Before the Sun

~~~

Celestia sat on a log, a roaring bonfire before her as Ponies celebrated Pegasopolis’ surrender. She however was deep in thought.

Luna’s… Problem was one she wasn’t sure how to feel about.

On one hoof, it was good to see her so serious about winning this war that she was guarding her supplies so fervently…

On the other…

Well, it was good that she was showing so much remorse. When she did mess up…

But shouldn't she be a bit more selective when it came to picking somepony to hunt down?

How hard was it really to not attack anypony without a weapon?

A gaggle of soldiers went past, interrupting her thoughts with their revelry.

“Down goes the feather brains down goes the feather brains!” They sang loudly.

Celestia’s ears pressed themselves against her skull at the loud obnoxious noise.

More than a few starving Pegasi looked at them with a mix of shame, envy, and hatred.

That was before a single voice cut through the din.

“And what do you think you’re singing about?!”

Everypony who had been with the Everfree army for longer than a few days froze.

The captured Pegasi - and those who had come with Celestia - could only glance awkwardly around, trying to determine who was speaking.

Celestia was the sole Pony who wasn’t unduly impacted.

The diminutive form of Luna stormed past Celestia and her bon fire, her teeth set into a growling grimace and her brows furrowed.

Like a tidal wave, everypony got out of the way, that was until she got to the targets of her ire

The band of merrymakers were all mares and stallions who had come of age, having the size to back that claim up.

And yet they all trembled before the blue teen.

“I said, what do you think you’re singing about?!” Luna raged.

“B-begging your pardon General… We were just-“ a spokespony decided to respond.

“I thought I made myself clear in Casúrdomhain!” Luna cut through. “I don’t care who or what you are! I don’t even care if one of them slew your best friend! They are under my protection, and they will be treated with the dignity and respect you’d give your own brothers and sisters!”

By now everypony in the immediate vicinity had fallen silent.

Luna sighed, pinching her nose.

“You lot are done for today. Each of you go relieve one of the on-duty guards. You will handle the rest of their shifts."

"But- Ma'a-"

"Captain?" Luna called out, cutting off the delinquents. "Make sure they get to their new assignments."

One of Luna's Captains, whose name Celestia didn't know, stood up from one of the nearby campfires.

"Aye ma'am." She nodded, setting down her own meal and approaching. "Go on. You heard the mare." She addressed the group.

"... Yes Ma'am..." They all reluctantly agreed, abandoning their drinks and food.

Luna sighed to herself as they led themselves away.

The party had come to a dead standstill.

"... Well go on." Luna remarked. "Do I look like I'm upset with any of you?"

And just like that, the party began again... More tame and chaste, but begin it did.

Several of the starving Pegasi wasted no time in scooping up the rations that were abandoned.

Celestia however couldn't help but watch in wonder as Luna calmly sat down and accepted a loaf of bread.

'... It's like she's totally forgotten about her woe...' Celestia remarked. 'Like it never... Happened...'

~~~

"Come on!" Luna shouted at the crowd. "Fight me! All of you!"

Celestia sighed as she watched the debacle, leaning on a crate as she watched the practice ring.

There Luna stood, surrounded by a large crowd who were keeping their distance.

Her latest opponent was pulling himself up, beleaguered and woozily falling over himself as he retreated into the crowd.

"How do you expect to beat one Unicornian soldier if you can't beat me!" Luna raged.

The armed soldiers all cautiously glanced at each other, unwilling to make the first move.

"You seem busy." replied an elder stallion's voice from behind Celestia.

"Hello Master." she greeted blandly, not even bothering to turn around.

The form of Starswirl appeared on her right.

"Hm..." He hummed as he lowered himself to his haunches. "Would your current mood somehow be related to this particular travesty?" he asked, gesturing to the theatre as Luna continued goading her soldiers into attacking her.

"First Pony to hit me gets an extra ration of whiskey!" She raved.

"How do you do it Master?" Celestia asked, still watching Luna as one particularly stupid stallion lunged at her when her back was turned.

Luna casually stepped aside, grabbing the spear and using it to lift and throw aside the stallion.

"An extra ration of whiskey for a week!" Luna promised.

"You'll have to be more specific." Starswirl mused.

"I give up." Celestia groaned. "I have no idea what is going on inside her head." She admitted.

"Ah. I see." Starswirl nodded as Luna ducked under two spears and pulled, making the spear wielders who were emboldened crash into each other.

"All of you have to try!" Luna ranted. "You'll never earn the ration if you come at me one at a time! You have to surprise me!"

"A particular act of wanton violence has you concerned?" Starswirl asked.

"I just don't get it." Celestia mused. "I've never seen her like this... She's always been quiet and shy... Not... Demanding and Aggressive..."

"Hm." Starswirl hummed, choosing his words carefully. "Would you happen to know your namesakes?"

"Master?" Celestia asked, confused. "What does that have to do with Luna?"

"Consider my student... What is wisdom?"

"Wisdom is being knowledgeable and experienced. Why?"

"Have you ever considered, that being aggressive and uncompromising in one's ideals can be wise in certain circumstances?" Starswirl asked.

"Come on!" Luna raged, parrying a sword and side stepping. "I am one filly! One of you has to get it eventually!"

"... I- No I haven't I guess..." Celestia replied, watching Luna as she dismantled the Pony.

"I thought not." the elder Wizard remarked. "It's not something most would consider."

"Master?" Celestia asked, cocking an ear sideways.

"It's an old legend. Coincidentally, I believe the same legend might be your namesakes."

"Is this all you have?!" Luna continued, seemingly unbothered as she dodged, occasionally pushing Ponies away, disabling them with quick jabs, kicks, clashes with the hilt of her sword, and minor stinging spells.

"No... Mom never told us if we even had namesakes."

"Not surprising if I'm being honest... The only record I've seen is in the Royal Library in Unicornia... And there are doubts that it is a factual account."

Celestia fell silent as Luna passed close by.

"Come on!" Luna seethed, advancing towards her target. The crowd thinning more and more, as those who were nursing headaches or bruised limbs pulled themselves back, out of the way of the fighting.

"I uh..." That poor particular stallion stammered, realizing he was going to have to deal with the Pony of his immediate terror by himself.

"The tale is fairly light, but it tells of two wise sages from before the Rule of the Alicorns... Celestia and Luna." Starswirl continued, as Luna stalked away. "Celestia was a patient and kind teacher who led her students by example... Luna, was a noble paladin, who smote those in the wrong with a wild and untamed fury. Together they taught Ponykind how to be kind to each other, but to not allow those who would wish us harm to have their way."

"... You think Luna and I are taking after these namesakes then?" Celestia asked.

"Perhaps-"

At that moment, the crates the two were leaning on thumped as something crashed into the front.

The Master and student peered over the lip, to see a Pony - a mare- drunkenly sit up.

"Crazy bitch..." The latest victim of Luna's rampage cursed as she forced herself up, limping back away from the fight. "It's not worth it... Sun above knows when she kills one of us..." she murmured quietly to herself.

"... Perhaps." Starswirl continued. "However speaking as an old stallion... Wisdom is not something so easily attained. You two show great promise... But both of you are still young and have plenty of room to grow still."

"I just don't understand how this-!" Celestia gestured at Luna as she stomped after a Pony.

"Come on you coward!" said navy filly raged. "A whole month's worth of whiskey rations! A whole Moon's worth to the Pony who hits me!"

"-Can be wise!" Celestia finished.

"Ah." Starswirl nodded in understanding. "You will note my student, your sister is trying to bribe her opponents into hitting her. By doing so, she's forcing them to learn how to fight against a Pony as talented or skilled as she is."

"A whole festival! For anypony! For everypony! Any Pony at all!" Luna continued, advancing on passerby and urging attacks from onlookers.

"Although I admit she's being a little... Excessive." Starswirl allowed.

"It's barbaric." Celestia half growled.

The onlookers backed away, not fully armed or dressed to meet the advancing mare.

"Perhaps." The Wizard allowed. "But please understand my student... Your sensibilities are more in line with peace and prosperity... Your sister however understands that in times of crisis it is ruthlessness and strength that will ensure that peace will return..."

"Come on!" Luna started to complain. "I'm a filly of fourteen! How is it that none of you can touch me?! You are all stronger than me! You should win against me!" She raged.

"Even if it means bullying her fellow students into learning properly." Starswirl softly chuckled.

~~~

Celestia and Luna sat together in Luna's tent, enjoying a private meal in the hustle and bustle of setting up camp for the night.

Celestia watched as Luna ate her soup, pouring over the reports of the day.

'She's obsessed...' she noted as Luna barely looked at her bowl, idly scooping with her spoon as she mechanically ate. 'So what is her plan? It can't be too hard to figure out...' Celestia thought to herself.

'Okay... She wants to bring down Unicornia because it's what I told her to do. She will obviously march to Unicornia.' Celestia began to reason out. 'But she will not waste a second, nor will she waste any resource she has. Any spare hoof or unoccupied horn was an appendage to hold a quill, or read a report, or to slowly eat and hold food as she look over countless documents...'

Celestia found herself neglecting her own soup as she thought deeply.

She quickly scooped a bite and tried to multitask like Luna.

'So to defeat Unicornia, she wants to be as prepared as she can be. The more advantages she can gather, the more chances of success she will have. That means things like training both herself and her troops... Endlessly counting and recounting her supplies... Reading the general reports attentively... Occasionally requesting more information from a nearby Pony, usually to ask for another Pony... She pays endless attention to her reports...' Celestia thought, listing the evidence she knew about Luna's plans.

Luna set her empty bowl and reports aside, calmly getting up and grabbing her water skin.

"Of course he would..." The blue filly remarked softly to herself before taking a long drink. When she was finished, she picked up her bowl again and made for the tent flap, gently placing the bowl on the ground outside for a 'cleaning' officer to find and return to the mess.

Celestia rolled her eyes.

She refused to believe Luna willingly called something so necessary: 'the mess'.

Luna shook herself before laying down on her bed roll.

"Goodnight Tia." She said clearly.

"You aren't going to keep reading your reports?" Celestia asked in astonishment.

"No." Luna replied with a yawn. "Everything is working as expected."

"Oh..." Celestia stated, unsure what to make of that. "Well um that's good." She encouraged.

"Not quite. There's a Diamond Dog camp to the Northwest of here. I'm having Pegasi investigate from a safe distance. To see if they have any captured Ponies." She explained.

"Oh... I wasn't aware Diamond Dogs were in the area..." Celestia remarked. "They weren't here when we came through last year."

"They must've moved in during the winter, probably chasing and hoping to corner more than a few of us." Luna agreed, rolling over and closing her eyes. "Anyway, that can all wait for morning..."

"Oh... Right. Goodnight Lu."

"Goodnight Tia."

~~~

"Is that all you've got?!" Luna raged, the next day. "I've taken punches form other fillies that were harder!"

The poor stallion - whom Luna said 'had promise' - staggered back unexpecting the swift parry of his spear. Luckily he managed to keep hold of it as he backed away.

"Come on keep your spear pointed at me." Luna instructed. "Never let your foe control your weapon. The moment you lose that you are defeated."

She lunged with her sword.

The stallion managed to block it and step out of the way, dodging Luna's preempted punch.

Unfortunately she was expecting that and hip checked him into a stumble.

"Don't be predictable." Luna continued. "Predictability is a death sentence. Be random with your dodges. And don't repeat your movements. Keep your opponent on edge and second guessing their own judgement."

Celestia watched all of this happen, observing Luna's fighting style to learn how she did what she did.

"The more they're uncertain of your intentions, the less certain they'll be to move themselves and may hesitate." Luna continued, waiting for the stallion to recover himself. "And remember... Everything is a weapon." She finished, lowering herself back into a fighting stance.

The stallion looked like he wanted nothing more but to go to his tent and sleep for a long while, but he sighed and lowered himself into a loose fighting stance.

'That poor. Poor. Poor stallion.' Celestia remarked to herself, watching with interest how Luna seemed to dismantle him.

Luna wasn't just telling him pointers, she was practically giving him her own secret weapon.

Anything could be a weapon in Luna's hooves.

Hooves. Flank. Tail. A hoof full of dirt or sand. Her cloak.

She had even once found a discarded corn cob in the mud and lobbed it at another mare as a distraction.

The Ponies Luna fought were learning this, slowly. But still they remained unable to match Luna’s tenacity.

It was in watching Luna that Celestia began to really and truly see through Luna’s eyes.

She was hard on her fellow students yes, but it was because she saw the potential they could reach.

However Luna was still being too hard in Celestia’s opinion. There was pushing others to be greater yes, but Luna’s method of teaching was too much. A very ‘sink or swim’ approach.

Celestia could only watch in apparent disinterest - leaning on her elbow - as she studied Luna.

~~~

“Excuse me?” Celestia politely asked a stallion that evening, gently putting a hoof on his withers to draw his attention.

“Hm? Oh yes how can I help you?” He replied.

“Would you happen to know if there’s a Solarist priest in the camp?” Celestia asked.

Celestia did not consider herself to be a true ‘practitioner’ of the faith, yet she found some solace in it’s ideals. Namely their reverence to the Sun, which she had always admired and felt a connection with.

Her stint in the Cathedral when she was a filly had left a remarkable impression on the now 19 year old mare.

While it was strange to ask for any Solarist priest, considering that Luna’s white crescent Moon banner flew everywhere… Luna herself did nothing to dissuade any sermon. Although Celestia never failed to notice how Luna’s eyes narrowed whenever they happened to be nearby or brought up in conversation.

“Oh! I think I saw one thata way.” The stallion replied, pointing in a direction.

“Thank you!” Celestia replied in kind, leaving the stallion to his business as she cantered away.

Once more the army was camping in the wilderness, and the endless tasks such as collecting firewood for everypony was making very conspicuous clearings where ever they stayed. The hustle and bustle of the living camp felt familiar, yet foreign with the density of Ponies living together.

It did not take long for Celestia to find a sort of... Communal space where several logs had been arranged around a makeshift altar, one that had a golden effigy of a Sun placed upon it.

Currently a mass was underway.

There were mainly Unicorns in attendance, but there were a few Earth Ponies and Pegasi who were present.

If they were curious or actually finding some solace in the Deacon's words, Celestia couldn't tell.

The Deacon himself was a tall but thin Unicorn in a simple brown gown.

"Give not into the darkness of despair!" He preached. "For it is only in the good of Ponies do we find salvation!"

Celestia sat on her haunches in the very back, listening in.

"So sayeth- uh..." The Deacon stumbled. "So... Sayeth the good book!" He finished.

Several of the Ponies chuckled.

"That's- Uh... Something I think we all can agree on as least..." He finished lamely. "Glory be to the- Um..."

A few more polite chuckles.

"Well... Glory be to Hope..." The Deacon finished lamely. "Go! Uh... Go- and be good to your fellow Ponies... Have a good afternoon... And if you need an ear to listen, I'm always willing to lend one."

With that, the congregation adjourned. Standing up and dispersing. Most went off to go do their chores, while a few went to have a word with the Deacon.

Celestia wiggled her way up to the little altar, where the Deacon greeted each Pony.

A few exchanged small talk, while others asked for a quick word of advice.

The thin but kind looking stallion said hello and gave what advice he could to who ever needed it.

It wasn't until the crowd had left did Celestia approach.

"Hello Deacon." She greeted. "I've uh... I've been having some issues with my faith and need some advice..."

"And hello to you my good mare..." He smiled. "May I ask if it involved being with Earth Ponies and Pegasi?"

"Not... Necessarily" Celestia admitted. "But it does involve that..."

"I see..." The Deacon nodded.

"Might I invite you onto a walk then?" He offered. "Or would you rather sit down?"

"I think I'd prefer sitting down..." Celestia replied.

"There's no shame in that..." The Deacon turned and sitting on one of the front row seats. "Many Ponies have been experiencing the same thing."

Celestia nodded, sitting down next to him.

"Uh... Forgive me Father for I have-"

"There's no need for that." The Deacon waved away. "But it does tell me what your faith is... What ails you fellow Child of Light?"

"It's... Hard to explain... So I have a sister who I love dearly... But she's... She's getting a bit too involved with this whole... Being a soldier thing... and I fear she'll be- Changed from this war... But it makes me... Question why the Light would allow her to be tormented so?"

"Ah..." The Deacon nodded in understanding... But choosing his own words carefully. "Tell me uh... Would you happen to be part of the reinforcement group?" He asked.

"... Yes I would... Why?" Celestia asked.

"And your sister... Would she have been part of the original army?"

"She- Yes she would." Celestia said slowly.

"I see..." The Deacon sighed, before turning and looking directly at Celestia. "Tell me how your sister has changed..."

"I don't know she's... Less happy, but more excited than she used to be as a filly? I'm worried I'll lose her to this war!"

"Oh... Oh I see..." He replied again, nodding slowly.

"My problem is... I... I can't see how..."

Celestia found herself unable to say the words, but she pushed on through.

"How this isn't an improvement!" Celestia admitted.

"... You've lost me." The Deacon admitted.

"My... Sister was always such a... Sad and lonely filly... All the foals around her age picked on her relentlessly, and she didn't really have any friends... But now she's become some sort born warrior who's brave and strong and... It just isn't who I knew before..."

The Deacons started to nod sadly.

"I see..." He admitted. "Well um... War changes Ponies. And Sometimes... Sometimes those who are weak and fragile as foals become some of our mightiest heroes? It isn't about who we're born as... It's about who we choose to be when the stakes are at their highest." He explained.

"But she's... So angry all the time..." Celestia rebutted.

"Being such a Pony isn't about having flaws, no pony's perfect... It's about having those faults, putting them aside and go out to fight anyway... Anger could come from a need for righteousness... Take our General Luna for example..." The Deacon explained.

Celestia fought to keep the surprise of that sentence from her face.

'He... He... He doesn't know who I am!' she realized.

She must've been successful because the Deacon continued heedless.

"Only a filly and she's already kept all of us fed for more and longer than the Crown ever did... I truthfully have no idea how she's capable... But sunlight take me if she isn't doing it on pur-"

At that moment, the camp suddenly seemed to deaden...

Except for that of the voice of a filly... Yelling at someone for wasting rations.

"..." Celestia and the Deacon both turned to look.

While a crowd was in the way between she and Luna, Celestia could make out Luna's features between legs.

"For stealing an extra portion of rations, you will get no rations tomorrow to pay for the one you bartered away..."

The stallion she was shouting at looked like he was afraid Luna was going to bite him.

"Y- Yes General!" He shakily saluted.

From there the camp remained frozen, as Luna sufficiently satisfied herself in her example making. Before she left however, the congregation caught her attention out of the corner of her eye.

The blue filly didn't scowl or frown... But Celestia knew her well enough to see that she wanted to spit at the makeshift altar.

After that the crowd quickly vanished, leaving the path almost completely deserted; with the exception of those who were staying in the nearby tents.

"...It's a shame..." He remarked. "Once... Just once I wish she'd attend one of my sermons... Just so I knew she'd see the glory of our light..."

"Sh- She doesn't?" Celestia asked.

Truthfully, Celestia already knew that about Luna... Was 'time wasted' in her own words.

"No... I'm afraid Darkness has already settled on the heart of that one... Doomed to live the life of a heretic... A shame, she could become a saint some day if only she'd embrace the Light..."

Celestia didn't reply... Instead chewing on her lip in thought.

"... Are you alright?" The Deacon asked, looking over back to Celestia. "You look like you've-"

"I think I know what to do Deacon..." Celestia cut him off and getting to her hooves.. "You've given me a lot to think about."

~~~

“Alright… You all know why you’re here.” Luna stated, speaking to her Captains around the crate she had taken to using as a meeting table.

“Diamond Dogs wasn’t it?” One of her Captains asked, raising a hoof to draw Luna’s attention.

“Correct.” Luna nodded, smoothing out a roughly drawn map on birch bark and with charcoal smears.

Celestia sat in the corner of the tent, observing Luna and the proceedings.

“So we are going to hit them?” Another Captain asked.

“Scout Pegasi have confirmed the presence of captured Ponies.” Luna confirmed, setting two pebbles down on the map. “They’re to the West of us, and with the ridge between us they might not know we’re here yet… I want one battalion to go downwind of them, and launch a surprise attack under the cover of night.”

There were grumbles, but they had all worked with Luna long enough to know her offensive preferences.

“Who’s going?” Short List asked.

“A good question.” Luna allowed. “Appleflower, you and your neophytes are barred… Otherwise are there any volunteers?”

“What?!” The huge mare bellowed. “How come we ain’t goin’?!”

“Because Appleflower-“ Luna explained. “I don’t want one of the inexperienced Ponies running headlong into a tree and breaking their neck. We don’t have time to train anypony else, and you’re all needed to breach Unicornia’s wall.”

“… Fair ‘nuff Ah suppose…” Appleflower relented, sitting back in her seat.

“I’ll volunteer General.” Captain Bright Shine offered.

“Excellent.” Luna nodded. “You’ll take some Pegasi chariots and deploy. If the scout report holds true, then you’ll be Southwest of the camp. Keep that in mind if you need to retreat. You’ll have two objectives. Secure the Ponies, and slay any Dog you find. I don’t want any vengeful slaver haunting us from behind when we reach Unicornia... Any questions?"

None seemed to think of anything.

"Good, extra watch on the West side of the camp... If Bright Shine needs help I want to know about it as soon as I can... Otherwise? Bright Shine? Good luck... Dismissed."

With that, the war room adjourned.

~~~

Celestia paced between several unloaded carts, using the privacy to think.

'Diamond Dogs...' She thought to herself.

While she had never seen one before... It was common knowledge you were generally safe when in a group... It was when you were alone or lost you had trouble.

But... Something was eating at her regarding them.

She wasn't ready for war... She knew that.

Every Pony who had been in the original Army had a 'haunted' look to them.

The Battles had been brutal... Storming Casúrdomhain in a single day, and then weeks under Pegasopolis...

Remembering all the bodies from Casúrdomhain... It wasn't odd to be unsettled at the very least...

But the Pony who had been at the forefront for all of it was also the one affected by it the least.

Luna.

Celestia knew she cared... Luna wouldn't... Couldn't fake such heavy sobs... And yet the haunting in her eyes was only slight...

'I know if I were to... To try and join Luna for the attack on Unicornia... I won't be ready... I'll crumble before I'm needed...' She thought to herself.

Hence her current consternation.

'But this Diamond Dog camp will probably be the last chance to at least get used to battle before Luna breaks into Unicornia like Casúrdomhain and Pegasopolis... There was no reason to believe she wasn't going to break it open like a clam...'

Around and around Celestia paced.

'So should I volunteer for fighting the Diamond Dogs? It will be valuable experience before the real thing...'

Still she paced.

'But Luna would never allow it... If Luna wanted me to go than she would've told me...'

'But Luna is fallible... She's not perfect...' she continued. 'She can't think of everything...'

'...' She considered.

'... Fuck it. I don't need Luna's permission. If she can handle a fight so can I...' She decided.

~~~

It was just before dark

The sun was setting, and the sky was dark orange and purple... The camp already illuminated by campfires as darkness truly started to settle over the land.

Celestia had spent the afternoon and evening scrounging up a 'full soldier's kit, donning the heavier armor and strapping a sword to her belt as she held her spear with both hooves as she waited.

She was sitting amongst a group of second wave replacements, also ready to join the attack that night.

The other recruits had taken off their helmets as they waited for the order to fall in, but Celestia didn't dare remove hers.

These Ponies would likely recognize her if she did.

So Celestia waited, only nodding or shaking her head when spoken to... Pretending to be nervous.

Although it wasn't entirely a lie...

It was when the final ray of Sunlight vanished when Captain Bright Shine urged them to rise.

"Come on! Up and attem! Quietly now! We don't want to alert the Dogs!" She called out as she passed Celestia's group, not quite fully yelling but able to risk a bit of noise because they were still in camp.

Around the white Unicorn, other Ponies got to their hooves.

Glancing around, Celestia followed what the more experienced Ponies were doing.

Most of them were donning their helmets or speaking softly amongst each other, finishing conversations that had been started while they had been waiting. However they quickly began to shuffle out, walking into the forest beyond the light.

As Celestia was swept along, she instinctually froze just inside the circle of light.

'I've... I've never been outside the light while in the wilderness before...' She realized, suddenly regretting ever putting on her armor.

One of the veterans noticed and patted her withers.

"You'll be fine." The unfamiliar mare encouraged. "We're in a big group, we aren't gonna get attacked by any monster... Just keep in sight of your fellow Ponies and you'll get home."

Celestia weakly nodded, allowing herself to be shepherded into the night.

The Ponies surrounded Celestia grew quiet as they became enveloped in the darkness, surprisingly so to Celestia.

Occasionally, a quiet clang of metal on metal plates would ring out, much to the utterly palpable irritation of everypony around the guilty Pony.

Celestia was happy to admit she was only that Pony twice.

Being silent was harder than it looked...

'How does Luna do this all the time?!' she inwardly complained.

On and on the column crept through the woods, with only faint starlight to navigate by...

Finally somepony authoritative quietly whispered to all to hear.

"Here... We're on the ridge... Creep up and get lines of sight..."

Celestia stopped, before swallowing and doing as the voice had said.

Soon enough, the warm glow of camp fires shone through the night.

Now that she could see light, she was astonished how much she could see in the dark.

The forest surrounding the distant camp was practically lit with candlelight the fires were so strong.

It was... Strange to Celestia.

She had always thought the darkness sat just outside camp... Waiting for somepony foolish enough to wander past the short perimeter to meet their doom.

But Celestia had never considered how much something in the darkness actually could see...

It was... Ironically illuminating.

The shapes of Ponies huddled on either side, a few daring to get even closer on their bellies to not be seen.

Whispers were exchanged between Lieutenants and messengers, exchanging relevant information.

"On the birdcall, start walking towards the camp... No shouting." The nearest Lieutenant informed.

Celestia found herself nodding, but immediately felt foolish because nopony was likely to see it, but she remained quiet instead of answering otherwise.

Bored, and feeling a bit daring, Celestia got onto her belly and joined those out in front.

The minutes stretched on, seemingly turning into hours as they waited patiently.

"Tw-ee!"

Celestia's eyes widened in the darkness.

That was a bird call!

As quietly as she could, she stood, taking a few steps forward.

She was not alone.

Other shapes joined her, rising like undead creations as the long walk towards the distant light began.

The thing that scared Celestia the most was how quiet the initial approach was... Now that even the unexperienced Ponies even had practice, not a soul dared to be the one who gave everypony away.

As she drew nearer, the campsite grew larger in Celestia's vision.

It was smaller than the Everfree Army's camp, and much more shoddy... To offset this though, hulking biped shapes stalked between the campfires. The faces of canines gleamed in he firelight, singing merrily and gorging themselves on their meals.

Celestia wasn't the first Pony into the village, but she saw the first watchdog get his throat slashed with a horizontal strike from Captain Bright Shine.

With so many Ponies walking into the camp, it wasn't long before the dogs became aware they were under attack.

"Dogs! We're unda attack! Git yer mangy hides up! We've gotta- URK!" A rough and tumble voice called out.

Another Pony put her spear through the tall Dog that Celestia assumed had blown their cover.

And then the fight began in earnest.

The beastly Dogs - few but large and tall in the firelight - picked up their weapons as Ponies began to swarm them like wasps.

Celestia then realized at some point, she had been left behind by her fellow Ponies, meaning she was out in the open as a brutal melee between Dog and Pony erupted around her.

One of the Dogs had managed to get it's jaws around the neck of a mare, and was shaking her back and forth savagely... Her body little more than a bloody rag-doll after a few shakes...

Celestia turned away, bile rising in her throat at the scene...

A voice that sounded like another Pony cried out over the sounds of combat.

"Somepony! Secure the captives!"

'Captives... Right captives...' Celestia reminded herself as she started to move.

'Just do what Luna would do... If she can do it so can you... Just do what she'd do..."

A Diamond Dog lunged for her, a crude stone hatchet raised high.

"Eek!" Celestia exclaimed, levitating her spear in front of her reflexively.

As the strike struck her spear, the impact felt like it rattled through to her horn, and then into every bone she had...

"Dum Pony!" The Dog growled, it's gleaming teeth dripping with drool as it lowered it's head to face Celestia. "Night is Dog territory! Ponies too weak ta fight hwen da Moon iz hoigh!

Indeed, by then a pink crescent Moon hung ominously above the camp.

Bathing the land with it's bloody sacrament.

'What would Luna do-?'

Celestia put her hooves on her spears shaft as she started to gather focus for her magic.

"Da toime of Ponies iz endin'!" The Dog growled, it's teeth frighteningly close to her throat. "Da toime of da Dogs iz he-"

Celestia's horn flashed.

"Arf!" The Dog squealed, taking several back steps as it started wiping at its eyes. "Bloody Pony! Yull pay fer dat!"

What would Luna do?

Celestia didn't waste any time, she swung her spear like a bat to knock away the hatchet before flipping the spear around and impaling the Dog in its chest.

Emulating the movement that Luna made look so natural when pulling her weapons out of a straw dummy, Celestia yanked her spear from the dead canine's chest.

'Right...' She thought to herself somewhat deliriously. 'What now?'

What would Luna do?

'Luna would... The captives!' Celestia turned, looking through all the chaos and bloodshed, hoping to see anything resembling a-

'A cage!'

Making sure a Dog wasn't about to lung at her again, Celestia started pushing her way towards the cages of wrought iron.

A Pegasus zipped by overhead, his crossbow spitting a bolt that took out a Dogs eye.

"Arf!" The Dog squealed in pain, clutching around where the bolt stuck out of its head.

Celestia ducked reflexively as the Pegasus moved on, already pulling back the string for another bolt.

What would Luna do?

The young Unicorn stabbed at a Dog that was wrestling with an Earth Pony, sticking her spear into its ribs.

"Yowl!" The Dog howled before the Earth Ponies strength got the better of it and pulled it to the ground, before furiously jumping up and down on top of the canine's head.

What would Luna do?

Celestia retrieved her spear, further advancing towards the cages.

Thankfully, by the the fight was beginning to move as the Ponies started pushing the Dogs away, However a few Dogs were fighting one on one with Ponies across the camp, pushing towards the captives.

Celestia broke into a run as the way opened up for her.

The cage was full of Ponies... All of whom who had gaunt sunken cheeks and showing ribs.

The watched Celestia with a mournful hoping expression.

What would Luna do?

Her horn lit up again, this time blasting the crude lock with a quick mana-ray.

The lock shattered quickly and easily, allowing the gate to swing partially open.

The Ponies inside looked amazed as Celestia held the door open.

"Come on!" She waved. "Get to safety!"

The Ponies inside the cage didn't hesitate... Getting to their hooves and running in the opposite direction of the Dogs, where even more Ponies were still showing up out of the darkness.

The other two cages - there were three in total Celestia suddenly realized - looked at Celestia with pleading expressions, having watched her blast open the lock of the first cage.

Two more mana-rays made quick work of them.

The Ponies were clambering towards the doors so much they practically pushed the doors open as the locks shattered.

Both groups of Ponies started running, following their fellows as the fighting raged.

"Stoopid Pony!" A Dog wearing an elaborate collection of metal plates roared, swinging what looked to be a rusted, old Earthbreaker great sword. "Oi'll make ya pay fer dat!" The Chief roared.

Before the giant sword could even start descending on Celestia, a missile of an Earth Pony tackled the huge canine, knocking it off its feet as she started to pummel the Dog with armored and spiked hooves.

It didn't take long for several Pegasi to join in with their javelins, landing and stabbing through whatever chink in its armor with vengeful grimaces.

"G' off me!" The Dog roared as it tried to defend itself.

Before it could do anything more, more Ponies joined the fray.

Celestia could only watch in horror as the Ponies suddenly dispersed, leaving a thoroughly ruined corpse behind that looked distressingly like a smashed cherry pie.

And just like that... The battle was over.

Across the camp, Two Unicorns held a Dog down before slitting it's throat with a sword.

"Victory!" A Pony exclaimed, to which responded a resounding cheer from the rest.

A Pony passed by Celestia, putting her on the withers.

"Good work with the Captives." Captain Bright Shine congratulated before walking away.

Celestia could only stare dumbly as Ponies started to erect a banner...

The banner depicting a white crescent Moon on a field of navy.

Luna's Banner.

"Somepony go look through their supplies! Take anything we can use! And somepony strip and gather these Dogs! Take what metal they have, we can hand it to the metal smiths!" the voice of Bright Shine called out.

'It's... It's over...' Celestia realized as Ponies began to carry out the orders.

Celestia couldn't help but look up at the banner that flew over the smoke filled camp of the Diamond Dogs, illuminated by the light of the crimson Moon in the sky...

As as she looked up, something clicked- causing Celestia to realize something vital about her sister.

The Solarists that were in her own army were correct.

Luna WAS a heretic.

What they failed to notice however, she was a heretic in both directions.

By the light of the Sun, she was an irreverent iconoclast.

But to the creatures of Darkness… She was so much worse.

‘Not only do I spit on everything you believe, but I also challenge your right to rule the Night. I even lay claim to the ultimate symbol of your dominion!’

The most frightening part of this realization to Celestia, was the fact she knew Luna didn’t have a death wish.

She seriously thought she could challenge - Celestia couldn’t even think his name, not at night - and win.

Additionally, the fact she wasn’t already dead spoke volumes about her sincerity.

The Solarists could squabble amongst themselves all they wished over Luna’s apostasy or lack thereof…

But her supposed heresy went far deeper than anypony dared to guess.

Celestia could only stand and think about what she had learned that night as canine bodies were piled up and burned.

~~~

A wide shield that was covering a city, cracking open like a split split rock under a hammer blow.

A glowing golden book.

A Pony with a pink mane wearing a golden crown, and a Pony with a blue mane wearing a silver crown, peacefully coexisting.

A bloody sword that had an Emerald in the pommel.

The silhouette of a winged Pony before a bright silver white orb.

Teal eyes burning in the Darkness...

Hoofsteps in the sand... A path not yet tread... And such a burning sensation that Celestia-

~~~

-woke up.

"Gah!" She gasped, sitting up in her cot, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Nightmare?" Luna asked calmly from across the tent.

It was the next morning... The night before she had wandered back into camp in a daze... But some part of her must've still been conscious, for she was able to 'return' the armor and weapons she had amongst the equipment of the fallen.

The revelation last night made Luna a Pony she didn't want to cross. So she had done her best to hide that she had been out at all last night.

"... Yeah..." Celestia replied after a moment. "... Yeah a nightmare..."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Luna asked, concern in her voice. "I can postpone the action report... We'll have all day to-"

"No I'd- I'd rather not talk about it." Celestia shook her head.

"Alright, but I'm here if you need me." Luna promised, pushing herself out of her own cot as she began the daily ritual of packing the tent in the morning.

Celestia was barely able to finish tearing down her own cot when Luna was finishing up putting the tent itself away... Including all of her 'General equipment'.

That was when Captain Bright Shine appeared, saluting Luna.

"Good morning General." She reported smartly. "I've come to give my after-action report."

"Very good Captain." Luna replied with a nod.

"Total success, the tribe of Dogs has been wiped out, and the Ponies have been freed. 189 injuries sustained, 12 of which are life threatening and 23 dead."

Luna's brow winced, but otherwise her face was stony.

"How many rescues?"

"29." Bright Shine replied.

"Damn..." Luna cursed. "It's unfortunate we didn't get a better trade, but it's better than leaving them prisoner... If you can, give them easy menial jobs around the camp with full pay, if they want to leave that's fine, but I want Pegasi trailing them for at least two days to make sure they don't run to Unicornia."

"If they do?" Bright Shine asked.

"Capture them if you can, but if push comes to shove don't be afraid of putting them down." Luna replied.

"Of course Ma'am... Is there anything else?"

"No thank you Bright Shine... Go pack up and get yourselves a spot to sleep on the carts... Your section has earned it."

"Thank you General." Bright Shine put a hoof to her chest before splitting off and walking away.

When she was gone, Luna sighed.

"Damn... I was hoping we'd get better numbers..." She admitted. "23 dead and nearly 200 injured for 29 who won't get enough time to train as replacements?"

She shook her head.

"I don't like it... But it's better this way... At least we didn't leave those Ponies in the claws of those Diamond Dogs..."

"... Yeah..." Celestia nodded, somewhat lost in her own thoughts.

A wolfish face filled with gleaming teeth swam in her vision.

"... Are you okay Tia?" Luna asked.

"I'm fine Lu... Just didn't sleep well last night..."

Celestia had been certain Luna wasn't in their tent most of last night... Not until everything was sorted out at least.

Celestia had made sure to note where Luna stayed up to watch with the watchponies... in case Bright Shine needed help after all.

So Celestia was in bed before Luna herself turned in for the night.

Although Luna looked far more wide eyed and bushy tailed than Celestia.

"... Go join Bright Shine's section and get some rest, you look beat." Luna recommended.

"... Yeah that sounds nice..." Celestia agreed.

~~~

Several days had passed since the raid on the Diamond Dogs, and Celestia had - for a lack of a better term - pulled herself together.

By day the army traveled, and by night they trained and did everything they could to prepare for the final siege.

It was one beautiful late Summer day when Celestia suddenly perked.

"Stop the cart." She stated suddenly, breaking the monotony.

She and Luna had happened to be in the same open cart that day, along with several other Ponies as they were being pulled along.

"Tia? What is it? What's wr-" Luna began to ask, but stopping suddenly... Frozen in place.

Curious, and confused, the other Ponies watched as Celestia jumped out of the cart, her nose in the air like a bloodhound.

Memories of a life long gone swam in her vision.

"Is that-" Luna started to ask.

"Yes." Celestia nodded, stepping off the trail and into the woods.

"W-Wait! We- Ugh!" Luna groaned behind her. "Stay here." she continued, presumably to the Ponies pulling the cart.

"As you wish General..." One of the stallions muttered.

Any further discussion was lost to Celestia as she became immersed in the woods.

Stones that had been used countless times as stepping stones through the brush rose to met Celestia's hooves as she lost herself in the memory filled forest.

"Y'know Tia, if I didn't know better... I'd say we could be sisters."

"I don't see it."

"Oh? Why not? I like burning things, you like burning things... It's a match made in Heaven."

"Except I wouldn't want to be the daughter of a Linepony... Not when I know my Mom used to be a merc."

"No way! Your mom's a merc?!"

"It's true! I remember my parents taking me to Unicornia when I was very little! Mom taught me all about the city!"

"Wow... That's way better than being a former Firestarter..."

Celestia shook her head, chasing the memory away.

Firelight was currently living a comfortable life in Everfree City... Being well paid to keep the hearth's lit.

So onward Celestia effortlessly dashed her way through the forest...

That was... Until she came to a clearing... Where the old remains of a familiar sight loomed out of the wilderness.

The ruins of Queensford...

Like a pilgrim, Celestia respectfully trod forward as if she were intruding on a tomb...

The huts had fallen into serious disrepair, with only half still standing; The rest however were partially overgrown.

Past and present merging before her eyes, Celestia watched countless memories replay themselves as she wandered through the village.

The sound of a Pony spitting briefly broke her out of her fugue, but a quick glance backwards revealed Luna had been following her... But she spat at the collapsed hut that had once belonged to Hoarfrost.

"Good riddance." Luna snarled to herself, storming away from the ruin.

'... I can't really blame her for that...' Celestia admitted to herself quietly. 'Goodness knows she has enough reason to...'

The next thing Celestia came to was a pile of stones she didn't remember being there...

But the crude effigy of a Sun sticking out of it at one end gave her a good idea what it was.

'I bet Mrs. Amethyst is buried there...' Celestia inwardly thought. 'It's in front of her house... And I bet Sapphire and maybe Emerald gave her a proper burial if they had gone back to Unicornia to join the Royal Guard...'

There however was only one place she wished to see.

Celestia only came to a stop when she reached it.

The collapsed hut where her family had last been complete.

'Twice ironically...' Celestia inwardly sighed.

The place where she had last seen her father... And the place where she, mom, and Luna had lived peaceful lives.

Home.

As Celestia stood there, she couldn't help but think back on what she remembered of her Mother.

'... My memories a bit fuzzy... And I can't remember everything... But some of those conversations make a great deal more sense knowing Mom was once the crown Princess...' She thought. 'But... I know she was a capable mage... And I know she had a spellbook... But whatever happened to it? She didn't have it when she- When the Hydra attacked...'

Luna came up besides the white Unicorn.

They stood in silence for several minutes before Celestia broke it.

"Mom had to have stashed away some of her things from the Palace." She thought out loud. "Like a spellbook or some of her Warmage robes."

'Lu will like being pragmatic... Surely she would see the benefit of having access to a Warmage's spellbook...'

"If she did-" Luna replied. "-I doubt it would've been inside the hut. One of us would've come across it at least once." She reasoned.

'... That's a really good point... The hut was far too small for the three of us to hide anything...' Celestia inwardly winced.

"Where else could she have put them?" Celestia presented Luna. "You don't just get rid of such things when you're one of the few who can use them."

"I don't know what to tell you Tia." Luna shook her head. "If you want to try and find anything I won't stop you... But we both spent so much time in there I doubt there's anything we could've missed. Especially since we were two curious fillies who got into everything."

And with that, Luna turned and walked away.

Celestia quietly watched her go... Leaving the village ruins behind without a second glance.

She didn't blame the blue filly for regarding the village with a level of disgust... She had far fewer happy memories inside this village than Celestia had...

'But you're always three steps ahead aren't you Lu?' She thought with some bitterness.

'No... No that's not fair.' Celestia inwardly sighed. 'More often than not Lu is right... It's just hard to not feel like I'm constantly falling behind is all...'

And with that... Celestia turned and walked away from the village.

~~~

A burning burden... Heavier than all the world... Worth more than a thousand crowns...

A Queen whose Light will herald the dawn of a new age...

A familiar song...

~~~

The next morning found Celestia attending another of the Deacon's masses.

"The Night is full of terrors!" The Deacon preached. "The wilds full of monsters whose hearts are full of hate! Only the spread of despair and misery amongst devout followers of the Light truly gives them happiness!"

Celestia could only wait patiently for the mass to end.

Eventually, after cajoling the virtues of Ponykind and the vileness of the Night, the Deacon finally stepped down from his podium.

Celestia wasted no time in joining the que to speak with him.

"... Ah, good to see you again Miss." He smiled as he saw her. "Are you still having trouble?"

"Yes... No... I don't know." Celestia admitted. "I know what choices I have, and what I want to do... But I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do."

"Hm." The Deacon nodded. "I see... Then how can I help?"

"Oh how do I put this?" Celestia asked out loud.

'Oh how do I put this?' She inwardly asked. 'I can't tell him what my heart yearns to do... That would be heresy by any measure... But I can insinuate a more measured approach...'

"When I was a small filly... My mother actually brought me to the Great Cathedral." Celestia began to explain. "While there I- I happened to catch a glance of the First Book."

'... Bit more than a glance but I'm not lying.' Celestia reasoned.

"I've only seen it once myself." The Deacon admitted. "You are extremely fortunate to have seen it as a filly."

"Yes." Celestia agreed. "But my current dilemma is this... Seeing it as a filly was an illuminating moment in my life... And- And I'm afraid the Church would rather destroy it than to let us get our hooves on it."

"Ah..." The Deacon nodded. "You're afraid of losing such a precious relic?"

"Yes." Celestia nodded.

"I see... I will admit, you have valid concerns... The Priests of Unicornia are a jealous bunch... It's why I moved away from the city to spread the word of the Light as a humble Deacon."

"So how can I save it?" Celestia asked.

"Well..." The Deacon considered. "For starters, they won't destroy it until the last possible moment... Even if they're willing to, they wouldn't want to. That book is as important to them as it is to us."

"But what if they do try? How do I get to it?" Celestia asked.

"That's a very good question." The Deacon nodded. "The First Book isn't any normal artifact, within it's pages hold a vast amount of powerful Light magic... So it can't simply be burned in lamp oil. Destroying it would take a dedicated ritual... One that is long and arduous."

"So... If they wait for the last moment..." Celestia asked.

"They might start the ritual early if things take a down turn." The Deacon amended. "But so long as somepony stops them before that happens..."

"Then it'll be safe?" Celestia asked.

"I can't say that for sure..." The Deacon admitted. "But you can delay them even before that happens."

"How so?" the young Unicorn asked.

"It isn't a well known fact... But the First Book was always meant to be shared." The Deacon began to explain.

"Even if it- You know, kills the reader?" Celestia asked.

"What my brothers and sisters don't understand is that knowledge has always meant to be shared." The stallion nodded sagely. "Yes it is dangerous... But it was always meant for the worthy to read."

Celestia swallowed nervously.

But the Deacon continued on without noticing.

"Since it's impossible for the Church to go through everypony in Unicornia... They had to have a way for anypony to demand access. That doesn't stop them from hiding the fact it is a rite, or dictating what requirements the aspirant must meet."

"... I don't follow." Celestia admitted.

"There must be a way for anypony to enter a castle, but the way can be protected and hidden." The stallion explained.

"So... What's the requirement?" Celestia asked.

"The rite of the Ascendant Dawn needs only one test... The aspirant must defeat all of the present clergy in a magic duel."

"... That's it?" Celestia asked.

"The Church of Light teaches many potent spells to it's ordained members." The Deacon chastised. "They are one of the most elite magical organizations in Unicornia... It would be very foolish to underestimate any of them."

"... I see..." Celestia chewed her lip as she considered.

'That might stop them from performing any ritual...' She inwardly reasoned. 'While I wouldn't trust them to keep to their own laws... It would further legitimize any claim I make towards it...'

"I see you are seriously considering this information." The Deacon nodded.

"Yes." Celestia admitted. "This has been on my mind for some time now... Thank you Deacon."

"You're quite welcome Miss..." He smiled. "Good luck and safe travels on your quest... I'll pray for your success."

"Thank you Deacon." Celestia nodded. "But I'm still afraid of what's to come."

"Being afraid is natural... It's what we do while afraid that shows us who we really are."

"... I'll keep that in mind Deacon... Thank you for your advice."

~~~

Unicornia was just as Celestia remembered. Maybe even grander and more polished even...

But now that Celestia was older... She could see the cracks in the façade.

While the towers gleamed with fresh polish... The quality of the city degraded as her gaze traveled downward.

It was just before noon when the army came upon the city, Luna having stopped slightly early the day before in order to time their arrival to give them as much time as they could get to establish camp.

That meant however Luna was very busy, leaving Celestia alone as she walked besides a cart.

The army had barely started unpacking when Luna and several of her staff went to parlay.

It was a short while later when they returned, with Luna looking severely annoyed.

"Luna?" Celestia asked, approaching the blue filly as she finished giving out her fresh orders.

She stopped, sighing.

"Yes Tia?" She continued, not turning around and meeting Celestia's gaze.

"What happened? You seem... Tense." Celestia remarked.

Luna was silent for a moment before she answered.

"... Guess who's the commanding General for Unicornia?" She asked at last.

"Uh... I'm not sure I know anypony who would-" Celestia began to say.

"It was both Emerald and Sapphire." Luna stated through grit teeth.

'... Oh... Oh that isn't good...' Celestia inwardly winced.

"... Really? Aren't they a little young to be commanding Unicornia's forces?" Celestia asked.

"Look Tia..." Luna sighed. "I don't know what to tell you. They're the ones who came to parlay, and they both wore high rank marks."

"Lu please. I'm only trying to understand." Celestia frowned.

'What is the Queen playing at?! There has to be more senior and more experienced soldiers in the Royal Guard!'

Luna sighed.

"I'm sorry Tia..." She replied softly. "I know it's not fair to you... I just need some space is all."

"What are you going to do with that space then?" Celestia asked.

'I know you're upset Lu... But please for the love of light don't do something stupid just because those fillies happen to be in charge...'

"I'm going to help erect the trebuchets. And then I'm never giving anypony in that city a chance to rest or sleep until they give up or break." Luna stated, a dangerous edge to her voice.

"Be careful Lu. I gave you this duty to make them surrender, not slaughter everypony in those walls... I don't want you to condemn all the innocent Ponies inside because of two Ponies you happen to know." Celestia cautioned.

"I know Tia... I'm trying." Luna replied, her ears laying themselves back.

Before Celestia could reply any further, the blue filly began to walk away, quickly disappearing into the camp.

"..." Celestia watched her go, chewing her lip in thought.

'... Grandma Iridium may be a bigger fool than I thought...' She considered. 'She's had months to speak with Platinum about Luna... Whom I don't doubt is the subject of every rumor mill and tall tale across the continent at this point... But still Iridium chose Sapphire and Emerald to be her combatants... I don't know what's worse for her... Being fool enough to try and bait Luna so obviously... Or that she's going to get exactly what she wants...'

~~~

The next week passed with little fanfare.

At all hours, day and night, rain or shine... Luna's trebuchets worked and groaned, flinging countless boulders across the valley at Unicornia, all while the occasional Pegasi wrangled storm cloud shot bolts of lightning with devastating effect.

It was so loud and so constant, Celestia found she had to sleep covering her ears with part of her blanket at night.

All the while... Whenever Luna wasn't doing her various rounds or in the practice rings... She would sit on her haunches, patiently watching the bombardment with a rare, indulgent half smile that reminded Celestia of how a cat would play with a cornered mouse.

But still... Just as Celestia could watch Ponies working the trebuchet's mechanisms, so too could she watch wheels and ropes spin behind Luna's eyes.

It was the morning of the sixth day when all this changed.

As Celestia took a morning walk around the camp, an aura of expectation and bated breath permeated the air.

The shield was going to fall today.

The news was everywhere... It was on every set of lips, in every ear, and most importantly... It was whispered while soldiers donned their full armor sets and sharpened their weapons one last time.

At the end of her walk, Celestia glared at the failing Unicornian shield... Indecision tainting her mind...

A pink maned mare wearing a crown...

A truly horrendous weight...

A blue filly falling to darkness...

She was alone as she watched the shield wobble dangerously... But she could hear Starswirl's voice in her head.

'A thought experiment perhaps. If you were to keep your name off this parchment, would it keep you up tonight when you're trying to sleep?'

The words didn't make sense in this context, but the lesson was the same.

'If I were to go... Would I regret it?' She asked herself.

No.

'If I were to stay... Would I regret it?' She asked again.

Yes.

Without further thought, Celestia turned on her hooves and marched towards the nearest armory to replace the equipment she had ditched after the Raid on the Diamond Dogs.

It didn't take her long to get the armor, as the armories had once again opened up and started doling out full sets like festival candy.

Donning the armor right then and there just off to the side, Celestia was soon fully armored.

Learning from her past experience... She grabbed a quick bite to eat as she made her way to the front line.

As she sat down at one of the fires near the muster area, she couldn't help but notice it had a wonderful view of Unicornia and it's precarious shield.

"Tia?" A voice broke her out of her trance.

Celestia found herself with a half eaten sandwich, dry and itchy eyes from staring, and a blue filly looking at her with concern.

"Oh! Lu!" Celestia half exclaimed, still somewhat started from zoning out. "Sorry I wasn't paying attention... Do you need my help?" She asked.

"Uh... Actually, I think I need to be asking that of you Tia... Are you alright?" Luna asked, her concern deepening.

"Oh! Never better actually!" Celestia beamed.

'Deciding on important decisions is surprisingly relaxing...' she realized.

"Uh... Huh." Luna replied slowly. "Then could I ask you why you're wearing armor?"

'... Oh right... Forgot Luna didn't know I took part in the Raid... Well um... Better to ask forgiveness than permission?'

"Oh I'm going to join you during the counter attack!" Celestia stated with a bit too much cheer.

'What are you doing Tia?! That's asking for permission!'

"No you're not Tia." Luna stated firmly.

'... I knew this was coming... Yet hearing her say that still hurts...'

"What?! Why?!" Celestia cried. "Shouldn't I be able to contribute to uniting the last of the tribes?"

'That'll play to her sense of duty... Surely she'll-'

"You're not going." Luna repeated, stomping a hoof for emphasis. "First off, you are much too valuable to be put on the front line. The tribes are following you. Even if we win, but you do not make it back, our efforts are going to be wasted."

Celestia couldn't help but notice all the white moon on blue banners all around the camp... As well as how many Ponies reverently whispered Luna's name in hushed and fearful tones...

"You're exaggerating." Celestia retorted. "Why couldn't you do it? Or anypony else for that matter?"

"Am I?" Luna argued, raising an eyebrow. "The only reason I'm here fighting this war is because I'm good with the sword, and because you told me to fight it. None of which are good leadership qualities."

"The Ponies respect you because you killed two of the Windegos!" Celestia countered. "You could lead if anything happened to me!"

"What if something were to happen to me as well? We are only two Ponies amongst thousands." Luna insisted. "As much as I don't like it, it is very likely at least two Ponies are going to die when the fighting starts. And even if I were to be the survivor, I am the worst candidate. You know as well as I do I have no patience for Ponies and their absurdities. The army doesn't obey me because they like me, they follow because I keep winning."

The blue filly than pointed a hoof at the white mare.

"Ponies on the otherhoof actually like you. When this war is over they'll be much more willing to listen to you than they would me."

Once again, Luna stomped a hoof.

"So as your designated General, I'm putting my hoof down. You. Are. Not. Going." She enunciated, stomping her hoof at every word.

The words struck deep into Celestia's heart.

She had been so confident she had an argument that could best Luna's excuses...

But it seemed Luna wasn't as oblivious as Celestia thought in regards to how the army felt... And had somehow calculated her decisions accordingly... To exacting detail...

"Alright Luna." Celestia stated, feeling like she had been ran over with a wagon.

Calmly, she took off her helmet and turned away...

Walking back to return her armor so somepony who was actually going to fight could use it...

The camp was silent having heard the argument. As she trudged back into camp, Ponies could only watch her with pity in their eyes.

Celestia wasn't what you'd call a shameful Pony... But in that moment she felt like she was utterly exposed to the world. Each and every pair of eyes watching her was one more Pony who saw for how she truly was... A weak mare who depended on a mere filly to get anywhere in life...

Unable to take the stares any longer, Celestia ducked behind some supply carts, trying to regain a modicum of privacy.

She tore off her helmet and threw it on the ground in disgust.

'I've been such a fool...' She started to sob silently, falling to the ground and sitting against the wheel. 'Just a stupid filly chasing dreams... Luna's right... She's always fucking right...'

With her eyes full of tears, Celestia looked back at the helmet she had thrown down.

'... She can't be right all the time. It's not possible...' She thought as she wiped her tears away with the edge of her gambeson.

Slowly, she picked the helmet back up, staring into it's empty eye holes.

While she had never seen Luna wear a helmet... A habit she assumed from trying to discourage getting hit by lightning... It didn't take much to see Luna's cerulean eyes inside.

A crushing, world ending weight...

A pink maned mare wearing a golden crown...

"... What would you do if you were wrong Lu?" She asked softly. "You know you're not perfect... So you have to be wrong once in a while... Why not this?"

With that, Celestia turned the helmet around and jammed it back on her head. Then quickly standing up, she started moving between the tightly packed tents where hoof traffic wasn't supposed to be.

'This war isn't over Lu...' Celestia inwardly steeled herself. 'Not by a long shot...'

~~~

Celestia refused to be left behind.

Not now... Not ever again.

So she had skirted across the line, joining part of the charge that was away from Luna.

But since she was so late, she had been left behind the majority of the Ponies who were getting ready.

Celestia could only watch anxiously as the distant shield wobbled, more unstable than ever.

Then... There was a spark... A cascade through the shield matrix that caused the bubble to pop like a soap bubble.

The shield was gone...

As one, the army of Ponies rose, donning their helmets and picking up their weapons.

To Celestia's astonishment, the only exception to this was a team of Pegasi and a-

Celestia's eyes widened.

She had thought she had gotten more used to the noise... But she was wrong.

The thunder merely had stopped... Saved up for one final shot.

Celestia dropped her spear as her hooves snapped to her skull, her eyes squeezing shut.

"FIRE!"

ZzzzzRACK!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Even with her hooves covering her ears, she wasn't sure she'd be able to hear again as the world slowly began to make sense again.

Quite a few Ponies had missed the rising Pegasi, and thus were caught unprepared when the thunder hit.

More than a few had been dazed as the dust began to settle over Unicornia.

Or rather, most of Unicornia... For it quickly became obvious that a large hole had been blasted in the outer wall of the city.

Unicornia was breached.