Chapter Text
Twilight sat in her library reading a book she’d found recently and had gotten half-way through.
As she sat there silently it was peaceful until Spike threw the door open panting, “Twilight!” he called out before he choked up a scroll.
After it was summoned Twilight levitated the scroll and began to read.
“To the Princess of Friendship.
Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,I request your presence at the earliest convenience, I have an urgent matter to discuss.
Furthermore, Spike can remain at home in Ponyville if you so desire his presence will not be needed.
From,
Queen Celestia.
Royal Diarch of Equestria”
Once her reading was finished her face was full of shock as her telekinesis magic faded and running out the castle for the Ponyville train station.
Celestia stood frozen, staring out one of the many windows in the throne room as she thought.
It wasn’t until the door opened that she was pulled out from her thoughts as Twilight Sparkle entered.
“My Queen, you summoned me?” the Wisteria alicorn asked, puzzled by her mentor’s summons.
Celestia sighed as she turned to face her student. “Yes I did, I’m afraid war has beset Equestria again” she said dejectedly.
Twilight’s mouth widened as she took the news. “You are saying after over 700 years of peace they’ve tried again?” the young Alicorn Princess said flabbergastedly.
Her teacher chuckled at her outburst, before saying “Yes Twilight, your books strike again”
Twilight raised her eyebrow at her Teacher’s comment, silently asking for an explanation.
“Oh, my apologies Twilight… I called you here because I need your help, the front line has all but collapsed with the fall of Citadel Hurricane. I think you are the solution” Celestia answered in a regal but friendly tone.
Twilight seemed to nod at this. “So you are saying to fight?” she asked inquisitively.
Celestia nodded as she sat back on her throne.
The Alicorn Princess wasn’t fully convinced but she gave an affirmative bow.
“I’ll be ready soon” she said before asking “when do I leave?”
A silence passed over the room as Celestia sat stunned.
Eventually she was able to find her voice, “Princess Twilight, you are to leave as soon as possible” The Queen’s voice was colder as her expression darkened.
“Yes your highness” her student meekly let out as she left.
Twilight opened the door to her family’s home where she'd dropped off her saddlebags before the meeting with Celestia.
“Mom, did you put my saddle bags anywhere?” Twilight asked curiously.
Twilight Velvet took a moment in thought answering “No honey. Aren’t they where you left them before your visit with the queen?” her tone was sweet.
Twilight wasn’t impressed, that was until Shining Armour came down from the upstairs carrying her bags in his magic.
“Uh… hey Twily I can explain” he said as he let out a soft chuckle which did not impress the young alicorn.
“Shining, I need those… NOW!” her tone, growing serious.
Her brother was frozen with shock as she pulled the bags away from his grip.
“Thank you B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight said as she tucked the bags in, making for the door.
Her mother quickly spoke up “Don’t you want to stay for supper dear?”
The alicorn slowly turned. “I can’t, Queen Celestia wants me joining the front lines ASAP” she said in her usual chipper tone.
Shining Armour’s facial features contorted as he heard the news. “TWILY!” he shouted, making his sister wince at the tone.
She face hoofed as she readied herself. “Shining, I am sure this war will be over by hearthswarming” she stated indignantly.
Her brother still wasn’t pleased, responding “just watch yourself out there”
Twilight smiled as she continued her way out the door.
After leaving her parents house with her saddlebags, Twilight felt a little drained but she continued to the train station.
The young alicorn mare wasn’t able to reach the train station before she was interrupted.
When she looked at the disturbance she found Queen Celestia joining her.
The uneasy silence broke when Celestia asked “Twilight are you sure you want to go through with this?”
Twilight stared at her teacher bewildered, “My Queen you know anything you ask of me I will try my best to do” she said.
“Are you saying if I told you to jump in lava you would?” she asked.
The young alicorn only grew more bewildered, “I guess…” she eventually answered.
Celestia broke into laughter as she thought of her student doing the weirdest requests, it was then she noticed they arrived at the train station.
“I guess this is your stop” she said as she shot a wink at the younger mare.
Twilight blushed at her mentor toying with her before waiving goodbye as Celestia returned to the castle.
“Here goes nothing” she thought to herself, stepping into the train station.
On the rolling hills near a town called Flanker Hills an Equestrian tank sat watching over the enemy filled town.
Searching the town the commander found his target.
“Gunner, HE, Machine Gun bearing 056 mark 24” a unique gravelly voice called out.
“Bearing 056 mark 24 eye!” the gunner responded.
As the turret turned, Iron Flank used his binoculars to see the fortified position.
A lone pegasus stallion with a dishevelled white coat sat manning the automatic weapon.
Iron Flank smirked to himself as he watched the oblivious stallion, “fire!” he barked once the gun was on target.
The gunner replied as she fired the main gun, the commander watched as the shell flew quickly striking the pegasus and turning the combatant into a fine red mist.
“Good shot,” he said calmly.
And just before he could get any confirmation artillery rained down upon them.
Closing the hatch Iron Flank quickly called “driver, village now”
The small tank lurched forward as its treads ate into the grass and dirt underneath, they could still feel the artillery pound the armour making dinks and clinks as debris and shrapnel hit them.
Then it went quiet, Iron Flank took the risk of popping his head out and when he did a massive explosion shook the tank leaving the commander dazed.
“By Celestia’s name!” the gunner yelled.
Once they thought it was safe enough to go outside they went to examine the damage, the side skirts were completely fried and the track wasn’t looking good as it disconnected itself as they talked.
“How long?” Iron Flank asked, his tone unammused.
His two subordinates just shrugged.
As the tank crew stared at their problem a tomboyish voice called out “do you need roadside assistance?” before breaking into laughter.
Iron Flank wasn't pleased, “go chew somepony out then” he said in a serious but somewhat playful tone.
The rainbow coloured mare rolled her eyes but just kept walking.
As the sun began to set across the horizon, Twilight’s sleeping body rested in one of the seats of the train car.
Twilight was fast asleep, she’d been up most of the day before the queen’s summons.
Now that sleep has caught up to her it was peaceful and… she awoke as the car she was in gossoled.
“Wha… What’s happening?” she asked but nopony responded.
Feeling sleep overtake her again she let it dozing back off.
As night began to fall over Equestria, Celestia had watched her sister raise the moon before a knock from the door came.
“Come in” she called out to the pony beyond.
Once the door opened the mail pony said “Your highness, letter from the Eastern Theatre Commander”
Celestia’s heart fluttered at this knowing who it was from and it was confirmed as she opened and read the letter.
“To the Royal Diarch of Equestria.
Dear Queen Celestia,Small scale counter attacks have succeeded in stalling the Liberation Front’s advance, but advanced Panzer units have already broken through the line in multiple regions.
I advise that if our forces aren’t pulled back over the channel Baltimare would be open for the advancing enemy.
It also may be prudent to start burning supplies when retreating, furthermore there have been no more sightings of the Alicorn.
From,
Lieutenant General Sunset Shimmer
Eastern Theatre Commander”
Her ears and mood flattened as the report from Sunset gave more bad news.
Sighing she pulled a blank scroll and a quill before writing.
“To the Eastern Theatre Commander.
Dear Lieutenant General Sunset Shimmer,I am appalled at our unreadiness but I can assure you help is coming, Sunset if you are reading this I hereby allow you to make tactical decisions for the betterment of all my subjects.
From,
Queen Celestia
Royal Diarch of Equestria”
Once she was done Celestia just fell asleep on her desk hoping tomorrow was better.