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// The Calm Before the Storm 
// Story: Words From an Unknown Soldier 
// by carefreedude 
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We trained for many months for this upcoming battle.  Everypony marched in formation towards the battlefield.  The day the princesses announced that we were going to war, my friend and I jumped at the chance to join the militia.  My friend Spellflash, and I were excited at the chance to fight for Equestria.  All throughout training, we would joke about how we were going to be the ones who survived.  How we were going to come back heroes from the front lines of this fight.  But here, as we marched forward, there is no laughter.  There is no cheer.  The moment we laid eyes upon our enemy, we knew immediately what was about to happen.  Him, I, and most the troops marching with us, were most likely going to die that day.   

It had been several months since the grim crystal arrived at the palace.  Since then, the princesses have prepared for war.  Troops were trained under their newly appointed general, Applejack.  She taught them everything she could, and tried her best to get them ready for this fight.  None of these soldiers have ever fought a war before, and neither did she.  She knew this, but accepted the offer regardless.  Under her command, the troops marched forward towards the battlefield.  A message had been intercepted by them over a week ago, explaining the movements the enemy would be taking.  Their destination was a mountainous region that overlooked much of Equestria, the same area that holds Canterlot within the sky.  They had to make a stand there otherwise their capital would be destroyed.
Applejack remained at the front of the forces sporting her cowboy hat and an apple shaped necklace. Behind her, over 10,000 soldiers marched in even formation behind her.  Most of these ponies were volunteers who joined in hopes of defending their home from the enemy.  Behind the soldiers, a pink mare with a crazy hair style and a balloon shaped necklace, was playing ten instruments at once in hopes of raising the spirits of the stallions ahead of her.  But in truth, the music wasn't providing the troops with as much confidence as the object she was riding on.  It was a weapon of the mares own creation that took months of construction to build.  It was a cannon that was two stories tall and decorated with yellow flowers upon its pink wheels.  The cannon itself was pointed upwards at a 45 degree angle.  It took over a hundred stallions to pull this war machine across this rocky terrain.  Everypony knew how much power this thing possessed, they only hope that they would be out of the way when it fired.
The troops were covered from head to hoof with a peculiar kind of armor.  The armor was encrusted completely with gems pulled from the earth itself and so lavished that anypony could sell it to live in complete luxury the rest of their lives.  It was surprisingly lightweight considering its design.  It also came complete with a purple bow upon each of the helmets, although most were removed by the troops.  Each soldiers was equipped with a long spear as a weapon as well as a short sword hanging off their backs.

Within the sky above them, there was a large white cloud that followed along with the troops.  Atop this cloud, pegasi were finishing their preparations for the battle.  Each donned armor and spears that were similar to the weapons their ancestors used over one millennia ago.  At the front of the clouds, there were several pegasi standing in a ‘V’ formation, overlooking the area ahead.  None of them were wearing the armor that their comrades had.  Rather, they wore blue jumpsuits that would allow for faster flight.  At the front of the pack was a mare with a mane that was almost like fire.  She watched the troops bellow her march forward.  She was nervous, but kept her composure in front of her men.  At the back right of their formation, a mare with a rainbow mane and a lightning bolt shaped necklace was waiting in anticipation for the upcoming battle.  Out of everypony that was marching into battle, she was the most confident of victory.

At the back, behind all clouds, troops, and cannons, were the three princesses.  They were riding upon what appeared to be a giant, mobile stage of sorts.  All three were sitting around a table that was covered with a map of the area.  Each one wore their trademark tiaras and were equipped with armor much like their soldiers were.    With them were a couple of guards, a white unicorn with a purple mane and a diamond shaped necklace, and a small baby dragon.  The three were discussing how to go about the upcoming battle.
“You are sure the Crystal Empire will be unable to help us?”  Twilight asked.
“Yes" Celestia responded.  "I felt that it would be better for them to stay back and guard their kingdom.  If Canterlot falls, then it will be the only place left for us to go.”  
“Tell me sister, are the supplies we received from Saddle Arabia going to be enough?”  Luna inquired.
“I can only hope.  They were only willing to give so much.  When I discussed this with them, they were afraid of being invaded as well, so they kept most of it for themselves.”
“To think, I put on a show and almost gave Fluttershy a heart attack for nothing.”
“We take what we can get, that’s all we can do.”
Twilight turns towards the other mare.  “Rarity, how did the armor turn out?”
“Oh darling, there is nothing to worry about.  The gems encrusted onto their suits are some of the hardest materials that can be obtained within this land.  Although I will admit that it was a bit of a struggle to find and sow enough gems to support over ten thousand troops.”
“Thank you Rarity.”  She faced the other two princesses again.  “Alright, so we have our main force marching towards them from the front.  Fluttershy is currently in the Everfree Forest with Zecora gathering the local wildlife for the upcoming attack.  When she feels she is ready, she will flank the enemy from the west.  Zecora will join us right before she does.  Any word on Discord, Celestia?”
Celestia shook her head at the young alicorn.  “Unfortunately, no.  After I made my announcement, he disappeared.  The only thing he said before he left was ‘I’m sure that you all can handle this.  I’ll just relax back here for the time being.  Perhaps I’ll even throw a party to celebrate your victory.’  And then he just vanished before me."  Celestia brought hoof to her forehead.  "There are times I wonder why I even bothered to set him free.”
“Sister, do we have any word on how the enemy is setting up their forces?”  Luna asked.
“The only details I have received are about Sombra himself.  Apparently he allied himself with another one of our enemies.  Someone with an army that is even more massive than our own.”
Twilight’s eyes widen in terror.  “You don’t mean…”
Celestia lowers her head “Yes Twilight, I do.  It appears Sombra has allied himself with Queen Chrysalis, and her changeling army.”