Author's Note

I don't own any of the OC's, they belong to their respective owners.

Thanks to the two pre-readers of this chapter, like in the last one, since they didn't expressed interest in being mentioned, I won't in case the story is horrible.

Meeting.

As the train was making its way through the countryside, Luna could only hear the sound of the train itself along with the occasional soldier.

In the train there were only a few passenger wagons along with one for dinning, this was so the train could reach its destination faster.

All the wagons were made from metal and on the ones who carried passengers, all rooms were painted white and each one had two beds, though in this case only one was used, while nothing compared to the one in Canterlot, it was still comfortable.

Luna looked at the clock on top of the door that led to the hallway.

"Only an hour left to reach Ponderosa," she grabbed some folders in her magic, "I better go over this again to see who I should give command on the front lines."

The folders were of some of the generals who had taken part in a crash course because they didn't have guard experience, this had the problem of making them late to participate in the fight.

"Better late and more or less prepared, than on time and with no idea of what to do, especially when you'll be leading soldiers in the battlefield."

Setting them on the table in front of her, Luna chose the one labeled 'Applejack', and started reviewing it.

"One of the best when defending while making the most out of supplies, from the quick commanding training she and the other non-guard volunteers got, she also has shown to be especially good at fighting in forests."

Luna went to the pages detailing weaknesses. "Only significant weakness is the fact that her stubborn nature makes her struggle when dealing with situations that require a change of plans."

Having finished her review, she picked the next folder, labeled 'Big Macintosh'.

"The best when defending, even when counting the experienced generals, on the attack he could be useful commanding either the rear, or the place where flanking is most likely."

Looking at the weakness part. "Not recommended for leading offenses, his poor planning abilities along with the usual Apple family stubbornness makes him a bad option."

Next was Pinkie Pie, or as her full name Pinkamena Diana Pie, Luna kept wondering why somepony like her would volunteer for the battlefield, considering how far it was from what she usually does.

Seeing no point in speculating, Luna decided to continue with her revision, she could ask her about it when they meet.

"In short, our best all-around general skillswise. There is also her seemingly reality bending powers that give her even more of an advantage, especially on the defense, she also has a natural ability with artillery. All of this makes her a great choice for almost every situation on the field."

It still surprised her that Pinkie could be so good at being a general, a soldier? Maybe, but a general? She didn't believe at first that Pinkie had the leadership skills for it.

That didn't mean Luna wasn't worried about her, especially with what the report said in the weaknesses section.

"Her only apparent weakness is her personality, as her disposition for parties and making the soldiers happy, along with her tendency to be in the middle of the action, puts both them and her at risk, especially when the opponent can transform into looking like us."

Last, but not least, the file named 'Maud Pie', there were other files of course but, these 4 were for Luna, the better suited in the current situation.

"Maud seems, like the other 3, good defending, also her knowledge of rocks makes her the best we have at doing trenches, an important skill if we are going to stop the changelings."

Checking the weakness side of things, Luna noted that unless she gets better during these defensive battles, she will certainly have to replace her when the counter-attacks comes.

"She's one of the worst suited for offensive operations, lacking attacking skill along with the ability to make plans, the best she could do right now on offense is taking care of the rearguard while a better suited general takes care of the front."

After closing the files and putting it along with all the others on one of her bags, she felt the spell at the wagon's door indicate that someone opened the door.

Each wagon had at the doors a changeling detection spell, it was costly, but necessary if it was transporting one of the princesses.

Moments later, she heard a particular sequence of knocks at her room's door.

A failed sequence meant to detect any possible changeling that could be posing as one of the train's occupants, if they managed to somehow fool all the prior detection measures.

This time though, it was the correct one so Luna opened the door, not without casting an invisible shield on herself first, can't be too careful after all these days.

On the other side of the door, she recognized one of her Lunar guards, couldn't remember the name though, too many things in her mind to memorize all of her guards names.

The guard saluted and said, "Princess, I have information for you."

"At ease, what is it?" She responded.

"We are 1 hour away from Ponderosa, we also received confirmation by radio that the last of the generals that are taking part of the meeting have just arrived." The guard said.

Ponderosa was the city chosen to act as a base for the Equestrian command, at least until the situation stabilized enough that it could be moved to Canterlot.

The city was closer which meant less for the generals to travel, away from possible invasions and protected by the intersection of 2 rivers along with being on the main rail network that led to the front lines.

Las Pegasus was the other city that was proposed, while it's closer to the front than Ponderosa and has a bigger population, there was much more corruption along with the most mob problems of every city in Equestria, so it was ruled out as an option.

"Thanks for the information, you can return to your post." Luna said.

"Yes, my princess." The guard saluted again and left.

She then proceeded to just look outside by the window until the train arrived.

1 hour later:

Luna could see the city throughout the window, it was around average compared to others, last census said there was a population of 240k, which was good as it required less guards to cover the city, unlike Las Pegasus.

After the train stopped, she let some of her trusted guards take her luggage and she stepped into the platform, where the mayor of the city along with some local guards were waiting.

The station was small compared to Las Pegasus or Canterlot, though well maintained, made of concrete and the size of a large 1 floor house. Despite being in a major rail line, it's passengers were mostly just students from the university of Las Pegasus, who decided to still live in Ponderosa instead of the university campus.

The mayor, an average size earth pony stallion, bowed and said, "Welcome to Ponderosa, princess."

"Thank you mayor, no need to bow down," The mayor got up, "I assume that this meeting has been kept a secret to the population?" Luna said.

"Yes, only me and my most trusted secretary along with some select guards have been notified." The mayor responded.

"Good, now we should proceed to our duties, we shouldn't waste any time when there are soldiers still fighting." Luna informed.

"I understand princess, have a good day and thank you for choosing our town as the place of your headquarters." The mayor bowed slightly for a second.

"Thank you mayor, for keeping the secret, if we're going to win the war, we can't risk the changelings knowing about our plans," she nodded to the mayor and he responded with the same gesture before asking his guards to make an illusion spell on them and leave.

Luna and her own guards also casted an illusion spell on themselves, for those who were not unicorns, they were casted by somepony else. When they were all done, she told them to get going.

The illusions were of a mostly earth pony family and their friends because with the war going on, a lot of relatives took the time to see each other knowing it could be their last, so they could avoid suspicion looking like this.

Before going out, Luna checked her disguise, looking down she could see the floor closer to her view, she was still above average but, at least she wasn't the tallest of the group now.

Her eyes focused on her new violet coat. From there, she saw on the edges of her view some white hair strands, signifying her new mane color.

Looking up, there was her horn, of which she checked its illusion by concentrating on her magic, showing her lighter violet, borderline pink, magical aura.

Finally, she looked behind her and saw her lack of wings, making her look like a unicorn, after nodding to herself, she moved forward.

As they stepped outside the station, there were some taxis waiting for her and her escort, the drivers were all part of the local guards in disguise, no need to tip any spy that there could be high profile targets around.

After discreetly casting an anti-changeling spell on the cars and finding no spies among the drivers, she entered one of them while the rest of her guards did the same, after they were all inside, they got going.

Looking out the window, she saw that it was a good day, without clouds, Celestia's sun shining brightly, it let her center herself before the reunion.

A couple turns later, in a high/middle-class part of the city, they stopped in front of a large 2 floor house in which Luna and her escort, after paying with some fake bits, got out of the car and knocked on the house.

Opening the door was an average height, light yellow earth pony mare with a curled light blue hair.

"Hi! Welcome to the party! Make yourself comfortable!" The mare, said.

"Hello, sorry we are late, we should not waste time now, let's get on with it." Luna said.

Just further inside were two green earth ponies with red manes, one of each gender, both larger than the usual, the mare seem to be wearing a cap, while the stallion had multiple bandages along with favoring slightly one side over the other.

"Those two seem like siblings, from the slight limp of the stallion I'm guessing they are the Apples? I was informed that Big Macintosh was injured on his leg recently, so it would add up." She thought.

Luna was going to know if she was right or wrong with that deduction soon, so she decided to move on.

Both nodded to them and went through a door, Luna and the rest followed them.

After going further inside the house, they reach a plain blue room with a table in the middle, around it were the generals that came here, along with some guards in the corners of the room.

Once the illusions were removed from Luna and her group, along with the ones that welcomed them here, it showed that the yellow pony was Pinkie Pie, while the two green ones were, like Luna guessed, Applejack and Big Macintosh.

Something caught her attention on Pinkie. "I remember Pinkie Pie having her mane more curled up, is she trying a new style? No matter, I may ask her later."

"Forgive me for making you all wait," she announced, "since I don't want to make you all stay here more than necessary, let's start with the greetings to get this meeting started."

Like before, she was greeted first by Pinkie, Applejack and Big Macintosh followed, then the rest of the generals did so. They were Maud Pie, Anonfilly, Caltrop Deekay, Orion Star and Sunrise Moonshadow.

"Generals Deekay and Star opinions will be valuable as the only ones who are tank and motorized experts respectively," Luna thought.

Caltrop Deekay is a blue eyes, gray coated, with yellow mane pony. A tank expert whose skill rivals those of the best changeling generals in that department.

Orion Star had green eyes, an orange coat with blue mane. Expert at leading motorized division, which the changelings also used along with the tanks.

She turned her eyes towards the yellow unicorn with red eyes and mane, Sunrise Moonshadow.

"I still remember when I first saw General Moonshadow back when he was living in the jungle, he really has come a long way."

Finally, Luna looks towards the literal filly in the room, a green eyes and coat with black mane earth pony, named Anonfilly.

"I still don't know how this idiot got a spot as a general, guess we'll see how she does."

"Well now that the greetings are done, let's start this meeting," Luna said.

While definitely small for a war meeting, the fast pace of the war and the length of the front line made it so most of the generals and field marshals had to stay fighting to stop the changelings as much as they could.

This was talked with the other nations of the United Ponies Alliance, with even Field Marshal Shining Armor servicing the Crystal Empire, accepting that with the quick pace of the war, at least on the ground, every nation needed to plan separately for now, as long as the result of meeting was informed later to the others, to avoid unintended interference.

Everypony took a spot around the table, on it there was a map showing western Equestria and Crystal Empire, along parts of the eastern side of the Changeling lands and Olenia.

"From what I see," Luna started, looking around at everyone in the room, "it seems the changelings are trying to end this war as fast as possible. In my opinion, they seem to know that Equestria has a great industry and many ponies to draft, so they try to end this before Equestria can get truly ready for war."

Hardening her gaze, she continued, "Sadly, that moment is still far, our nation has not seen war in millennia and the press is already starting to cave, so it will take more months, perhaps even a year, before we are fully ready."

Letting some of her passion slip through her eyes, she upped her volume a bit, "So that means that we need to ensure we don't break in the meantime, we must delay the changelings advance as much as we can," she threw her hoof at the table, making sure she didn't damage anything, "we will show them that Equestria will never give up!"

All the generals stomped their hooves in the ground and the guards present stood a little firmer. Luna knew that a motivational speech was not truly necessary, but she felt that it would be useful before this important meeting.

"Now, General Deekay," Luna looked at the gray pony, "in your opinion, what is the most probable path for the enemy's tanks to take, if they want to quickly reach Canterlot?"

The response came, "Well princess, considering what you said about them having to finish this quickly" – Deekay pointed at the road connecting Vanhoover with Las Pegasus – "I'll say that they'll attack through the main road along the coast.

"This way, not only will their tanks get faster to Canterlot, but they will also be able to transport their supplies quicker, thanks to the rail line there. Also, if they manage to reach Las Pegasus, our naval operations will be hampered, since they'll be taking our only big port left on the western coast."

Luna said, "Thank you, General. Now, General Star, as the motorized expert, anything to add?"

"Not really, princess," Star spoke, "tanks and motorized go side by side most of the time, so it's unlikely that they'll send them alone elsewhere. At most, maybe some small units towards Shire and then Bales but, if they are on the clock, it's unlikely."

"Way to state the obvious, geniu–" Anonfilly was cut off by a glare from Luna.

After a minute, Luna stopped the glare. "Well, does anypony else have anything to add?" she asked, and after a minute of silence, she continued. "In that case we'll focus on defending the road to Las Pegasus.

"As we can see, there are some advantages when defending that road" – she, with her hoof, pointed towards the Unicorn Range – "as long as we control these mountains, they'll be forced into a more compact combat width and supply line than usual.

"My idea is to defend here" – she pointed towards the river that goes north of Applewood and Pranscisco – "the river will allow us to slow the enemy while holding our ground enough to evacuate the two coastal cities behind it."

Applejack frowned and said, "Princess, what about Tall Tale and Seaward Shoals? Are we just going to let them be taken?"

Luna shook her head. "At the speed the enemy is advancing, we won't be able to defend them in time. The best we can do is evacuate as many ponies as we can and destroy what could be useful to the enemy."

Before any retorts could come, she sighed and spoke again, "I know that will damage the population," Luna's face showed sadness, but she strengthened her voice, "but if we are going to stop them, we need to slow them down, that means destroying roads and anything that they could use.

"I'm not saying to damage the cities entirely, just the key industries that will benefit the changelings. I know it's not a good solution but we need to stop them, after this is over I'll personally help the construction efforts."

She saw that most of the room was uncomfortable with that, but they also knew that the alternative was worse, the changelings were sure to make ponies suffer for a long time, if they won.

Luna had thought of this for a while, it would surely leave many people jobless and without homes but, she just couldn't risk the changelings taking the cities and moving on, they needed to be slowed down.

"Just another thing for me to regret doing later, not like it's the first time I do so." Her face scrunched up in a grimace.

"You sure know how to convince the people here huh?" Anonfilly said, only to receive the glares of almost everypony in the room, more than anything, she swore she could see Luna's eyes light up in anger.

"Well, does anypony have anything useful to say?" Luna snapped, not in the mood at all right now for this.

After a minute of silence, she breathed out and continued. "I think that the best we can do is ask for air support, along with reinforcements. I'll also ask Marshal Blueblood to cover the evacuations of Tall Tale and Seaward Shoals."

Most faces frowned at the mentions of Blueblood and Applejack spoke again, "Princess, is it wise to leave that to Marshal Blueblood? I'm not sure he's capable of that…"

Had she said that about anypony else, Luna would have reprimanded her, but since she knew of the reputation he had, she let it go.

"General," she responded, "I know that the Marshal has a bad reputation, but I assure you that when it comes to military skill, he's harsh but adequate. That's why I'll leave the overseeing of the evacuation itself to General Sentinel, to avoid any troubles."

After no objections, she decided to move on to the next problem. "Now, we need to decide who gets to lead the defense and where."

A raised hoof, gave her pause. "Yes? General Maud."

"I'll like to be assigned to the mountains," Maud said, "there are plenty of rocks there."

While the folders talked about Maud's personality, Luna was still a bit unnerved by the monotone way in which she talked, even with all her years of experience, she had trouble finding any emotions on her face.

She was right though, Maud's knowledge of rocks made her the best suited to defend the mountains, only a trained specialist in mountain battles could be better, sadly Equestria didn't have such a specialist.

After looking her in the eyes for a bit more, Luna spoke, "Very well, you'll be in charge of the units in the area around the Unicorn Range. For now you'll be working with the officials that are on site, I'll review and may change them later."

After receiving a nod, she continued. "Does anypony else have a place where they'll like to be assigned?" Luna knew that most in her position would just choose themselves but she liked to hear from her subordinates first.

“I’m just one pony, sometimes the best idea comes from somepony else, even if they have less experience and knowledge.”

The silence that came gave her the answer to say, "In that case, being the place with the most movement, Luna looked at Pinkie, "I'll like General Pinkamena to be leading the defense in the area between the ocean and the mountains. Are you up for it?"

She could just order her to do so, but doing it this way let’s others feel included and that their opinion has value, keeping morale high. Luna preferred to have somepony a bit worse but motivated than the best possible with no motivation to work whatsoever.

"Yes, princess! You can count on me, pinkie promise!" After doing the promise, Deekay, Star, Moonshadow and the guards were looking at her surprised, but the one who knew her allowed various degrees of smiles at her mannerisms.

After wiping her own, Luna told her, "Good to know. Now, General Moonshadow," said pony straightened up, "you are to go with her and help her get the job done. Remember that she'll act as your superior until I say otherwise, alright?"

After he nodded, Luna moved on. "Next, General Applejack, you are going to be leading the troops along this area between the mountains and the center" – Luna pointed at the place where she meant in the map – "there are forests here, I expect you to use them to your advantage."

"Yes, ma'am!" Applejack responded.

"So, I'll leave this part to General Soarin, he's shown to be the best of the pre-war generals, so I expect him to do well." Luna said, indicating the area between Applejack's troops and the borders of the Crystal Empire.

"Now comes this area that is shared with the Crystal Empire," she continued, "for that reason, we don't have as many troops there as in the rest of the frontline, but it's still important to hold our ground if we don't want the troops of the Empire to be encircled.

"General Macintosh," she looked at him, "you will be the one to lead there. I expect you to work with General Sentry of the Empire, or with whoever prince Armor decides to replace him there."

After he nodded at her, she said, "Now, there is my own assignment, while as leading Marshal, my job is helping the entire front line, I'll be mostly present in General Pinkamena's area, at least until the enemy's advance is stopped."

After everyone nodded, she said, "So, unless somepony has anything to add, I think we are done for now."

A minute of silence was the answer. "Those who haven't got new assignments, will return to the ones they had prior to this meeting. We should go to the front as soon as possible."

"Ugh, finally! I was getting bored of this." Anonfilly said, this time to receive the annoyed glares of everypony in the room, including Pinkie's, even if hers was less harsh.

Luna had enough. "You know what? General Anonfilly, I think you should come with me, I'm sure your somepony of your… skill, will be useful," she said with a false smile.

Anonfilly tried to think of a way to get off this, but outside from outright subordination, which even she knew will only make things worse, she couldn't think of anything.

"Umh, sure?" Luna gave her another glare. "I mean, sure, princess! I'll do my best si– I mean ma'am!" She did a clumsy salute, but luckily for her, Luna didn't call her on it.

"Now, this meeting is over, let's get back to our posts! Remember our protocols to ensure this meeting stays secret! Now, head out!" Luna announced.

After everyone left the room, Luna allowed herself to release some of her tension, it always tired her to do these meetings, both now and in the past. In almost every single one, she had to say and do things she didn't like but were necessary.

Everypony took on their disguises as they left the house, not all of them left into the same direction, but they all ended in the same place, the train station, even if most of them had changed their illusions to look different.

It was already time for the night, so when she saw the sun start dropping below the horizon, Luna brought forth her moon. The lights of the city turned on as it happened.

All of them entered the train and Luna used the radio system in one of the wagon, to communicate their meeting to the rest of the military command.

She managed to get priority for air operations in the area where she is going, along with the orders for Marshal Blueblood. While he obviously wasn't happy at being ordered around, he grudgingly accepted.

Just as she finished, she heard the news. "General Soarin's troops have been defeated at Salt Lick, the city has fallen to the enemy! His report stated that the enemy threw refugees with some disguised changelings in the mist in front of their main army, causing disarray in his troops."

"That's concerning, letting the refugees through will also let enemy soldiers do the same and attack from behind, which is what likely happened to Soarin." Luna thought, frowning in worry. "But the opposite could be worse, not letting them pass will put innocent civilians in the line of fire."

Luna settled on making the evacuations all the more important, and relayed this through the radio. The more they evacuated, the less refugees the changelings will have to throw at them.

"Now the changelings will likely be ready to continue south, we need to hurry." She thought.

Luna ordered the train to pick up speed, then went to her room. Once inside, she took the photo of her and Celestia in her hooves and looked at it.

Without letting hold of it, she moved to the window and looked at her moon. "Please, give me the strength to stop them." She whispered, pushing the photo to her chest.