//------------------------------//
// ... So who saved Canterlot? 
// Story: LucidTech's Story Scraps 
// by LucidTech 
//------------------------------//

        Twilight Velvet shared a worried glance with her husband, Nightlight. They shared a moment where they could both see the overwhelming terror that was worming up inside the other, then they quickly broke eye contact to look around their room once again, knowing full well, however, that this would only cause more alarm and angst in their minds and bodies. It took the other ponies in the room only a moment before they saw the fearful shaking of the husband and wife, and were quick to their sides to reassure them. 

        “I assure you, this spell will work perfectly. We have tightened the filters extensively on what is allowed to come through the gate.” The mere mention of the noun made both parents look to what he was referring to and shivers danced over their spines as their eyes gazed upon it, the same reaction they’d had when they’d first seen it as well. It was so… alien and foreign… so wrong…

        Their minds went to their son who was busy with his new duties in the Crystal empire, and to his bride, their daughter in law, the crowned princess who he served beside. They dwelt on many things, but foremost among them was worry and wishes, worry and wishes that those two ponies were here now, to support them. Because, even as powerful mages as they were, they missed their family now more than ever.

        Their daughter had gone to Ponyville, and who knew when she’d be back, and it was terrifyingly lonely in Canterlot for them now, in the midst of this panic and fret, worried sick for their separated children. Squeamishly, Twilight Velvet looked up to the lunar guard who had spoken mere moments ago. “And you’re sure that the princesses would approve of this?” Out of the corner of her eye she could still the scorch marks in the shape of a star.

        “Without a doubt.” Came the reassuring reply, and Velvet took it to heart. She breathed deeply and let the calm and peace rest her panicking muscles, with her husband following her lead only a few seconds later. She planted her legs firmly on the outline now, and Nightlight did the same and together they looked to the guard and nodded. He responded the same and left them be.

        “Whenever you’re ready.” Came the call from the edge of the room. Nightlight looked into Velvet’s eyes and together on some unspoken command they poured their magic into the glyph beneath them. Yet, despite the concentration this demanded, the duo didn’t break eye contact, not even once. 

        Light began to fill the chamber and the lunar guards backed away slowly, amazed at the raw magical potential of these two unicorns. It was nothing like the princesses, certainly, but it was still astounding to see from nobles. The light brightened and began to fill in the star between the pair, slow going, but steady. From the corners of their eyes they watched it fill in, watched the spell progress.

        However, large amounts of magic are known for being unstable.

        The spell began to waver, breaking free of it’s bindings, but Velvet and Nightlight continued on despite the cries of the guards telling them to stop. They were part of the pattern now, to try and break free would be catastrophic at best. Tears began to leak out as they stared at each other, both of them dreading what was to come. They only had so much magic, and the spell hadn’t been completed because of it’s instability. If someone didn’t act fast, they wouldn’t be living one day longer.

        A voice echoed from the spell, an impossibility as it was only a collection of raw magic now, not a portal, not anything. “I guess that works.” Everyone looked at one another but there was no time to talk or shout, because the spell soon burst to pieces, sending both unicorns outwards, where they were quickly collected and healed by several waiting lunar guards. 

        The explosion had filled the middle of the room with smoke, and therein they could see three strange forms, shuffling about. “Hmph.” Came a voice, different from the first, and it was quickly followed by the sound a sword being moved into it’s sheath. “I was hoping to fight as soon as I got here.”

        “Now now.” Came the last voice. “How rude, they have after all summoned us to help, surely we can do better than complain.”

        The smoke brushed aside to reveal three tall and imposing figures. The first was clad in a large red cloak, an equally large sword resting over his shoulder and a pair of dark shades hiding his face from view. A strange jug was tied around his waist, marked with strange symbols, and his left arm was tucked nicely into his coat like a haphazard sling.

        The second one looked like madness himself and a long scar marked his face as a war trophy. His hair was spiked sharply and at the end of each spike was a single bell. A white vest was worn over a long black robe and a sword rested itself over his shoulder as well, albeit battered and scarred.

        The last stood calmly and straight, a small cross hung about his neck and a large sword was hung vertically across his back, the hilt making another cross and making him look all the more imposing. A black vest was worn over a red cape, much like the others, however what set him apart greatly was his eyes, sharp dagger-like eyes that cut through a ponies soul.

        These three swordsman, utterly unstoppable by themselves, were the ones who had accepted the call to aid Canterlot. And, as the ponies looked at them they had no doubt they would succeed. They just hoped Canterlot would be in one piece afterwards.