The Mane Six Militia and The Shadow of a Phantom

    Twilight almost could not wait for the sun to rise as she stirred restlessly in the early hours of the morning. After another agonizing hour or so the sun peaked into her room through the half drawn curtains of the window. "Finally." Twilight hopped down from her bed and picked up her saddlebags which contained her personal belongings. She trotted out of her room, down the stairs, through the great hall, and into the courtyard where the Royal guard were preparing her convoy of troops, workers, supply carriages, and of course her own personal carriage.

    "Hey, uh... You over there." She called out to the nearest of the guard who quickly trotted to her and bowed for her.

    "Yes my princess." He replied.

    "Please please get up." She told the guard, she was not one to flaunt her royalty over her subjects. "I need you to find Trixie for me. Tell her to prepare her things and meet me in the courtyard."

    "Yes Princess." With this the guard was off to carry out his orders stopping only to pay his respects to Celestia and Luna as they entered the courtyard.

    "Are you sure this is what you want to do Twilight?" Celestia asked, taking her place beside the smaller alicorn.

    "Yes, I'm sure. I worry for my friends and I would be much more useful out there than here in the castle." Twilight replied confidently.

    "You promise to be careful?" Luna asked, a genuine concern in her eyes.

    "Of course." She replied, smiling at Luna, even though she was Celestia's student, Luna had always been more like a big sister to Twilight.

    "I'll try not to worry then, I look forward to receiving your reports." Luna replied.

    "I'll make sure to attach a little note for you, for each report I send back."

     This made Luna smile, which in turn made Twilight feel much better.

     A moment or so later Trixie came trotting into the courtyard with her own saddlebag. Twilight took note she had not brought her hat or cape, or at least she was not wearing it, and she hoped that Trixie would not waste space in her bags for them. Trixie stopped in front of Twilight and for the second time bowed down to her. "I hope I did not keep you waiting Princess Twilight."

    "Trixie, please get up. Don't worry, you did not keep me waiting. Final preparations for the trip are just being made." Twilight sighed. Celestia and Luna both giggled at Twilight's impatience for the new and formal Trixie.

    "Is there anything I can do to help Princess?" Trixie asked, standing up straight.

    "No, no not that I can think of, wait, do you have a map?" Twilight asked, remembering she would act as the guide for this trip.

    "Yes of course Princess." Trixie replied, her horn glowing as she removed a thick roll of paper from her bag and opened it for Twilight to see.

    "Well, that's all then. We will be leaving shortly." Twilight replied.

    With this Trixie put away the map and trotted toward the convoy.

     "I suppose I should get down there. I want to depart as soon as I can." Twilight said eagerly.

    "Can't wait to get away from us huh?" Luna replied with a smirk.

    "Luna you know better." Twilight answered.

     "Be safe, and leave with my blessing." Celestia told Twilight before wrapping a hoof around her former student.

    "Thank you Celestia. You needn't worry."

     Twilight then turned to Luna, who almost looked as if she were about to cry. "Oh Luna, cheer up, I'll be back before you know it, and when I return, the war will be over." Twilight tried to cheer her up.

    "I know, its just, so many are in the field, Prince Blue Blood, Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, and now you are leaving. I just worry so much." Luna replied.

    "Just, try to relax, for me." Twilight replied, nuzzling under Luna's chin.

    Luna gave Twilight a hug in return. "I'll try."

    "Thank you."

     "Princess, preparations are complete." A guard captain called from the convoy.

    "I must be off." She told the two sisters. "I'll send word as soon as I reach the encampment." Twilight began a quick trot to her carriage, eager to start the journey to her friends.

    As soon as she got in she told the Guard Captain she was ready to move. She looked out the window of her carriage back at Celestia and Luna and waived goodbye. She waited until the gesture was returned before ducking back into her carriage. Within a minute of giving the order they set off.

    Twilight took a look around her new mobile quarters which were actually quite cozy. A small bed sat in the corner with two pillows and a couple of blankets. Curtains hung from the two windows on either side, and a small table and chair sat under the left window. Atop the table sat a kettle of tea and a cup, a stack of blank parchment, a few quills, a few ink wells and candles. Under the other window sat a small two shelf book-shelf and upon examining, Twilight found to be some of her favorite books, a few spell books, and some titles she did not recognize. To compliment the entirety of the carriage a deep color purple carpeting blanketed the floor.

    "Its gonna be a long trip." Twilight told herself as she picked one of her favorites from the shelf and sat at the table. As she read she listens to the various noises that surrounded her temporary home. The sound of the guards hoof steps as well as their voices and laughter. The different birds she heard singing, happy that it was morning. The wagon wheels that role smoothly on the cobblestone path that led away from the castle. It was as if nothing was wrong, and it was all quite relaxing.

    After a short while she happened to glance out the window to see the blue mare known as Trixie trotting along on her own, staring at the ground as she made her way. Twilight actually felt bad for her. Twilight was worried about her friends but at least she had friends to worry about. Trixie was alone. Twilight found herself wondering about her two assistants but figured the two were not much company to begin with.

    Twilight sighed, placed her book down on the table, got up and opened the door to the slow moving carriage. "Hey Trixie, hop in." Twilight took a step to the side to allow Trixie the room to land.

    Trixie hopped into the carriage and looked over at Twilight. "Did you need anything prin-"

    "Trixie, stop that." Twilight told her before closing the door before turning to face her and taking a seat on the soft carpet. "Please sit."

    Trixie did as she was told but could not help but to inquire. "Stop what Princess?"

    "That, my name is Twilight, you know this." Twilight answered.

    Trixie sighed and her expression changed to one that Twilight could not quite read. "Twilight I know what your name is. I'm just trying to pay you your proper respect." There was an edge of agitation in her voice.

    "Trixie there is no need. I will not demean you just because I grew wings and became a princess." Twilight replied.

    "But you are what you are, you made it, not me. You won."

    "Trixie it was not a game. We chose two different paths to live by, that's all. Besides, I almost miss the self righteous, confident Trixie."

    Trixie looked a tad surprised to hear Twilight say this but continued with her argument. "I know it was not just a game, but the path I chose was wrong. All I want to do is make it right." She did however, lose the edge in her voice.

    "Again Trixie, you needn't worry. No one is still mad at you, we all know what the alicorn amulet did, besides, you have apologized a thousand times  before."

   "But are you sure? The things I said and did." Trixie trailed off, looking to the floor.

    "Everypony has done things they have come to regret. If it makes you feel any better I'll say it again. I forgive you Trixie." Twilight replied.

    "O-okay, if your sure, and do you really want me to quit with the formalities?" She asked hesitantly.

    "Please."

     "Alright then Sparkle, you got it." She almost sounded like her old self again.

    "Eh... I do prefer Twilight."

    "Oh, right sorry. Twilight." Trixie corrected herself.

    "Now, tell me why you were walking, don't you have a place to ride as the escort?" She questioned.

    "No, im pretty much on the same level as the soldiers." Trixie replied solemnly.

    Twilight thought for a moment. 'It couldn't hurt.' She thought to herself. "Not anymore, you'll be riding with me whenever you are not needed to navigate."

    "Twilight? Are you sure, I'd hate to impose." Trixie replied. "I know you said to cut the formalities but you are still a princess none the less."

    "Nope, to you, I am your friend." Twilight replied. She assumed she had learned enough about friendship to make that call.

    Trixie smiled. "Thank you Twilight, that means alot." It was all she could think to say.

    That afternoon Rainbow was walking through camp as per the norm when she was not tasked out. Something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. A particular black and white pattern of fur. "She escaped... Again?" Dash said to herself as she sprinted toward the direction of the zebra zig-zagging through various ponies. When she turned the corner however Dash saw that she had a blade sheathed to her side. "Where did you get that?" Dash barked.

    Alsvid spun around quickly, startled by the sudden outburst. "Oh its you, how are you on this glorious day?"

    "Answer the question." Rainbow growled, starting to attract a small crowd.

    "What question?" Alsvid asked, legitimately confused.

    "Where did you get the sword. Who did you steal it from?" Rainbow was growing tired of her games.

    "Ohhhhh you must not know yet, I'm one of you guys now. A soldier... If you can call yourselves that." She giggled.

    Rainbows expression changed from anger to dis-belief. "A couple of days ago you were a prisoner."

    "Do you see anypony else trying to lock me back up?" She replied smugly.

    Dash took a quick look around, she was right. 'I must be the last pony to know.' She thought. 'Just... Stay out of trouble." She grumbled and took off into the sky, uneasy at the scene she had just caused. She wanted to be 100% sure however and stopped at Grayscale's command tent. "Is it true sir?"

    "Is what true?" Grayscale asked in surprise.

    "Is that zebra really one of ours now?" She asked again.

    "Oh right right, Alsvid I believe. Yes she volunteered. Who am I to tell her no, especially if one so able such as herself happens along?" Grayscale replied.

    "But can we trust her?"

     "Im sure we can. After her interrogation and a few questions I made that call." General Grayscale replied. "We need all the help we can get Dash, soon we will need to push forward and tip the scales in the Royal army's favor. This war has been at a standstill for to long, and from the report I received from Freefeather, the enemy is rallying its troops."

     Dash could not argue there. She herself had seen the strength in their numbers. "I guess your right." Dash grumbled. "I am still keeping an eye on her though."

    "As you wish, just do not let it interfere with any taskings you may receive."

    "Don't worry, I won't sir."

     That night, after Sweetie Belle and herself finished with their work they were on their way to Applejack's hut. As they arrived Sweetie Belle saw AppleBloom sitting in front of AppleJack looking guilty. 'Uh oh.' She thought to herself.

    "Sweetie, would you mind taking a seat next to AppleBloom?" Rarity asked as she stood next to AppleJack.

    "Yes sis." Now she was worried.

    There was an awkward silence amongst them. AppleBloom and Sweetie Belle avoided eye contact with one another. "So... What did y'all do last night while me and Rares were gone?" AppleJack started.

    "Uhhh..." AppleBloom was stuck. Sweetie didn't even bother to attempt an answer.

    "AppleJack dear, I think a better question is, do they know what they were doing last night?" Rarity chimed in.

    "S-so, I take it y'all saw that then did ya?" AppleBloom stammered as her face began to lite up the color of an apple.

    "Well I most certainly did not, but AppleJack got a pretty good picture." Rarity replied, looking over to AppleJack.

    "Yeah, I saw ya." AppleJack replied.

    "A-a-are you mad?" Sweetie asked.

    "Mad? Darling why would we be mad? We just wanted to make sure you two understood what you both were doing."

    Sweetie and AppleBloom glanced at each other with the same expression of confusion.

    "We can't really be mad at ya'll. Hell we were expecting it to happen sooner or later, just not so soon." AppleJack replied. "Ah am a little upset ah saw my sister doin that." She added shaking her head to keep the image out of her head.

    AppleBloom's face lit up again. "Sorry sis, we weren't expecting you two to come back so soon."

    "So, does this mean AppleBloom and I can still be friends?" Sweetie asked hesitantly.

    "Of course dear, just be more careful in the future." Rarity smiled.

    Sweetie Belle and AppleBloom let out a sigh of relief and started to giggle. "Thanks for understanding sis."

(Twilight's convoy)

    "Twilight, while I was looking over the map I noticed something that may be of assistance." Trixie told her as she reentered the carriage.

    "Really? What do you mean?" Twilight looked up from her book at the table.

    "Clear the table." Trixie told her as she herself began to work on the task, moving everything to the floor. She then spread the map out over the table. "Look, The 3rd division fort is here. Now from the reports the militia camp is down south somewhere in here." She explained, tracing a small circle on the map with her hoof. However, just east of the fort there is a small town called Oakdale in the hills, closer to the frontlines. If we can get the Militia's cooperation then we can occupy that town. Its closer to the frontlines so it would be easier to support the rest of the army, easier to fortify with the hills working in our favor, and im sure much more comfortable than a camp." Trixie looked rather pleased with herself as she finished.

    "Trixie." Twilight sighed. "It all sounds good, but what about the ponies that live there? We can't force them out of their homes."

    "Twilight if they have been that close to the fighting I'm sure a majority of them have already moved south as with the enemy occupied towns. They'd be safer if we did force them out." Trixie tried to explain.

    "Its their choice though. Some of those ponies have probably lived there for years. They won't want to just give that all up."

    "You can't just give everypony what they want, everypony has to make sacrifices. Besides, like I said, they would be safer south anyway, and should the war go in our favor, they'll all be able to move back. I'm not recommending we burn it to the ground Sparkle. Hell with the fortifications we make to it we'll be making it safer for them when they do return." Trixie argued.

    Twilight thought for a moment. 'She's right.' Twilight decided. "I'll send word to Celestia, if she approves then we'll occupy the town." Twilight decided.

    "I knew you'd agree, I'll make sure the rest of the soldiers are on the same page." Trixie then jumped out of the carriage and up to the head of the convoy.

    As the convoy rolled along, stopping only for meals and to give the soldiers rest, Twilight was left alone with her thoughts for far to long. On the fourth night she broke. She had always thought being a princess was what she had wanted. What she didn't think about were her friends and how they would eventually fade away, leaving her alone with her immortality, and even now she couldn't be with them, after the war she'd go back to the castle and they back to Ponyville. She would have to live through all of the tragedies, all the pain, alone. For now she had ponies she could count on, sure she could make new friends, but... The mane six would be no more.

    It was all to much. She lay on her bed crying silently, hoping nopony could hear her. This war was just one of many hardships she would have to endure.

    In her sadness she had forgotten Trixie, who jumped into the carriage. "Twilight? Why, I mean what's wrong?" She took a couple of steps toward the Princess but stopped. She didn't know what to do.

    "Trixie? Oh im so sorry, you really shouldn't see me this way." Twilight unfurled her wings, hiding her face from Trixie's gaze.

    "Twilight tell me what's wrong."

    "Trixie please, I'll be fine in a while. Just, give me time."

    "No." Trixie stamped her hoof. "You said I was your friend, this is what friends do. Now, tell Trixie what is wrong."

    The authority in her voice surprised Twilight. "O-okay." Twilight Stammered, folding her wings back to her sides. For the first time since becoming a princess she poured her heart out to some pony. Trixie had come a little closer and sat in front of her, listening patiently. She started to feel bad for the alicorn as she expressed her feelings on her new immortality and how her friends would one day leave her. As Twilight finished she grew quiet, with her eyes closed and her head rested on her hooves she continued to cry quietly on her bed.

    She opened her eyes as she felt something brush up beside her. "Trixie?" There beside her the blue unicorn lay beside her. "Twilight I know what its like to face hard times, I know what its like to be alone. I don't like to admit it but I spent many nights between travels wishing I had somepony to talk to. Especially after my assistants left me. I know it sounds silly but I haven't had anypony call me a friend since I was a young filly until three days ago. I know that I won't always be around, that even I the great and powerful Trixie will one day be gone, but until then, I'll stay by your side, not as your subject but as your friend." Trixie finished, nuzzling the side of Twilight's neck in a rare show of affection from the blue mare.

    Twilight almost didn't believe what she had just heard, though it made her smile and stopped the tears. "Thank you Trixie." She whispered. Normally she was not a fan of being so close to another but the warmth from Trixie's coat was to comforting to let her insecurity drive it away. So instead she unfurled her left wing and lay it over Trixie.

    Trixie purred and snuggled closer to Twilight under her wing. The two mare eventually dozed off, lost in the comfort they provided to one another."