Luna, Flurry, and Spike waited fretfully at the train platform alongside Jet Set and various others. The horn and chugging wheels of the train were heard long before it was seen and only made the waiting even more agonizing. She could feel her heart thump in anticipation as the train began to roll up and slowed down to a stop. The doors opened and Celestia walked out, dressed in naught but carrying a sword and shield with her.

Flurry lunged and wrapped around her older aunt's front hooves, sobbing loudly. Spike soon joined her in embracing Celestia, his own tears much more subdued but still trickled down his cheeks.

Luna looked up and her heartbeat slowed as she looked to Celestia's magenta eyes and saw so much relief in them, along with a steely resolve she had forgotten existed. She let the others greet her sister, the children with their tear-filled hugs, the other adults with well wishes and updates. When Celestia's attention turned to Luna the younger sister smiled, but remained silent.

'We can talk later,' her eyes said.

Hours later the sisters occupied their shared office, stacks of papers on both desks. The solitude of the office had a tense air to it as Celestia and Luna sat across from each other. Celestia had myriad papers in front of her of the latest developments, though her attention was on her sister. Luna kept her gaze steady on her.

"You have retrieved the Blade of Mercy and Shield of Hope I see."

"I have, yes. Both are back where they belong, and I intend to not squander them again."

Luna closed her eyes. "So we are going to reclaim Equestria."

"We must. For Flurry Heart, for Spike... for all of our little ponies." Celestia turned her gaze down to the papers. "You've been hard at work yourself. Procuring the license for these magical weapons would have been difficult under other circumstances. I'm glad you and Queen Vivienne are so... close."

Luna shifted in her seat as her sister's disapproving tone made her ears fold back. "It is a mutual arrangement. She has taught me much as well as willing to lend aid in troops that she can spare. In return we have given her the resources necessary for her weapons projects as well as helping ensure the security of the Aquileian-Imperial border with support from Beakolini."

"Mmhm."

"You kept yourself well concealed as you slept."

Celestia glanced up. "I had to think about things. Much had happened since our last talk, and I needed time to digest them."

"You were avoiding me again," Luna accused.

Celestia squinted slightly, her lips curled into a subtle frown. "No, Luna, that's not it. You remember the old wars?"

Luna looked down toward her desk. "How could I forget?"

Celestia nodded. "Then you remember Sol Invicta."

Her eyes rose up slowly. "You didn't."

"I did. No longer do I fear my war mask. I donned it against the Dread League, and I shall do so again to liberate our home."

Luna couldn't help but scowl, though it was directed at herself more than Celestia. "If only my own had not been broken by my own hoof."

"Indeed. We could have used Metztli but there's no use in lamenting about it."

She raised a brow as she looked at her sister. "Not taking the blame for my fall this time?"

Celestia glanced up and shrugged. "We both have sins aplenty, sister. It's about time I stopped trying to make it about me when we were both at fault." Her horn glowed as she picked up a pen and began to write. "I'll send a letter to the queen asking forgiveness for my intrusion into her dreams. We have much more to worry about after all."

A pit of unease filled Luna's belly as she stood up. "I shall leave you to catch up with everything. Flurry and I have more magic lessons today."

"Once I'm done here let her know we'll start off our own lessons tomorrow."

That caused Luna to pause. "Oh? What is it you are going to teach her?"

Celestia looked up with a smile. "How to fight, of course. We'll both be in Equestria, she'll need to learn how to control herself, so while everything is being prepared I'll spend the time to help her."

"...What if she develops a war mask?"

Celestia's smile slightly faded. "She's too young for that. Ours didn't develop until after we had our cutie marks. I'm merely going to teach her the discipline she'll need to not have the tantrums I was told about. Besides, Cadance and Twilight didn’t have their own. Our circumstances were different as well. We hadto wage war back then. Flurry will be safe in New Mareland until Equestria is freed."

Luna stiffened. "But what if she does?" she pressed.

Celestia tried to hide the fear in her eyes, but the creasing of her cheeks into wrinkles of worry gave it away. "We must see to it that she doesn't."

She remained unconvinced, and the pit in her stomach only grew heavier. Luna gave a slight nod to Celestia and walked out of the office.

Weeks of preparation and even still she was unsure of it all. The boldest military operation in world history, of two massive amphibious landings. Luna to the north, across the narrow strait between the two great continents, backed up by legions of griffon knights, priests and dedicated warriors of Arcturius... and what remained of the necromancers that Celestia had crushed. Her sister along with several waves of New Marelanders and a veritable horde of dragons to retake the southern jungles.

She pursed her lips as she looked over the customized pistol that had been gifted to her. A proper officer's weapon, compact and concealable, of Aquileian make with moon and star motifs engraved in the grip. Luna holstered the pistol and walked out of the tent into the crisp Vedinian air.

The entire camp was abuzz with activity as soldiers and officers from various different militaries had to operate under one plan of battle, the majority of them being knights of chivalrous ideals... and what necromancers of the Dread League that had been cleared to serve after intense scrutiny from those of the Arcturian Order. Luna could keep track of them all easily enough and she turned to make way out when she looked at the pale pony before her.

"Princess, Queen Vivienne had said that there isn't much time before the operation begins and that she is meeting with Princess Sköldsvärd before it starts."

Luna mused on that for a moment. "Thank you Rosa. How have you been acclimating as my assistant?"

The former lich still looked like she could number among the undead, though healthier than she had before. She turned her gaze from Luna to look at the ground.

"It has been, fine, Princess. I thank you that you still let me utilize my talents in necromancy."

Luna walked past Rosa, but motioned for her to follow. "Of course. There is more to it than enslaving the dead after all. And even then, though most have refused, there are still some soldiers and knights willing to be raised to serve if they are slain. Their sacrifice will be of great use against the changelings."

"The League is willing to serve in whatever capacity you require of us. Celestia could have slain us all but she didn't, and I mean to repay her mercy," Rosa said as she trotted alongside the princess.

"Do not be mistaken, despite my own proclivities for magic of a darker bent I am keeping a close eye on you and your brethren. Still, it would be a shame to not let you help. It is your talent, and nothing makes a pony anxious than being unable to perform their special talent."

"The Arcturian Order has a standing order to execute any necromancer that disobeys their handler." Rosa’s words were tense and strained.

Luna froze in her steps and briskly turned to look at Rosa. “What? Who implemented such a mad policy?”

The necromancer turned away from the princess’ gaze. “As the highest ranking member of the Dread League I implemented it without complaint from the others.”

Taken aback, Luna’s wings flared out. “What?! Why would you do such a thing?”

Still unable to meet her eyes, Rosa kept her sight firmly away. “The League had before sought to spread across the world to bring terror and death to innocent and guilty alike for no reason other than because we had been shunned for our talents and interests. Then, when we heard the whispers in the dark, we became more and more enthralled into going through with our Dark Crusade against life.”

Luna shook her head. “Redemption is not an easy road to walk. That you are willing to be punished if you falter is admirable, but execution is an extreme choice. Speak with William later to come up with something more reasonable. That is an order.”

Rosa’s ears pinned back and she nodded. “Yes, Princess Luna.”

She took a deep breath. “Believe me Rosa, you and your peers are a valuable asset for the war. To accept death is what we all must do, but not if it will cost us in the long run. Think about this. Now, come along, we must meet with the others.”

The pair wove through the camp toward the command tent, the cold ground beneath their hooves beginning to give way to warmer temperatures. As they approached one of the griffon soldiers pulled the flap aside for them. William Steel Beak of the Arcturian Order stood at the map table with Prelate Celeste beside him. Luna couldn’t help but admire their knightly armor, at once seemingly antiques but the unique griffon art of enchantment making them useful even on modern battlefields. She noticed how stiff Celeste was, the prelate’s gaze focused firmly on Rosa. Luna pursed her lips and looked to the map below while all manner of things going wrong ran through her head.

"So today is the day," she said to herself.

"King Meyer has given the signal that he is ready to strike. He's just waiting on our order, Princess Luna,” William said.

Luna looked up at the headmaster and nodded. "And my sister?"

Celeste pulled her attention from Rosa to speak. "Reports are that she's jumped the gun and has already started landing in the jungle basin. So far with minimal resistance from what we have gathered."

"Celestia is not so impatient..." Luna trailed off before she looked around. "You have your orders. We begin on schedule. The invasion of Weter occurs at 0641 exactly."

"Yes ma'am!" they replied.

Luna turned to Rosa and leaned in to her. “Speak with William as soon as you can, but see to the logistics officers and help Spike double check everything..”

The necromancer bowed low. “Yes, princess.”

Luna left the command tent and closed her eyes to track the movements of the heavens above. Time was short, she should be in there still for any updates, and yet…

She stood outside of Vivienne’s own tent, the Aquileian flag waving over it. Two Aquileian soldiers, a griffon and a pony, both gave her a salute as she looked up to the flag. A breeze blew that ruffled her feathers and the princess began to turn away when a griffon stepped out. Luna took a step back to let the gray-feathered hen pass.

“Princess Sköldsvärd,” Luna said. “A pleasure to meet you.”

The young griffon gave a polite bow. “Princess Luna, forgive me but I need to hurry to oversee preparations. It would be an honor to talk another time.”

“Of course, do not let me keep you.” Luna moved out of Sköldsvärd’s way and watched as the griffon hurried off. Something itched at the back of her skull, something in the hen’s green eyes bothered her but she couldn’t put her hoof on it. With a shake of her head she turned to the soldiers and headed inside.

The inside of the tent was spartan, with a makeshift desk of cheap wood near the back and a cot off to the side. A trunk laid underneath the cot, simple wood and leather. Vivienne was seated on an old chair, roughshod and the stain of it worn at the arms. The queen looked in surprise at her visitor and she shuffled some papers into a pile. “Luna! This is unexpected, I was thinking of seeing you later tonight!”

Luna’s eyes drifted to a map and a half-folded letter in front of Vivienne. “Is it wrong to wish to see you now? When I heard you were meeting with Meyer’s vassal, I was curious..”

The queen’s feathers puffed out a little as she sat up straight. “The princess still retains control over Vedina, we rely on her knights, navy, and air force. As little as it may be. Every contribution helps after all. The invasion of Weter is going to begin shortly, no? You should be at the command tent in case anything needs your attention.”

Luna approached the makeshift desk as she hummed an ancient tune. Vivienne slowly moved her chair back to stand up and found herself in a winged embrace. The princess nuzzled against her neck and planted a kiss on the queen’s cheek.

“I wanted to thank you for the gift, the pistol is a true work of art.”

Vivienne couldn’t help but let out a soft trill at the kiss and nestled into the mare’s embrace. “You should be focused on the war, my Lune. My armies will not be engaging until after the first wave has landed.”

“I want you with me, Vivi. It will not be possible all the time of course, but when we can I want us together. It would not feel right for me otherwise, not after you have taught me so much.”

The familiar sensation of those sharp talons brushing against her coat and skin had her wings shift. “My Lune, nothing would make me happier than to be by your side through these challenges ahead, but you need to learn to stand on your own. I will not always be there for you, as we push ahead we will need to focus and that will mean splitting responsibilities.”

“Can I not be a little indulgent?” Luna asked with a small smile. “You are right, I can stand on my own four hooves. You are already busy managing the intelligence operations.”

“I just have my little owls handle things, spycraft is not something I am personally well versed in after all, even if they tell me it is mostly chatting and paperwork.”

They stood in comfortable silence before Luna reluctantly pulled away. “I will return to the command tent. Celestia has already begun landing in the southeastern jungles and Meyer has yet to attack the fleet at Manehattan.”

Vivienne’s face twisted into confusion. “What? How foolish of your sister.” The queen shook her head. “No matter, it is done and we need to adapt. Send the message to Meyer to begin his attack now.”

“Nay, we stick to the schedule as planned. The fleet no doubt knows Celestia has already started, so they will be paying attention of any changes to the changeling fleet in Manehattan.”

Vivienne clicked her beak. “So that they could ambush them if they ship out. They may not take out as many on the open seas as they could still be harbored, but the changeling's air power in Manehattan would not be able to come out in time to try and save them either. In which case they would have to be forced to either return to port under fire and be stuck there, or risk maneuvering south or north and run into one of our other fleets.”

Luna was grinning as Vivienne spoke. “Clever, yes?”

“Quite so, my Lune, quite so! See, you do not need me looking over your shoulder. You are a brave, intelligent mare. Now go and lead our forces, I will come by in an hour.”

They exchanged a gentle peck before Luna trotted out. Vivienne sat back at her desk with a weary sigh as she shuffled the papers back out. The queen looked at the map and trailed a gloved talon over the islands of Haukland and the realm of Vedina. From there she moved her attention to the lands held by Kemerskai and his allies, their special brand of republican scourge surviving day by day in snowy hills and mountains, the Empire right at their southern border. The same Empire just north of Aquileia. She reached into her pocket to pull out a cigarette

"Oh Eyr, what foolishness have I done because of your subtle touch? Or maybe Arcturius wished to see me bear my skills against an evil foe than more griffons?" Vivienne snorted. "Perhaps Maar is at work."

As sunlight continued to trickle over the horizon a crow called out in the distance.

Author's Note

Well there it is everyone, the final chapter for The Princess of Night in the City of Light! I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it!