//------------------------------// // Descent into the Shadows... // Story: Shadow of Loyalty and Laughter // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// "What is going on your highness?" Rainbow asked breaking the long, but not so long, awkwardness that had befallen amongst the group like a prolonged blanket of silence. "The answer is simple Sergeant Major Spectra and Sergeant Major Diane of the Lunar Corps, Sunset Shimmer has desided to take refuge into my eden of shadows and protect herself from my loving sister. She approached me soon after she and her friends came through the portal and we discussed this matter while Tia was in her morning court session. Considering how well you two whipped my thersals into peak fighting form, I am sure you wouldn't have that big of an issue with Sunset here. I must depart now to my observatory where I will watch my little ponies dream while making sure no soldier steps out of line." "Of course your highness, now come along Sunset." Pinkie said with a bow as her and Rainbow flanked either side of the Princess of the Night, leaving Sunset in the back to follow and leaving her to her thoughts. "Man....this covert operation from Princess Celestia just became a whole lot harder to pull off, I can't back out though since I foolishly Pinkie Promised to aid her in this mission to see if Moonbutt is planning on overthrowing her. I got to admit, I never would expected ANY of the Elements of Harmony to be on Luna's side." She then took a collective breath and asked a question as bait. "So how is it you two joined the New Lunar Republic?" "A daughter can't protect her mother from harm? Is that such a crime Sunset?" Rainbow flatly answered causing Sunset to stop midtrot as her jaw flung open and remained in place until Rainbow noticed she was falling behind. "Come along Tartarus Dog!" The cyan mare barked in a manner not unlike of a Drill Instructor would use back on Earth. "Just my damn rotten luck, equivalent of the Marine Corps...training is gonna suck, but at least I am in the most respected branch...." Sunset thought as the name she was called made sense to what ranks Luna had called Rainbow and Pinkie. They then reached the observatory and when they reached the balcony, Luna stood and watched after she teleported the other three mares to the grounds below while training was going on. It ended an hour and a half before Celestia was scheduled to raise the sun, and needless to say, she was wore out as she reentered Luna's chambers with her instructors. "Had fun Sunset? It seemed like you were." Luna smirked as Sunset bowed before her. "If you call moving until every cell in my body hurts, then yes your highness I did." "Good...get used to it..." Luna's horn glowed and when it died down Sunset was shocked, nowhere on her body hurt but the pain was still in her mind as a reminder of the ordeal she was just put through. "My husband, Dash's dad, taught me that spell before traveling through the heavens...." Luna finished before drifting her gaze to the starry skies above their heads. "Sorry to hear about your loss Princess..,permission to hug?" "Permission granted..." In a time interval that made both Rainbow and Pinkie burn with envy Sunset was off the floor and into Luna's waiting hooves. Sunset noticed something as Luna draped her wings around her, despite the darker coloring of the coat, Luna's fur was softer than Celestia's and the hug made her more comfortable than one from Celestia could ever give her. "And fret not Sunset, he is very much alive but that is a tale for another day. Remember, nopony, not even my sister, is to know about my troops being fully active. Anything you hear from a civilian is to be dismissed as a rumor, understood?" "Ma'am yes ma'am." Sunset said with a confined salute due to being pressed against Luna's chest. "I am curious, just what are we preparing for?" Luna's tone hardened and the hug got a little tighter, showing that where she was putting up a face of calm, she was actually terrified. "Nightmare Moon as a solidified persona with no host......and this time the Elements might not stop her...." Luna then teleported the other three mares back to their bedrooms. "I'm in for a long meditation over this news, longer day trying to balance my duties, and and even longer night of training...." The unicorn grumbled as her head hit the pillow and within moments she was asleep.