Twilight glared at the enemy before her. This battle had been going on for a while now, the enemy was dangerous, very dangerous, and the alicorn had already had several close calls. What she did next could decide her fate but the mare had few options left to her, the battle had left her with so little resources and no chance to resupply and her forces were decimated.

The enemy smiled at her and Twilight felt her rage start to boil, the mare couldn’t wait till the enemy lost and Twilight stood over them in victory. Surveying the field quickly she rapidly weighed her options. Ah perfect. She couldn’t help smirking a moment before she made the move that would lead to the defeat of her enemy.

The enemy responded quickly. “Checkmate.” Chrysalis said with a smile.

“OH COME ON!” Twilight yelled and stared down at the chessboard between the two of them. It was truly a checkmate; Twilight had lost to Chrysalis, again. Grumbling she crossed her arms over chest.

“Oh come on don’t sulk just because I won.” The Changeling queen said with a chuckle as she started to collect the game pieces.

“I am not sulking.” Twilight huffed.

“Right my mistake, stop pouting.” The queen said and dodged the chess piece the alicorn threw at her. It had been about a month since the changeling’s queen’s confession and while they were technically together now not a lot seemed to have changed between them, it made Twilight wonder exactly what their relationship had been before the confession.

In that time Twilight mood swings had increased to the point the rest of the command staff had forced her into maternity leave and thus revoking all her ability to give orders. This came quickly on the heels of her ordering a strike team to assault the offices of the Equestrian Times newspaper to arrest everyone in the building and ship them to Irongate after another article was published concerning her pregnancy with more speculation about who the father was, not a single person had even thought about the Changeling Queen the mare spent most of her time with and from some of the articles in other tabloid the idea that the two even had a relationship beyond co-workers was seen as crazy. Twilight could ignore the tabloids as most people didn’t take them seriously but the Equestrian Times was one of the biggest newspapers in Equestria and everyone read it.

The Command Staff had rescinded the order moments before the assault started when they learned of it and after that she was placed on maternity leave, that was two weeks ago.

Twilight had learned that without the ability to give orders, inspect bases or even do paperwork she had very little to do. In short, she was board. While her being a Princess gave her a little bit to do the fact was she was still new and thus had very little duties to attend do since she basically only ruled Ponyville and the surrounding area. Most of the problems the town faces were handled by the mayor. So with so much free time on her hands she had been forced to find ways to alleviate her boredom.

She was now banned from four stores and two restaurants in Ponyville for the next two months, apparently leaving a bodybag stuffed with carefully sculpted meat in a dressing room as well as placing tags that read “SALE 100% OFF” on multiple items or using telekinesis to make peoples food fight back against them as they tried to eat was frowned upon.
People just couldn’t appreciate a good joke in her opinion.

It was after the last banning that Chrysalis had started to visit her often to keep her company. While they were now an item they still just acted like they always did around each other and the only thing that changed was the Queen now randomly started humming to herself or sighing contently with a smile on her face when around Twilight. It was the Changelings that were really different, now that twilight was aware of her status they had taken to calling her “My Queen” unless she was on duty, which meant while on maternity leave they only called her “My Queen” that was going to take some getting used to but it was a lot easier than dealing with ponies calling her “Princess” at least the changelings had an excuse as it was a physical response that they couldn’t go against so it was just strange and not annoying.

Sighing once more the mare got to her hooves and stretched a bit before cracking her neck. “So how much longer before we head out?” She asked.

Chrysalis paused in placing the game board back on a shelf as she connected to the hivemind. “Not long as everything is almost read.” She said.

Twilight nodded and headed for the kitchen to grab some food, she was hungry again but didn’t know for what. After a couple of minutes Chrysalis walked into the empty kitchen and blinked. “Twilight?” She called as she looked around the empty room. After a quick searched she found the window open and when she looked out she found the alicorn. “What are you doing?” She asked blinking in confusion.

Twilight’s head shot up and she quickly wiped her mouth and started back at the changing queen like a deer caught in headlights. “Uh….nothing….”the now quadruped Princess said.

“Really? Because it looks like you are eating grass after climbing out the kitchen window.” The Queen said with amusement.
The pregnant mare’s eyes darted around before she looked down as if ashamed. “It just looked really good…”She said sounded defeated.

Chrysalis chuckled and shook her head. ‘You are beyond adorable at times.” She said with a smile as she crossed her forehooves on the window sill and rested her chin on them as she looked at the now fiercely blushing alicorn.

“I am not!” Twilight said, the queens laugh at this statement only made her cheeks burn worse, damn hormones not letting her keep her emptions under control. “Battle scared soldiers are not adorable.” She said defiantly.

“Well I think you are the most adorable thing Twilight.” The Queen said with a smile, she did enjoy teasing the mare now that she knew her feelings.

Twilight opened and closed her mouth having no real way to retort the fact the queen didn’t care what she looked like, how did you fight about against the one person who didn’t have to be blackout drunk to think you are best looking mare in the room?

Grumbling Twilight turned and started to walk off towards the nearby helipad. “Come on, we are going to be late.” She said with as much bite as she could, the fact her face was bright red ruined the attempt.

Chucking the changeling queen closed the window and headed for the front door to meet up with the mare at the helipad, even if Twilight was in control of the relationship it did not mean Chrysalis couldn’t have her fun with the mare when she wanted to.

Once the queen arrived the two of them climbed aboard the gunship and took their seats as Twilight two pilots started up the rotors. Both the pilots as well as the two passengers were dressed in their dress uniforms as today was a very special day.

<<>>

Twilight stood upon a stage along with the entire EDF command staff and all the alicorns of the land. All of them were dressed in their absolute best for today, the EDF officers’ uniforms were clean and pressed and looked brand new, the Princesses’ regalia was all polished to perfection. On either side of the stage stood poles toped with the banner of Equestria, beside them on smaller poles flew the flags of the EDF and Royal Guard.

Before the stage stood a mix of EDF and Royal Guard in their dress uniforms and behind them stood the citizens of Canterlot and other places from around the nation. In the air flew news helicopters, the event being broadcast across the nation on every channel for those who couldn’t make it the event. Everyone was dressed their best for today. Schools were closed, businesses were closed for the morning and in the afternoon the restaurants would open their doors and server anyone and everyone free of charge. Even the criminals of the land gave pause in their illegal activities for today.

Today was the Day of The Fallen.

As a distant clock tower chimed ten times to signal the time Princess Celestia moved towards the podium and the crowd beyond grew quiet as everyone focused on the Solar Monarch.

“Today marks the anniversary of the end of Equestria’s first war in centuries. The day the brief war ended and members of the Equestrian Defense Force and Royal Guard kept their oaths to protect this land and the people who call it home.” Celestia said, allowing her emotions to bleed through her carefully crafted mask. “Today we honor those of the Royal Guard and the Equestrian Defense Force who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of saving others, whether it be during times of war or peace does not change the fact that these ponies and changelings gave their lives so that other may live in peace. Today we honor every single one of them who so willing paid the price for us in the last fifty years and we give them our thanks.” The Solar Monarch said, her words echoing across the silent crowd.

Behind the stage a large screen turned on as music began to play. The screen showed a group of ponies, mares, stallion and foals rushing down a hall, fear clear on their faces. Once the last one was through a large steel door slowly closed and locked, sealing them off from the outside world as the camera passed through the door and showed ponies and changeling in old EDF armor galloping around in organized chaos as a single voice of a military leader began to sing from the stage as she stood proud before the gathered crow.

Heart of their land as they made their stand
They stood strong and the legend still lives on

The camera moved through what was clearing an EDF base readying for combat as shells were leaded into artillery guns. The camera followed one of these shells as it was loaded and then fired. The camera followed the shell as it flew through the air and then detonated against its target’s shield. The image of Tirek only smiled as the battle of Fort Zandar began.

The Great War rages on
A battalion is holding strong
Under fire there’s nothing they can do
There’s no way they can get a message through
Suffered heavy losses as the battle carries on
Soldiers standing strong

The video shows as the Fort fired more and more on Tirek as he approached, all of it detonating harmlessly against his shield as he smirks and calls out for them to surrender. And then his shield cracks and a shell find its target. The image of Tirek’s face contorted in anger as he looked at the fort, its massive guns firing, the walls topped by soldiers firing their rifles at Tirek. Still firing as Tirek charged a blast between his horns. Still firing as the blast obliterated part of the wall.

Here the song shifted, as the military leader sang a line the crowd of soldiers and guards would sing the next.

Heart of their land where they made their stand!
A disregarded demand
It’s surrender or die and the stakes are high!
They live or they die there’s no time for goodbye
Weapon in hoof as they made their stand!
Still disregarding demand
They would never comply, they would rather die!

As the Fort was destroyed and the soldiers continued to fight till nothing of the fort remained and now shots came from the defenders the video shifted to show another base, this one mostly open ground filled with areas meant to train soldiers, the soldiers at the gate opening fire as the image of Tirek came on while behind them transports took to the air. An image of Discord fought Tirek, using his chaos magic to try and slow the other being and ultimately falling as the gate is destroyed.
The camera shifts to inside an office, a unicorn staring out the window as Tirek walks through the destroyed gate, between Tirek and the office soldiers shove rifles into the hooves of terrified ponies and the pony in the office raises a walkie talking to his lips and speaks, the words displayed on the screen. “Fight for your very lives” The pony watches as Tirek charged another magic blast and firing it straight at the office window, the pony simply closes their eyes as the screen is filled with white.

The Camera shifts to show Canterlot, the majestic city bathed in the evening light as the sun slowly sets. The pristine view of the city is lost as the camera shifts to show a series of bunkers as they begin to fire at the approaching Tirek, the being backed by the rising columns of smoke from the destroyed base behind him. With a single blast the bunkers are destroyed within seconds of the battle starting and Tirek moves into the city where the camera flies through to show Royal Guard and what remains of the EDF soldiers within the country preparing to defend the city.

Friends lost, munitions running low
Their supply long since depleted
The war still rages on
A battalion still standing strong
Chose not to surrender, they choose victory or defeat
Fallen brothers resting at their hooves

The battle rages through the streets of Canterlot as soldiers and Royal Guard attack Tirek from all sides. A single tank takes up position near a building and engaged Tirek. The camera swings around to show a single adult and an over a dozen foals escape out a back door.

Heart of their land where they made their stand!
A disregarded demand
Its surrender or die and the stakes are high!
They live or they die and the stakes are high
Weapon in hoof as they made their stand!
Still disregarding demand
They would never comply they would rather die!

The camera shows the battle through the castle as the music played with no singing. Soldiers and guards fought and died till the camera reached the throne room where the Princesses all stood. Between them and the door over four dozen soldier and royal guard.

The doors are blown off their hinges and the soldiers and guards attack Tirek who fires a single blast, ending the fighting before it began. The Princesses look at Tirek with defiance before they attack and the camera shifts to show the castle destroyed and the Princesses capture held in Tirek’s magical grasp as he leaves the ruined castle and finds a small group of soldiers and royal guard waiting for him outside of it. The image of Tirek smiles smugly as he speak, the words displayed on the screen. Our princesses have fallen, give up you cannot win.”

The soldiers and royal guard all look at each other before they raise their weapons and open fire.

Heart of their land where they made their stand!
A disregarded demand!
Its surrender or die and the stakes are high!
Live or die who call tell there’s no goodbye!
With weapon in hoof as they made their stand!
Still disregarding demand!
They would never comply they would rather die!
They stood strong and the legend still lives on!

The battle was one sided as Tirek moved through the city. What remained of the Royal Guard and EDF fighting him every step of the way as the ponies and changelings refused to surrender and kept protecting civilians and trying to rescue the Princesses.

The camera showed the evacuation site as it came under attack, the group from the school being rushed onto a transport by a unicorn mare with the insignia of the EDF Command Staff. The mare slamming the transport door shut as Tirek approached before turning and drawing her pistol. The mar eon the screen charged Tirek, firing her pistol as the transport behind her lifted off. As the mare ran more and more soldiers and royal guard joined her in her charge, firing the entire way. The guards and soldier keeping themselves between Tirek and the remaining transports as they load and launch, a charge that was doomed from the start.

Suffered heavy losses through the Great War they stood strong
The memory of the Fallen still lives on

The camera shifts to show the POV of a scope as it lines up on an unshielded Tirek before shifting to show a lone rifle peeking over a hill before it fires seven time and the image of Tirek falling and the magic of the land being released.

Heart of their land where they made their stand!
A disregarded demand
Its surrender or die and the stakes are high!
They live or they die there’s no time for goodbye
Weapon in hoof as they made their stand!
Still disregarding demand
They would never comply they would rather die!
Defeating the enemy they were finally saved

With the final words of the military leader the music slowly faded away, the last echoes of the voices of the soldiers and guards slowly echoing through the quiet city. The soldiers and guards all saluted as the screen displayed the nation’s flag blowing in the wind and the civilians all bowed out of respect to the ones who gave their lives in the past so they could be here.

The video was just a recreation of the events of the war as the actual events were not something to show the public and while the holiday was about everyone who died since the War with Tirek the events of that war showed the soldiers and the guards for what they were, ponies and changeling ready to defend the people of the nation with no regard for their own lives no matter what the threat was.

After a minute of silence for all who had fallen in the past years Celestia took the stage once more. “I would like to thank the members of the Royal Guard and Equestrian defense Force for all they have done and will continue to do for Equestria. This nation owes you all a debt we simply cannot ever repay. So on behalf of Equestria. Thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do.”

With that the ceremony was over and the crowd began to disperse to enjoy the day whether that be meet with friends and family for a meal or tank the soldiers and guards personally it did not matter. Even though it was a holiday today was one of the busiest in all of Equestria as family mourned those they lost and other thanked the fallen soldiers and guards for all they had done as well as thanked those still living. People went out of their way to speak to the soldiers, whether they be pony or changeling did not matter to most. They would thank them, talk with them invite them for a drink or a meal or even give them gifts. Even those within the county who had issues with certain members of the guard or soldiers put them aside and did not voice them even though they avoided those with in the Royal Guard and EDF they had issues with.
Today was a special day after all.

Author's Note

This chapter brought to you once more mu mu cell phone.

The the song is a partly rewritten version is thisnsone and is sing in the same manner to the same music.