker of fear passing over his expression, then sighed. "I understand your concerns, but with another Signa to defend this place, you won't need to run. I can guarantee they wouldn't make it past the two of us... in one attack."

The generals gave each other wary and unsure glances, murmuring amongst one another as Reku'un waited. I'd be lying if I said the situation wasn't awkward. Reku'un brought me into this meeting, right after he caught me eavesdropping, and now they were debating another mission while I just stood there. I peered over to the princesses, hoping either of them could catch on to my discomfort. Thankfully, I caught Luna's eye and stared back at her. She nodded for me to come over, and I all too eagerly trotted over. I took my place beside her as Celestia spoke with Stomper, occasionally speaking to my brother as well.

"What say you?"

I perked my ears and gave her a questioning glance. "About this?" I asked, a bit foolishly.

She nodded her head, briefly scanning the room full of militants. "There is merit in this rescue... but it could come at too great a price." I knew what she meant. Well, who she meant. "The journey itself will be harsh and undeniably dangerous. And now he wishes to lead an assault."

There was drastic potential and consequence to the attack. On one hoof, we could rescue another Signa and have two freakishly powerful beings to defend us. Along with that, they apparently wanted to contact the griffons. Our two nations have never been friendly with one another, especially since there have been several major wars between us. Now on the other hoof, they would need to send a team across the border and into their territory, then they would have to find their bunkers. And the assault would draw attention. They would all die, or bring another army of Arthanians with them.

"It isn't an easy decision," was all I could say in response. Luna grinned, barely, and nodded in agreement.

"I'd like to change your plan, Reku'un," Luna announced, silencing the room. All eyes were on Luna, especially the Signa's. "What you're currently proposing could send an entire platoon of our guards to their deaths." He didn't respond, but he understood it plainly. "Which is why you'd need somepony able to assist in your assault."

"I have Nyla," he replied immediately.

She smirked, shockingly, and shook her head. "Without somepony who knows the land, you'd have a greater chance of leading them here," she replied. There was truth in her words, and all of us knew it too. "As such, I'm going to accompany you."

Celestia stiffened noticeably, but the ponies in the room all gasped. "You can't be serious!"

"Accompanying them to the Empire is dangerous enough, but you are going for a prison!" General Ashen added. "There could be thousands of them! And what if he fails?"

"We can't send anypony with you!" Shining shouted, about as exasperated as the others. "What will the rest of the camps think if you don't return?"

"Enough!"

I recovered from my sudden jump and turned to Celestia. Everypony quieted down and waited to hear what she intended to say. Reku'un looked apprehensive as well, which surprised me a bit. Celestia sighed gently, then lifted her head.

"Luna... you've already been to Canterlot, and you barely survived." Luna frowned at her sister, irritated at her disapproval. "Now you will only have Reku'un, which makes this much more risky."

Luna went to rebut, just before Celestia rose her hoof.

"Sister... you are to stay here... because I'm the one who will guide him."

Entry #813

May 6th, 2020

There's another Signa.

Reku'un wants to go out to rescue whoever it may be, and now Celestia is going to join him. It took an entire hour before the princesses could force the generals to stay shut. I don't know what's worse. Losing Celestia or seeing her come back. I've only seen her fight with weapons and basic spells. Now she has to fight hoof and horn to survive what Luna, I, and the rest of us had to. Reku'un isn't going to protect her 24/7, and she knows this better than I do.

Maybe one day I'll see her in a primal manner. When her flank is against the wall and there's no way out. I've been there... we've all been there at some point... and we have the scars to prove it.

In any case, they settled on leaving in a week. The generals want to make sure they remember where to go, and Celestia is taking a small course on their tunnel network. She wanted me and the girls to join the platoon headed for the Empire. She said we're known throughout the nations, and that it would be meaningful to the griffons.

I'm not so sure about that anymore... but then again, we're the ones attacking them. I still need to update the girls about it, but I'm pretty sure they'll be up for it. I just hope we can say what needs to be said how it should be said.

"What are you always writing in there?" I peered over my shoulder to see Rainbow strolling in. "Doing anything sciencey?"

I rolled my eyes and closed the journal, then sat up so I could face her. "Just holding onto my sanity, I guess." Her smile faded away, and I realized what I'd said. "Sorry. It's a journal."

Rainbow's smirk reappeared. "You mean a diary," she chuckled.

I grinned and shook my head. "Whatever floats your boat," I told her. "So, I'm guessing you didn't come around to see my journal."

She nodded softly, then sat beside me. "We heard... something big was going on," she hesitantly said, "and we were wondering if you heard about it."

I laid back on my bed, gazing up at the ceiling without any real interest. "Reku'un wants to go back out already," I said. Rainbow's eyes widened briefly, and I continued. "The Arthanians have a prison like the one we found him in. Which means-"

"-there's somepony else like him," Rainbow finished, smiling madly. "Twilight, there's somepony like him! Imagine two of him! We're gonna-!"

"There's a problem." She closed her mouth and tilted her head. "Reku'un needs somepony to guide him so he doesn't lead them underground. And that pony has to go with him to the prison. So... Celestia's going."

"What?!" She jumped up and flared her wings. "That's... she can't... why... it's crazy!" I shrugged, which prompted Rainbow's jaw to drop. "How can you be so calm about that?!" she exclaimed, stepping closer.

"Celestia is more than capable of holding her own. And with Reku'un, and his dragon, she'll be fine." Rainbow tucked her wings back in and exhaled, but she still looked pretty anxious. "Besides, we have a mission of our own."

"And what's that?" Rainbow questioned, relieved to hear she would be getting outside.

"We're going on a trip to the Empire." She looked even more surprised than before. "Reku'un will reach out to his kind once we rescue the Signa, but he wants to unite the nations before then."

"Unite the nations?" Rainbow and I glanced over to the door as Fluttershy walked in.

"I thought you were gonna wait with the others?" Rainbow told her.

"You were taking a while," she meekly replied. "I just wanted to check on you both. So... what's this about uniting the nations?"

"Before Reku'un calls for his race, he wants to have each of the nations allied," I repeated.

She sighed and shook her head. "It's not easy to get us all together," Fluttershy murmured. "And it's never been done before."

"With the world near its end, I think they'll at least consider it," I shrugged, turning to Rainbow. "We have a week, so we shouldn't worry about it just yet. Let's go grab something to eat. I'm starving."

"Rarity and Pinkie should still be in the mess. Applejack's with her family," Fluttershy informed us, turning to leave. "We'll update her when we see her."

We started to leave, but I remembered I hadn't put my journal away. I backed into the room and quickly stuffed the journal in my saddlebag. Before I left, I saw the inside was less cramped than usual. One of my books was missing, and after skimming over the labels I knew which one was gone... and a good idea of who took it. But I had lunch with my friends, and I could always confront him about it before the week was over.

Author's Note

Ye Overcoming Writer's Block is a challenge, but for you guys I'd suffer! Anywho, if you're enjoying the story so far, remember to like, fav, comment, and have an awesome day or night! Peaces!