Princess Celestia: The Fall of Canterlot (MLP AU)

Chapter 26: Journey into the Unknown

                   The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the cobblestone roads that led from Canterlot toward the shadowed expanse of the Everfree Forest. Inside a grand, silver-plated carriage, Luna sat in silence, her mind heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. The clatter of the carriage wheels on the road was the only sound breaking the stillness of the night. Beside her, Orion, her husband, remained equally quiet, though his expression was hardened with determination.

The decision to find Celestia before the military could was risky, but Luna knew it was the only way to prevent further bloodshed. Her sister was out there, vulnerable and in danger, and if their father's forces reached her first, Celestia's fate would be sealed. There was no time to waste. With every passing hour, the military would inch closer to their target, and the delicate balance between peace and war would tip irrevocably into chaos.

"We have to move faster," Orion said suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet. "The reports from our scouts say the military is already on the march. We can't let them get to her first."

Luna nodded, her eyes darkening with worry. "I know. But we can't rush in unprepared either. If we get there too late, or if we miscalculate, we'll be walking right into a trap." She gazed out the window, the dense trees of the Everfree creeping closer with every mile. "I only hope we can reach her in time."

Orion placed a hoof gently on her shoulder. "We will. We have to. For the kingdom's sake—and for Celestia."

Despite the warmth in his voice, Luna couldn't shake the feeling of dread gnawing at her heart. Their father, King Cosmos, was already losing his grip on reality, lashing out at everyone and everything in his path. His paranoia about Celestia's supposed rebellion had reached dangerous levels, and if he believed even for a second that Luna was siding with her sister, she and Orion would face the same fate as Celestia—exile or worse.

Still, Luna couldn't allow herself to be consumed by fear. She had to focus. She had to be strong. For her sister. For her family.

As the carriage rattled along the road, Luna thought back to her last conversation with Galaxia. Her mother had understood the danger of their plan, but she had also warned Luna of the consequences. If Cosmos found out that both his daughters were conspiring against him, the kingdom would be torn apart. Yet Galaxia had agreed to help in subtle ways, pulling strings from the shadows to ensure the military wasn't too quick to reach their destination.

But Galaxia could only do so much. The rest was up to Luna and Orion.

The Everfree Forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Even though Luna was no stranger to its dangers, the thought of entering it now, with both her sister and the kingdom's future at stake, filled her with a sense of unease. They would need to move quickly, avoid detection, and convince Celestia to come with them before it was too late.

"How far until we reach the edge of the forest?" Luna asked Orion, her voice tight with urgency.

"Not long now," he replied, glancing out of the window. "Once we get there, we'll have to continue on hoof. The carriage won't be able to make it through the undergrowth."

Luna nodded. "Then we prepare ourselves. We must reach her before the military does."

Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the Everfree Forest, Celestia stood on a high ridge, looking out over the darkened treetops. The night was calm, but beneath that calmness was an underlying tension, one that made every sound in the forest seem like a warning of impending danger. The bandits, scattered around their camp, were busy preparing defenses, anticipating an attack from the military at any moment.

Celestia had never imagined she would be in this position—on the run from her own kingdom, labeled as an enemy, surrounded by outlaws and criminals. Yet, here she was, planning her next move, knowing full well that her life was at stake. She could sense the unrest among the bandits; some of them were growing impatient, while others were unsure about the fight they were about to face.

Dagger, the scarred mare who had helped lead her escape, approached Celestia from behind. Her expression was serious as always, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "The others are ready," she said, her voice low. "We've set up traps along the southern perimeter. If the military comes, they'll hit resistance."

Celestia nodded but remained silent for a moment, her mind racing. She knew the bandits were tough, but they were no match for the trained soldiers of her father's army. The military would come in full force, and once they did, there would be no stopping the bloodshed. And the last thing Celestia wanted was more lives lost because of her.

"I'm grateful for everything you've done, Dagger," Celestia said quietly. "But you know as well as I do that we won't win this fight through brute force. We can't outlast the military, not here. Not like this."

Dagger frowned, her scarred brow furrowing. "So what's your plan then, Princess? Just surrender?"

"No," Celestia said firmly. "But we need to be smarter than them. We need to delay them. If we can hold them off long enough... I believe there's still a chance we can avoid a full-scale battle."

Dagger looked at her skeptically. "Delay them? We're up against the royal military, Celestia. They won't stop until they have you in chains or worse."

"I know," Celestia replied, her voice steady. "But I have faith. My sister—Luna—she'll come for me. She'll find a way to stop this madness. And if we can buy enough time, maybe we can find a solution that doesn't involve fighting."

Dagger was silent for a moment, her sharp eyes studying Celestia. "I hope you're right, Princess. But just in case, we'll be ready for whatever comes our way."

As the bandits continued their preparations, Celestia couldn't help but feel the weight of her decision pressing down on her. She was preparing for the possibility of war, but deep down, she still believed in the power of reconciliation. She had to. The alternative was too terrible to imagine.

The night grew darker, and the forest grew quieter. Celestia knew that soon, the peace of the Everfree would be shattered by the arrival of her father's forces. But until then, she had to hold on to hope.