Location: Equus, Equestria, Everfree City, Year of the Sisters Ponidara /1/01, Military time: 620

The first light of dawn was still a mere promise on the horizon, leaving the royal palace in Everfree City shrouded in the cool, predawn darkness. Celestia stirred in her bed, her internal clock telling her it was time to wake and fulfill her duty. With a deep breath, she stretched her wings and rose, her mind focused on the task ahead.

She stepped onto her balcony, overlooking the serene landscape that had been liberated from Discord's chaos just the day before. Concentrating, Celestia's horn glowed with a golden aura as she lifted the sun above the horizon, filling the sky with a beautiful, warm light. With her duty complete, she turned and made her way to the dining hall for breakfast.

The hall was quiet, and the early hour ensured that most of the palace was still at rest. As she entered, she was pleased to see her sister, Luna, already there, nibbling on a small snack before retiring for the day.

"Good morning, sister." Celestia greeted warmly, her voice filled with affection.

"Good morning, Tia." Luna replied, smiling. "We trust thou has slept well?"

"We did, though tis feels like there is much to be done today." Celestia said as she took a seat and began to eat a silver plate of fruits and pastries that the servants had put on the table. "And thee? How did thy fairest this night?"

"Eventful, as always." Luna responded with a hint of a smile. "There were still remnants of Discord's influence to address in the dream realm, but our subjects are now finally able to rest peacefully."

Celestia nodded, her expression thoughtful. "We have much to rebuild, but together, we shall make Equestria stronger than tis was before."

"Indeed, sister." Luna agreed. "But for now, we must take our leave. The night was long, and we are in need of rest."

"Of course, Luna. Sleep well." Celestia said, as she watched her sister stand from her seat and began to make her way to her chambers.

Luna paused at the doorway, turning back to her sister. "Tia, do not hesitate to call on us if thou require our assistance. We are in this together."

Celestia smiled, feeling a deep sense of comfort and solidarity. "Of course, sister. Rest well."

With Luna gone, Celestia finished her breakfast, savoring the peaceful moment before the duties of the day began to weigh on her. Once she was done, she made her way to the throne room, where a line of ponies had already begun to gather, each with their own troubles and concerns.

Seating herself on the throne, she took a deep breath and nodded to the guards to let the first petitioner in. As the doors opened, she prepared herself to listen and help her subjects, ready to usher in a new era of peace and harmony for Equestria.

Celestia sat gracefully on her throne, her regal presence exuding a sense of calm and authority. The throne room was a grand chamber, adorned with tapestries and stained glass windows that told the history of Equestria. The line of ponies stretched from the throne to the large wooden double doors, each one waiting for their turn to speak with their new ruler.

The first petitioner, a noble pony clad in fine yellow garments, approached and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, we come with a matter of great importance. Our lands have been affected by the recent chaos, and we seek assistance in restoring our estates."

Celestia listened intently, offering words of reassurance and promising to send aid. The noblepony left with a grateful heart.

Next was a humble farmer, his coat dusty from the fields. "Princess Celestia, our crops were trampled by Discord's minions. We need help to replant and ensure we have enough food for the coming seasons."

Again, Celestia listened and provided a solution, arranging for supplies and workers to assist the farmers in rebuilding their livelihoods.

As the morning progressed, the petitions varied widely. Some were serious, such as a blacksmith needing resources to repair the town's defenses or a healer requesting herbs to treat the sick and injured. Others, however, bordered on the absurd.

"Princess, our neighbor's rooster crows too loudly in the morning." one pony complained.

"Your Highness, we believe our cat has been bewitched by leftover chaos magic." another declared.

Celestia addressed each concern with patience and grace, though she couldn't help but smile at some of the more trivial requests. It was clear that her subjects still needed time to adjust to the new order and the end of Discord's reign.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Celestia felt the pangs of hunger reminding her that it was time for a break. She held up a hoof, signaling the guards to pause the procession of petitioners.

"Dear subjects." she announced, her voice echoing through the throne room, "We shall now take a brief respite for midday. We will return shortly to continue hearing your concerns."

The ponies bowed and murmured their gratitude as they began to disperse. Celestia descended from her throne, feeling a sense of relief as she made her way to the dining hall.

Celestia savored her lunch, the quiet of the dining hall providing a brief but welcome respite from the morning's busy court. She relished the taste of fresh fruits, vegetables, and the warm, fragrant soup, feeling her stomach gradually fill itself up.

Her peaceful moment was abruptly interrupted by the creak of the dining hall doors swinging open. Stepping inside was an earth pony with a light tan coat and a sleek black mane neatly combed to one side. Her cutie mark, a quill and scroll, reflected her role as Celestia's trusted secretary. The mare carried herself with composed efficiency, her eyes sharp and focused on Celestia.

"Your Highness, pardon the intrusion but thou are needed immediately." Quillfeather said, her tone respectful but urgent.

Celestia sighed, her mouth partially full of food. "Mmph... Quillfeather, can't tis wait until the break is over?" she asked after quickly swallowing.

Quillfeather shook her head, her expression serious. "We are afraid not, Princess. This matter concerns military affairs, and it cannot wait. Since Princess Luna tis currently resting, it falls to thee."

Celestia's eyes widened slightly, concern washing over her features. She set her spoon down, the rest of her lunch now forgotten. "Very well, Quillfeather. Lead the way." she said, rising from her seat.

Quillfeather bowed slightly and turned to guide Celestia back to the throne room. The princess followed, her mind already racing with questions about what military issue could be so pressing. The short walk from the dining hall to the throne room felt longer than usual, her thoughts filled with worry.

As Celestia entered the throne room, she saw the rows of royal guards standing at attention, their polished armor gleaming in the sunlight filtering through the grand stained glass windows. At the forefront of the throne room stood the captain, his light gray armor subtly reflecting the vibrant hues of the room. The pegasus had a dark gray coat and a steel-blue mane, neatly cropped to complement his disciplined appearance. A weathered scar ran across one eye, adding a hardened edge to his otherwise stoic visage. His cutie mark was a shield with a crossed sword that symbolized his unwavering commitment to the kingdom.

"Princess Celestia." the captain began, snapping to attention as she approached. "Thank thee for coming so quickly."

Celestia nodded gravely. "Captain." she acknowledged, her gaze sweeping over the assembled guards. "What tis the situation?"

The captain took a deep breath, his expression grim. "A few days ago, Princess Luna ordered us to conduct a raid on a Diamond Dog enslavement camp to liberate the ponies being held there." he explained, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "We spent the past few days planning the operation to minimize casualties, and to hide any possible trace that could be pinpoint to us after the operation. Yesterday morning, we commenced the operation, only to encounter a large group of the very prisoners we intended to rescue, fleeing from the camp."

He paused, steeling himself before continuing. "When we questioned the fleeing prisoners about how they escaped, they told us they were rescued by six golems made of metal. They described these creatures as towering constructs, that were impervious to the Diamond dog's weapons."

Celestia's brow furrowed in concern. "Golems made of metal?" she repeated, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Yes, Your Highness." the captain confirmed. "We proceeded to the camp to investigate further. There, we found the bodies of Diamond Dogs with unusual injuries, as well as a dead Wyvern nearby. It appears these golems not only rescued the prisoners but also dealt with the opposition in a brutal manner."

Celestia nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. The implications were troubling. "Were there any survivors from the camp?"

The captain hesitated before responding. "Only a few, Your Highness. Those who survived the initial encounter with the golems are currently too injured or traumatized to provide clear details."

"Understandable." Celestia murmured, her gaze distant as she considered their next steps. "Prepare a full report on what thou has discovered. We must inform Princess Luna as soon as she awakens. She will then consult with thee to determine her course of action."

The captain saluted sharply. "Yes, Your Highness." He said before leaving the throne room with his guards.

Celestia stood there, her thoughts a whirlwind of concern. Though she was relieved that her ponies had been rescued without a single guard lost, the fact that six metal golems had managed to eliminate an entire camp and even take down a Wyvern without any casualties was deeply troubling. These beings could pose a significant threat to Equestria if they were to become enemies.

Location: Equus, Equestria, Everfree City Infirmary patient room, Year of the Sisters Ponidara /1/01, Military time: 1400

The infirmary was a sterile and quiet place, its marble floors gleaming faintly from the sunlight pouring from the windows carved from the smooth stone walls. The air carried a faint tang of antiseptics made from crushed herbs and boiled vinegar, mingled with the earthy scent of poultices and dried flowers hung in bundles from the ceiling to ward off sickness. Rows of low, simple cots were arranged neatly along the walls, each one occupied by a patient wrapped in layers of bandages or resting uneasily beneath woolen blankets. A single long wooden table was at the far side of the room strewn with jars of aloe vera, comfrey, honey, vinegar, and old wine—the tools of healers who moved with quiet efficiency.

The captain stood near the far end of the room; his figure silhouetted against the warm glow of a brazier. Before him sat a Diamond Dog, slumped and trembling on a cot. The creature’s gray fur was matted with grime, with its bandages stained with traces of herbal poultices, clung to its wiry frame. The dog’s ears lay flat against its skull, its wide eyes darting nervously between the captain and the healers bustling nearby.

He regarded the Diamond Dog with a measured gaze. Though his dislike for them was no secret due to their recent history of enslaving ponies he kept his tone even. For his duty required clarity, not indulgence in personal feelings.

“Explain what occurred during the attack.” His voice sharp yet controlled as he unrolled a scroll with one of his wings and dipped a quill into the inkpot clipped to his armored breastplate with his other.

The Diamond Dog swallowed hard, its voice rasping with fear. “We already had told the others… it was a slaughterhouse. These metal golems came out of nowhere. We’ve never seen anything like them!”

The captain's quill scratched against the parchment as he noted the words. “Be specific. What did thou see? Describe them.”

“They were massive, taller than anything in the camp.'” the dog stammered, his paws fidgeting anxiously. “They moved so fast, so precise—it was terrifying. Our best warriors… they didn’t stand a chance. And then the wyvern—it tried to fight, but it didn’t last more than a minute.”

The captain leaned in slightly, his golden eyes narrowing. “Did thou see what weapons they wielded?”

“One of them carried something… like a cannon. It made explosions! Huge ones!” the Diamond Dog blurted out, panic rising in its tone. “They were like fireworks, but deadly. We… we only survived because our friend had a shield protecting us at the time. It broke and killed him, but it saved us from the blast.”

He paused briefly, his wing holding the quill above the parchment. “Anything else thou remembers?"

“It… it all happened so fast.” the dog whispered, its voice barely audible. “One moment, everything was calm… and the next… turned into chaos.”

“Verry well, thou may rest now. Thy fate will be decided by the princesses, once thou are healed from thy injuries.” Said the captain as he walked away from the Daimond Dog.

Seconds later his eyes softened slightly as they fell upon a unicorn mare seated on a nearby cot. Her blue coat gleamed faintly from the sunlight coming from the windows, with her foreleg wrapped in fresh bandages. Though weariness clung to her, she managed a small, polite smile when the captain approached.

“We apologize for interrupting thy rest.” he began, his tone markedly gentler than before. “But tis required that we must ask thee about the golems. Any detail thou can provide is of great importance.”

The mare inclined her head graciously, her expression earnest. “Of course. They were… unlike anything we’ve ever seen. So tall, towering over us and the Daimond Dogs. One of them was especially massive than all the others. They had what seemed like a single eye, though it was hard to tell if those were the creature's eyes or not.”

“What of their weapons?” Iron Shield prompted. “How did they fight?”

The mare’s brow furrowed in thought. “Their weapons… they acted similar to crossbows, but far more advanced. The arrows they shot would pierce through anything it touched instantly. It went straight through their shields and armor as if it wasn't even there.”

The captain nodded, his expression grave as he wrote down the details. "Thank thee. Thou's information has been helpful. We'll do everything we can to keep thee safe now."

As he left the infirmary, the captain's thoughts were filled with concern. These metal golems were an unknown and potentially dangerous force, and Equestria needed to be prepared.

After a long day filled with pressing concerns and troubling news, Celestia decided it was time to retire for the night. She made her way to her sister's chambers, where Luna had recently awakened from her slumber.

Celestia gently knocked on the door before entering. Luna was standing by her balcony, gazing at the moon in the sky she had just raised.

"Good evening, sister." Celestia greeted, her voice soft but weary.

Luna turned, offering a warm smile. "Good evening, Sister." She said warmly before looking concerned. "Tia, thou seem troubled. What weighs on thy mind?"

Celestia sighed, walking over to join her sister. "Tis has been a long day. We received reports about the raid on the Diamond Dog camp. The details are... unsettling."

Luna's brow furrowed. "Unsettling how?"

Celestia recounted the events of the day, describing the metal golems, their incredible power, and the fear they had instilled in both the Diamond Dogs and the freed ponies.

Luna listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each passing moment. "These golems are indeed a cause for concern. As military matters fall under my ministry, we will take charge of this issue."

Celestia nodded. "Thank thee, Luna. We will retire for the night, but we trust thee to handle this matter with our Captain. For we must not mistake them for our enemies, ... At least not without more information about them, that is."

Luna placed a comforting hoof on Celestia's shoulder. "Of course sister. We shall listen to them like we always do, but in the end tis my choice of what happens."

With a final nod, Celestia left Luna's chambers and made her way to her own, seeking the comfort of sleep.

Location: Equus, Equestria, Everfree City War Room, Year of the Sisters Ponidara /1/01, Military time: 1920

Princess Luna made her way to the War Room, a fortified chamber where matters of military strategy were discussed and decided. The room was adorned with maps, tactical plans, and the symbols of Equestria's might. The captain of the Offensive Guard was already there, waiting for her arrival.

"Captain." Luna greeted, her voice steady and authoritative. "We have much to discuss."

The captain snapped to attention, saluting. "Princess Luna. We have prepared the reports as usual."

Luna took her seat at the head of the table, her gaze fixed on the captain. "Tell us everything about the operation and what thou has discovered."

The captain unfurled the scrolls he had prepared earlier, detailing the events of the raid, the descriptions of the metal golems, and the testimonies of the survivors.

"A few days ago, thou had ordered us to conduct a raid on a Diamond Dog enslavement camp, in Diamond Dog territory." the captain began. "We spent days planning to minimize casualties, and to hide our trace once we completed the raid. Yesterday morning, we commenced the operation and encountered the fleeing prisoners before even reaching the camp. They told us they were rescued by six metal golems."

Luna's eyes narrowed. "Describe these golems and their actions."

"They were towering constructs, incredibly powerful and precise. They annihilated the Diamond Dogs and even took down a Wyvern with ease." the captain explained. "Their weapons were unlike anything they had seen. One of the golems had a launcher creating large explosions, similar to fireworks but more deadly."

Luna listened carefully, her expression thoughtful. "And the camp itself?"

"We found the bodies of Diamond Dogs with unusual injuries and the remains of a Wyvern." the captain continued. "The survivors were too injured or traumatized to provide clear details, but their descriptions of the golems are consistent."

"Do we know where these golems went after the raid?" Luna asked, her tone sharp.

The captain shook his head. "No, Your Highness. Their current location is unknown."

Luna's gaze hardened. "Verry well then. Form a reconnaissance team of five pegasi to find these golems and observe them from afar. We need to gather more information about these golems to understand their intentions."

"Understood, Your Highness. We will get the pegasi ready, at once." Said the captain before leaving the war room.

Luna then waited there in her seat for what seemed like hours until the Captain returned.

The captain of the guard soon returned to the War Room, this time accompanied by five pegasi he had selected for the reconnaissance mission. Each pegasus stood tall and ready, their expressions resolute.

"Your Highness." the captain began, bowing slightly to Luna. "These are the pegasi we have chosen for the task."

Luna regarded the group with a stern yet approving gaze. "Excellent. Step forward."

The pegasi stepped forward in unison, their eyes fixed on Luna.

"Thou hast been chosen for a mission of great importance." Luna began, her voice resonant and steady. "Thou art to locate the six metal golems that have recently appeared and report back with any information regarding their intentions and movements. Search the areas around the destroyed enslavement camp and Toomba Forest. Do not engage unless provoked. Thou must also remember to keep thyselves hidden, for thou will be in Diamond Dog territory. If thou art discovered and captured by them, we shall not attempt to rescue thee. We will deny all knowledge of this mission, and thou shalt be left to face thy fate with the Diamond Dogs. Understood?"

The pegasi nodded in unison, their expressions resolute as they acknowledged the gravity of the orders.

Luna regarded them with a piercing gaze for a moment before dismissing them with a graceful wave of her hoof. "Very well. Go forth, and may the night guide thee."

The five pegasi soared high above the remnants of the Diamond Dog enslavement camp, the crisp night air cool against their feathers. Below, the camp spread out as a ruined fortress of stone, its once-solid walls cracked and blackened. The main structure was a single-story square edifice, but the deeper levels, visible through collapsed sections of the ground, hinted at a sprawling underground complex. The roof had caved in one large area, revealing the chaos within—a labyrinth of shattered wooden beams, broken stone, and scattered debris. Diamond Dog bodies lay strewn amidst the rubble, motionless and silent, the aftermath of destruction starkly illuminated in the moonlight.

The pegasi maintained a tight formation, their keen eyes sweeping the ground for any sign of movement. The tension in the air was palpable as they hover over the area.

“Look at this place.” Swift Arrow murmured, his voice low and awed. “’Tis utterly destroyed.”

Wind Whisper, flying just behind him, shook her head in disbelief. “We can hardly believe those golems were responsible for all of this. The force needed… tis unnatural.”

"Focus." Nightfall, their leader said to them, his voice cutting through the soft rustling of wings. "We are not here to speculate. If anypony sees the golems or has found any clues that may lead us to them, speak now."

The other pegasi shook their heads silently, their faces grim. The destruction of the Diamond Dog camp offered no answers—only questions. Nightfall nodded once, his expression hardening. "Very well. Let us move on to Toomba Forest. Stay vigilant and keep in formation."

The group adjusted their course, turning southward toward the looming forest in the distance. They ascended, climbing higher into the cold embrace of the night sky, seeking the safety of the cloud cover. The moonlight bathed their sleek forms in a silver glow, and the cool air brushed against their feathers, a fleeting comfort amidst the nature of the mission.

“Stay close.” Thunderstrike said, his voice low but firm as his sharp eyes swept the horizon. “We cannot afford to get separated.”

The pegasi flew in tight formation, their wings cutting through the silence as they soared above the clouds. The moonlight illuminated the vast expanse below—an endless sea of darkness broken only by the faint outlines of the Toomba Forest. The tranquility of the moment belied the dangers lurking beneath.

Suddenly, Swift Arrow's ears flicked at an unfamiliar sound—a faint, rhythmic whoosh that didn’t match the natural rustle of the wind. He squinted into the shadows beyond the moonlit clouds and gasped. “Everypony, look out!”

Nightfall whipped his head around just in time to see a massive Roc burst through the cloud layer, its monstrous wings spread wide as it shrieked a bone-chilling cry. The bird’s golden eyes locked onto the pegasi like a predator zeroing in on its prey. Its talons gleamed, sharp as blades, catching the moonlight as it dove toward them with terrifying speed.

“Scatter!” Nightfall commanded urgently.

The group broke formation instantly, peeling off in different directions as the Roc barreled toward them. The massive bird’s wings created gusts of wind that buffeted the pegasi, forcing them to stabilize mid-flight. The night air was suddenly alive with chaos, as the screeches of the Roc and the frantic beats of wings echoed through the dark sky.

“Head for the forest!” Thunderstrike shouted, his voice strained as he banked hard to avoid the Roc’s talons. “Tis our best chance!”

The pegasi dove toward the distant tree line, their movements frantic as the Roc gave chase. Its wings beat with relentless power, closing the gap with horrifying ease. The bird screeched again, its talons swiping dangerously close to Wind Whisper, who twisted mid-air to avoid the attack.

“Keep moving!” Nightfall shouted; his voice barely audible over the rush of wind. “Don’t let it catch thee!”

Bright Skies rolled to the side just as the Roc lunged, its razor-sharp claws raking the air inches from her flank. Her heart was thundering in her chest, as her breaths came in short gasps. “Tis too fast!” she yelled, panic creeping into her voice.

The forest loomed closer, its dense canopy promising cover but offering little comfort. The pegasi pushed themselves harder, wings straining against the cold air. “Go lower!” Wind Whisper cried out, her voice tinged with desperation. “Into the trees!”

One by one, the pegasi plummeted into the forest canopy, their wings folding briefly as they threaded through the dense branches. The sharp snap of twigs and the rustle of leaves filled the air as they descended into the darkness below. The Roc let out a frustrated screech, circling above the treetops. Its massive size prevented it from following its prey into the labyrinth of wood and shadow.

Nightfall landed heavily on the forest floor, his breathing ragged. Around him, the other pegasi emerged from the underbrush, their wings battered and their faces pale with exertion. Above them, the Roc’s cries echoed, fading as it gave up the chase and disappeared into the night.

"Tis everypony alright?" Nightfall asked, his voice breathless but steady.

"Just a few scratches." Bright Skies replied, wincing as she checked her wings. "But we are okay."

"That was too close." Thunderstrike muttered, shaking leaves from his mane.

Wind Whisper glanced around, her eyes sharp in the dim light. "We need to find a safe place to regroup."

"Agreed, let's look around, and find a secure area." Nightfall said as he began to motion his group to follow him.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Wind Whisper suddenly paused. "Nightfall, we see a light source ahead. We think It might be a campfire of some sort."

"Let's check it out." Nightfall said. "But stay quiet and alert."

They crept through the underbrush, approaching the flickering light with caution. As they drew closer, they saw a campfire surrounded by the five metal golems, except these weren't metal golems, but rather armored beings, sitting on logs with what seemed to be their helmets off. All of them were eating makeshift sandwiches except for two of them which were eating a drumstick.

Around the campfire, a cockatrice with its scales ripped off was being cooked. What surprised the pegasi even more was the presence of two unicorns and an earth pony, casually chatting with the armored figures.

The pegasi exchanged confused glances from their hiding spots.

"Wait a bucking minute, these are not golems." Swift Arrow whispered. "They are creatures, wearing armor."

"How did they manage to kill a cockatrice without one of them turning to stone?" Wind Whisper said quietly.

"And why in the name of Faust are there ponies here, just casually chatting with them?" Thunderstrike added, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Nightfall turned his head to his group, his expression serious. "Quiet thou all for we will find out soon enough. For now, we need to watch them closely and report everything back to Princess Luna. These beings are something else."

Nightfall then motioned for the group to spread out. Swift Arrow and Bright Skies moved silently to hide in the bushes, while Wind Whisper, Thunderstrike, and himself quietly flew up into the trees, finding vantage points to observe the campfire below. They strained their ears to catch the conversation between the unicorn and the largest of the armored beings.

The unicorn's voice was clear and joyful as she spoke. "So there I was, in the middle of the Everfree Forest, completely lost. I had wandered off the main path, and it was getting dark. I was starting to panic when I heard a rustling behind me. I turned around and saw Onyx Star, the noblest pony I've ever met. He helped me find my way back to the main road and kept me calm the whole time. We've been friends ever since."

The largest being, whose armor was heavy and imposing, nodded, his deep voice rumbling. "Sounds like quite the adventure, Amethyst."

As the conversation continued, Thunderstrike squinted, counting the figures around the campfire. "Wait a minute, the princess told us there were six of the beings. Why do we only see five?"

His question was answered almost immediately as a figure in green armor with camouflage patterns around his torso appeared silently behind Wind Whisper. The being swiftly kicked her out of the tree, sending her crashing to the ground below with a pained cry. There was a split second of complete silence as she landed hard onto the ground.

"Contact!" shouted the being with a cobalt colored armor with tall grey shoulder pads, as the camp erupted into activity.

The armored beings quickly donned their helmets and moved to capture Wind Whisper, who lay dazed and vulnerable on the forest floor.

Panic seized the remaining pegasi. "We have to get out of here!" Swift Arrow urged, his voice trembling with fear.

Bright Skies hesitated, looking back at Wind Whisper. "But what about Wind Whisper? We can't just leave her!"

Nightfall's voice was firm, his eyes hard with resolve. "We were told that In no circumstances are we to get captured. Move out, now!"

The pegasi scattered like startled birds, their wings cutting through the thick forest air as they darted among the trees. Nightfall led the group, his sharp mind racing as he focused on the safest route through the dense foliage. Behind them, the thunderous footfalls of their pursuers echoed like a storm, growing closer with every passing second.

“They are following us!” Swift Arrow shouted, glancing back at the towering figures moving with unnerving speed through the underbrush. The armored beings were relentless, their visors glowing through the patches of the moonlight, cutting through the darkness like spectral eyes. One among them, the one with the skull-faced visor, seemed to move with an almost predatory determination as it began to pick up more speed.

“Keep flying!” Nightfall barked, his voice somewhat steady despite the chaos. “Do not let them reach us!”

The forest seemed alive with the sounds of pursuit—the snap of branches, the rustle of leaves, and the heavy, rhythmic stomps of their pursuers. Bright Skies, flying just behind Nightfall, zigzagged through the trees, her wings beating furiously to keep pace. The dense canopy above cast shifting shadows, making every twist and turn feel like an ambush waiting to happen.

“They are getting closer!” Bright Skies called out, her voice tight with fear. The skull-faced being was just behind them now, weaving through the trees with unnerving precision. Its glowing visor reflected the moonlight, a sinister beacon in the darkness.

“This way!” Nightfall shouted, angling toward a cluster of towering pines. His sharp gaze caught a narrow gap between two massive trunks—barely wide enough for a pegasus to slip through. “Through these trees! Quickly!”

The group veered sharply, their wings folding briefly as they dove toward the opening. Nightfall passed through first, his wingtips brushing the rough bark as he shot into the clearing beyond. Bright Skies then came through next her hooves skimming the ground as she pulled through the gap, with Thunderstrike following close behind her.

Swift Arrow hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes widening as the skull-faced being began to close in on him. With a burst of speed, he darted through the narrow opening, the sharp edges of the pine bark scraping his wings as he barely slipped past.

Behind them, the armored figure skidded to a halt, its larger frame unable to fit through the gap. The skull-faced being stood there for a moment, its glowing visor locked on the fleeing pegasi as if memorizing their every movement. Its frustration was palpable, but it didn’t attempt to follow further.

The pegasi didn’t dare look back. They shot through the clearing, their wings beating furiously as they climbed higher into the open sky. The cool night air filled their lungs, as the oppressive weight of the forest began to fade.

As they gained altitude, Nightfall glanced over his shoulder, his heart still racing. The armored figures were gone, their glowing visors now only a haunting memory among the shadows of the trees.

“We must reach Princess Luna at once.” Nightfall said firmly, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “These beings are far more dangerous than we imagined.”

Bright Skies nodded, her face pale but determined. “Agreed. Wind Whisper's sacrifice will not be in vain.”

With that, the pegasi turned their sights toward Everfree City, the urgency of their mission pushing them onward into the night.

Location: Equus, Equestria, Everfree City, Year of the Sisters Ponidara /2/01, Military time: 610

Captain Iron Shield was enjoying a nice book about chess strategies until four pegasi burst into his office, the door slamming open with a loud bang. The captain looked up from his book, startled by the sudden intrusion.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. His eyes quickly scanned the group, noticing immediately that there were only four of them. "Where is Wind Whisper?"

Nightfall stepped forward, his face pale and eyes wide with fear. "Captain, we... we were scouting the forest and encountered the Golems. They captured Wind Whisper!"

The captain's expression darkened, and he immediately stood up. "Tell us everything that happened, now!"

Meanwhile, in the royal palace, Princess Luna had just ended her job of helping ponies in the dreamscape. Exhausted, she made her way to the dining room, looking forward to a brief respite. Just as she was about to enter, the captain appeared from the corner of the hall, galloping up to her.

"Your Highness!" he called out, his tone urgent.

Luna turned, surprised to see him. "Captain Iron Shield, what tis it? Have the scouting members returned already?"

Captain Iron Shield nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, Your Highness, but something has happened."

Luna squinted her eyes, her tiredness giving way to worry. "What has occurred?"

The captain extended a folder with his wings. "Tis all in the report, Your Highness."

Luna's horn lit up as she began to levitate the folder, flipping it open to read its contents on the spot. As her eyes scanned the pages, her expression shifted from anxious to furious. She snapped the folder shut, her magic causing it to quiver.

"How could they let one of the members get captured on a scouting mission?" she said, as she began to pace back and forth. "This was supposed to be a simple reconnaissance, and now we've lost one of our own! Are they completely incompetent? Do they not understand the gravity of their task? We trusted them with a straightforward mission, and they failed spectacularly!"

Her voice grew louder and angrier as she continued her rant. "Those fools! How could they be so careless? What kind of warriors are they if they can't even handle a basic scouting mission? Do they have no sense of responsibility? No sense of duty? tis unacceptable! They should be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen!"

Captain Iron Shield began to whimper a little in fear as Luna's rant continued, the intensity of her anger causing him to tremble. Her voice echoed through the hallway, the sheer volume of her rage palpable.

Finally, after a minute of ranting later, Luna noticed the captain's fearful state. She then took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as she attempted to calm herself. "We apologize, Captain Iron Shield. Tis not your fault. We are just very tired."

The captain bowed slightly, still shaken. "We understand, Your Highness. We await your orders on how to respond to this."

"Very well. But before we tell thee our orders captain, we are in need to go to the dining room to eat a snack first to quench our hunger." She said before leaving to the dining room.

A couple of minutes later, Luna made it to the dining room, where, to her surprise, Celestia was already seated, enjoying her breakfast. The soft clinking of silverware against a silver plate containing a slice of honey cake echoed across the room as Celestia glanced up, her serene expression shifting to mild concern at the sight of Luna's unusually weary appearance.

“Sister?” Luna began, raising a brow as she approached. “Why art thou up so early? tis not like thee to be awake this early.”

Celestia smiled softly, gesturing to her plate. “We were hungry, dear sister. So we decided to rise early to quench our hunger before raising the sun.”

"We see." Said Luna, her exhaustion evident as she sank into her seat across from Celestia.

“Sister, are thou well?” Celestia asked after a moment, her eyes narrowing in concern. “Thou art looking more exhausted than usual. What has occurred to make thee this way?”

Luna sighed, rubbing her temples. "Tis the scouting mission we ordered. It didn't end well."

Celestia's expression softened. "How so?"

Luna frowned, the weight of the situation pressing on her. "One of the scouting members got captured by the metal golems. We are needed to plan a response to attempt a rescue or at least see if the mare is still alive, but we are too tired to do so right now."

"We see... has thou come up with a plan yet?"

"We are afraid not sister for we are too tired to plan at this moment." Luna said as she levitated an apple for herself to eat.

The dining room then became silent as Luna ate her snack until a bright idea lit up Celestia's face. "Perhaps we can fill in for thee so thou can get some rest."

Luna looked skeptical for a moment pausing herself from taking another bite of her snack. "Are thou sure that's a good idea, sister?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. But as she spoke, she accidentally let out a yawn.

Celestia smiled gently. "Yes, Luna. Get some rest. We will handle things from here."

Luna yawned again, feeling the exhaustion more acutely. "Perhaps thou art right. We will finish thy snack and then head to our chambers. Just... do not do anything foolish."

Celestia chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Sister, when have we ever done anything foolish?"

Luna managed a tired smile. "Far too often for us to count."

Celestia grinned, watching her sister eat. "Get some rest, Luna. We will take care of this matter for now."

As Luna went on and left the dining room Celestia hurried to finish her breakfast to go do her duty of raising the sun. After finishing her breakfast she went to her balcony to raise the sun. Once the sun was in place she made her way to the throne room, where the nobles were already gathered in a straight line.

"Good morning, everypony." Celestia began as she entered. "As we would like to answer thy questions for this morning, we regret to inform thee that court will be postponed for one hour due to urgent military matters."

The room soon erupted into murmurs and a few grumbles of dissatisfaction. Celestia did her best to acknowledge their reactions with a composed nod before excusing herself.

She then headed to the war room, where the Captain of the Offensive Guard awaited. He stood as she entered, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion.

"Captain." Celestia greeted. "We require the full report on the scouting mission that our sister had ordered last night."

The captain's brows furrowed. "Your Highness forgive us but, what happened to Princess Luna? She is usually in charge of these matters."

Celestia sighed, her frustration barely contained. "Our sister needed rest. So, she permitted us to handle the situation in her stead. Now please provide us the report."

Iron Shield nodded uneasily, his posture stiff. "Of course, Your Highness. Here is the report." He extended the leather folder with his wing, which Celestia took in her magical grasp immediately. Her eyes scanned the pages, her expression shifting subtly as she read—from initial concern to confusion and finally to a look of deep concentration.

When she looked up, her tone was resolute. “We must act swiftly. Captain, gather one hundred of our best guards from the Solar Guard. They are to proceed to the campsite and arrest these beings.”

Iron Shield blinked, taken aback. “Your Highness, with respect, sending one hundred Solar Guards into Diamond Dog territory risks provoking an outright war. And how can we be certain these guards will succeed? These beings decimated an entire camp and a wyvern with ease. Also, more importantly, why the Solar Guard specifically? They are not suited for enemy territory operations. Would not the Eclipse Guard or the Offensive Guard be better equipped for this mission? And why even risk arresting these creatures? What if they are neutral and we provoke them into hostility?”

Celestia’s smile was tight and polite, but her gaze was sharp as a blade. “Captain, we understand thy concerns, but thou need not fret over every detail. The Solar Guard was chosen because they are readily available and competent, as they have proven time and time again during the attacks by Discord forces. Furthermore, their numbers and discipline make them well-suited for swift deployment.”

Iron Shield frowned, his wings shifting slightly. “We see, Your Highness… though we must admit, we—”

Celestia cut him off with a delicate wave of her hoof, her tone sweet but firm. “And, Captain, let us not forget the urgency of the situation. These beings hold two unicorns hostage, one of whom is Onyx Star, a diplomat under the crown. Their intentions remain unknown, and such a threat cannot be left unchecked.”

Iron Shield’s mouth opened briefly, but he closed it again, his confusion and reservations clear on his face. Still, he nodded, his professionalism overriding his doubts. “Understood, Your Highness. We will carry out thy orders.”

“Excellent.” Celestia said as she kept her warm smiling face. “Inform the Captain of the Solar Guard of the mission at once. For we must act quickly before tis is too late.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Iron Shield replied, his tone carefully neutral. He bowed deeply before turning to leave, his steps deliberate, and his thoughts conflicted as he exited the war room.

Location: Equus, Equestria, Everfree City, Solar Guard military base, Year of the Sisters Ponidara /2/01, Military time: 610

The captain made his way to the bustling military base where Captain Golden Strike of the Solar Guard was stationed. The grounds were alive with activity—guards sparring in designated training areas, officers overseeing drills, and supply carts being loaded for the day’s duties. The clang of copper and the hum of orders created a backdrop of disciplined chaos.

Iron Shield navigated through the base with practiced ease until he arrived at the Solar Guard’s headquarters. Standing before the captain’s office, he knocked firmly on the polished oak door.

“Enter.” came a clear, gruff voice from inside.

Pushing the door open, Iron Shield stepped into the room. Inside there were pieces of furniture containing numerus scrolls of reports, with a portrait of what seemed to be a younger version of the Captain of the Solar Guard in the front with two others in the back. In front of him was Captain Golden Strike who was seated on his desk, a stallion whose presence radiated both authority and pride. His shimmering gold coat caught the light streaming in through the window on his right, and his mane was an eye-catching blend of deep red and bright orange, like the hues of a setting sun which was perfectively groomed.

“Captain Golden Strike.” Iron Shield began without preamble, his tone measured and direct. “Thou hast been given a mission of great importance, directly from Princess Celestia herself.”

Golden Strike looked up, curiosity flashing across his face, though it quickly gave way to skepticism. “A mission from Her Highness? Tis is unusual for the Solar Guard to be tasked with something outside our usual duties. What does the Princess require?”

“Her Highness believes thy unit is best suited for this mission due to thy resilience and effectiveness during the attacks by Discord. The Solar Guard’s centralized deployment also allows for rapid mobilization, which is essential for what lies ahead.”

Golden Strike’s brow furrowed, his skepticism deepening. “We are flattered by the Princess’s trust, but we must ask—why us specifically? Units like the Offensive Guard or Eclipse Guard are better trained for operations of this nature. Why not them?”

Iron Shield paused, then sighed, sliding a folder across the desk toward Golden Strike. “To be truthful, Captain, we do not fully know the reason either. However, it may have something to do with Onyx Star who is a diplomat that works with the Princesses. He was declared missing two weeks ago, yet it was reported that he was seen with the armored beings thou art tasked to confront. Tis is most likely that the Princess would want a Guard she trusts more to achieve this. The full details are in the report.”

Golden Strike’s expression darkened as he took the folder in his hooves and began reading. The room fell silent, save for the soft rustle of parchment as he flipped through the pages. His features hardened as he absorbed the information, the implications weighing heavily on him. After a few moments, he closed the folder with a decisive snap, his eyes meeting Iron Shield’s with a mix of determination.

“How quickly does she expect this mission to be carried out?”

Iron Shield straightened, his voice steady. “Her Highness has requested that it be executed as quickly as suitably possible. Speed is of the essence, but so is preparation.”

Golden Strike nodded firmly. “Understood. Inform the Princess that the Solar Guard will be deploy by midday. We shall not waste a moment.”

Iron Shield gave a curt nod of approval, his expression neutral. “We will relay thy resolve to Her Highness. Ensure thy forces are ready, Captain. This mission carries great weight.”

“Rest assured, Captain Iron Shield.” Golden Strike replied, his voice calm yet resolute. “We will not fail.”

With that, Iron Shield turned and exited the office, the sound of yelling drills and metal clashing decreasing as the door began to close.

Golden Strike remained behind, the faint sound of the door closing pulling his attention back to the task at hoof. Alone now, he let out a quiet, nervous chuckle, running a hoof through his mane. “Well, this is going to be a fun one.” he muttered to himself, glancing down at the folder with a mix of disbelief and anxiety. The weight of the mission pressed heavily on his shoulders as the laugh faded into a sigh.

He stood up, shaking his head and trying to clear his mind. His expression gradually hardened, the determination in his eyes returning with force. “No matter what.” he said aloud, his voice filled with quiet resolve. “This mission will be accomplished.”

With that, he made his way to open the door of his office and began issuing orders to his troops, the wheels of preparation already beginning to turn.

Author's Note

Hoped you guys liked it also here's how Equus's calendar works. 5 days per week, 3 weeks per month, and 27 months per year with Ponidara being the first month.