"DJ Storm here, I'm sure everyone saw that, that ship is gone! Those dragons tore it to pieces! and as soon as it was gone i started hearing signals from outside the city, whatever was blocking the signal was on that ship.

And let me tell you dear listeners, what I'm hearing is this is happening all over Equestria, Zebras, Yaks, Hippogriphs, Griffins, Saddle Arabians, and of course the dragons, everyone! Everyone is coming out of the woodwork to help us push those things out of our homes, our streets, out of Equestria!

I'm on my way to an emergency camp that's been set up at Starswirled park....heh......that's where i was yesterday when this all started.....Funny how I'm heading back there now at the end.....I'll broadcast again when i get new info as it comes in. Stay Tuned listeners, DJ, Storm out!"
-- "Good Morning Vanhoover" Broadcast 2 hours before Equestria Declared Victory.

Date: August 10th, 1666 CC
Time: 2:41
Name: Princess Celestia
Location: Castle Friendship

Princess Celestia had landed at what remained of Castle Friendship, the acting capitol building after the loss of Canterlot, something that pained Celestia deeply. Folding her wings she walked through the destroyed gates of the large fortress seeing the glittering of the spent brass from the fortress defenders scattered through the once lush gardens.

Now the gardens had been trampled and burned into a barely recognizable battlefield. The Princess glanced up to confirm what she had seen from the air, the upper half of the tower that had dominated the fortress was gone, its remains now laid out over what remained of the southeastern corner of the wall which had collapsed under the weight of the towner upon impact. It was a sight that saddened her as she knew Twilight home had been on the upper most floor of the tower that now lay scattered across the ground, she didn't doubt some of Twilight’s personal items would have survived under powerful enchantments but most of her former students possession would have been lost.

She shook her head to clear the thoughts of her fellow Princess as there were more pressing matters before her. She took a deep breath to steady herself before walking forward, head held high as she entered the destroyed doors of the tower.

Beyond them was a room once decorated with tapestries and statues now was pock marked with bullet holes, burns and small craters. Parts of the floor were raised to create barricades and cover, a mechanical addition Twilight had insisted on even though no one ever thought anyone would ever breach the fortress’ walls.

Most had been lowered back down now that the fighting was over but some had taken damage and their mechanisms had failed causing them to remain as reminders of the defenses built into the structure and no doubt having saved lives as they were meant to.

A servant stood in the middle of the carnage, his black coat and white undershirt buttoned up and pressed perfectly, his yellow mane slicked back just as perfectly, an island of pure order in sharp contrast to the remnants of chaos around him.

It was impossible not to recognize Sweep Serenity, Castle Friendship head of the Servants as even after a major battle he would maintain his meticulous appearance as the Earth Pony stallion took his duties very seriously.

Sweep gave her a deep bow, muzzle nearly touching the floor. “Your Highness, welcome to Castle Friendship, I apologize for the mess, the castle staff has other pressing priorities in the wake of the unpleasantness that befell the nation.” He said in the most apologetic tone ever.

Celestia gave her warmest smile, many would assume that Sweep’s tone and mannerism meant he didn't care about what happened, but those who actually knew him would know the “pressing priorities” keeping the staff busy would be their own safety and well being, Celestia doubted she’d find any of the servants besides Sweep in the Castle as he most likely sent them out to check on their loved ones or to just get away from the castle.

She nodded. “It is quite alright Sweep, could you direct me to which conference room the meeting is taking place in?” She asked.

Slowly Sweep rose. “Certainly your Majesty, Everyone is gathering in Conference Room 2.” he said pointing down a corridor.

With a nod of thanks Celestia moved to walk down the corridor leaving Sweep to greet the others when they arrived and give the same instruction to.

Soon Celestia reached the conference room and opened the door to be greeted by the sight of Princess Luna already seated at the table. “Sister!” Luna cried out and rushed over, throwing her hooves around the larger alicorn whose hooves went around her equally as tightly nuzzling the smaller alicorn's head.

“I was so worried about you Lulu.” Celestia said feeling a weight she didn't know she had been carrying lift off of herself. “When I heard about Canterlot….”

“Nay, the members of the council who had been in Canterlot had seen to my evacuation.” Luna said and the wording told Celestia they had forced her to leave somehow, she will get the details later but she owed them a debt she will be repaying in full. “We were worried for you far more when we lost contact with Vanhoover.”

“I know, it got rather…close…but in the end We all managed to make it to safety.” Celestia said, nuzzling her little sister affectionately. After a few more seconds they separated, they will talk about this in depth later, right now matters took priority over their own emotions.

It was only now Celestia noticed a Griffin hen wearing the black armor of the Commandos seated at the table watching them. A very quick glance at her neck marked her as an Oberst, or Colonel in Equestrian rank.

Celestia cleared her throat. “Ahem, Apologies Oberst, I didn't see you there.” Celestia said.

“Don’t mention it, I understand given the situation Equestria found itself in.” The hen said. “I’d probably do the same in your positions and damn social decorum.” She said with a nod. “I am Oberst Blackwing, leader of the Commando teams deployed in the south east.” She stood and bowed respectfully.

Celestia gave a small bow as well, Something not many ever saw given her position. “Thank you Oberst Blackwing for you and your Commando’s intervention in Equestria’s darkest hour”

Blackwing shrugged. “Even without the King’s order we were already gearing up for deployment. Can’t leave our colorful allies to fend for themselves after all you've done for us.”

Before the three of them could say more the door opened once more to admit a Hippogriff Stallion entered wearing the traditional garb of one of their officers, light plate mail and helmet with blue plombage. The armor was more for decoration as under it was modern armor.

The stallion bowed to Celestia and Luna. “Greeting Princess, I am Captain Skywing, Captain of Her Majesty Queen Nova’s Personal Battalion.” He stood and nodded to Blackwing. “Oberst.” he said in respect as Blackwing nodded back and the captain sat at the table.

The Royal Sisters took their seats at the table as well and talked quietly among themselves.

Soon enough the door opened to admit a Zebra Mare in a Zebracan Navy uniform, she was shorter than average Celestia noted as she bowed to the room. “Admiral Zuri, It pleases me to see you are unharmed Princesses.” She said before joining the other military leaders at the table.

Just as Admiral Zuri sat down there was a pop of air signaling a teleport and the room looked to the corner to see Princess Cadence, Her mane very clearly having quickly been done up and some of her fur was singed. Ignoring the others in the room the pretty pink pony princess threw herself at the other two alicorns hugging them tightly as they returned it.

Cadence nuzzled them. “I was so worried…..I would have come but when Camp Chekov fell there was nowhere else for the refugees to go so we had to defend them till they reached the city.” She said

“It is okay Cadence, we did not expect you to come to our aide and leave your ponies undefended.” Princess Luna said.

“Still….the empire was safe…The Heart protected it from them but outside its protection….” Cadence said.

“I am sure you did what you had to do to protect those who needed it.” Celestia said and Cadence nodded slowly releasing her hug as she composed herself.

“Ahem…yes ... .well ... .whatever we can do we will, we are still finding ponies in the storm and cleaning up what few of the enemy are out there as well, though I doubt the storm won't take care of those we miss.”

Celestia nodded once more, smiling, glad to see her niece was safe.

The door opened with a bit of a slam to reveal a slender light blue dragon with dark blue scales wincing. She carried with her a staff with a blood red gem on the end. “I always forget how light you ponies make your doors.” Dragonlord Ember said as she entered, not needing to introduce herself. “I see you two made it through unharmed, not that I doubted you would.”
Before either of The Royal Sisters could respond the building shook as a low hum came from outside and

There was a knock on the door and Sweep opened the door. “Forgive me for the interruption but there seems to be an alien craft settling over the northern gardens.” He said formally before slipping back out the door.

The group looked to each other and rushed for the door arriving outside just as a low glowing blue light descended from the belly of the ship to an area about 10 feet across in the grass.

Soon enough 8 figures were descending as if they were standing on an elevator and as they got closer Celestia’s eyes widened ever so slightly as she quickly recognized two of the figures as they descended and soon enough she could easily see that customary smirk she had seen so many times on that purple face.

All too soon the figure's hooves touched the ground and Celestia got a view of the others who were with Twilight and Chrysalis.

They were pony shaped but that was where the similarities ended, they didn't have mouths, but did have muzzles. The only features on their faces were mouths save two of them and no manes or tails.

One was smaller than the others, sleek and black and almost seemed to vibrate as it looked around.

The one next to that one was dark green and its body was thicker and looked as if a helmet was part of its head.

The next was a thin one that was dark gray and she had the strangest feeling of a predator from it.

The next one was airborne and just hovering in the air with wings extended but not needing to flap them and was a sky blue color.

Then the last two, they were larger than the others, smaller than Celestia herself but still what Celestia saw made her blink as she felt like she was looking in a mirror.

These larger two had actual faces, horns, wings even had manes and tails. One was white with a pink mane and tail the other was dark blue with light blue mane and tail hanging loosely on them.

“What the hell happened to my tower?” Celestia was drawn out of her thoughts as Twilight spoke looking up at the missing half of the tower.

“The invaders destroyed it during their siege of Castle Friendship.” Luna responded.

Twilight frowned. “Bastards, my stuff was in there.”

Celestia cleared her throat. “Yes, we have been working on recovering things but we are stretched thin.”

“Oh i know, i wasn't planning on getting my things back for a while, just annoyed they brought down my tower but from the looks of this place the lads gave them hell for it.” She said looking at the once lush gardens with a mix of sadness and pride.

“Prey tell us Twilight, who are these ... .people with you?” Luna asked.

“Hm? Oh right!” twilight said. “These are some prototypes I made while away to handle…issues.” She said point to the black one. “Scout, name is self explanatory, she's designed to be quick and fast, get in, find intel, hit the enemy with speed and agility.

“Hyah!” Scout said, waving.

She pointed to the dark green one. “That's heavy, she's made for laying down heavy fire and taking hits to dish out 10 fold, real area control stuff and drawing agro.”

“Pleasure to fucking meet you.” Heavy said, causing those here to blink.

“She has a bit of a mouth on her.” Twilight chuckled and pointed to the gray one. “That's Sniper, she's specialized in long range combat and escape and evading, able to put a round through a target a mile out.”

“Pleasure.” Sniper said giving a small bow her eyes never left Celestia.

Twilight pointed to the flying one. “That’s Aerial Combat Entity. Specializing in all things flying and raining down fire from above.”

“Names ACE.” Ace said. “I was trained on the data for all the greatest flyers to ever live.” she said proudly.

“Medic’s not here but she's an expert in every form of medical care from the advanced and natural.” She then pointed to the two who looked like the alicorn. “And of course Celestiabot and Lunabot got some upgrades.” Twilight smirked.

The two older bots bowed. “It is good to see our namesakes are well.” Celestiabot said.

“Better than well, they clearly kicked their ass.” Lunabot said and got the back of her head smacked by Celestiabot which caused a clunk noise.

Yes, those two were definitely the bots Celestia thought, no question there.

“IT seems you have quite the story to tell.” Celestia said.

“Yes, it will be in my report but for now I think we have other matters to attend to.” Twilight said.

Celesita nodded. “Yes, still….”She said and before the two could reach Twilight and Chrysalis found themselves swept up in a hug by the White alicorn that was soon joined by Luna. “It is good that you two are okay, we were so worried.” She said holding them tightly as if afraid they might disappear again.

After a few moments Celestia let go and took a deep breath to compose herself before turning to head back towards the castle followed by Luna and the other representatives. Twilight took a second to recover before herself and the others followed.

A single removal of the centuries old mask for just a moment but now her duty must be attended as there was much work to be done.

Author's Note

I apologize this took so long, life was in the way but i finaly am able to get back to work and can hopefully finish this fic up as it is long overdue.