The next hour was a hectic blur to all the creatures involved. The students and parents of the School of Friendship beat a hasty retreat into their quarters. Spike hurriedly wrote and sent the message to Princess Celestia, breathing fire into existence quicker than he ever thought possible. Sandbar raced across town and quickly delivered the message to Mayor Mare, who sounded a special alarm that called all the ponies to lock their doors and shut their windows for safekeeping.
Meanwhile, Twilight and her friends raced back to the Castle of Friendship. They ran into the throne room and quickly clambered up onto their respective seats while Twilight figured out what to do. Her mind raced at a million miles a minute as she went over prospective plan after prospective plan. I just hope that haste doesn't make waste here, she suddenly thought in a panic, all of these ponies have their lives in my hooves. Now is not the time to screw up!
She turned to her friends, including Maddock, who's seat in the throne room had just been recently erected. "Normally when we're here, I treat you all as equals. You are my friends, and I love each of you and I would die for each of you. But for now, I am your superior. I am a princess of Equestria, and I am treating this situation as such."
Getting panicked nods from her friends, she continued. "Now then, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Maddock. You are the toughest ponies in our little group, and I want you to be tough as nails for the next 15 minutes. I want you to stand guard on the roof of the castle, in case Sapphira sends some unicorns after us. Remember, their magic can do practically anything. These are incredibly advanced pony wizards we're dealing with here. It would not surprise me if they have figured out how to harness magic and convert it into flight. So be on your guard for an attack from the air just as much as one from the ground."
The three ponies got up, saluted her, and dashed off to their duties. As they left the room, Maddock couldn't help but turn and look back longingly at Twilight. He still loved her very much, and wanted to be sure she would be alright. Applejack stopped and grabbed his chin with a hoof. "Maddock, come on! You heard Twilight! We've gotta go!"
"But I…"
"Don't worry, sugar cube," Applejack said, "everything's gonna be alright. Twilight will be fine." She gave him an understanding look. It had become common knowledge that Maddock loved Twilight, and he found it comforting that his best friends were supporting him in this endeavor. He nodded curtly, yet respectfully at Applejack and the two raced to catch up with Rainbow Dash.
Meanwhile, back in the throne room, Twilight gave out orders to the other ponies. "Fluttershy and Rarity, you are the most caring and compassionate ponies in our group. I want you to find the best medical supplies you can. There should be a surplus stored in the new warehouse out back. Hurry! We have to get to Canterlot as soon as we can!"
The two mares got up, nodded at Twilight, and galloped out of the room. "Now, then, Starlight and Pinkie. I want you to help keep morale up when we get to Canterlot. There are bound to be lots of distressed ponies, and I don't want them to be depressed about all this. Now, I don't want them to be happy to the point where they are completely ignorant of the situation, but keep their spirits up."
"You can count on us, Twilight!" Pinkie said cheerfully, "we won't let those mean unicorns get our guys down!"
"Uh, what she said," Starlight said, putting on a smile. Truth be told, she was scared to death, but she knew she would do whatever Twilight said. After all, she had saved her from the depths of loneliness and had taught her the value of having friends versus being the dictator of a collective. She now valued each pony individually and saw their individual talents.
With the orders given, Twilight rose from her throne and made her way to the castle hallway. She passed by three or four doors before coming to one marked "DO NOT ENTER UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY." I'd say this is pretty darn necessary, she thought as she unlocked it and went in.
Inside, there was a technological marvel. A machine that allowed her to broadcast a message to every television set in Equestria. Yes, friends, they do have television in Equestria. The channel E1 was broadcasting an episode of Equestria's most popular show, "The Stallion," a reality show in which 26 different mares all basically fought over the same single stallion. Twilight found it to be mindless drivel, as did the other princesses. Maybe I should thank Sapphira, she thought with amusement, I'm about to interrupt this crap. Oh, and I think it's the season finale too!
With that somewhat comforting thought running through her mind, she pressed a button and the machine came to life. An antenna shot up from the top and out a special hole in the castle roof. Once everything was in order, she hit the broadcast button. Suddenly, every television set in the country went dark, even those not watching "The Stallion." Then, Twilight came on.
"My fellow Equestrians," she said calmly, "we are at war with a group of highly racist unicorns who are bent on destroying us and our way of life. My School of Friendship was attacked by a pony named Sapphira and her group of malevolent ruffians. I have sent a message to Princess Celestia, but I want to make it known to the population at large. As your princess, I am ordering a code red lockdown of all towns in Equestria. Nopony is to go in or out until either myself, Luna, Cadance, or Celestia gives the order. Do not be panicked, my friends, but protect yourselves and your families. I do not know when this storm will pass, but I have faith that it will. Until it does, make sure that you all remain safe. Thank you, and hail Equestria."
With the traditional sign-off being said, she stopped the broadcast. I just hope I haven't caused a mass panic, she thought to herself, I want them all to be safe. I have to find a way to stop Sapphira…hopefully without killing her and without dying myself.