Chapter Seven

"Princess Celestia!" voice cried out, causing the Sun Princess to shoot upright in her bed. The doors to her personal champers swung open, as a pair of Solar Guardsmen rushed in. "We bring urgent news, your majesty!" The Solar Guard, on the right, announced.

Her eyes were wide, staring at the two kneeling Solar Guardsmen, Celestia using her bedsheets to cover up. "What has occurred, to require such abrupt actions? The sun has already been raised, and I wished to get a little more rest before starting business with the Day Court."

"Your Majesty, please forgive us, but several reports have come in that require your attention." The left hand Solar Guard announced, Celestia nodding. "A rock slide has trapped a train bound from Manehatten to here, Appleloosa is under attack from bandits, Vanhoover was just hit by a rogue tidal wave, and several dangerous creatures have started to attack Dodge City.

Celestia visibly paled at the sudden report, her jaw dropping. Never before has Equestria ever experienced so many problems at once, which made her worry quite a bit. "R-Rally the Royal Guard! Send relief forces to the rock slide site and Vanhoover. Muster Combat Arms Units, then deploy them to Appleloosa and Dodge City, at once!"

The two Solar Guards gave somewhat nervous looks to each other. This confused the Sun Princess, until the right hand Solar Guard spoke up. "U-Uhm… Your majesty, it is already being handled."

"What? Has one of the Captains sent out the needed forces?" She asked, with a raised brow.

"No, your majesty." The left hand Solar Guard started, Celestia looking to him. "The Lunar Guard have already begun operations on all four fronts, a Battalion's worth of Guardsmen responding to each crisis."

"Huh?" Was Celestia's only response.

-Manehatten Collapsed Tunnel-

Several of those trapped within the train car huddled together. The rock slide had happened so suddenly, causing the tunnel to collapse in on itself that many didn't have time to actually brace for it. The front of their train had been caught in the falling rocks, crushing those that had been pulling the train forward and residing in the front cars. By now, since the rock slide occurred, many hours have passed by and several of the adults were losing hope of any help arriving in time, but kept such thoughts silent due to the children around them.

"Momma?" A colt spoke up, looking to her worried mother. "Is help going to come, momma?"

The mare had a weary, worried, look about her. Many knew it could be days before a rescue crew could dig through these rocks, along with a fully day to arrive on scene and set up digging operations. However, she could not say that, the mare wanted her son to have hope. "Of course, dear. Don't you worry any."

"H-How can you be so sure, momma?" The colt looked at the large pile of boulders. "There are so many rocks in the way."

Once again, the mare is hesitant about her response, but decided to go with a standard reply to foals. "Because, the Princesses will not let their subjects down." She gently rubbed her son's head. "They will send their strongest soldiers to rescue us."

"R-Really?" The colt asked, tilting his head. When the mare nodded, he looked at the pile of boulders. "If they are sending the strongest soldiers… I bet they are only the coolest of heroes in Equestria, and will bring those rocks down any second now!"

The adults, that heard him, all smiled at the colt's hopeful words. Many had already bet that such a thing would be impossible, and were prepared to do what is necessary to ensure the children survived this crisis. After all, no pony could possibly move so many rocks-?

The largest boulder started to shake, drawing their attention. When it began to be pulled back, their jaws dropped at the realization of what could be happening. Something had managed to dig out all the rocks leading to them, and is now trying to move the biggest of their obstacles out of the way. Not even Earth Pones would be able to move such a large boulder. Their only indication, as to what could be moving it, had been a powerful, beast-like, roar of strained rage. Many prepared for some terrible beast to charge in, as the boulder is ripped from the pile and light flowed in… But, they were met by something unexpected.

"Ahahahaha! Told you Titan Will could move this boulder on his own!" A powerful voice laughed, causing the occupants to stare, slack jawed, at their savior. A white and black Minotaur, wearing the armor and colors of their Moon Princess, laughing as he held the boulder overhead. "Now then…" He turned to the left, his body straining under the boulder's weight, roared before throwing it out of the way. "Get in there, Lunar Guard! These ponies need help!" Titan Will ordered, pointing into the opening, as similar dressed soldiers rushed into the tunnel.

Many were well trained in first aid, those far too injured for simple treatments were carried out by a litter. When the mare and colt were helped out of the tunnel, the latter could not help but look up at the laughing Minotaur in awe. "Who are you, Mister Minotaur?" He asked, titling his head.

Titan Will smiled down at him, placing a fist over his heart in a salute. "Captain Titan Will! Commander of the Lunar Guard's Northern Battalion!" He added in a couple of flexes, earning playful giggles from the colt and a thankful nod from his mother.

-Appleloosa-

"Gather up every apple and bit you can find, men! Take everything of value from this little backwater town!" The Bandit Leader ordered, his men doing as instructed and placing crates into wagons.

"You're not going to get away with this, you damned rustler!" A tied up Sheriff Silverstar growled, glaring up at the unicorn bandit. "The Princesses will hear about yer attack, and send in some guards after yer gang!"

That caused the Bandit Leader to laugh, crouching down next to Sheriff Silverstar, dagger forcing his hat up. "Please, even you have to know it would take at least half a day for any relief force to arrive from Canterlot." The other bandits began to laugh, as their leader stood back up. "We did our homework about this town. By the time they get here, we'll be long go-?"

The ground started to shake, rocks bouncing, buildings starting to raddle. "Boss, look!" One of the bandits yelled, pointing to a large dust cloud approaching Appleloosa.

The Bandit Leader squinted his eyes, trying to see what is causing it. "What in Equestria?" The moment he saw the silhouettes in the dust, his eyes went wide. "Oh shit!"

"Vor Princess Luna, and vor Equestria!" Iron Bulwark roared, as he and a full Company of Fenrian Wolf Riders charged in! The Captain's own wolf releasing a bone chilling howl, their spears lowered in a ramming position. In moments, the Heavy Calvary slammed into the bandits occupying Appleloosa, impaling a great many of them that were too dumbstruck to actually move out of their path. Their leader, noticing the markings and weapons upon the lead wolf bound knight, started to try and make a run for it. "Oh, no vou don't…"

Iron Bulwark had his wolf sprint forward, holding the War Mace high in the sky. "N-No! Please, don't!" The Bandit Leader cried out, trying to out run the war beast riding knight.

"No mercy, vor ze Unjust!" He yelled, before slamming the crested war mace into their skull.

A sickening crunch came from the Bandit Leader, as the War Mace caused his head to cave in and send him to the ground. Sheriff Silverstar simply watched Iron Bulwark pull his wolf's reigns, having the war beast turn back around, as a pair of Bat Pony Rangers held the town sheriff up and out of his bonds. "W-Who are ya, sir?" He managed to ask, as the knight moved next to him.

"I am Captain Iron Bulwark, Commander of ze Lunar Guard Southern Battalion." He answered, taking a moment to watch his men route the remaining Bandits from Appleloosa, then back down to the sheriff. "Ve are zere to help."

-Dodge City-

A massive Hydra roared at the fleeing citizens, all four of its heads going in for the kill… But four black arrows suddenly whizzed in and struck each of its heads! The beast released a pain filled wail, as Rose Arrow zoomed over the fleeing citizens, around the Hydra, and fired three more arrows into the beast's spine. This caused it to fall forward, vital points of its body being struck and causing a full body shut down.

The lead Ranger landed between her recent kill and the dumbfounded citizens of Dodge City, using her free hand to brush away a rogue strand of hair from her eyes. "Jeez… How come I have to be stationed so far away from my knight in shining armor?" Rose Arrow huffed, pointing an arrow forward. "Alright, boys! Let's send these terrible beasties back to the forest! The quicker we get this done, the quicker I can snuggle up to my stallion!" She gave a quick giggle, looking back a bit. "You boys don't want to make me upset, do you?"

Her words confused the citizens behind her, until several voices roared. "NO MA'AM!" Then see several Lunar Guardsmen charge up from behind them… Prance Lancers forming firing lines, using their lances like conductors and sending concentrated beams of magical energy. Bat Pony Rangers taking up position behind them, losing volley after volley of arrows into the beasts in front of them. Both Minotaur Warriors and Germaney Knights rushing past their ranks, charging straight into the invading beasts with zero fear in their actions. All of which continued to dumbfound the Dodge City citizens, never seeing such diverse warriors fighting together, as one.

The City's Mayor, nervously, walked up to Rose Arrow, as she watched her warriors push the beasts back into the forest. "U-Um, excuse me, miss?" His nervous words drew the mare's attention, prompting Rose Arrow to spin around on her heels and hold the long bow at the small of her back. "But, if you do not m-mind me asking, who are you exactly?"

With a sly smirk, she stepped forward, leaning towards the Mayor, and placed an index finger on to his nose. "What are you so nervous about, hmmm? I'm just your average, pretty, mare coming to save the city from a little beastie problem." Her sultry voice caused him to blush, but a manticore suddenly landing behind her and roaring actually terrified him past that. But, in a lighting fast motion, Rose Arrow had spun around and shot an arrow right between its eyes! The look of a coldblooded hunter written across her features, before turning around and giving a playful smirk. "Though, to answer your question? I am Captain Rose Arrow. Commander of the Lunar Guard's Eastern Battalion."

-Vanhoover-

"Shadow Rangers, get those supplies to ze relief tent, now! Ze injured vill need them immediately!" Fancy Lance ordered, as a group of Bat Pony Rangers flew several creates to a nearby Medical Tent. "Men from ze Brawler Unit, check ze city for anymore trapped survivors!" A group of Minotaurs saluted, rushing back into the flooded city. "Lancers and Iron Wolves! Help get ze wounded to ze relief tents!" More Lancers rushed in with litters, as Germaney Knights had their wolves ride ahead of them to help collect any survivors.

"He's so commanding." A unicorn mare cooed.

"And so dreamy." A pegasus mare added, as a group of mares gawked at Fancy Lance.

A young unicorn filly carried a canteen of water up to the Lunar Guard's Eastern Battalion Commander, holding it up to him. "H-Here you go, Captain Lance, s-sir… I got it just for you."

Her words stopped Fancy Lance from giving any further orders. With a smile, he knelt down in front of her, taking the canteen and rubbing her head affectionately. "Mercie, mon cher, I was starting to feel rather parched."

The filly blushed, twirling side to side and looking up at the Prench stallion, as he took a sip. "U-Um… C-Captain Lance? Do… Do you have a special somepony?" She asked, rather cutely in his opinion.

Fancy Lance looked down at her, lowering the canteen. "Oh, mon cher. I am terribly sorry, but zere is an angel for me, zat has claimed mon heart and affection." He caressed her head, before leaning over and placing a kiss on to her forehead. "But, do not fret, mon cher. Vou will blossom into a beautiful flower and no stallion will resist vour charm."

The filly gave him a thanking peck on the cheek, before skipping off… The mares nearby all heartbroken that their dream stallion is taken.

-Canterlot Castle-

"And that is all we have heard, your majesty." The left hand Solar Guard reported, lowering his head.

Celestia had actually been surprised, to hear so many disasters had already been dealt with by her younger sister's rather new fighting force. "You have only spoken of four of the five Lunar Knights? Where is the fifth and her Battalion?" She asked.

"Captain LI is stationed here, in Canterlot, with the Champion and Battalion garrisoned as Canterlot's defense force. She acts as the information liaison for the Lunar Guard, from our understanding." He answered.

With a nod, Celestia kept her smile at the information given, her sister's forces proving to be far more tactical responsive than many Nobles gave them credit for. "Where might my sister be? I wish to congratulate her on a job well done, with the Lunar Guard Response."

"Currently, your majesty?" The right hand Solar Guard started, looking up at her. "After lowering the moon, she decided that today would be a good day to train. She is currently in the Castle's Training Grounds, where she is having Champion Talon help better her skill with the sword. Captain LI is with them, as well, to give any information they could possibly need to know."

"Luna… Training for battle?" Celestia asked, the Solar Guard nodding. "Oh dear…"