Applejack's eyes jerked open to the sound and the feel of fur rubbing against her own. Pulling up the blankets, she saw a sleeping Apple Bloom pressed against her flank. Applejack sighed. Since returning home, there had been no nightmares. Apple Bloom, however, refused to be alone at night, and was always in Applejack's bed for the past three nights. She was frightened of pretty much anything, and this was worrying Applejack.

Applejack set her gaze to her bedroom window. Outside, the sun was just peeking over the trees and taking its first look around the world before it officially rose. Nopony would be up yet. Applejack decided now was about the time to get ahead on work and think to herself a bit.

Quietly and smoothly so as not to wake Apple Bloom, Applejack slipped out on bed, snatched up her hat, and quietly made her way through the hallway, down the stairs, through her kitchen, down the porch steps and out of the house. As soon as the orange farm pony stepped outside, she smiled as the breeze zoomed through her fur, as the morning sun glistened on her fur. It felt good to be alone, to have the orchard to herself once more. Here, she felt very much at home, comforted. Taking a deep breath, Applejack trotted out to the apple orchard, and mentally recapped the events of recent.

They had been sent home immediately after the Eclipse Celebration. Twilight seemed distant, and she had rushed straight to the library and had not emerged for the three days they had been home. Apple Bloom seemed frightened. She never wanted to be alone, so she stuck close to her friends and family, especially Big Macintosh and Applejack. The filly was literally scared of her own shadow, she jumped if she stepped on a twig, but there weren't any nightmares.

Three days it had been. Applejack's back hooves connected with a tree, and apples fell into the baskets she had set up to encircle the tree. There was no news about the meeting with Aquarius, and Applejack felt like Apple Bloom knew more than she was letting on about the war. Why wasn't she talking? It just didn't make a bit of sense. Applejack was worried, and as she thought she was oblivious that she was bucking all of her feelings out into the tree. By the time she realized what was happening, the small tree had toppled over and all the apples rolled onto the ground.

"Oops," Applejack muttered.

0o0o0

After Applejack had 'solved' that little problem and had made her way back to the house, the farm pony sat down upon one of the chairs on the porch. She wiped some sweat from her brow and fiddled with her hat. It just didn't make sense! What did Twilight and Apple Bloom know that they were not letting on? Applejack bit her lower lip and clung to her hat. There was too much happening, way too much. A few heartbeats of silence came by before the door to the house let out a loud creeeeaak, and Big Macintosh and Granny smith stepped into the sunlight, both with dark, somber expressions plastered upon their faces.

Applejack put on a fake yet somewhat convincing smile.

"Applejack," Big Macintosh murmured.

"Good morning, everypony!" Applejack beamed. "I got some baskets filled to the brim with apples!"

"Applejack."

"How'd ya'll sleep? I slept like a foal!"

"Applejack."

"What's for breakfast today-"

"Applejack, you've been called back to Canterlot."

Silence. That was all for several beats of nothing before Applejack replied, "What? Why?"

Big Macintosh did not meet her gaze. "Don't know. The princess says it's urgent you and your friends all come, and that includes Apple Bloom." Big Macintosh's voice was filled with worry, sadness, and remorse. Granny Smith was looking very melancholy and downcast. But yet she just stood, staring at her hooves.

Applejack grit her teeth. Her family knew what she knew. If they were called back to Canterlot so soon, something was wrong. And Applejack knew it was bad.

"Is Apple Bloom awake?" Applejack muttered to her elder brother.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh replied before trudging out to the orchard.

Applejack trudged up the porch steps and into her home. Apple Bloom was in the kitchen, drinking a small glass of milk and munching on a slice of toast.

"Hi, Applejack!" the filly said cheerfully, but timidly. Like she knew something would happen.

"Apple Bloom," Applejack said gravely, "pack your things. We've been called back to Canterlot."

0o0o0

Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were all equally surprised to get the same letter. Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, Spike, and Angel were also very shocked. But all of them met the Apple sisters at the train station, said goodbye to their friends, and made their way onto the train to Canterlot. They all sat in silence in the dining car together until the train moved off.

Rarity finally spoke. "Twilight, we all know that you and Apple Bloom aren't letting on something."

Twilight spun to glare at her. "Rarity!"

"I'm not afraid to say what everypony else is thinking," said Rarity.

"She's right, you two," Applejack murmured. "What's going on?"

Apple Bloom stayed quiet. Then the filly said, "I'd prefer to say when we get to Canterlot."

Applejack sighed, exasperated, and fiddled with her hat again.

BOOM!

Everyone spun towards the noise, and saw it was just Pinkie with her party cannon.

"Let's get this party started!" The pink pony squealed.

0o0o0

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna."

"Good day, Twilight. And the same to all of your friends."

Spike took a great bow to both princesses, but went far too low and hit his head on the floor. Twilight chuckled at her dragon friend, and Spike mentally reprimanded her.

The ponies and the Alicorns were all inside Celestia's private study. A large window started from the ceiling and curved down to the floor below. But a large curtain was pulled over the windows so that the inhabitants would not be seen. A large bookshelf held thousands, possibly millions of books of the history of Equestria, old pony tales, spell books, potion recipes, and more.

A lush purple rug imprinted with the sun was laid across the floor. Matching pillows were laid across it, and a quill and ink bottle were placed on a small nightstand in the corner of the room, along with some paper and a tiny bottle of disappearing ink.

A large, extinguished fireplace stood adjacent to the rug, but far away enough so that there would be no unnecessary fire. Several unlit candles were placed atop the hearth along with a few books. The walls were a deep purple, and there was a desk beside the window piled high with books, papers, gems, quills and pencils.

Everyone stood to admire the room before Luna took the spotlight. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you've been so urgently called here today."

The whole group let out positive responses. Luna's expression turned from normal to very grave. Tears formed in the Night Princess's eyes, and immediately Applejack and the others knew the news would be bad.

"Aquarius disagreed," Luna breathed. "Equestria will soon be plunged into the first war in a thousand years."

Silence. Nobody moved. Nobody blinked. Nobody breathed. You could hear a pin drop in the room. Finally, Apple Bloom wailed in dismay and the others joined in.

Celestia remained silent, standing beside her sister and trying to stay strong.

"You were all called here," Celestia went on, "because you all are some of our most trusted subjects, and we need to all here to help us plan the battles and fight the battles."

Fluttershy immediately objected. "F-F-F-Fighting?! Oh no, no, no, Princess, I can't fight, I can't plan too well, I just want to go home with all my animals and be safe and-"

"Fluttershy," Princess Celestia interrupted, "you have the unique ability to communicate with animals, and we definitely need that. Dragons, cows, any animal that will help us fight is a blessing!"

"But the animals here don't even like me… Only the ones in Ponyville."

"Remember how you tamed the dragon and saved Ponyville from being bombarded with smoke forever?"

"… Yes…" Fluttershy sank to the floor.

"Trust me, Fluttershy, you'll be a star." Celestia brought the yellow Pegasus to her hooves and gave her a warm smile.

"The rest of you," Luna continued, "will most likely have no problem with the battles at hand. But," she paused, turning to Rainbow Dash, "Fluttershy will most likely stay in the safety of the castle and assist us in planning our attacks. Rainbow Dash, you need a Wing Pony."

Rainbow Dash saluted, then had a sudden realization. "Wait," the Pegasus replied, "my Wing Pony won't be Lightning Dust or some reckless joke, will it?"

Luna laughed. "No, quite the opposite as a matter of fact. Your Wing Pony will be arriving shortly."

"Good."

"Now, we will keep you all here for the time being."

"Wait a minute," Applejack hissed. "What about my family?!"

"Since Ponyville is a more minor town," Celestia answered, "the ponies of the town will remain there. But your family will most likely be moved over here if you will it to be."

"Yes," Applejack breathed. "Make it happen!"

"Of course."

"Hold on," Scootaloo stepped in, "if the enemy lives in the Everfree Forest, then don't we have them totally surrounded? I mean, the forest is in the very heart of Equestria."

Celestia thought for a moment. "That is true," she replied, "but the Everfree Forest is much larger than what you have seen. It goes on for many, many miles, and contains many creatures in both land and water. I'm not sure how many followers my sister has right now, but even if we surrounded the forest she'd probably find a way out of it. Our best bet is to pick off the important enemy officials until finally, the final battle arrives. Then, Luna and I shall fight and defeat Aquarius and permanently dispose of her."

"Others are being called in," Luna chimed in. "Such as Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. I believe the Wonderbolts are even coming."

"Really?!" Rainbow Dash squealed.

"My brother and Cadence are coming?!" Twilight beamed.

"Yes," Celestia smiled. "So are many others. Cadence is also bringing some soldiers from the Crystal Empire. However, it is only a handful so that the Empire may be protected in case the protection spell placed upon it wears off."

"Cadence has placed another protection spell? But how?" Twilight asked.

"She didn't. I did. My protection spell is able to sustain itself for a while, but unfortunately I cannot use it here. If I do, then Aquarius will never stop bothering us."

There suddenly came a knock at the door, and one of Celestia's soldiers strolled in.

"My lady," he said, "the Wing Pony you've summoned has arrived."

"Send her in," Celestia ordered.

Rainbow Dash immediately got excited. "I'm so pumped!" She squealed. "Is it a Wonderbolt? Someone from the Wonderbolt academy? Tell me!"

"No, but I think you'll like her all the same."

The door opened again, and in stepped a gray Pegasus with crossed eyes and a blond mane.

"Hi, everypony!" the Pegasus greeted warmly. Her voice was very silly, but cute all the same. "My name is Derpy Hooves! Oh, hey Rainbow Dash! I'm your new Wing Pony!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"