The Mane Six Militia and The Shadow of a Phantom

(Twilight's convoy.)

    The sun was high when Trixie jumped into Twilight's carriage. "Twilight we'll be arriving by nightfall." Trixie chirped.

    "Really?"

    "Yes, as  long as we keep at this speed."

    "Finally." Twilight huffed. The journey hadn't taken but 5 days. Now all she had to do was wait another 5 hours give or take.

    "I was thinking that when we reach the camp, we rest until morning, then as soon as we get the militia's cooperation we set off that for the town."

    "Sounds good, you've actually proven to be quite the navigator Trixie."

    "This is nothing to me, I have traveled all over Equestria, I've almost memorized the entirety of the map." Trixie boasted with pride.

    "Impressive." Twilight replied.

    Those last hours were the longest hours of the trip. Just as the sun began to set they spotted the encampment. However Twilight was not happy with the picture that greeted her. Having no knowledge of the battle yesterday she was not ready for the aftermath. Burnt huts and tents were scattered throughout the grounds and a good chunk of the sand was stained with blood. The only thing that stopped her from signaling an attack were the ponies that trotted throughout the camp and the lack of noise.

    Some of the militia guards began to stare at the convoy, wondering what the Royal army was doing here of all places, and the soldiers of the Royal army stared back, wondering how this shit hole was still standing.

     However when Twilight jumped from her carriage the militia bowed quickly, startled by the appearance of one of the the royal alicorn.

    "Get up get up." Twilight ordered. "If I could ask of your assistants I need you to find some ponies for me." She told the nearest militia guard.

    "Who do you need?" The militia guard asked eager to help the young princess.

   "Bring me Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie please." Twilight replied.

    "As you wish Princess." He replied before dashing off into the camp as fast as his hooves would carry him.

    Trixie trotted up next to Twilight. "Well at least you know they're okay or else he wouldn't have agreed to get them." Trixie stated.

    "Thank Celestia." Twilight replied.

    The first of her friends to arrive was Rarity.

     "Twilight? What, Why are you here?" She galloped and pounce hugged Twilight. "I missed you so much, when he told me it was you I didn't believe him but your here. Oh where are my manners?" Rarity released Twilight. "I do apologize, that was quite unlady like of me."

    Twilight giggled. " Its alright Rarity, I'll tell you everything as soon as I figure a few things out."

    "Twilights here!" Pinkie shouted as she arrives. "Do you know what this calls for? A Pinkie Hug!" Pinkie bounced over and tackled Twilight to the ground.

    "Oh geez Pinkie!" Twilight stammered. "Pinkie I can't breath."

    "Don't be silly Twilight, if you couldn't breath you wouldn't be able to talk." She replied holding her even tighter. To make matters worse Rainbow crashed atop of them, just as excited to see Twilight as the rest of them.

    "Guys please." She giggled. "Let me up."

    "Oh alright." Dash whined pulling a scrambling Pinkie away who was still trying to maul the Princess with hugs.

    "Oh h-hey Twilight." Fluttershy landed softly beside her. "Do you need any help getting up?" She offered her hoof to Twilight who took it graciously.

    Apple Jack along with Sweetie and Apple Bloom arrived moments later. "Well if it ain't the Princess herself." Apple Jack giggled.

    "Hi Twilight." AppleBloom and Sweetie greeted her in unison before bowing to her.

    "You two get up." Twilight chuckled as she shook her head. "Where's Scootaloo?" All of a sudden Twilight felt nervous as her friends shook their head no. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom both looked down to the ground. "Oh... I'm, im so sorry."

    "Its okay Twilight, you didn't know." Sweetie replied.

    "So, Twilight, Hows it been?" Rainbow broke the awkward silence.

    "Good given the circumstances." Twilight told her.

    "What are they all doing here?" AppleJack inquired.

    "That's another reason I'm here." She sighed. "Who is in charge of everything around here?"

    "An old Stallion named Grayscale. He acts as our general." Dash answered. "Why?"

    "Princess Celestia has sent me to take command of the militia. I must speak to him." Twilight told her.

    "Really?" Dash asked in surprise. "Well, okay then, follow me then."

    "Thank you, Trixie can you get the letter for me?" Twilight called out behind her.

    "Yeah, one second." Trixie called back.

    "Trixie? What is she doing here." Rarity was surprised to find her of all ponies here.

    "We have alot to catch up on, but it will have to wait." Twilight told her friend.

    Rainbow led Twilight and Trixie to the tent Grayscale resided in and entered with Twilight and Trixie close behind.

    Grayscale looked up from his parchment and his eyes were wide with surprise when he saw the Princess. "Princess Twilight! To what do I oh this honor?" He asked, placing his quill on the table.

    "You might not like the reason im here." She replied, levitating the sealed letter to him.

    "What is this?"

    "Everything you want to know should be in there." Twilight replied.

     Grayscale gave Twilight an inquisitive look before unsealing the letter. A little more than a minute later he looked back up at Twilight. "I see... She didn't really leave me much room for debate." He sighed placing the letter down.    "After what happened yesterday I really don't have much of a choice to begin with. The militia is yours Princess."

    "Thank you for understanding. We have some things to discuss." She replied. "Dash, I know I just arrived and you really want to talk to me, but I really need to talk to Grayscale right now."

    "Okay Twilight, its alright, I understand." Dash said before backing her way out of the tent.

    Dash made her way back to the others giddy as could be that Twilight was here, yet couldn't help but wonder what Grayscale had meant when he said the militia was hers.

     An hour later one of the militia guards ran up to them. "General Grayscale and Princess Twilight want everypony to meet up at the tent." He told them before running off to inform others.

    "Uhh okay, come on guys lets go." Dash said.

    They were some of the last ponies to arrive at the tent were Twilight and Grayscale stood, Grayscale looking particularly disgruntled.

    Twilight took a step forward to address the crowd. She looked a bit nervous but spoke with confidence. "Me and General Grayscale have come to an understanding. While Grayscale will still lead you all I will take command overall from here on out. Your participation is strictly voluntary of course. If you so chose to head back south you have every right to do so. If you chose to stay with the militia, you will all become temporary members of Equestria's Royal Army. You must make your decision by tomorrow morning. For all soldiers under my command will be moving north to occupy the small town of Oakhill tomorrow. This is all I have to announce for the time being. Celestia wishes you all safe travels." With this Twilight, Trixie, the general, and some of her royal guard disappeared back into the tent, leaving the ponies outside with their murmurings and debates.

    "Twilight's taking over the militia?" Rarity asked.

    "I guess so." Dash answered. "Wow."