The Mane Six Militia and The Shadow of a Phantom

Twilight paced nervously up the hall to Celestia's quarters and knocked at the door. At once the door opened. Twilight stepped inside the grand room and found Celestia sitting at her desk. "Is something wrong Twilight?"

    "No princess, but I have a request." Twilight announced bowing.

    "Twilight Sparkle get up. There is no need for such formality. Come, take a seat."

    "Yes Princess."

     "Twilight please call me Celestia." The two went through this every time Twilight addressed her.

    Twilight giggled half heartedly and took her seat across from the Princess.

    "Now, you say you have a request of me?" Celestia inquired.

     "Yes I do." She took a deep breath.

    "Well?"

    "I want to join the castle's third division on the front lines." Twilight announced.

    Celestia sat back in her chair, her expression unchanging. "Twilight, tell me where it is you really wish to go."

    Twilight sighed and looked down at the ground, her face turning a faint red at having been figured out so easily. "The militia encampment." Twilight admitted.

    "Twilight did you really think I wouldn't figure it out? Every report you see I have already read. You do know how dangerous it is out there don't you?"

    "Yes, I do. Its just, I'm worried, scared. My friends are out there in danger, while I sleep comfortably in my quarters."

    "Well, as long as you understand, when the enemy discovers your out there you'll become a primary target."

    "I understand." Twilight replied, her hopes flaring.

    "Having said that, I am assigning you a guard."

    "I understand."

    "Good." Celestia called for one of her guards to retrieve Twilight's escort.

    A moment or so later the guard returned with Trixie close behind.

    Twilight turned back to face Celestia. "What is she doing here?"

    "She will be your escort."

    "What? How is she going to help." Twilight was growing upset.

    "Twilight, she was one of my best students. She will prove valuable in your efforts on the line. Also she has traveled all over Equestria, quite adept in map reading.

    "But-"

    "Twilight please." Trixie interrupted. "I am not who I was before. I want the same thing you do. I know what the Solandian forces have been doing to unicorns. I want to help."

    Twilight got down from her seat and turned to face Trixie then sighed. "Okay, I'll give you a chance. Love and tolerate." Twilight reminded herself.

    "Thank you princess." Trixie replied bowing.

    The gesture shocked Twilight. 'Is she really?' She thought. "Trixie please rise." It was just to weird.

    Trixie nodded her head and rose. "Just send for me prior to your departure and I will be ready." Trixie replied before trotting out of Celestia's quarters.

    Twilight retook her seat with Celestia. "How did you know I would come to you with this request? Am I so predictable?"

    "Twilight I know how close you are to your friends. I knew you would worry. Besides, the front line could always use a brilliant strategist as yourself."

    "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart." Twilight replied.

    "Understand however, I have an assignment for you regarding your request."

    "Of course." Twilight replied.

     "Good now their encampment could work to our advantage. Depending on their numbers and training level we may be able fortify that position and use it more effectively. I will de sending a battalion of soldiers along with workers with supplies with you, you will take charge of the unit. When you arrive see out their leader and explain that you are to take charge of the camp, of course be sure to explain they will still have a degree of command over their troops. The pony in charge may not relinquish his power so easily, even to a princess. Give him this." Celestia retrieved a sealed scroll from her desk with her magic and placed it in front of Twilight on the desk. "Do not break the seal or its contents will lose integrity. A supply route will be established to sustain your position. Any questions?" Celestia asked.

    "Just one, when do I depart?"

    "Tomorrow morning."

    Twilight rose from her seat and onto her hooves. "Thank you Celestia." She trotted out of the chamber, anticipation and worry heavy on her mind.

    Evening began to fall on the camp when she heard the door to her prison open. Alsvid picked her head up to see who had come to agitate her now. She hoped maybe it would be dinner, she had received two bland meals for breakfast and lunch and while it didn't taste gourmet, it was edible, especially to a hungry zebra.

    A ragged looking Stallion walked through the door, to Alsvid's disappointment, empty hooved. "Ohhh what now? This isn't fun anymore you know." She groaned, letting her head fall back to her hooves.

    "Grayscale has requested your precense." He replied.

    "Requested?" She parroted.

    "Yes requested, your free to go." He told her unlocking her hoof restraint and stepping away from the door.

    Alsvid took a few cautios steps towards the exit to see if the stallion would make a move to grab her, but he did not. He just sat there, staring at her as if he were curious at what she would do.

    "So... requested huh? Okay, if you would be so kind as to take me to him then." What was the harm after all? If he had nothing of importance to discuss she could at least get her own word in about her mistreatment.

    The stallion nodded his head in agreement and trotted out of the tent, Alsvid right behind him.

    A few turns and paths later they arrived. The stallion held the flap to the tent open so Alsvid could proceed. When she saw three different ponies, two with armor and all three armed. "Alright so, which one of you is responsible for my abuse?" She asked in a harsh tone.

    "I assume you are referring to me." The eldest one spoke and trotted over to face her. "I am-"

    "Grayscale, I know." Alsvid finished his sentence.

    "Do not interrupt the general." One of the other pony exclaimed.

    "No no she is fine. Please give us a minute alone." Grayscale requested.

The two hesitated, untrusting of there former prisoner but obeyed without a word.

    "Now that we will not be bothered, please take a seat." He gestured toward a chair at a small table beside them.

    "Uhh... Sure." and she sat.

    Grayscale took the seat across from her. "Let me start by apolagizing for my troops." He paused, thinking of the correct term. "We'll say, hmm... Harsh behavior. You must understand we are under a great deal of stress." He finished.

    "That does not call for confining me against my will." She shot back, expecting the old stallion tl anger.

    "Yes yes, I do apologize. One must never be to careful. My guards tell me you were quite the hoof-full. You nearly outmuscled one and outran many others."

    "Adrenalin mostly but yes this is true." Alsvid replied with suspicion.

    "Well, it has come to my attention that I have lost two respectable ponies as of late. We could use another soldier on the grounds."

    "What does that have to." She stopped for a moment. "You want me to join your militia?" Alsvid asked skeptically.

    "Voulenteer is a better word. At least a term I prefer."

    Alsvid's first thought was to tell him to fuck off, but she bit her tongue. "What is in it for me?" In truth she did not need a reason to fight against such cruelty as the Solandians plague on the unicorns, but there was no reason she couldn't strike a deal.

    "We have nothing much to offer except food and shelter, and judging from the contents in your saddle bag, you do not have much of either." The general replied.

    'Got me there.' She thought to herself. She sighed knowing there would be no reward. "Hmm... I suppose it could not hurt. The sooner this war is over the sooner I can go back to exploring the land freely."

    "I am happy to hear that. Let me be the first to thank you for joining our ranks. I hate to cut this talk short but I have matters to attend to. One of the guards outside will gladly escort you to your hut where you will be staying within the encampment." He told her.

    "Well, I will turn the other cheek for my maltreatment for now." She replied, as she got up from her seat and exited the tent where a guard waited to escort her to her hut.