Twilight inhaled sharply, her cheeks flushing red. The lavender alicorn's coat was matted with sweat, glistening in the moonlight cascading in through her gemstone window. A skilled tongue caressed the bases of her outstretched wings, one after the other. She could feel the muscles in her back groan with every passing moment. A low moan escaped her muzzle as kisses traced up her back, neck, and at last her lips. She dared to open her deep purple eyes only to find a beautiful light blue pair gazing back at her. Twilight draped her lover with her wing, tracing the deep blue black down to the flank with her primaries. She went to speak but a hoof on her lips stopped her.
"Twilight?" the mare spoke, her sapphire mane flowing down to her wing.
"Yes Princess?"
"You have to wake up. You're going to be late."
"What do you...."
Harsh sunlight was streaming into the castle. The sounds of chirping birds and clicking claws caught the attention of the mare's sensitive ears, drawing her from her bedside fantasies. A faint outline of an adolescent dragon stood at the side of her bed. She was faintly aware of the smell of pancakes as she rubbed her eyes trying her best to banish the last vestiges of sleep from them.
"Of all the days for you to sleep in, you chose this one," Spike admonished, pointing a claw to her chest. "Honestly, at this rate everypony else will get there first." Spike grinned slyly. "You'll be tardy."
Sure enough the lavender pony jumped out of bed with a shout, swiping her brush and royal regalia up in her magic, and dashing out the bedroom door towards the kitchen. Spike let loose a hearty chuckle before Twilight popped her head back into the room. She regarded the dragon with just a hint of contempt.
"Pancakes are in the dinning room Twi," Spike stated in a cheery tone. He couldn't help giggling at the flustered princess as she let out a loud Humph. Shaking his head he slowly followed towards the delightful smell of breakfast.
After breakfast was hastily eaten, and a few bags packed and fastened to them (so as not to get lost during flight), they were off to Canterlot. The letter Celestia sent Twilight only days prior informed her that the Dragon Lord Ember was on her way to the Equestrian capitol to discuss a grave matter, though she had no knowledge as to what that may be. Her mind began conjuring problem after problem, seeking out the most logical, becoming more panicked after each imagined crisis. Worrying would do her no good. Drawing in a deep breath to reign in her thoughts, Twilight turned all her attention to her flight path. Spike gripped her mane harder as she increased her speed. Thud. The ground gave a bit beneath the force of her landing. Spike quickly dismounted.
"Ohhh yea! I can't WAIT until my wings come in all the way!" He exclaimed, wiggling his small stubby wings. Twilight giggled a bit and smiled at him.
"Come on Spike, let's not keep the Princesses waiting."
"... and the number of troops they have rallied is quite disconcerting. I don't think they will be biding their time much longer for an attack. I wish to formally request Equestria's aid to resolve this conflict."
Everypony's eyes were on the young Dragon Lord. Silence engulfed the room at the prospect and weight of Ember's words. War loomed on Equestria's doorstep. The princesses exchanged worried looks. War was something Equestria had not seen in over a millennia. Not since the event of Nightmare Moon had pony blood been spilled on a grand scale. This meeting was going to take much longer than Twilight thought. There was a long pause before Celestia spoke.
"We will lend you our aid. The creatures you describe sound -" she hesitated, sharing a look of fear with Luna, "- frightening. If your kingdom were to fall I fear Equestria would be next. How many troops do you have at your command?"
"Excluding all the children and the weaker dragons, 2,400," Ember said as she turned to regard Celestia. Her eyes were filled with resolve and a twinge of fear. It was not that long ago that Spike had won The Gauntlet and turned over to her the title of Dragon Lord. "The children and the weak number 3,700 roughly."
"If we were to gather all of our troops, aside from the necessary patrols on our borders, our military force would number nearly 40,000 troops. This would include the reserves, the royal guard, the lunar guard, and the Wonderbolts."
"I thank you" - Ember bowed - "Princesses. Your kindness is great."
The meeting lasted well into the evening. They discussed everything from troop transport to battle strategy. Dragon Lord Ember departed once all were in agreement on a plan of action. There was still a question on the tongues of Cadance and Twilight. Twilight spoke up first.
"This new enemy we face: you both" - Twilight looked between her former mentor and Luna - "seem to know what it is. Would you care to fill us in?" she said as she pointed to Cadance.
The sisters exchanged a knowing glance and Luna stepped forward. "Long ago, before the existence of the three pony races, the world was a very different place. Danger loomed everywhere. Death and destruction were commonplace and even the mighty race of dragons had to struggle for survival. Shadowy creatures dotted the hellscape and flowed freely from the darkest depths of Tartarus." The alicorn looked at her sister, who gave a permissive nod. The midnight mares horn glowed a brilliant white that filled the room. Then everything went black.
