All Types of Rain

All Types of Rain

By: The Grey Pegasus

= 2 =

Cold Front

A Corner Cafe

Ponyville, Equestria

December 21, 1014

6:23 AM

Eating utensils clinked softly.

Morning brews were being poured.

Twilight Sparkle sat in a cafe. It was early in the morning, the sun not even peeking up yet. Flurries blew by outside the window, covering the already snowy ground with more snow. It was calm. Relaxing. It was her time for breakfast.

The cafe was quiet, allowing her to eat her meal peacefully. The alicorn had to relish the moment, because the rest of the day was set to be difficult. Twilight listed out what she had to do that day. The most glaring was to fix the draft fiasco. It was something that she was going to have to face eventually, and 'eventually' being 'unpleasantly soon'.

While Twilight breathed in the aroma of coffee from her mug, she pondered the issue more. What could possibly be the cause of it in the first place? As a princess, she had the privilege of selectinging ponies to be 'off-limits', exempt from the draft. And for this case, she didn't even have to exercise that power—Big Mac was Applejack's brother, a direct relation to somepony on the Council of Friendship. That alone automatically made him exempt.

Her deep thoughts translated to stiff chewing, which she noticed after a few seconds. She let out a sigh through her nostrils. It was possible that a strange and idiotic mistake had been made in the draft offices. Applejack did like saying that the war did crazy things to everything. If that was the case, then she could clear it up very quickly.

In fact, there wasn't any perceivable reason as to why it would be difficult. It was as simple as going in, looking over records, calling up a few ponies, and revoking the notice, all while using her authority as a princess to weave her way through the process. To think of it, it was one of the more simple tasks she'd have to do lately. Certainly a jarring issue, but easily rectified.

Pleased with what she had passed the time with, Twilight took a moment to look around at the calming scene of ponies going about their normal morning routines. There was an advantage to living in Ponyville for so long. Despite being a princess, no one bothered her. She was just another pony there.

However, she had finished her breakfast and there was plenty to do in said position of princess. She had no time to waste, even during the season of Hearth's Warming. Twilight got up and paid her bill at the counter. Then she headed for the door, donning a coat to cover her wings, a hat, and a scarf, readying to brave the snowy outdoors. Absent-mindedly, she wondered if there were going to be any journalists trying to catch a word from her that morning. There wasn't any time to waste, but a calming walk and fresh air wasn't a waste to Twilight.

The door jingled, and as quickly as she left the ambience of the cafe, she was met with the quiet whistling of winter.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle?"

Her sigh was visible in the cool air. "No. Not right now." Twilight walked away. "I have important business to attend to." The voice sounded oddly familiar, but she didn't pursue the thought; she just wanted to leave the mare behind and go attend to her business.

"But I must have a word with you!" the mare's voice replied.

"I'm sorry," the alicorn said. She heard the mare's hoofsteps crunch faster in the snow. "But right now isn't the time for any interviews or even short statements. It's early in the morning and—" Twilight stopped as she turned to the mare beside her.

"Just keep going," Lieutenant Rain Storms said, still with a regular voice. "I'm sure you can say something of worth as we go along." Yet her expression conveyed one of urgency.

"Uh... uh... Okay." Twilight was confused, even alarmed at the pegasus's presence. "What would you like to know?"

"Well," Rain started, voice lowering but not whispering, "is there anywhere we can talk privately? I have a few things I'd like to cover, and it's best to minimize that chance that others will hear. Exclusive interviews and all."

Twilight could sense she was being ambiguous with the wording. Why, Twilight wasn't sure. "... Sure. Are you fine with going all the way to the palace?"

"Is there anywhere closer?"

Twilight looked around. "The library's actually closer."

"That'll be fine as well," Rain replied.

She sighed. "Is it really important that we talk about this now? You're scheduled for later."

"Princess, I highly recommend that we talk as soon as possible," the pegasus insisted.

Twilight examined the mare's actions. "It's still pretty early. I guess it's fine that we take the conversation to the library. I think Spike's still home though."

"As long as he's the only ears around." Rain emphasized the last point slightly.

Remembering who she was dealing with, Twilight finally understood the message. "I'm sure of it." She looked the lieutenant in the eye to convey that she understood.

==+==

The two mares entered the library. Their wings felt the pleasant warm air, and they welcomed the relief. Twilight's horn lit before turning her head around the library. Her horn sparked once before fading out. She sighed in frustration. She expected to get work done that morning, but it looked like that wasn't going to be the case anymore. "Alright, the library's secure. Both because of old protection spells I put in place and one more I casted just now. So what's so important that you needed to talk with me in extreme privacy?"

Rain unwrapped her scarf and walked towards the kitchen. "I know about the draft notice controversy," she said to the alicorn following her.

Twilight stopped at those words. "... What?! Why would you need to know? You're well aware that spying on your own superior is—is—forbidden! It's against the regulations!"

"Director, I'm well aware of those—"

Twilight continued ranting. "Lieutenant, that is a personal matter that is supposed to be between me and Applejack. In no way does it concern you and there isn't anything you need to do about it." She continued going on. Here was an officer under her command that was threatened to be removed from service, and now she's approached first thing in the morning like this?

Rain attempted to talk back, but Twilight was ready to keep going, causing the pegasus to shrink back, unprepared for such a furious assault.

"Is this what your problem was? Acting outside of orders?" Twilight accused her. "Outside of clearly defined boundaries? I know you're all supposed to be ponies of initiative, but do you know when to stop? I'm aware that you're supposed to be trying to be on your best behavior for me, so that I'll be in your favor. It's commendable, really, and there's no reason why you shouldn't be doing so."

Rain was shocked and it seemed that her train of thought had been thrown off. "Are... are you considering demoting me?" she asked weakly. She watched the alicorn walk past her into the kitchen, sitting down at the table.

"Regulations are in place for a reason, Lieutenant," Twilight replied firmly. "You've been accused of breaking them. Without proper evidence, I can't refute the claim, but I can't let a possibly problematic officer back out into the field easily either. Again, I admire your effort, but if you think that grabbing me in the morning to speak to me is proof that you're willing to keep giving your best, I'm not sure how to take it."

Twilight levitated over a kettle on the stove and a mug. Apparently it already had hot water inside. "In fact, I could use this as an argument that you're acting out of bounds. You're already scheduled for later—"

"But obviously meeting outside of times is still a clear indication that they're doing all they possibly can," Rain grumbled.

"Oh, of course, but also consider that I have a busy schedule and that taking me aside, even if regular hours haven't started yet, is liable to negatively interfere with my plans."

"So are you set on giving me consequences over actions you can't confirm?"

"I recall the last thing I was considering was how exactly to go about it. Full discharge from the Royal Scouts? Not likely. Demotion? A possibility, but it not likely. Removal from field duty for a probationary period? Under consideration."

The pegasus winced at the mention of each option. "Director Sparkle, I assure you that I'm here for a much more important reason. I've been told that you can get caught up in your own thoughts, but please, hear me out." She clenched her eyes, straining to get the situation back under control.

Twilight calmed herself. Rain never did reveal her purpose for approaching her. "Go on."

Relieved that she had broken through the princess's aura of authority, Rain continued, loosening her demeanor. "I know about the draft notice of Big Macintosh. Actually, a couple of ponies in Intelligence know about it."

"A couple?" Twilight was astonished. "How?"

"Well, we were never actually sure until last night," Rain admitted. "We gathered pieces of it over time, but only now did we get the most crucial piece, but too late. This wasn't an accident. It's deliberate."

"Deliberate?!" Twilight exclaimed. "Not only would it have to pass by me, but it also risks being opposed by Celestia and Luna! And other councils!"

The pegasus sighed. "That's where the problem comes up. The reason we never got a hold of this plan was because it was all done through personal correspondences. Nothing through the mail. Minimized the chance to be discovered and tracked. But we're your personal best, and we managed to get a break. You won't like it, though."

"How do they plan to circumvent the interference of power?"

Rain shrugged. "By using power. Luna's in on it."

The mug in Twilight's hoof began steaming. "What?! You're going to have to give me some very concrete evidence on this, Lieutenant, because right now, if you don't you, will suffer unbelievable consequences. You just accused not just any official, but one of the two highest ponies in Equestria."

"No pony would ever make a risk that inane," the pegasus flatly said. From under her wing, Rain revealed a file. "A copy of everything we were able to find out. Sources are 1st Royal Scouts and 2nd Royal Scouts." She placed it on the table.

Twilight picked it up with her magic. She scanned through its contents. "Why? Why would anyone ever plan to do this? And if Luna's truly involved, why?"

"As far as we know, it was formulated by some of the more jingoistic ponies in Canterlot. Their aim is to drive the war effort at a rate steady enough to see it to a victory. These ponies will influence it any way they can. That being their goal, their closest ally of the three most influential ponies in Equestria is Luna."

Rain was pacing around in front of Twilight. "From the correspondences we were able to intercept, we speculate that it's intended as propaganda material. One of the Council members's siblings is suddenly drafted to fight in the war. 'They know your fears and pain. And yet they continue on, doing their job,' et cetera, et cetera," Rain said. "It's a propaganda pitch that could be thrown around for whatever purpose they want. 'Join the war!' 'Support your troops!' 'Support the Council!' Pretty smart move of them, if you think about it."

"But what motivation would Luna have to do something like this to us?" Dejection was in Twilight's voice. "We've been close friends ever since we returned her to Equestria. She could never betray us like this."

"Aye, that's one thing that baffles us too," Rain said, disappointment on her face. "It could be power getting to her head. Again. She'd already been absorbed by some mind-twisting madness before. Could be she's susceptible to it."

"You're suggesting that there's higher magic involved in this?"

"Oh, no. At least, we have absolutely nothing to support such an idea. It could be that it's simply in Luna's personality, giving into power or whatnot. But more importantly, this draft notice issue is far more the simple problem that it seems to be. Those ponies are watching you now. They're waiting for you to make a move. They know you'll make a move. And they planned all of it out. That draft notice is both their goal and their bait.

"The entire thing is a mind game. They picked Big Macintosh specifically. With his size, it's likely he'd be relegated to rear lines. Supply chain. Artillery. Somewhere his strength could be put to utilitarian use. But not the front. He's not likely to be placed right in danger, so they could take this risk without feeling guilty because they're fairly certain they're not sending somepony off to their death."

"That's twisted," was all Twilight could comment as her glance shifted between her now very-hot tea and the packet of papers.

"And if, or when, you made your move, they've planned for that as well. They'd put it out in the papers. In the news reels. The radio. That Twilight Sparkle is a dirty, lying mare that doesn't share the sentiments of the common pony that she supposedly represents. She looks out for only the ones she cares about and nopony else. They'll skew your image and slander your name. And if you get Celestia to step in, they could do it to her, too."

"What good will that do them?" Twilight asked plainly.

"They can then take ponies that dislike you to back Luna more. Could try and use it to leverage control of Royal Intelligence into their hooves. Not the most watertight part of the plan, since some will just end up hating everyone in Canterlot altogether, but it's better than nothing. Ponies are easily irritated by small things these days. Approval of you is a balancing scale, and this might be just another small pebble, but it'll all add up."

"I still wonder why Luna would agree to it rather than oppose it. Certainly if all three of us opposed it, the table could turn in our favor."

"Then Luna would seem split on the war. Not sure if she would risk that, given her pivotal role in it. It could produce negative effects."

"Three princesses don't have enough reputation and influence?"

"The Equestrian public is a finicky creature. Remember, Director, they don't follow you blindly—they follow you because they either like can tolerate what you've been doing so far. But they don't have to agree with you forever. They don't have to agree with each other. They'll crack. And this draft notice plan was created as one of possibly a number contingencies to play when they need the extra push to keep the war on track. You're all princesses. You're figures. You're an idea. Harmony is an idea. Propaganda is an idea."

Twilight drank her tea. She felt its heat liven up her mind, shaking herself from her shocked stupor. "So what can I do?"

Rain shook her head. "Don't ask me, Director. You're the expert on pony relations. I believe that ponies would react negatively to exempting a sibling of a Council member from the draft. You might think that ponies would see it as a logical move, to keep an important pony's morale up and mind thinking clearly."

Twilight sat in silence, mulling it over. Yes, she knew the importance of maintaining her image. Yes, she knew that fixing the draft issue would be the right thing to do with regards to Applejack. But which was worth the risk? If she risked one, did she risk losing the other?

"I'm sure there's officials in Canterlot who have ponies in service, right?" Twilight asked.

"Certainly. It's likely someone in the Scouts is one of those ponies."

"... What would you do in my position, Lieutenant?"

Rain thought about it for a moment. "... Honestly, Director? I'd never want to betray my friends, but given how bounded you are in your position, I'd tell my friend the truth. Every detail of it. And let it happen. But then again, that's why I'm not a politician. Don't like the idea of receiving backlash for a small thing like this."

The alicorn nodded. "Thank you for informing me of this, Lieutenant. If that is all, you are dismissed."

Lieutenant Rain Storms nodded and left. Even as the door to the library clicked shut, Twilight sat at the table. The tea in her hooves was still hot. She figured she should leave soon.

==+==

The Palace

Ponyville, Equestria

December 21, 1014

7:28 AM

Twilight Sparkle walked into her palace, just a little after early opening time. Usually, she was there at 7 AM to open the doors, and staff would trickle in around that time. However, due to the events of her morning, Twilight saw what the lobby was like in the early hours of the Hearth's Warming season.

It was still calming. Ponies milled about with an added upbeat air. The decorations around the place were pleasing to the eye, though Rarity wouldn't have it any other way. And there was also—"Fluttershy?" Twilight walked towards a group of lounge chairs.

Fluttershy looked up from what she was reading. "Oh, good morning, Twilight. You seem to be, um, a bit late today."

"I, uh, was sidetracked by business," Twilight answered. She looked at the scattered reading material around her friend. In the pegasus's hooves was a newspaper. "What are you reading? Do you do this every morning?"

"Yeah, I do this every morning," Fluttershy answered. "The morning paper is good to read to keep up with current events. Radios are nice, but I like the quiet."

Twilight looked at the other things lying about. "Why is there a pamphlet about volunteering as medical personnel to go overseas?"

Fluttershy glanced at the pamphlet. "I was curious as to what they actually do now. Everything's changing so fast. I like knowing if they have any new tools or training to help save ponies' lives."

"What about in the paper?"

"A lot of it always seems like the same thing. But sometimes in the casualty reports they mention if they're managing to save more ponies through any new techniques."

"... Have you ever thought about volunteering to be one yourself?"

Fluttershy put the newspaper down. "Sometimes. I know how gruesome work might be, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just... help those ponies. It's more than just treating injuries. Good medical ponies also have a kind spirit that helps healing just as much."

Twilight sat down in a sofa next to her. "It sounds like you'd make a good nurse over there."

Fluttershy sighed. "I know."

Twilight looked around. "Well, the others don't usually get here until 8. But you already know that." She considered going up to her office right then, but the events of her morning kept her in place. So much in place that Fluttershy could sense something was amiss.

"... Twilight, is something wrong?"

Twilight thought hard if she should tell Fluttershy. "... Not really," she decided. "I'll meet you all in the throne room later, okay?"

Her friend nodded. "Okay."

==+==

It wasn't pleasant, but she had to do it. Twilight stopped by the desk to cancel anything she had scheduled for that day and told them to tell Applejack to stop by her office when the earth pony came in. It had to be done, and it hurt her both because she ruined a carefully planned schedule and because the ensuing conversation going to take place was going to be rough.

"What, Twi?!"

"I'm sorry, Applejack, but that's what's happening." Twilight was pacing around in front of her desk while Applejack wandered around the room.

"So what, you're just gonna let 'im go and leave us for two years?!" Applejack exclaimed.

"No!" Twilight replied. "I don't want to and I'm going to try and figure out how to get that done. Look, is it okay if we discuss this with the rest of the girls? I need as many ponies to pitch in."

Applejack snorted. "Alright, fine. It ends with Big Mac stayin' home."

The two left for the throne room where the other four mares were already waiting. Applejack entered looking very disgruntled and Twilight followed warily.

"I-is there anything wrong, Twilight?" Rarity asked after seeing Applejack's expression.

Applejack slumped into her seat. "Whenever you're ready, Twi."

Twilight took a moment in the middle of her friends to compose herself. She lifted her wing and presented the file she was given earlier. "This morning, somepony from Intelligence notified me of a plan concocted by some ponies in Canterlot. That plan involved Applejack's brother."

She continued on explaining everything she had been told that morning, ending with where she currently was. "So now, we're trapped in the middle of a blackmailing attempt."

"Well geez," Rainbow said, "if that's what they want, why don't you just let me join the active Wonderbolts? That'll solve your problem. One step up—an actual Council member! And I get to do something new and exiting! Everypony's happy!"

"Dash, do ya really want to get caught up in all of this like that?" Applejack said. "'Sides, we need ya here!"

"Yeah, right. What do we really do here anyways? Nothing exciting."

"We're here to keep the populace in touch with the ponies in charge," Twilight said. "Besides, how can we be sure that you going out there and announcing that you're going to become an active duty personnel of the Wonderbolts is going to get Big Mac out of this mess?"

"Why don't you just talk to them, Twi," Rainbow suggested. "Just another backstage deal, y'know?"

"There isn't any guarantee they'll let it go," Rarity said. "It's more likely that you're just playing into their hooves more."

"So what, a couple of secret deals isn't much. Celestia's definitely done her number of 'em, but we just don't know about them. She's still doing fine."

"Being the ruler of Equestria for over a millennium might be part of that. Twilight, though a very respectable princess, doesn't hold the same level of regard."

"Fine," Applejack declared. "We ain't goin' nowhere with this. Twi, I guess I have to accept it if you gotta let Big Mac go, but I ain't lettin' these ponies off that easily. They want somepony important to go? Then I'll go with him."

Twilight looked at her friend as if she had killed a pony, which wasn't too far off to think maybe. "Applejack, you can't be serious! We've barely talked about this and you're saying that you'd rather just sign up yourself?! Are you even thinking about what you're saying?!"

"Twi, I think I can see it clearly actually. Like ya said, ponies want to see us take action. And they don't want to lose, right? Only way Equestria's gonna win is if they keep gettin' ponies to fight, right? Well if they want somepony to 'inspire' everypony to sign up, then why not?"

"That's brash and twisted logic," Rarity said. "We've always known you to be a headstrong pony, Applejack, but this is going a little far. You're also usually very levelheaded! Settle down and we'll all talk this through in a civilized fashion and so we can come up with a civilized solution."

"Nothin's civilized anymore, Rarity," Applejack grumbled. "If it were, we wouldn't be here talkin' bout this. But no, even other ponies, fellow Equestrians, are against us."

"Everypony, this discussion was—is—about keeping all of us out of the war!" Twilight shouted, quieting the others.

In the silence, everyone froze and reconsidered. Twilight received a mixture of expressions. "So?"

Applejack, no longer appearing angry but rather unsure, scratched the back of her head. "I... I don't know, Twi. As much as I don't want Big Mac to go... none of this feels right anymore."

"What are you talking about now, Applejack? What doesn't feel right? I don't know if anything's supposed to feel right or wrong right now!" The unraveled alicorn let off a weak chuckle.

"I just... I don't think I ever really settled into the whole 'important pony' thing," Applejack said. "Now I'm thinkin' 'what right do I have to opt out of a war'? Or Big Mac? He's my brother, sure, but he's also just common folk like the ponies bein' sent over."

"But you're not a common citizen anymore, Applejack," Fluttershy noted. "We accepted new responsibilities."

"We're supposed to be the best examples for everypony, right? The whole Elements of Harmony thing? Wouldn't going off to fight myself be an example?" Applejack calmly argued.

Twilight waved a hoof. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you actually, seriously, considering this? For real?"

Applejack shrugged. "I think so. Yeah."

"Whoa," Rainbow remarked plainly. "As in, sign up to be one of the grunts that walks through the jungle for days?"

"How else can I be an example? By hiding in the supply lines?"

This time, Rainbow sat up and actually looked at her friend. "Whoa, that's pretty hardcore. Are you sure you didn't hit your head this morning?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Maybe she's having hormone imbalances."

"I am not in heat, Twi..."

"Are you sure? I won't judge you if war makes you hot."

Applejack just slapped her own face.

"So what if you do go?" Rarity said, attempting to return some semblance of coherence to the original discussion. "That still doesn't solve Big Mac's problem."

"I..." Applejack considered her answer. "I guess it'll just have to happen."

"Then what about your farm?!"

"Apple Bloom's smart. She's got her gadgets and plenty of ideas. Heck, she'd came up to me a few times in the past years with ideas how to make work easier."

"What about Granny Smith?" Fluttershy asked. "She's getting really old. Imagine what it would do to her if both you and Big Macintosh left."

"Oh..." Applejack groaned. She dropped her head into her hooves, thinking hard. "Well, I'm sure there's plenty of folks goin' through the same thing. The press wants to eat these kinds of things up, right? Maybe... maybe it's just another harsh fact of life right now."

Twilight's expression fell flat. Here she was, watching as one of her best friends disconnected herself from her own life and instead stepping into the lives of others. Over the years, they had elevated their own positions above other ponies, but did that mean they were no longer obligated to sympathize with them? Or did their present responsibilities exclude them from having to partake in the sorrows of normal ponies?

Did their present responsibilities even mean much?

From behind her own hooves, Twilight heard Rarity call for her. "Twilight? Do you have anything to say?"

The alicorn released her breath. "We've been treated so special for so long, I've considered us above these kinds of things. These things that we shouldn't be allowed to consider since we've had larger responsibilities placed onto us. But... I suppose being in a position of authority doesn't mean we're barred from stepping down. I guess, if, say, Celestia wanted to step down and become a normal pony, there's nothing set that completely prevents her from doing so. Politics and backlash would do so realistically, but theoretically, she could."

Rarity hesitated to speak her mind. "... Your point?"

"Applejack brings up some good points. We're lower down the ladder, closer to the citizens of Equestria. We used to be just plain citizens that were examples to follow. That still applies even in our position now. I guess... my point is that there are many reasons why she shouldn't go off and sign up, but there really isn't anything completely stopping her to."

Everyone but Applejack went wide-eyed. Rainbow was the first to piece together words. "Geez, Twi, really?! Just like that?"

"I still don't approve of it, Rainbow," Twilight said. "I'm just ending that part of the discussion by saying that, yes, Applejack could sign up if she wanted to."

Applejack took in a deep breath. "You know what, Twi? I'm gonna consider it durin' this week. I'm gonna talk to my family and tell 'em everythin' you said."

"Shit, AJ, really?" Rainbow was still incredulous. "Damn." She rubbed her neck. "Well, uh, if you really decide to go, you know what? I'll go with ya. Can't leave my best friend to go off alone."

"For Celestia's sake, not you too, Rainbow," Twilight groaned as she planted her face into her hooves.

"Maybe I'll go too!" Pinkie declared. "I can't leave Dashie and AJ to go to some miserable, rainy place! That doesn't sound like fun. And I'll miss Dashie!"

Twilight was hammering her face with her hooves. "Right, who's next?"

"Um, if everyone's going to leave, I guess it would be a good example for me to be trained in a medical position..." Fluttershy said. "Morale is a good thing for everypony..."

There was a deep knot in Twilight's chest. "Rarity?"

"Eeuuuhhh... if it means anything, Twilight, I'm not feeling any great urge to volunteer myself and sign up to get shipped out to some abysmal country that could become my grave."

"Oh, come on, Rares, it'll be fun!" Rainbow said. "You need to get out more anyways."

"No. Have you heard of the horror stories that come from there?" Rarity reacted in disgust. "I will simply not subject myself to them. And neither should any of you. Consider that."

"S'alright, Rares," Applejack said sincerely. "Nopony's forcin' ya. If I do go, we'll be alright without ya."

"Stop, stop! Don't try and guilt me into going."

Applejack was taken aback. "I'm not!"

"But it might work anyways!"

"Do I need to adjourn this?" Twilight said, exhausted. "I think I should adjourn this. This is just ridiculous."

"Twilight," Rarity said, also exasperated, "I don't believe you can do anything else today."

"Right." Twilight's hooves were a gavel and her head was the surface. "Adjourned."

==+==

Twilight entered her office laden with what she just left from.

"So, how'd it go, Director?"

She nearly jumped and her wings twitched in surprise. At least it knocked her out of her stupor. "Lieutenant?"

Rain, leaning on the desk when Twilight entered, righted herself and stood tall. "I was notified that you had cancelled today's follow-up meeting regarding my status. I asked the desk a few other things and they kindly let me know that everything on your schedule had been wiped." She began pacing around leisurely. "So, how did it go?"

Twilight winced, recalling the entire ordeal. She considered the situation and once she promptly decided accordingly, she opened her eyes. "The situation, as it developed, is that four of my friends may sign up to ship out in the near future."

It was as if nails shot up through the floor into Rain's hooves. "What?"

"To save you the trouble, it's Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. The latter of which is considering a medical position."

"What ever transpired that that would happen?"

Twilight summarized the meeting.

"That's... respectable," Rain admitted. "But... that's insane!... What do you plan to do?"

"I consider myself an experienced individual," Twilight said as she walked towards her desk, "but there are some things that I'd rather take up with others with more experience. So basically Princess Celestia."

"How much are you going to tell Princess Celestia though?" Rain asked. "After all, part of the problem is Luna."

The alicorn sat down at her desk to rest her head on a hoof. Idly with her magic, she set some tea boiling in a small kettle off to the side."I'll just... skip over that part."

"And what if she brings it up with Luna?" Rain slid into one of the seats in front of the desk.

"Well, according to you, Luna's already aware of the situation, so I presume she would take all measures to hide her true intent."

Rain grumbled. "If I ever get the chance to wring the neck of some of those assholes in Canterlot, I'm gonna make them swallow their spinal cord..."

Twilight casually threw a hoof up in response. "Good to know. Anything else?"

"Would you like me to relay what you told me to those of us in the know in Intelligence?"

Twilight sat up. The kettle whistled and she poured herself a drink as she browsed through the documents at her desk. "I think that would be best. I'd rather not try to hinder the efficiency Intelligence can operate at by withholding information that's likely to become known eventually. Tea?"

Rain nodded an affirmative. "Sure. Anything else, Director?"

"I don't think so." Twilight levitated a cup and platter down in front of the officer. "I should write a letter to Princess Celestia. I'm hoping to get an audience with her as soon as possible." Her horn continued glowing as various items floated around, from her own tea to quill and paper. "So how was your day yesterday?"

"I got out by 5, if you were curious. I suppose intensive training is a factor. Cute, he was, and your brother does well to maintain Royal Guard standards as well. Didn't have to haul his ass out... Admittedly, probably wouldn't have been able to either." Rain reminisced it thoughtfully.

Twilight rolled her eyes, but inside was glad for some conversation that didn't involve her pounding her own head. "Well, I guess it's good to see some ponies can find ways to unravel during the Hearth's Warming season."

"I'd say you're one of the most in need of said unraveling." The pegasus just smirked as she downed what was left of her tea.

Another roll of the eyes and a slight smile. "A couple of things. One, you're not my type. And two, I prefer keeping my office orderly."

There were two clinks as Rain placed her empty cup and platter down on the desk. "Aw, I'm a bit hurt, Princess. I was hoping I could improve my reputation that way," she grinned. "Alas, it seems it isn't meant to be." Satisfied in both her initial purpose and in lifting her boss's mood slightly and momentarily, she stood up. "Well, you have quite a bit to take care of. I'll best to leave you to it."

Twilight watched as the mare departed, with what might have been an extra sway in her stride. "Lieutenant, what will I do with you..." She sighed and her expression fell solemn once more as she stared at the short message written to her mentor. Satisfied it would suffice, she took a lighter from her desk, flicked it alight, and burnt the message in its green flame.

Spike had other things to do after all.

Alone in her office with only paper, quills, and other various inanimate objects to accompany her, she planned out the upcoming ordeal.

Somehow, her day went from bad to worse to hell.

==+==

Twilight didn't know whether she wanted a quick reply or to have Celestia bogged down in work. Because of her indecisiveness, fate decided to intervene just a few minutes afterwards.

She really wished it was the latter right then. Twilight was never one for surprises behind closed doors. As she steeled her breath, she turned the knob with her magic and stepped into Celestia's own room. "Princess Celestia," she bowed, out of habit and respect.

Celestia was already standing ready to greet her former student. "Princess Twilight." The discussion began after a short pause; Celestia wasn't one to delay matters of importance. "What could be so distressing that you wrote to me just a couple of minutes ago? You didn't reveal anything in your letter."

Twilight had no time to form a proper presentation, so she began with what she could. "It's bad, Celestia, it's bad." Her eyes were straining to open even wider in her distress. "It's incredibly bad. Unfathomably bad."

Celestia said nothing, patiently waiting for the other alicorn to get a grip and explain.

Twilight took one more deep breath, then stepped into her tale, starting from the night before, going through the meeting earlier that morning, and finally ending with the mess that landed her where she was that moment. "What... what's the right thing to do?"

"I recall a few times where I felt pained, powerless to help brave soldiers out on the front. I always felt that it would be good if I could be there with them. To give to them what I as both a leader and a mother figure could offer. Alas, I could never do such a thing, as I bear too much duty as a princess.

"While I would not recommend your friends taking that course of action, as doing so would pain me to watch them to go off, I will admit it would be very commendable of them. Authority is a responsibility, but we shouldn't be blinded to what ponies below us are experiencing. If they do leave Equestria... I believe we would still function fine."

"So you're saying that our positions aren't critical enough to keep us here?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Celestia said. "But I don't feel that their absence would be something we wouldn't be able to compensate for."

Twilight took it in and considered what that could mean for the future. This was going to be a long talk.