Letters from the Homefront

"Your Highness, it's time to wake up," a gentle voice called, rousing Celestia from unpleasant dreams. Opening her eyes, Celestia looked up to see Bright Torch bending over her, shaking her awake. With a groan, Celestia sat up on the bed, pulling the curtains aside in her magic and yawning.

Zipline was waking up Clay Pigeon and Sunny Skies, who climbed off the couches, shaking themselves to full alertness. "I wonder if the coffee up here is any good," Clay Pigeon commented, scratching his chin.

"Your Highness," Bright Torch whispered urgently, bending down to the floor. She stood back up, holding a scroll sealed with wax. Casting a glance at the mirror, Celestia turned so that her back was to the dresser and opened the letter.

The sight of Luna's familiar hornwriting in her favorite blue ink brought a feeling of relief to her, but it was quickly doused by the message that the letter bore.

Celestia,

May this letter be the first thing that you see upon awakening this morning. Unfortunately, I wish I could bring better news.

I understand your wishes to resolve this peacefully, but you know that I am less trusting of others than you. Soon after you left, I gave an order for more of our troops to move to the northern borders. We must make a show of solidarity to show our citizens that we are protecting them from any threat, and to show the Crystal soldiers that we will not tolerate any aggression from our neighbors.

Also, last night, I entered the Dreamrealm as usual, but I made it my duty to search the dreams of the Crystal ponies. What I saw has shaken me to my core. Mostly, I saw visions of grief and pain, of mourning for Amore. But I also saw envy and hatred--of us, of our nation. They see us as tyrants, sister, selfish rulers who hoard the power to control the sun and the moon. They view you as a despot who plays fate with the lives of our ponies, and myself as a demonic plotter who spies on ponies in their dreams.

They hate us, sister. They truly do hate us.

Sister, I had expressed hope that some sinister outsider had plotted Amore’s death to drive a wedge between our nations, but a hatred such as this is not born overnight. It seems to me that Sombra is more complicit in this than we previously thought. Tread very carefully today, Celestia, and above all, do not tell him about the movements of our troops. If he doesn’t already know, it is best that he remains that way.

I will be counting the moments until you return, sister. I always feel safer when you are near, and so does this nation.

Love,

Luna

Sighing, Celestia lit up her horn and the letter instantly turned into a thin dusting of ashes, which Celestia quickly and discretely scattered across the floor.

"What news?" her sergeant whispered.

"Not good," Celestia replied. "But it is best that we face it over breakfast."

Torch turned to the other three. "Are we ready, team?" she asked.

"Ready," all three Royal Guards replied as one.

Celestia placed her crown upon her head and sighed, feeling the mask sliding down back on her face. "Then let us resume."