While John had been mainly focused on his own new problems in this strange, strange land he found himself in; he couldn’t help but wonder from time to time what’d happened to his troop after he… left.

Sitting on his bedside and staring out unto the city below, he yearned to know, no, he needed to know, what had become of the rest of his company? Of his battalion? Hell, of his regiment? Looking at the patches on his uniform made him homesick, leaving him only wishing he could see Albany once again, see New York Harbor and even Lady Liberty… just to see America again, if even for a brief moment...

He sighed as his gaze went back to the window and down the courtyard below, where he saw several guards huddled, looking relaxed as they loosely gripped their long spears in hooves or the same strange glow he’d seen the Princesses use whenever they wanted to just… move something.

And something about the scene made his wish for something far easier: to just go outside.

So far, the Princesses had kept him confined to the Palace; though it was largely to his room, the throne room, their makeshift war room or the princesses personal quarters. Surely now that the nobles knew, it’d be ok for him to explore further and even go outside?

Even if only for a bit.

So when he heard his door open and saw Luna walk in, he knew it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

“Good morning, Luna.” He said, standing up and turning to her, as he watched the dark pony walk in with a smile towards him.

“Good morning to you as well, Sir John. I see you’re up early. Hopefully, it was not because of any bad dreams. I hope.” She replied in a cheerful tone, seeming a bit nervous, as she kinda looked to the side a bit.

“Oh no, none… what’s got you so worried already? Is something wrong?”

“Well…” She sighed “I suppose if anyone should know, it’s you. Our scouts managed to come back and what they reported… wasn’t good at all,” Luna sighed, as she approached John, before continuing in a more somber tone when compared to her jolly greeting. “ It seems that… that the Horses may soon move earlier than we thought. The city of Gryphonstone is in ruins and so was the surrounding countryside. Why they would burn it down leaves questions, but all I know is that they are capturing as many refugees as possible. The acts they tell the ponies who find them are… horrifying… and I believe it.” She said, looking down at the white bandages wrapped around her right front leg

John had been curious about those but hadn’t asked out of politeness, “Savages do tend to act savagely… Though the refugees might at least serve a good use.”

“How so?”

“Well, I have no doubt the… err, fighting age males who are fleeing are more than willing to fight for their homes and lives back. However, I’m sure the old and the female folk can no doubt tell us more about these savages and their ways.” He said, hobbling over to her and putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, as he gave a reassuring pat. “Don’t worry Luna, we’ll whip em and avenge whoever they’ve hurt or killed.”

“I wish I could have your courage, Sir John. I saw them at Gryphonstone when they attacked… such speed and ferocity… something I’ve never seen before.”

“All the strength in the world can’t beat the strongest force: desperation.” He said, immediately realizing that didn’t sound as inspiring as he hoped

“Yes well, we are desperate.” Luna said with a pause, “My sister is trying to prepare a speech to announce what’s going on but it is, shall we say ‘slow going’. Neither of us has the slightest idea of how to do it without simply… saying it!”

“Well, your people need something inspiring. Something that would explain how serious of a situation this is, but neither she nor you or Cadance nor Twilight are willing to throw in the towel! And neither should they!

“'Throw in the towel’?” she said, confused at the metaphor, before a worried look appeared on her face, before reverting back into that of a confident smile. Walking towards the door, and opening it for the both of them. “You have a way with words. After yesterday's speech in court, I’m tempted to have you speak for us instead.”

“And have me mess it up again? I don’t think it’d be a good thing. Anyway, what did you need of me Luna? Or did you just come to make sure I was up and a chat?”

“That seamstress we’ve told you about is supposed to arrive today. We wanted to prepare you for that.”

“Oh please, I can handle some measurements being taken. Though standing still will be a bit of an issue.”

“Then I hope you don’t mind being pricked with pins. For all her creativity and talent, Rarity has a way of making it feel like slow torture. But, until then, I thought you could review the new plans or perhaps-”

“Go out and get some sunlight?” He interrupted, hoping his suggestion would be taken seriously. He was beginning to feel far to cooped up for his liking.

The look on Lunas face seemed stuck somewhere between uncertainty and fear as she stood there for a moment, contemplating the possibility, “Well, I… I don’t know Sir John it seems quite-”

“Come on Luna, I can’t stay in this palace another minute. I just want to go out into the palace grounds a bit. You can even have some guards escort me around but I really need to stretch my legs… well, you know what I mean. The nobles already know about me and most of the guards from the rumors I’m sure!” He interrupted and pleaded, trying to convince her to release him if only momentarily from his gilded cage.

She looked at his desperate face, as she was forced into making a decision. After another moment, she sighed and nodded her head, “Alright, I can understand being stuck in one place is frustrating. But I’ll be having a guard who I trust will keep an eye on you.” She then gave him a smirk, “Just so no one assumes you’re an intruder or some strange magical being of course. We’ve had enough of those appearing from when Twilight was here.”

“Sure, any of em! I get along just fine with those fellas!” He said, ecstatic to finally get some sun and breath fresh air and not bothered at being babysat like he needed a wet nurse.

“Come on then.” Luna said as she turned and waited for him just outside the doorway.

John eagerly followed, with a skip to his hobble, as he was delighted by the news.

The clicking of Johns crutch had a steady rhythm as they both proceeded through the quiet and luxurious halls of the palace, as familiar surroundings began to turn to the unfamiliar until she went in an entirely different direction. The place still had its grand nature to it, but they passed what felt like a lot more guards and staff upon reaching a point, all of whom stopped and bowed low whenever Luna passed and still eyed him with concerned, amazement and in a few cases… suspicion.

“That must be the creature, Metal was talking about!” One guard whispered, anxiously to another, as they passed by. Luna ignored them, however, John couldn’t help but overhear.

“The one that spoke to the Council.” Another whispered, this time it was a maid gossiping with another.

“Seems I’m a bit of an oddity, to say the least, huh?” He joked to Luna as they walked “never would have guessed it.”

“Equestria has had and seen many strange things, Sir John… but you are certainly a first I will admit.” Luna continued, as they left the guards behind them, though John couldn’t help but feel that there was something more to what Luna just said.

“Nice to know. So, where are we in this huge palace anyway?” He asked curiously, as he made out the slowly diminishing levels of luxury. Where ornate silk covered tables were turned to simple wooden construction meant for utilitarian purposes, paintings, once displaying art and works of life, began to show instead uniformed ponies in military like postures or old battlefields and most noticeably the lack of plush carpets; as the floors transitioned from fabric to hard polished stone.

“The barracks wing. It’s where both the Solar, and the Lunar guards; eat, train and sleep full time, all of them ready to protect us to their dying breaths.”

“Well, Hell, set me up with a cot in the barracks and I’ll be right at home!” He exclaimed, seeming serious

“And have an important military advisor sleep with the rabble?” Luna asked as she made a surprised face as if stunned by this revelation. “You’re part of the General staff, they’re not supposed to sleep with the soldiers.” She said sternly.

“Oh, I’m a military advisor now hmm? And remember, the rabble does the fighting. I’d like to see what they’re capable of.” He said, seeming completely serious like in his earlier statement “and I’d like them to know me. I won’t be some enigma lording myself above the rank-and-file soldier, handing his death certificate down the unreliable chain of command. Leave that for your real generals and staff. I’ve had enough of it for one lifetime.”

“They do the leading, while we do the dying.” He said grimly, looking down at the floor.

She seemed even more taken aback by not only what he said but how dedicated to the idea he seemed, and on some level, Luna had to at least respect that

“Sir John, I understand your wish to not be like that and while we will not force you to act that way, you are certainly staying in your guest room and that is not going to change.”

“Fine fine, I know when enough is enough your highness,” He said, putting his hands up defensively in front of him. “just… can’t stand the thought of being the one doing that to someone else is all.”

Luna stern look softened and she understood where he was coming from a bit, “I understand it can be hard to think about being unknown while at the same time expecting others to respect you… far too well in fact do I know it. But fear not; we shall not hide you away. I promise.”

His grim look seemed to slowly disappear and returned to a small smile of excitement, “Well, that is certainly nice to hear. This gilded cage of unknown mystery was beginning to get a tad dull huh?”

“I’m sure for you it was. Now, let us not delay too much further.”

And down the winding, comparatively bland halls they went, John taking note of something Lunar had mentioned earlier

“So… you said earlier you had both a Solar and Lunar guard, right? Well… what the Hell does that mean? Like, shifts?”

“In a way… The Solar guard protects my sister, the palace and Canterlot during daylight. When night falls, the Lunar take over their duties of protecting me.”

“Is there much of a difference?” He asked, part of him more annoyed by the existence of two completely separate sounding guards for basically the same task. Something that might just make his job harder… his spirits were not lifted when Luna looked at him and seemed to have a look of nervous realization “what? What is it?”

“Well… there are many creatures of Equestria you have yet to meet.” she said cryptically

“Why yes I’m sure there are plenty but what does that have to do with my question?” He asked, trying to stop himself from sounding indignant to her

“Let us just say that I worry for your reaction if you were to meet the ponies that make up my Lunar guard.”

That sent chills up his spine: what weren’t they telling him? Why did she seem worried? What could these creatures possibly be?

He wasn’t sure he wanted an answer and kept his trap shut, Luna seemingly to happily do the same for the rest of their walk which ended with them walking up to a desk outside of a room, a female pony sitting there, mindlessly filling out paperwork until she looked up and saw the pair

The pony gasp and nearly fell back in surprise.

“P-Princess Luna! I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you and your…”

“It is alright, my little pony.” Luna said, her voice much calmer and milder then what John was used too, drawing the ponies eyes from him back to her “I just wanted to know if Captain Armor was in.”

“H-he’s overseeing a training regime before he leaves for the Crystal Empire, your highness.”

Luna seemed to frown a bit before regaining her neutral look

“I assume in the drill yard then?”

“Y-Yes your highness.”

“Thank you. Well Sir John, it seems we’re continuing on our walk a bit more.”

“Oh joy! It seems I get to watch drills. Has to be more fun than being in them.” He joked, trying to regain his eager mood from earlier, as memories of all the training and marching he’d done before leaving for France. Forcing himself from laughing when he remembered a story about a replacement, being so undertrained, that he was unable to put more bullets into his rifle. “I do hope they know of such an esteemed guest is coming to watch them.”

“Do not mock me, Sir John.” Luna said plainly, turning to him and giving a bit of a deadpan expression

“Why, I meant you, your highness!” He said, walking back into the hallway seeming all too pleased with himself “now do please lead the way.”

She huffed and eyed him before her smile returned and they continued their trip, walking out a set of double doors where John proceeded to stop and rub is eyes furiously, “Are you alright?” Luna asked, sounding far more worried than she should have been.

“I’m alright I’m alright. Just… my eyes aren’t used to such clear and beautiful light.” He said as he put his hands down and blinked furiously while looking around the large, flat and enclosed area, it was what he imagined a medieval castles drill grounds to look like, with targets for archery and melee training alike against the large impending wall that enclosed them while what looked like an obstacle course was set up as well. In the center of that whole yard, a large group of guards in armor were on the ground doing push-ups, or what John considered to be the pony version of push-ups, under the watchful eyes of instructors in fancy uniforms and one pony in armor far more decorative than he’d seen.

His attention, however, didn’t last long on them and instead switched to that of the gorgeous baby blue sky above them and the bright sun that radiated down, warming him to the bone and filling him with joy as he had no doubt that he’d be able to hear happy birds calls were the guards training not yelling out numbers as they went with their push-ups

“It’s… even more breathtaking outdoors.” He said almost breathlessly as Luna watched the small grin he’d had blossom into a full-on toothy smile as he looked into the sky

She couldn’t really understand his excitement with the sun and the outside, to her it was just enough beautiful day created by her sister and the local Canterlot weather team and so everything but the cool breeze blowing was just common occurrence

“Are you not used to such weather sir John?” She asked, trying to satisfy her curiosity over the matter

“Well Luna, imagine that every day for a few months you wake up and it’s gloomy and rainy and dreary almost every single damn day and then see how badly you smile up at the sun.” He told her as his eyes shifted back to the group training, seeing they had moved onto… jumping jacks? He opened his mouth to question how ponies could stand on their back hooves, let alone jump up and down on them, but he shut it and decided to just not question some things about this country. “So, about my babysitter, I’m gonna take a shot and say it’s… the fella in the fancy armor, the one trimmed up in all the silver and purple.”

“You’re a good guess then. While I’m sure Captain Armor has many important things to attend to, especially since he must soon leave to join Cadance in the Crystal Empire and begin organizing its defense, I see it best to have you two get to know each other since you’ll likely be working together closely.”

“Well I’d hate to distract the guy from his duties but I guess I’d like to know just who I’m stuck with more.” John shrugged, focusing on the group and how wrong it felt for an equine to be doing such… human things “I don’t understand it…” He muttered to himself, slowly shaking his head, as Luna continued across the yard and walked up to the group

Those in the courtyard were soon surprised, if not by John then by Luna being among them, a few fell over only to be chastised by their instructors: before they too stopped, all facing Luna, coming to attention and then bowing to her. Luna hid an amused smile by turning her head a moment.

“Princess Luna,” The one that was to be Johns escort said, raising his head back up after bowing deeply, before inquiring to her. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“Captain Armor, I have an assignment for you before you leave.”

“Anything, your highness.”

“I’m sure Twilight has no doubt excitedly told you about the… magical occurrence that brought a creature unknown to us.”

“She did mention something about it…” He said, now frowning “I heard from a member of the military general staff that ‘it’ spoke in Council the other day… spoke out of turn I might add.”

“What can I say, I’m not a courtier sir.” John commented as he stopped at Lunas side and watched as the captain turned to him and looked him up and down, likely prepared for meeting him by Twilight and Cadance.

“And I’m assuming you’re the creature in question?”

“Yes, I am 'it'. The one and only human around, far as I know. A pleasure to meet you, captain.” John said in a friendly tone as he stuck out his hand “John Law, at the service of your princesses and their underlings.”

The pony eyed the hand with confusion and distrust for a moment before timidly putting a hoof up which John firmly grabbed and shook briefly before breaking the… hand-hoof shake?

“Captain Shining Armor, in service to majesties Princess Celestia and Luna.” the pony replied in a skeptical tone

“I hope we haven’t interrupted anything important captain Armor.” Luna said, looking over the ponies who stood rod still now that she was in their presence

“Nothing that the instructors cannot handle.”

“Excellent. I just require you to escort our guest around the palace grounds a bit.” She explained, glancing at John “make sure he stays out of trouble.”

“Oh I insult one dickhead noble and now I’m a potential terror to the world!” John said in a mock menacing voice, unable to hide his enjoyment of his own joke. Now that he had a brief moment to feel truly happy again, he wanted to use it before he had to go back to being serious… by the look on Lunas face, he saw he’d gone too far “err, let me rephrase that to I was simply defending my honor.”

Luna rolled her eyes and sighed softly, smiling at the odd and strange ways of this ‘human’ “Try and defend it more diligently next time.”

“Why of course your highness.” He said, bowing as well as he could to her before turning to the captain “well if it wouldn’t bother you, I believe taking a walk around this drill yard might do me well for what I got left of me. And I’m sure Luna here can think of several ways I can cause trouble just doing that.”

“I shall send for you if you are needed sir John. Captain Armor, good luck.”

The captain bowed again as Luna turned and swiftly left before turning to John, frowning again and speaking in a stern tone. “Are you always so disrespectful to monarchs, who have housed and fed you?”

“I mean nothing by it captain and I think she knows that.”

“And did the noble you insult know that?” Giving John a raised eye, as he probed the man.

“And what would you do if someone from a nation you were offering to help called you cripple… as for laughing at the other one, you have to admit it's a funny name.”

“Maybe it is from wherever you’re from.” Shining Armor said shaking his head and walking away from the training that had continued, not wanting the guards to overhear this conversation “coming?”

John nodded and soon caught up and fell in step with him as they walked the perimeter of the yard and leaving the gaggle of recruits to resume their torture under the eyes of now even more on edge instructors, Johns eyes watching them as they continued their training

“It's a bit odd to want to walk while missing a leg isn’t it?” Shining Armor asked, watching this strange creature look over the training

“Huh? Oh, I… I guess so…” he said, sounding perplexed about something “Umm, has the heat gotten to me or do I spot females training amongst those ranks?”

Shining Armor was a bit taken aback by this and how utterly confused ‘John’ sounded, as if the idea of female guards was absolutely foreign to the strange creature, though he figured that wasn’t all too surprising

“Yes?... Is this concerning to you?”

“Well, yes! Who would trust female folk into any sort of job like that? Being any sort of soldier takes physical strength and mental fortitude that they don’t have when compared to a male! And the fact they would be trusted in a position such as being guards to protect your monarchs is a critical error.” John stated as if it were fact “while I do not doubt that women- err, I suppose mares in this case, have some will and strength, it just isn’t suited for hard work like that.”

“Well once again, maybe where you’re from they’re seen as that, but in Equestria mares and stallions have been considered equal for millennium.”

John frowned and looked at the pony who was looking at him indignantly, returning the look. John wanted to further argue his point but remembered that he was a guest and one yet to prove himself at that.

“Then maybe I shall be pleasantly surprised. I’m sure someone in your position must have seen more of them than I have.”

The seemed to cause the pony to drop his guard a bit, “I have. My counterpart in the Lunar guard is a prime example in my opinion.”

“Well, then I hope to meet her at some point.” John said as he looked now to the sky again and gasped, stopping in his tracks

“What’s wrong?” Shining Armor said, stopping as well and looking up to see several pegasus flying casually in the sky. Nothing to him, but by the stunned look on John’s face it was something

“A-are those… flying ponies or have I truly lost it?!” John exclaimed loudly, pinching his arm “I’m awake?!” he said before turning to Shining “they’re flying! Just… flying! With… with wings!”

John had taken note of the wings that the princesses all possessed along with numerous servants and guards he’d seen around the palace, but he’d yet to see them in action. And if he’d thought seeing an aeroplane for the first time had been striking, it paled in the shade of flying equines! And to add to it, the captain looked at him like he was acting strangely in the situation.

“Well… yeah? They’re Pegasus after all. They can fly.” Shining Armor said, feeling weirded out by the human's reaction. After all, it was the strange thing here, not something that was as normal as him using his magic or an earth pony being a farmer “what’s so weird about that? Things don’t fly wherever you come from?”

“Not horses! Or ponies or whatever the Hell the correct term might be! It’s just not… not natural…”

The two stood there in silence for a moment or two as John watched the flyers go until out of sight, finding something equally elegant and beautiful as it was strange and unnatural

“Never a dull moment…” he said before just silently continuing to walk, to which Shining Armor followed, reminding himself to ask his little sister about this thing that she had almost certainly asked far to many questions.
********************************************************************************************************

The rest of the walk had been fairly silent with John seemingly caught up on just pretty everything was as from the greenest grass he had possibly ever seen to midday sun shining down seemed to catch his attention while his escort seemed just happy for the silence, not wanting to hear much more from the strange creature who weirded him out beyond belief. Eventually, they had returned to the recruits where John continued to watch them, shaking his head time to time in disbelieve for one reason or another for a while before eventually, another guard came to inform the pair that Luna had requested John to her personal quarters. While he was disappointed to have to return to his cage, he simply nodded and asked the guard to show him the way before turning to Armor and thanking him who in turn simply nodded and walked away. After that, the guard deposited him at the Princesses room where he found her waiting for him, having that worried look on her face again.

“Something the matter again Luna?” He asked, puzzled as to what could be on her mind now

“No no, it is just… the pony I have asked for help is very… sensitive.”

“How so?”

“Well… if it is any indication, she possesses a ‘fainting couch’ as she calls it for… well, I believe you understand the purpose. So I’m afraid the shock of seeing you might…”

“Upset her?” John finished only for Luna to nod “oh come on now, no one else here been that shocked. Is she in there now?” He asked, pointing to the closed door to Luna's room

“She’s getting ready right now I belie-”

“Luna!” A somewhat prissy feminine voice called from the room “I’m ready for the dashing client! Oh I wish you had told me more about him, I hope I brought enough fabric for the size you said.”

John looked at Luna deadpan, “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

“No… She is the only pony I trust to do this but I was afraid she would refuse if I… told her everything.”

John sighed before deciding to just bite the bullet, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to see.” he said, reaching for the doorknob and opening it, walking in as he did so, never one for dragging things out. He’d put on a big smile, intent on making a good first impression… it didn’t go according to plan

“Oh hello there darling, glad you could final-” the admittedly majestic pony who stood in the room cluttered with all the things John assumed was necessary for her job said as she turned to the door. She stopped in her tracks, gasp and left her jaw hanging open.

“Hey hey hey.” John said in a calm voice as he slowly approached her “no need to-” he was interrupted not only by a loud screech and something being thrown at him than a soft thud as the ponies body hit the floor. He stood there, shocked that she had actually, well, fainted!

Luna walked in a moment later after dismissing the guards who had come to investigate and sighed when she saw the pony laying there, “Oh Rarity…” she muttered, lifting the pony up in her magic and laying her on the nearby bed

“I…” John stuttered “well I feel like a piece of shit.” he finished lamely, looking down in shame after barging in like an idiot.

“Do not feel bad, it is not the first time she has done something like this. Like I said, sensitive.”

John just lamely waved his hand as he sat down in a chair while Luna checked to make sure Rarity was ok and, as always it seemed, she was. Not long after, the pony stirred with a groan and saw Luna looking over her

“Oh Luna, thank goodness you’re here! I had this awful awful dream about some bizarre creature that was, was trying to attack me! It stood on two legs, had a mouth of sharp fangs and wore just the worst color of khaki you could imagine! It was just awful! I’ve never seen anything so bad before! Not even in the Everfree Forest!” the pony said, sounding absolutely exasperated

“I’m afraid that wasn’t a dream. I’m much less afraid to say that everything you said except the walks on two legs part was true.” Luna told her, trying to sound soothing

“Technically just one. She was kinda right about the khaki though.” John interjected before he could stop himself, causing the pony to yelp and scramble under the covers

Luna sighed and pulled the covers off the mares head, “Come now Rarity, where is the courage and resilience I know you for?”

“I-I apologize Luna it’s just… everything else didn't talk! Or walk like that! O-or anything like that!”

“I know he’s strange, but John is as harmless as a bunny. Actually, Fluttershy’s bunny might be more dangerous.” Luna joked, causing the two to laugh at the inside joke while John simply rolled his eyes

“While Luna has a way of making things at my expense, she’s right I don’t mean to harm you and I doubt I could if I wanted. My deepest apologies in scaring you miss.” He said apologetically and sincerely. It was at least enough for the mare to get out of the bed with Lunas help and stand there shakily, looking him over and gasping again when she noticed his leg was gone.

“W-what happened to your…” she started before quickly realizing how rude that was “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just-”

“It’s alright it’s alright.” John said, waving his hand dismissively again “I get it a lot. As for how, well, let’s just say I got into a nasty war that took it from me.”

“W-war?” She said quietly, the word sounding almost foreign to her “my goodness… you poor… umm, thing.” she tried to sound reassuring and empathetic as she walked over and placed a hoof on his shoulder “I’m so sorry about how I reacted darling. Truly it was nothing personal.”

“Oh it’s fine miss.” He said dismissively “I was, ah, warned I might get that reaction.”

“Please, call me Rarity.” she said, smiling down at him. John couldn’t help but smile back some.

“Well, only if you call me John. I get it’s probably a bit different from all the names you’ve heard before so if you want, just sir works.”

“My, I must say it is very… unique. But in a good way.” She told him before looking at Luna “I won’t ask any more than where the pony you wanted me to fit is?”

“Well, about that…”

****************************************************************************************************
Celestia sat at her desk, staring over the parchment which lay white and barren, like a tundra in the Crystal Empire. Since she had awoken and raised the sun, she had been attempting to remember the days of long ago when something like this would have been normal. What had been their last conflict aside from the Lunar Rebellion? Was it with the smaller pony tribes who refused to unite? Was it the communities of tribals in the forest and jungles? Maybe the griffions when they have accidently moved into Equestrian territory? She couldn’t remember no matter how hard she tried and eventually forfeited, ordering a book of history brought to her in order to refresh her memory. She was frustrated when in the end, she had to order several other volumes of text brought to her until one detailing a conflict with the dragon tribes almost twelve hundred years ago and was even more frustrated when it was merely a cliffnote! She should have been proud of that, happy that her subjects had known peace for long enough to never think of it, but now that it had come knocking, she wished she’d made an effort to remember. Remember back to the days of old when Equestria was nothing but three squabling tribes united under a banner. Back to the days when they first allowed her and her little sister to rule them and they had begun to carve out a nation for their little ponies… Luna had always been the more war like admittedly.

She sighed and set the pen she used back into its ink, the words still not coming to her. She was happy to have the distraction of the door opening to reveal her little sister coming in.

“Luna, how have you been sister? How did it go with John and Rarity

“Rarity reacted as expected.” Luna said as she walked over to Celestias desk “terrified of him and then excited to be the first to ever make a uniform for a human. John seemed rather… unimpressed with her methods of doing so. Never before have I seen Rarity so flustered as to when she asked he undress and he refuses profusely. Said something like “a man should never undress in front of female folk, especially royalty.”

“He is such an odd creature... “ Celestia murmured “and it goes to say, why would it bring us him of all things? At worse, I expected maybe a skeleton to fall onto our table. Not another living being from an entirely different world…”

“Yes, and he certainly doesn’t himself like a general of any kind. He even asked if he could sleep in the guard's barracks… but enough of him, he is being pricked and prodded. How goes your… speech.” Luna said, surprised to see the parchment empty. She was confused. Her sister had always, even in their early days, been a master of speechcraft while Luna was… middling at best, a joke in comparison. Her critics a thousand years ago had said she was too forward, was to the point too quickly and not diverse with her language.

Celestia looked up at her little sister, cheeks tinged red and she sighed seeing how surprised Luna was, “This is… needlessly something I am very out of touch with dear sister…”

Both sisters for a moment looked into each other's eyes, both reading each other well. Celestia easily saw the surprise and small satisfaction Luna got from seeing this and Luna saw her sisters own shame and guilt. Lunas own came when she realized her own satisfaction at her sister not being so good at something.

“Celestia, it is nothing to be ashamed of. It only shows well you… we did in our rule. For who else can claim to know so little of war that to even tell their people becomes difficult?” She said, trying to console her older sister who just sat there, deep in thought for a moment

“Do… Do we have to tell them? Or at least tell them in whole? Surely we only need them to know there is conflict just not maybe the… scale.” She said, hoping her sister would agree with her and wipe away her guilt for considering it. Instead, it only deepened when Luna looked disappointed and even anger for a split moment.

“Sister, even if we could find a way to keep this hidden while refugees from Griffionstone flood to the Crystal Empire seeking aid, it would be an absolute tragedy to do so!” Luna said, far louder and harsher than she intended, feeling remorseful when she saw her flinch back in surprise “I can understand the sentiment sister but have not seen them as I have… ponies must know. For the good of everyone.” She said, much softer as she took her sisters' hoof “why don’t go and try and take your mind off all this? Maybe allow me to do the honors of writing our grand declaration?”

While Lunas question took both of them off guard, Celestia gave her a slight smile and nodded her head, “Yes, that is a good idea Luna. You always were better at matters of war than me. There are reasons some still call you the Warrior Princess.”

Celestia stood and with some hesitation Luna took her place, picking up the pen in her magic, watching nervously as her sister walked out of the room. Once she was gone, Luna turned to the parchment and began to write what came to her mind, channeling what she remembered of over a thousand years ago when she and the once grand military of Equestria had marched to meet any foe who dares threaten their kingdom!

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Meanwhile, far from the capital city of the ponies, just outside of what had once been the ancient and splendid city of Griffionstone, home of the griffions and their capital. Their valiant knights, soldiers and even its citizens had fought beak and claw to drive the attackers away, to try and save their city. It was more than any of the horses, or the Mori as they called themselves, had expected after several garrisons on the way to the city had accepted gold and gems taken from previously conquered lands such as the profitable mines of the Bankhar or “dogs” as many seemed to call them, who seemed to have a knack for dredging up valuable from deep underground. No work a Mori was fit for but it made more than enough cowardly griffions change their allegiances and the very same silver that came from those mines was melted down and poured into the eyes and ears of every griffion knight or noble who had been captured. The King himself had his wings tied down with bags of gold and was pushed from atop his great palace for, like all before him, refusing to allow the might hordes of Mori through his land onto their ultimate goal. The goal that their new leader, Othar, had united the clans under: a mass migration to their rightful bountiful land of “Equus” or “Equestria” as its name had become tainted.

As he sat on the griffion king's throne, drinking his wine, eating his food and listening to what had been his servants scream as he allowed his most loyal and esteemed troops were allowed to do with the female ones as they wished, he prided himself on how he had become the king of his people and of how he would lead them to greatness. No longer would they be petty tribes battling for what they needed to survive, they would be a great empire who would rule and control everything around them and destroy everyone that stood in their way. And so far, none had come close to stopping them.

The stripped ones were not unlike them, tribes who often bickered and war amongst each other and it had not been hard to play them against each other. It was only until the arrow had already been fire did they try and fight his overwhelming hordes off who despite the unfamiliar and wet land full of diseases, managed to quickly deal with zebra war bands by simply burning the forest around them. Many warlords simply accepting they had no choice but surrender in the end before their whole villages were slaughtered. He gave them quick deaths and even allowed some of them to live under his rule. Those ones who had resisted and captured were given the most potent poisons their own shamans and healers had in doses just barely enough to keep them alive for days on end until they were thrown, paralyzed by the poison's effects, into one of the great bogs to finally drown and be eaten by the beast that dwelled there.

The Bankhar too had been simple, easy to buy and distract with their greedy paws wanting nothing more than power and money. They too were all too slow in trying to combat him and only one, the High King who stood most powerful above the rest, tried to fight him. For months, the High King held out within his heavily fortified hold until prisoner dogs were put to work, digging out tunnels under the stone walls that allowed him to overwhelm the garrison, with said prisoners often used as shields during the assault. For this resistance, the hold and everyone in it were put to the torch and sword, and when he was caught, he was forced to mine to exhaustion and near death then the tunnel behind him was collapsed in, trapping him there. Anyone who had seemed rebellious instantly turned into obedient pawns and doing what they were good for: mining and smithing. The new iron weapons afforded to his army had only come due to this victory.

They had come in handy for wiping out the griffions armies with their unity, superior armor and ability to fly. Their pride had been their downfall for it was easy to lure them into baited attacks with what they thought was a smaller, inferior force before being encircled completely and destroyed. Even once they had grown wise, their attempts to make holds on the open plains and valleys where their villages lay was foolish as skirmish allowed their lines to be weakened before a huge charge would smash through, while any flight for the skies could simply be downed by arrow fire from arrow fire. The griffions had managed a few smaller victories when their noble knights had charged into ranks from the air, the Mori having no natural counter to this until they devised a tactic of making for the nearest cover of trees and if that wasn’t possible, filling the skies with as many arrows and javelins as possible, decimating or make useless many a griffion charge. And even when the war reached their mountain strongholds, so many of the enemy were scared by the tales of what happened the prisoners that they accepted coin in exchange for loyalty or simply fled their fortresses in the night. That cowardliness, that enginity, that cleverness and lack of unity was what led him Ortha to sit on that throne now. And soon these weak ponies who, if the troops encountered during the storming of the city were any indicator, would be crushed within a week. So sure of this fact was he that he would not lead the army himself or even the full army. He would send 3 smaller armies, each lead by one of his sons who’s ruthlessness easily matched his own and it would be what gave them his prowess. For now, he would stay with the main force make sure any dissident was stomped out and harshly. Nothing stood in his way except for a land of soft, weak bodies who would all fall beneath his blade if he felt. Not even a miracle could save them and he smiled, thinking of all the land that he would control.

His smile widened as he thought of just what he would with that pony, the dark one who stood far above the rest of her ilk with hair shimmering like the moonlight and her face the only one that held any courage even as she retreated. That would be his next wife. A bonus to everything he would already receive. After all, land, power and those who catered to their will are what every truly great Hori deserved and he was a great Hori. The greatest to live even!

For even now, as the city and surrounding countryside was being ransacked, were preparations made: food taken and gathered, weapons and armor stolen, wealth, glory and land being divided among the lower warlords and their troops in exchange for continued service. As long as victory came, the warbands wouldn’t falter or fail him and victory it seemed would be absolute if what the griffions told him were true. Food, land and wealth would abound. And all for a few more battles. Unity and such success had never been before achieved and no more were they no more than petty raiders or unknown things to be studied, they were the bane of the other races who for so long had looked down on them.

He was the world's conqueror. Its ruler! And he would either rule it or it would burn by his hoof.

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From atop the Crystal Palace, Cadance nervously looked down upon her city, her subjects. She saw large specks of brown and grey, the griffions who had fled to her Kingdom from the invaders of their home. Of course, the ponies of the Crystal City had been told they were fleeing an unknown disaster and each refugee had been strictly told to not discuss what was really going on. While not under threat of having it done, none so far had wanted to risk being kicked back into the snowy white wasteland they had barely made it through before Cadance had made sure to post guards along the path to help them reach the city. More came every day and while the crystal ponies were helpful, generous souls willing to allow them in and help them whenever possible, she worried that soon they might overwhelm the cities supplies which, due to the weather and location, were often imported from Equestria. She couldn’t help not only worry for her subjects who she had often hoped would never have to face something as awful as conflict again but for the refugees who had to know the enemy was on their heels and of the… lacking state of the military of not only the Crystal Empire but of Equestria.

She sighed at her conversation with Celestia, about her citizens are readiness for war. She had lied to her fellow princess but only slight. While it was true many Crystal Ponies from the time of Sombra still had vivid memories of the time and still retained some combat knowledge while having more of a stiff upper lip than most other ponies, they still weren’t warriors by any stretch of the imagination.

“Ohhhhh, what are we going to do…” she said softly to herself. She thought back to all the hardships her subjects had suffered, all the awful things they had seen and gone through, of how they still shivered at the very thought of King Sombras name. How could she possibly ask them to face another enemy? Her thoughts were interrupted by a flash of light behind her along with the voice of Twilight, her best friend next to her brother.

Just seeing the purple alicorn raised her spirits enough to smile again, “Hello Twilight! What brings you all the way here?” She asked, walking over to her

“I… I just thought I’d come ahead and talk to you before you and Shining got really busy. Celestia is far to busy for me to interrupt and, wellll, I never could tell if Luna wanted to talk me the same way Celestia does.” the young princess said, somewhat shyly. Cadance sat next to her and wrapped a wing around her and pulled her close.

“Well, it is a busy and frightening time but I can make time for you Twilight any day.”

Twilight sighed and relaxed in the warm presence of her sister in law and old friend, “Thank you. This whole thing is just so… odd. Never in any of the books I read was conflict on this scale ever mentioned and now to see it play out… I worry for my home and my friends and you and Shining and the other princesses… on top of that, I just feel so useless.” She said, hanging her head low “everyone else is doing something while here I am unable to do anything because I’m so inexperienced.”

“Don’t think you’re alone in feeling that way Twilight. Do you think me or your brother really have a clue what we’re going to do?”

“Well… maybe not but at least you’re able to do something. You’re a source of hope for the Crystal Ponies, you give them someone to look up to while my brother is one of the finest officers to come out of the Royal Guard. Celestia and Luna are dealing with everyone that needs to be done regarding the nobles and the military. What can I do when all I’m good at is spells and speeches?”

Cadance took a moment, looking over the younger princess and gently picking up her head, looking her straight in the eye, “Twilight, you are a source of hope too.”

“How? I’m not very special to anypony…”

“You’re a reminder that anypony can do great things Twilight. Think of everything you and your friends did before you were even an alicorn. You saved ponies lives, Canterlot, and even Equestria! Ponies don’t forget that.”

“But we had the Elements of Harmony to help us do all that…”

“Even when they were taken from you by Discord?”

“Well… ok but that was one time!”

“One time is more than most anypony can claim to have stopped the lord of chaos. While you and your friends can’t stop this threat, you and your friends are the embodiment of what can. And if everypony demonstrates not only the loyalty, kindness, generosity, laughter, honestly and magic but the courage, then I have no doubt we can turn back these beasts.”

With that Cadance slowly unwrapped her wing from around Twilight and stood up “Do you want to have some tea and talk about brighter things before Shining arrives?”

Twilight raised her head and smiled up at her “Sure! Maybe I can share some of the notes I took on the hu- errr John.”

“I would love too. Is he feeling better?”
“Much better I’m happy to say. I think Rarity is making some new clothes for him after his… ineloquent appearance during Court.”

“Oh dear, I remember how she can be..."
*******************************************************************************************************

“Ow! Are you almost done?” John asked wearily as once again he was poked for had to have been the millionth time

“Almost almost, now stand still.”

“You said that last time…” he muttered to himself, thinking back on the past few hours of standing. Luckily the perfectionist pony had allowed him to sit every once and a while to regain his strength though the last break felt like much too long ago

“So… I hope you don’t me asking but…” she asked after a few minutes of silence, hesitating to continue “would you mind telling me more about what happened to you? I understand if you don’t want to it's just… I’ve never heard of losing a leg outside of maybe an accident.”

“Well, if I tell you the full story it won’t make much sense but… I was in a big war, the biggest, nastiest, worst war to take place where I’m from. I was running, I had to deliver a message, to tell someone of where I and my buddies were…” he began to choke up a bit but coughed and swallowed “then, something… something blew up under me. Think of like a firework but a lot more powerful. It threw me into the air and when I came down… it was gone.”

“Oh my… I-I’m so sorry I asked, it sounds like it was hard for you…”

“I-it was but… I’ll be fine.”

After another few minutes of silence, John cleared his throat “thank you for taking an interest miss. Rarity was it?”

“Yes, Canterlot and Ponyvills finest fashionista! Working on Manehatten.”

“Manehatten… heh… what’s it like there?”

“My, well, it's quite amazing! It's one of Equestria biggest cities with all its bright lights, huge skyscrapers, wonderful architecture and brimming with culture and life!... The ponies and their attitudes could use some work I’ll admit. Why do you ask?”

“It… it reminds me of somewhere back where I’m from. Different name but very similar.”

“Really? Why that’s fascinating… Anyway, a question more about the clothing this time, what are these patches on your shoulders for?”

“Oh those?” he said, turning to her and pointing at each one as he went “rank insignia, unit insignia, and national flag… could you do me a favor miss Rarity?”

“Of course dear, what is it?”

“When you're making my new uniform could you… could you sew them onto it like they are now? It’d mean a lot to me.”

“Well… I don’t see an issue with it so long as you let me do one tiny thing.”

“That being?”

“I want to place an Equestrian flag onto it. Would it be alright if I placed it above the flag you wear?”

It took John a while to answer as he thought about it. In his mind, he was still an American and it would be shameful to place any flag, even of the one he currently fought for and that cared for him, above the country of his birth and that he ‘died’ in service to... It would also mean accepting there was no way back, that there was no U.S, no more Earth, no more humans… and that on Earth, to everyone he knew including his country, he was dead.

“I...I… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” he said limply, his heart now somewhat heavy from all his thoughts

Rarity seemed to get the hint as she just nodded and continued her work in silence. Eventually, she finished, looking him over and seeming satisfied

“Yes, I know exactly what I’ll do for you.” she said quietly

“So, we’re done?”

“Yes, thank you for your patience. You have no idea how excited I am to have the opportunity to do this! I’ll definitely need help for this though… oh but you needn't worry about that, I’ll have it done so as possible, though I might need to come back now and again.”

“Oh lord help me then.” he said, only half joking as he sat down in the chair “in all seriousness, thank you so much Rarity, it’ll be nice to have something not so… ragged.”

“Oh don’t fret dear, you still look handsome in it. You’ll look even better soon enough.” she said as she began to pick up “tell Luna and Celestia my regards, I must return to my shop immediately if I want to get this done soon.”

With that and almost everyone she had brought, the mare rushed out of the room, leaving John alone with his thoughts. He looked over his uniform, the uniform he’d died in, the one he’d fought in, the one that seemed to be clean no matter how often, long or thoroughly it was washed. He smiled as he thought of how eager french women always were to help American troops with washing when it was possible and he smiled as he remembered when he’d first got it, crisp, clean and beautiful in a way. Aside from his rifle, which he’d yet to get back, it was all he had left to remember his world… and yet it was also full of his worst memories of death and destruction. It was everything good and bad he knew...

On one hand, it felt irreplaceable and on the other, he wanted nothing more than to burn the damn thing and go around naked like these ponies seemed to do. Would getting rid it make him forget where he came from? Make him forget that at heart he was still an American who had been pushed into a hard situation? Could he forget everything he’d seen? Would he want to? These were all questions he asked as he ran his fingers over the flag he had always saluted and always loved. That was the only way he’d see it or touch it again. This little patch not even as big as his hand. And what of Lady Liberty? The gorgeous beacon of freedom and compassion that had waved them off to war was now reduced to nothing more than a tiny stitch… These were all he had to.

But what of all the mud stains and smudges of blood that reminded him of vicious slaughter and senseless killing that lay around these symbols? Did they each not tell a story of war and hardship, the last thing he wanted to see or think about? Did they not remind me of his friends, blood speckled across their young faces? Of the soft mud he’d seen men drown in? There were so many more of them then of hope and liberty...

He didn’t want to think about it any more than he already had…

‘If this is some test Lord, then I don’t know if I can pass it.’ he thought, folding his together in prayer ‘I pray that you give me the strength to do this. Pray you to help your wayward son find his way home. Pray that somewhere, right now, you answer one of my prayers. The prayers of a loyal, lonely soldier who sees no one else to turn to… Amen.’

Author's Note

Chapter title pending seeing as this one was more to advance the plot some and give some insight on the enemy itself instead of having some kind of theme