Rōnin

Applejack walked through the town on her way to Twilights castle. She came into the main meeting room where she and the rest usually met up. The moonlight streamed through the windows at the top of the room and illuminated the otherwise dark room. The map table had changed to accommodate the increased range of the war, and that way they could tell where what things were when. So they could keep their own tabs on the war. Twilight was already there, so was rarity and pinkie pie.

Applejack took her seat around the table and gave it a once over, she saw several changes. The eastern front was weak on the Equestrian side with little known about the Thestral numbers. They had been pushed back six strongholds and thirteen villages in a week and a half. The central front was apparently evenly matched, the Equestrians had lost ground but did damage and prevented any further advance from the Thestrals for the time being. The western front was a little bit different, the Equestrians didn’t loose as much ground but were obviously under threat of attack at any second. The front seemed to be in favor of the Thestrals for now.

“This looks grim.” Came rainbow’s voice, startling Applejack.

“Don’t do that to me.” She says. “Ah miss the Rainbow that’d burst into a room shouting and announcin herself.”

Rainbow dash, who was right behind Applejack, laughed. “What can I say, I think I like scaring you.”

It was just then that Rainbow herself yelped in surprise. “And I Like scaring you.”

“Can it Swift.” She said. The stallions chuckling could be heard throughout the room.

“Calm down you two.” Cedar said coming in from another door. “We’re here to discuss a plan of action, not have fun with one another.” He grinned at Twilight. “That comes later.”

This made Twilight’s face burn with embarrassment. AJ and Rainbow caught onto this near instantly, they grinned at each other. AJ leaned her elbows on the table and raised her eyebrow at the two of them. Rainbow folded her arms across her chest and grinned.

“Is there somethin we should know about?” AJ asks.

Twilight couldn’t hold back the blush that reached her neck. “N-no. There’s nothing you need to find out about.”

“You sure about that Twi?” Rainbow Dash says.

“Oh please Dashie.” Swift says from the shadows, unseen. “You know very well that you can’t say anything.”

“Shut up you.” She says, the response was him laughing again.

“Anyway.” Cedar interrupts. “We need a planned course of action. I think the time is upon us.”

“Are you sure.” Rainbow asks.

Cedar was referring to a plan they had already cooked up but had yet to put into action. Now was indeed a good opportunity to do it, but they weren’t sure they were ready. The townspeople knew, everyone knew what the plan was but they didn’t know when. They all were ready for it at a moments notice, and they all had what they needed. The woodsmen had the stored logs ready, and the other resources were just waiting to be used. But they needed help.

“I’m certain.” Cedar says. “I will bring word to Princess Luna, and ask for help. The rest of you stay here and get the townspeople ready. Swift Arrow, Rainbow Dash, you two act as scouts and make sure there are no major enemy movements around us. Twilight, you handle the planning and organization on the operations. Applejack, you and your family need to move as much food stores as you can into the town as soon as possible. Pinkie... I don’t know what you can do, help Rarity make the armor or something.”

The group nodded in agreement. So Cedar left the building, but not before Rainbow Dash noticed that he wore a katana on his right hip now, now that she thought about it, so did Swift. She decided to ask him about it once they left. So the group dispersed to do their jobs, and Cedar left for The Deep to inform Princess Luna of the plan, and to ask for reinforcements.

Three days later, Princess Luna was overlooking a map in the command tent when Cedar came in and bowed. Akira looked at him as he came in.

“Princess Luna, I have news.” He says. “The small town of ponyvill is planning a revolt, all the citizens are in on it, but we will need reinforcements and an experienced military commander if we hope to keep it alive. I came here to ask you to send someone to help us.”

Luna thought for a second, after a moment of surprise of course, and looked at Akira afterwards. “What do you think Akira? Can you go and help them?”

“I can.” He replied without hesitation. “You need only ask it of me.”

Luna nodded. “Take two companions to help you. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Akira nodded and left the tent with the courier. He selected Big Mac and a katana user named Quicksilver. The three of them followed Cedar across the border and behind enemy lines to the town of ponyvill. This would prove interesting.

The townspeople were abuzz, they were all very tense for the arrival of their help. Twilight was organizing the construction of a palisade. Rarity was sewing armor by compacting wool between two sets of cloth, giving it flexibility while protecting the wearer to a degree. Pinkie pie was helping Applejack and her family move food into the city hall for storage. Rainbow Dash and Swift Arrow came back just then with reports.

“There is no enemy whatsoever to the west or south.” Rainbow says.

“None to the north or east either. But the help we’ve been expecting will arrive soon.”

At that moment Cedar approached Twilight and hugged her. “I see things have been going well.”

“Indeed they ha...” She didn’t finish when she saw Akira in his armor. She had to bite back a scream.

Applejack came over to meet him, that was when Big Mac spoke up. “AJ?”

They looked at him as he removed his Somen, revealing his identity.

“Brother?” She asks, just before pulling him into a hug. “What’re you doin out here?”

“I came with Akira to help y’all with your revolt.” He says. “It’s good to see you again sis.”