The sunlight pierces the colored windows of the high castle in Canterlot. Sporadic colors of blue, green, and red hues filled the air and graced the floor of the royal throne room from the high ceilings and multi colored windows. Heavily armored royal paladins stood at every pillar, completely still with intent to attack. A large, red velvet rug ran straight from the thrones across to the glass doors that lead to the balcony at which the princesses gave their addresses to the people of Equestria.
At the thrones, the worried Princess Celestia paced anxiously. It had been months at war with the opposing planet of Barbadon, their quest: the land, the killing, and the wealth. Even at this time, the frontlines continue to fall slowly towards the castle in Canterlot. The princess, still reluctant on removing her armor of gold, platinum, and steel, with that also refusing to retire her sword of white light to her quarters, bit her tongue and damned being within the magically protected walls of her castle.
"The frontlines are falling back," she said frantically, "we need to be out there supporting the guard!"
Her sister, Princess Luna, heard Celestia say this with a concerned face and a heavy heart. Princess Luna hadn't removed her armor of hardened ebony or disarmed herself of her sword of space and starlight, out of respect of the orders of Celestia herself to keep both of their armor on at all times. Luna looked on at her sister, worrying not of battle, but of her stressing sister.
"Sister, you cannot stress as you do now," Luna says, reaching out to her sister with her hand, "come, sit and relax. "How can you run a kingdom when you are a tired wreck? Let the field marshals handle the fighting. It's neither mine, nor your business. Now please, sit with me."
With great hesitation and failed restraint, Celestia gave in to her sister's pleading gestures. "Okay, I understand. I'm sorry for worrying you, Luna. I just do not want Equestria to fall, as our allies on the opposite end of the world have..." She said as she relaxed her muscles and let out a long, euphoric sigh.
Luna smiled at the sight of her sister finally giving in to some rest for once. Silence filled the throne room. So quiet that the two princesses could hear the bustling people of Canterlot stories below them. It was a blissful moment for both of them. They took in long, inaudible drags of breath to calm their nerves. Neither of them dared to break the silence as it was a calming morphine to the soul. They stayed like this for about fifteen minutes..
Now that Celestia had this time to relax, she began to notice small details in the room. She admired the Nordic style architecture, the ceramic vases, the paintings, even a small discolored tile on the main floor. She cherished this moment with all of her soul. She then got up to begin walking around the room. This was quickly interrupted by her dearest pupils as they came running in. She watched them enter with a smile, "Good evening, ladies."
Princess Luna stood by Celestia as the six girls, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, bowed to their presence. "Do not fret, heroes. Rise. What is it you needed to tell us so urgently?" Celestia asked with a smile and positivity in her voice. The girls raised their heads, still out of breath due to the run from the central train station to the castle, not to mention the stairs they had to climb. Twilight Sparkle took note of her friends' inability to speak from the run. At this point, she appointed herself as representative witness for the information they were trying to relay.
"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I bring bad news from Ponyville.(Author's Note: I don't want to change the names because I'm not that creative) We were attacked by Barbadonite warriors a few hours ago. They ransacked the whole town, taking everything they could: money, valuables, food, weapons, and even some people. Anyone who fought back, refused to comply, or ran were killed on site." Celestia's expression slowly deflated into a grimaced appearance as Twilight continued, "They used the kidnapped people as ransoms and demanded even more money and valuables to spare their lives. We didn't want to negotiate until we consulted with you and Princess Luna."
Celestia had rage in her eyes. How could they get this far behind the frontlines? , Celestia thought. Princess Luna watched in fear as her sister began to see this hatred-filled side of her unfold. Celestia raised her hand forward as a cloud of energy pulsed from her hand to in front of her for all to see. Twilight and Luna recognized it as a psychic relay spell, the way Celestia kept up to date with her marshals and generals. The image came into focus to show a mage marshal of the east flank, the direction of Ponyville relative to the castle. He saluted Celestia then quickly dropped it as he awaited for Celestia to speak.
Celestia composed herself and spoke firmly, "Marshal, how far is your front from Ponyville?"
The marshal looked down to his map as he used a protractor to calculate the distance of the front to Ponyville. He looked up and said, "About seventy-five or so clicks away, your highness."
Celestia took in a deep breath, exhaled, and spoke sarcastically, "Is that so? Then can you explain to me," her voiced sharply raised in volume, "WHY PONYVILLE WAS PILLAGED THIS MORNING?!?!"
The marshal jumped slightly at the change in volume but kept his bearing, "Ma'am, with all due respect, we have been fighting constantly in wall formations combined with spell detection tomes. If something so much as a rat broke through, we'd know about it. I know this because my mages have alerted my men on snakes that pass through these fields."
Celestia was obviously not convinced. Before she could unleash a verbal onslaught on the poor marshal, Princess Luna pulled Celestia aside and said to the marshal, "We understand, marshal. Continue attending to your duties."
Saluting, he responded, "Yes, ma'am." Luna then closed the relay spell.
Celestia shivered at the thought that Ponyville, a mere ten miles from Canterlot, could be under siege. "They could have attacked us at the brain, but didn't..." She grabbed Rainbow Dash's shoulders and shook her, "But why not?!?!" Rainbow Dash just stood there in total disbelief as the panicked princess crushed her shoulders.
"Sister," Luna said softly as she calmly removed Celestia's hands from Rainbow Dash's shoulders, "take leave in your chamber. I will handle the Ponyville situation, yes?" Celestia nodded slowly and was escorted by one of the shining paladins through a large door.
Luna turned and faced the six girls before her that had finally caught their breaths. Luna sighed, and said, "Look, this shouldn't be a mission for you, but we cannot expend guards to handle this. So it is up to you six to handle this situation however you deem fit. You must also learn how these marauders were able to reach your home while you're at it."
"But we don't got anythin' but our swords." Applejack exclaimed, gesturing at the blade in her sheath.
"Yes," Rarity added, "how are we expected to fight a horde of ruffians with only six rapiers?"
Luna pursed her lips and lingered on a thought. With much self debate, she finally spoke, "Use the Elements of Harmony if you must. Do whatever it takes to purge this blight from Equestria. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must attend to my sister." Luna bowed her head then walked through the door where Celestia was escorted through.
Twilight turned to face her friends and said, "Alright girls, lets go save our town." They cheered with a "YEAH!", all but Fluttershy who whimpered behind one of the paladins standing by the pillars.
"I'll stay here where it's nice and safe. You girls go ahead, I'll catch up later... maybe." Fluttershy said as they all ran out as Rainbow Dash grabbed Fluttershy, bound for the defense of their home.
