It was well into night when Cadance and Shining got home. After bidding him a farewell at the barracks she headed for the Castle proper. Once she got inside things at first seemed normal, but soon she noticed that all of the guards were missing. Her magic activated, forming a grip on her concealed dagger in readiness.
“AH my dear niece you have returned!” Cadance looked in the direction the voice came from, only to find darkness. Then, as if forming from the shadows herself, her aunt Luna swirled into being. Luna was known for her theatrics, but this time she wore a face that was a little too close to ‘Party of One’ Pinkie Pie. The manic grin was there, but her eyes weren't drifting; that was the only difference. Before Cadance could act further Luna pounced on her and they teleported. Blinking away the afterimage from the spell, Cadance looked around, trying to figure out where she had been taken. It took her a second, but she realised that they were in Luna's quarters, and that they weren’t alone. Just inside the door there stood a male pegasus, blue maned with white fur, and a small tuft of fur on his ears, showing some thestral heritage in him.
“Who's this?” Cadance asked, pointing a hoof at the guard. “He’s not one I recognise.”
“Ah that is my new personal Guard, Silent Night. He is the first of a new Night Guard Tia is forming.”
“Oh, I hope you have a say in the matter aunty.”
“Oh, I do, but he volunteered. Now, since you are here we can finally play.”
“Oh?” Cadance glanced down and saw a table set in the middle of the room, on which was laid a world map, and several model units. It instantly reminded her of the game Risk, which caused her to smile. “Bring it on.”
* * * * *
Cadance yawned as she walked to the dining room. She had been up late, locked in a battle with Luna and Silent Knight. That stallion was well named, he barely said a thing all night, and most of what he did was only in connection to the game. It was still fun, but it was now around noon and this was her first meal of the day. She was yawning again, eyes closed and head raised, when she hit something that squeaked, and fell to the floor. Cadance groaned and soon a female voice spoke out.
“Oh Princess Cadenza I am so sorry!” Cadance shook of her yawn found a foal with light blue fur, cyan mane with a bit of light purple in it. Oddly the foal was wearing an outfit that looked like guard armor.
“It's okay little one. I wasn't watching where I was going. But a filly like you shouldn't be in this section.”
“I'M NO FILLY I'm Fun sized.” The filly then saluted. “Warrant Officer Azurite your highness, I'm assigned to pony Resources your Highness.”
“Nice story filly.” Azurite pouted and Cadance admitted it was adorable. Then she summoned a scroll.
“These are my transfer orders.” The mare held out a scroll and Cadance took the time to read it. She found that the papers bore the right seals, and noted her service history. It covered an incident on the night Luna can back; a riot in the city, leading to the then city guard having to use lethal force to save her partner. It also stated that the guard requested to do something different, and that she had in fact been assigned to the castle.
“My apologies, Warrant Officer. I shall enjoy seeing you around the castle. Please, return to your duties.” The mare took her scroll and saluted, before going on her way.
* * * *
Cadance shortly arrived at the Dining Room, only to find a pouting Luna, while Celestia smiled and sipped her tea. “Morning Aunty, Aunty.” She greeted, nodding to them in turn.
“Afternoon actually Cadance, but considering you helped entertained Luna last night I can see why. Though her mood right now is very ‘pouty’.”
“Well she did lose last night's game.” Cadance replied. “She came close, I have to say.”
“Oh? How strange. Usually the only pony that beats her at strategy games is me, though even that is rare.”
“I think it's the fact her guard Silent Knight did better than her.” She said with a smirk.
“OOOHHH!?” Celestia had a very interested look.
“Oh yes, I just barely squeaked out a win last night. Aunty Luna's last desperate attack turned it to my favor. But that is not even the worst of it. The stallion barely said a word, and I challenged Luna to get more the three words out of him that didn't have to deal with the game. In the end he only said two words, 'You lose.'” Celestia started laughing as Luna faceplanted on the table.
It took a couple minutes for Celestia to calm down. “So how did your trip to Equintopia go?” Her aunt asked.
“Overall quite well. Dawn Light was a very good host. I have what trade deals they wish to make.” She summoned and hoofed over the scrolls. “Also, I hope these are approved, a group is forming there that is giving me a bad vibe.”
“Well I'll look it over with my advisors. But it sounds like a successful mission. I knew you could do it.” Celestia replied. I rolled my eyes and continued my meal.
* * * * *
A few weeks later Cadance was out flying with Luna and Silent Night, long after the sun had gone down. The stallion did protest to this action, two princesses leaving the castle with but one guard, but Luna was determined and secretive. After a long flight, they finally landed on concealed flat pad, hidden amongst the tall mountain range that acts as a border between Equestria and the Frozen North.
“What I am about to show you two must not be revealed to anypony. Not even my sister knows of this place.”
“I won't, I promise, but why keep it such a secret?” Cadance asked.
“You will see my dear niece.” Luna answered.
“I will be silent on this your highness.” Silent answered drawing a smirk from Cadance. Luna nodded and traced her hoof in a crescent moon shape against the mountain. A low grumbling sound echoed through the mountain tops, and a large portion of the rock face slid away, revealing a passageway.
“Follow me.” Luna said and they did so and entered the passage. While it was dark at first a few paces within, they found a hallway lit with magic crystals. Luna led them on through the hallway. After a couple minutes at a slight downward slant, the hallway opened up to a large cavern. A cavern filled with buildings and ponies. The ponies had dark coats, bat like wings, slit eyes and tufts on the ears like Silent.
“Thestrals.” Cadance stated and Luna nodded. Before more could be said they were surrounded by guards.
“Halt! You are trespassing......” Whatever the guard was saying was lost to history as he looked at Luna. “Sovereign?” He asked, dropping into a low bow.
“Yes, it is I Princess Luna, your Sovereign.” Luna said as she stepped forward. “I know I don’t look quite like those here would remember me. I am glad to see you are still here; I was worried about you whenever I was in my right mind, and I have finally had the strength to go and seek out you.”
“And those with you?” The guard leader asked.
“This is my niece Princess Cadance.” Luna said with a gesture of her wing, before using her other wing to point at the stallion. “And this is Silent Knight, my Guard.” The guards muttered among each other, and Cadance overheard the mentioned of Silent’s ears, and the name of Knight. Cadance leaned over to him.
“Seems you are making an impression, Silent.”
“Indeed.” He responded.
‘What? Is this guy Teal’c from Stargate?’ Cadance mentally asked. ‘He just needs that single eyebrow raise thing.’ She groused as she stared at him. And he raised a single eyebrow.
‘YUP!’ She mentally threw her hooves in the air, her brain deciding to walk away.
“Well this is a time of rejoicing, our Sovereign has returned! Please follow us.” The guards took to the air and Luna's group followed. Cadance gazed over the city. She saw curving pathways among the stone houses of various sizes and designs. There was a large market area where she saw thestrals bartering for food or other items. Soon she saw a massive castle in the center. It was a true castle; walls, keeps, the whole shebang. This was meant to defend the residence of this city. They landed on one of the balconies and were escorted in. The same gems lit this place as in the entry way from the mountain side. They walked till they got to the throne room. There she saw two thrones; one far larger than the other. The smaller of the two was occupied by a thestral mare, her features and body showing her advanced age.
“Regent, our Sovereign has returned.” He stepped to the side to reveal Luna's group.
“She looks different then the paintings show.' The regent stated.
“That happens when an alicorn exhausts almost all of their magic, Regent. I know some books depict me and my sister in this state.” The regent was silent for a minute before responding.
“True, true. I remember seeing some books with those depictions in it. So my Sovereign, what is your plan for us?”
“To re-establish myself with you all, and to start reuniting you with the rest of Equestria.” Luna stated.
“But they would abuse and torment us!” A guard shouted.
“They would not. Times have changed.” Luna answered calmly.
“But they banished you away! We even feared they killed you – that’s why we fled here.” The guard responded.
“What happened 1000 years ago was a series of mistakes, some made by my sister and others by myself, and we both paid in our own ways. Some might have thought to harm you; they are a minority, and I know my sister never would. As you can see Silent Knight here is of your blood, a line long lived outside of this bastion. He volunteered to be my guard. And this is my niece, who has been working hard to update me to the modern world, and has been very supportive to me since my return.” Cadance nodded.
“Nothing to say for yourself, Princess?” The Regent asked.
“Only that I figured out my aunt was returning, and that Princess Celestia made grave mistakes, some that lead to Princess Luna's mistakes. What my Aunt Celestia wants now, as she has from the beginning, is a chance to heal old woulds. Between her and her sister. And between you and the rest of Equestria.”
“So she knows of our location!?” A Guard responds.
“She does not. She knows you exist but not where you are. Aunt Luna didn't tell us where we were heading so this was a surprise to me and likely Silent.” Luna nodded.
“I came to see..... to hope you had survived. I am very happy you have. I want this rift to be fully healed. It will take time and it won't be easy. But I Luna, Princess of Equestria, Alicorn of the Night, and Your Sovereign swear to lead you out of the shadows and be with your cousin tribes once again.” Luna said with a very determined look, and Cadance couldn't help but smile as her aunt seemed to regain some of her lost confidence.
ITS ALIVE!!!! Also, first.
8143782 I litterally have only one day were I am not working so I have only so much time for writing.
Cool. It's the perfect analogy. Silent as Teal'c!
8143809 Indeed.
Calvin Coolidge would be proud.
8143855 So would Steel Striker.
Thanks for bringing this story back to life.
8143898 it never died.
Couple shifts between first and third perspective.
8143855
8143875
Heh! I bet I could write a line from Luna that would meet the requirements of the bet:
Luna: "NAME, RANK, and SERIAL NUMBER! NOW, MISTER!"
Silent Knight thinks: "ohfuta!"
downvoted for a false character tag
8023366 Sometimes it take an invitation to one's own funeral to wake one up!
8143941 which tag is false?
8143941 Which one is false. all will be in this story.
You know, I like fanfic reviving and all, but what the hell FimFic? I got like, 7 dead fic coming back to live, if more came back I might be worried a zombie apocalypse is coming. I ain't got time to reread them to remember what is going on in the story. Especially those 50 chapters stories which have a fetish over plot continuation that went into hiatus.
On a brighter note, you're back!
8143972 never left, just have two jobs to pay rent and such so progress slowed.
Busy busy! A secret society self-sustaining inside a mountain? That can't have been easy.
It's nice that Cadance is socializing Luna, but what has been going on in relation to Shining? Hmmm...
Keep going! ;)
Yes! Update!
8144029 Nope lis like her mark.
8144044 Yes, but feels it nessecary. They can't know of her previous life as Dave. He believes it would be bad. better to think him as the result of her injury, more true then not.
Finally an update
8144106 But times there is no where to go hence her plan to be able to fight.
Oh my god the first loli pony
8143782 i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/8/28/l1A4270xX020IxemosHcPA2.jpg
8143907 orig06.deviantart.net/21a1/f/2013/302/e/4/spartan_never_die__they_re_just_missing_in_action__by_fuccixxx-d6s9wzm.jpg
8144304 welp, we had a good run while it lasted.
i.ytimg.com/vi/jfDjjMSe_Vs/hqdefault.jpg
i really pity dave, being trapped with the body and instincts of a female while retaining the mindset of a straight male must be a nightmare
8144392 I know that it doesn't really matter, but, why not do it?
8144478 hence the name of her sword. Love's Pain.
good job
8144052 Hm officially the name is Fleur Dis Lee, you obviously may change it
[think they named her like that because Fleur de Lis can't be trademarked.]
8144498 ¿thats the name? huh... i could swear i read "love hurts" or some other thing, oh well
I think it would be interesting if she fell in love with somepony else.
8144594 Well she would out live him.
Silent Knight thank god I am reading all those stories right now or I would be completely lost.
But it was a great chapter keep up the good or not its your life.
8143957 He is Probably talking about the chrysalis one, but I find it obvious that she'll be there.
Okay, point number one: HE DIDNT DIE!!!
Point number two: I greatly enjoyed this chapter!!
Point number three: If you dissapear again, I am hunting you down, glueing you infront of a computer, and supplying you with a life-time supply of.....
Drumroll please?
PIZZA POCKETS!!!!!! :D
8144801 I think that Soylent would make for healthier, but worse-tasting, prison-food for our author. Can't let an unhealthy diet get in the way of writing!
[youtube=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9IKVj4l5GU4]
ABOUT TIME!!!!!
Nice seeing you're back!
BAT PONIES!!!!!!!
8144801 Two jobs eat out of my time and did have my own stories to read as well.
8144956 Hmm not really... It may make a modicum of sense when the king is determined by being the strongest warrior, but the issue remains that if it is the king that coordinates the battle and he gets killed the whole army just collapses... At that point it would be better to just have single duels.
I kill the king I win.
You can see that in that case it is NOT really smart to have him in the front line and exposed
8145695 Unless there is a clearly line of successions for Command.
8145846 yes... but then the successor is NOT in the front line... else you just get BACK to the first problem... Targeting officers is one of the most used strategies for a reason. And again there is the issue that a good administrator does not necessarily overlap with a good fighter. And having limited time to learn learning to fight at a professional level would cut into the time spent on learning how to manage a country...
8145892 There is still a chain of command and why Cadance takes her combat training seriously. She won't always be front front but where a general would be.
Love the update!
Night or Knight?