//------------------------------//
// The Grid 
// Story: Legion of Shadows 
// by Strythio 
//------------------------------//

Lightning Dust had had better weeks. Smoother ones as well. First, she had to backtrack to the Crystal Empire in order to rescue Trixie. That would have been cake, but Gilda insisted on attempting to rescue Sunset on her own, despite the mare clearly not intended on being rescued from her captor. The stubborn griffon went anyways.

Lightning Dust still felt obligated to save Trixie, so even going in alone, she had returned to the Crystal Empire as agreed upon leaving Trixie in the first place. Even now as she carefully maneuvered their large cloud transport above the cit of Canterlot, she could feel the moon eyeing her every move. 

It was mildly unnerving. To her right was Trixie, the top of the transport having long been scrapped in favor of a more natural looking cloud. So far, it did not seem like they had raised any alarms. 

"Trixie, you okay back there?" Lightning whispered. Trixie had been exhausted, hardly able to drag her hooves to the library and out the secret tunnels leading to the barracks. From there Lightning had to practically fly Trixie up to cloud cover, where they would make their get-away at last from the Empire. On the way, Trixie decided to take a nap, unwittingly falling into a full blown slumber. 

"Mffmffmmm..." Trixie muttered, rolling over in the cloud till she faced away from Lightning. 

Lightning sighed. Whether she liked it or not, she could not disturb Trixie, not now. Even with the alicorn amulet on, she had not likely recovered fully from fighting off the Crystal Guards on her lonesome. Peering over the side of the cloud, Canterlot seemed oddly peaceful, an idyllic place instead of one on high alert. This would make her job easier, presuming the guards were not just hiding out. 

Finally spotting the building that was her target, Lightning slowly floated the cloud until it was just above the building. The sight of a large platoon of guards leaving the building brought on some relief. Lightning flexed and stretched her wings, wanting to be as fluid as possible in case they had left a guard or two behind. Some cracking and flapping later, and Lightning prepared to jump. 

"Trixie is coming to." 

Lightning turned her head to see Trixie stirred and awake, sleepily yawning as she got to her hooves, "In fact, Trixie slept the entire way while you flew. The great and powerful Trixie has got this." 

Lightning was hesitant, at first, but seeing Trixie's eyes glow red and the amulet buzz to life with magic, she decided to be the last pony to try and deter Trixie. She could use a few minute of rest herself. 

"Alright, just don't make too much noise," Lightning warned, "We are in Canterlot. One out of place peep and the Princesses will be on us faster than you can speak your own name. And no offense, but if it come down to it, you all are on your own." 

Trixie chuckled and walked up to Lightning. With a hoof she playfully shoved her to her side. "Oh you would not actually leave us to our fate here in Canterlot would you? You would at least come to our funeral right?" 

Thinking back, Lightning understood the joke, and chuckled. "As long as I don't have to bring a dowry." 

"Weddings have dowries Lightning," Trixie corrected, rolling her eyes, "Now then, how is Trixie to get down without breaking every bone in her body?" 

"Might would help if you had wings," Lightning retorted, flapping hers erratically, "That is why I was going to go." 

"Trixie has a better idea," Trixie spoke, "And she has a trick for this one too. Lower the cloud." 

Lightning hesitated, not entirely sure she wanted to draw the kind of attention a cloud descending on a building would no doubt provide. however, Trixie had already set her magic to work, so Lightning proceeded to lower the cloud towards the top of the building. Precariously at first, it was not until she heard Trixie grunting that she sped up the process. 

Within a few minutes, they hovered just a few feet above the cloud. "Dissipate on 3." Trixie tensed, as if preparing to jump. "One. Two. Three!" 

The cloud dissipated upon Lightning's command, the duo landing neatly atop the roof. Trixie ducked down, flattening herself against the top of the building. Lightning followed through with an inquisitive look. "Okay, so how do we get into the building from here?" 

Trixie smiled, eyes aglow and a confident smirk replacing her earlier stress face. "Why, the front door of course. One moment." 

Trixie vanished from view, presumably using an invisibility spell of some sort. It was now that Lightning realized that Trixie had likely made the cloud invisible earlier, but couldn't maintain it after jumping off of the cloud. Lightning sighed, impatiently waiting for Trixie to give some sort of signal. 

"Come on in!" Trixie shouted from below, startling the pegasus into the air. She quickly descended to the open front door to find Trixie looking into the prison with a puzzled expression. 

"Why did you shout?" Lightning inquired, searching in case any creature caught wind of it.

"Trixie sees neither prisoner or guards." Trixie led the way inside the constable, demonstrating with a hoof the empty station. 

Lightning gasped upon realizing that Trixie was right. The cells all were empty, the front desk was abandoned, and it seemed as if nothing had been residing in here for at least a few days. 

"Are we too late?" Lightning lamented, "Failure can't be this close to the horizon." 

Trixie scanned the building before looking back outside. "The sun is rising. If Sunset or Gilda were being held here, then their time is probably about to be up. Oh well." Trixie began walking back outside, watching the sun catch hold of Celestia's castle and bathe it in beautiful hues of orange and yellow. "It was nice knowing them." 

"Trixie!" Lightning scolded, "We can't throw our hooves up yet! They could still be alive!" 

"And surrounded by more guards than the weight of all of the alicorns put on a scale," Trixie pointed out, "Even with the alicorn amulet, Trixie is not going to be able to fight them and the princesses off." 

Lightning bit her lip. While Trixie had a point, they had not come all of this way for nothing. Lightning did not care much for failing her missions, and she did not intend on making this an exception. Failure was not an option. "Come on, have to find them." 

Trixie rolled her eyes. "What reason do we have to endanger ourselves further?" 

"Because that is our job." Lightning gazed towards the slowly rising sun, visualizing their objective in mind. "If we leave them now, what precedent does that set? Our cause dies due to our cowardice." 

Trixie did not seem convinced, so Lightning continued with renewed vigor. "Down and out, neither of them had any other option for lifestyle. Redeemable at the price of their identity. Trixie, you recall the day we met right?"

"Trixie has never forgotten the day we met." Trixie stood next to Lightning, a small frown on her face. "On the brink of surrender. Struggling to return to the magician way of life, half starved and only a hoof swipe from eating you." 

Lightning gave Trixie a look of bemusement. "An aspiring Wonderbolt rejected for her talents and ideals and a magician ready to resort to cannibalism. Damn, we have come a real long ways have we not?"

"Not really." Trixie chuckled and flipped her mane back, so that it would be entirely out of her face. "Trixie is still a magician and you are still a Wonderbolt Academy reject who cares more about her objective than her teammates." 

"That is not true!" Lightning stomped her hooves in indignation, "I do care!" 

"Oh, so you are not in it for the money?" Trixie sounded shocked, offended even.

"Trixie, I am sorry to say, but we are not getting paid for this." Lightning flinched, as if Trixie would have struck her the moment the words left her lips. 

Contrary, Trixie merely laughed, a sparkle in her eye. "Oh, but we are getting paid." 

Lightning now seemed confused, though she relaxed in stance. Trixie cast her glance from the Castle to Lightning Dust, a wide grin on her face. "By the time we get through with this, there will be no shortage of volunteers lining up at our desk. No shortage of employers wanting a job done. And no shortage of respect and fear from all those who sought to undermine our greatness." 

Trixie took a step forward, the light hitting her and causing a great amount of shadow to project behind her, sinisterly growing as did her volume. "From the bottom of the fucking order to the top of the bucking order! I do not know what you are in this for, Lightning, but I know what I am in this for." 

Trixie smiled, her gaze resting once again on Canterlot Castle. "For the Great and Powerful Trixie, glory is payment enough." 

Lightning, believing this to be some of Trixie's self-pep talk, shot a hoof into the air in agreement. "No guts no glory! Let's go save Sunset and Gilda!" 

"Yeah!" 

The two brought their hooves together in the air, a resounding clop ending their brief aside. They knew not the challenge ahead, but they did not plan on allowing it to stop them. 

Once the moment settled in, Trixie put on a puzzled expression. "So, where do prisoners on death row go anyways when their time is up?" 

"Well, in Cloudsdale, your wings would be bound, and you would literally be booted from the city to fall to your death," Lightning mused, "Considering Canterlot is not that high up, my guess is that we would find them near the castle." 

"Then to Celestia's castle we go!" Trixie announced, "We should make haste before the streets fill with spectators." 

"Actually," Lightning suggested, seeing the streets already beginning to show activity, "It would be safer for us to wait for more spectators. We will stick out much less." 

When Trixie disappeared into the constable, Lightning gazed out towards the city once more, taking note of the kind of ponies that were emerging. Many of them had the look of royal guards, out of uniform it seemed. A few others resembled Canterlot elite based on their clothing, but the vast majority did not appear as if they were originally from Canterlot. In fact, with the appearance of crystal ponies, Lightning became very sure of this.

"Why are they even here-" Lightning mused. It was supposedly Sunset's plan, to go into the Crystal Empire and steal Cadance's magic for the sake of the amulet. 

But Lightning had been in this occupation far too long to fully believe that. No, from the day they were all brought back together, she knew that something was off. She knew that there had to be another player or two in the game. 








Lightning's home in Cloudsdale was modest, to say the least. It was a simple three room dwelling. A bathroom, a living room, and of course a bedroom, all three having recently been stripped of their Wonderbolt propaganda. How long had it been since they had escorted her from the grounds, much to the secret delight of her weaker counterparts? How long since her so-called friend practically swept the cloud from beneath her?

She had heard of Rainbow's intent on resigning. She had heard of what effect that had on Spitfire. And she was just as equally appalled that the Captain had believed that the pegasus would surrender her dream, just like that, from what she deemed a misconception. A misunderstanding. 

Lightning spat into her trash can, her couch having long been the resting place for her brooding. She could never go back, and no matter where in town she went, the danger she had put her fellow recruits in continued to haunt her. None of them actually died, not to mention if they could not keep up, they were not fit to be among the ranks of the Wonderbolts.

But that was obviously just her opinion. Were it the truth, she would still be among the pegasi called upon to practice for mock airshows and combat training, in case the griffons ever set their sights on Equetria ever again. It was more likely that Discord would go on a rampage again than for the griffons to work up the feather to challenge Equestria again. 

Things had been fine though. After her departure from the Academy, she had been swiftly picked up by a sprite eyed member of the Market, seeking potential. Talent. Cunning, determination, a willingness to do anything to get the job done. A pony like Lightning Dust, he said even. The stallion bore an odd resemblance to Shining Armor, but this pony was a pegasus and not a unicorn. When Lightning had asked of his cutie mark, he proclaimed that he had it tattooed to resemble the Captain's out of respect and admiration. 

Horseshit, but Lightning did not challenge it. She needed bits, she needed adventure, and more importantly, she needed an ego stoker. Her first quest had been to escort Fleur Dis Lee to Las Pegasus and back to Canterlot. 

Lightning shuddered. She had never imagined that it would be so difficult, the mare having so few determined foes. That other mare who so sought her life. Her intent had not been to kill her, but the wrath of a pegasus warranted swift action. And then her son, Flash Sentry, so swiftly disarming and nearly killing her with her own blade. 

Lightning shuddered. She might should have considered the royal guard; it was clear that they were a cut above mere show-mares. 

Ding Dunk. 

Lightning lazily looked towards her front door, latched and bolted shut. Any visitors that rang her doorbell would be dissapointed, unless they spoke the reason for their visit. Waiting a few moments, Lightning scowled when the bell rang yet again. Whoever was at the door must be persistent, though they had yet to contend with the patience of Lightning Dust. 

"What do you want?" Lightning called out, stretching out a wing as  if to toy with her feathers, "Can't you hear me thinking?"

"It's Sunset Shimmer. I have got a job for you." 

Lightning rose from her couch, now her curiosity piqued. That unicorn from back then, what was she doing here now? How was she even here? Abandoning her rationale regarding visitors, Lightning called back yet again. "Speak your business more specifically. I have not the time for games." 

"Let me be more direct then. I wish to recruit you for my purposes, for my ambition," she continued to call, "If you are willing, I can reward you handsomely." 

"I have enough bits to last me a decade," Lightning retorted, sinking back into her couch, "I do not need to be in a hurry." 

"Perhaps your heart is in the wrong place, madame, for it is not wealth that I offer you." 

That change in voice, almost even in tongue. Lightning's heart jumped, her chest stricken with an unfamiliar excitement. If she did not know any better, it was their last, and best paying client, at her front door, and not that ungrateful unicorn whom had left without so much as a "thank you for saving my life". 

Lightning contained her excitement, however. She did not want to walk into an obvious trap, for already her guest had changed their voice one time too many. "Antoine? Aren't you supposed to be back in Griffia?" 

"Considering the gaze you left me with back at the Castle, I think you know that I sincerely planned on hiring you again." 

Lightning's grin grew wide, and she finally gave in to her more greedy if not senseless side, leaping from the couch and towards the door. Without a thought she found herself preening her feathers and ruffling her mane. At the time, it was a thoughtless act, but upon reflection, Lightning pondered what side of her brought that on. It was not like her clients hired her for her looks. 

Opening the door, the guest was a rather surprising visitor. Indeed, Antoine stood in full armor, as if battle might visit him in the very street he likely walked to get here. No doubt he stuck out like a sore thumb in Cloudsdale. 

"How did you do that voice thing?" Lightning inquired, studying his features, "You look more the type to claw your way in rather than suave it." 

Antoine cocked his crow head to the side with a raised brow. "Voice thing? Madame, you must be hearing things, I did not change my voice. However, I wish to speak with you about a certain task." 

"Come in, come in," Lightning invited, gesturing towards her living room, "No doubt you stand out so much right in the street." 

"I do not wish to intrude." 

"It is no trouble." 

No, no trouble at all to allow him in. He did not come bearing bits, but for reasons unthinkable at the time, he certainly came bearing trouble. And ever since that run in with Flash Sentry at the funeral, trouble had made itself a constant and most faithful companion.

Watching Antoine as he looked around her abode, Lightning had been grateful not to have been home very often. Otherwise, it would have been mildly a mess- 

"Wonderbolt fan?" Antoine jested, looking into a large pile that had served as a table of sorts in the living room. 

Lightning growled at the mere mention of the organization. "Former fan. What's the job?"

Antoine turned around, fixing his eyes on Lightning. Seizure by gaze alone, both were rooted to the spot of business. 

"A letter from Gilda tells me that she and Sunset are getting together tomorrow," Antoine spoke, "They intend on carrying out a task that I cannot speak of in such quarters." 

Lightning deflated, beginning to catch the jist of where this was going. "You want me to keep an eye on Gilda right?"

"Wrong." Antoine was unblinking, and seemed to study Lightning's inquisitive features as if plotting out his next move. "Gilda suggested that your talents, alongside Trixie's, will be needed for success. The two of them discussed these matters in Ponyville of all places, so no doubt she is still absent on important details." 

"So, are you hiring us, or is Gilda hiring us?" Lightning did not know what kind of credit Gilda had, but seeing as she was Antoine's daughter, the two might would share pockets as well. 

"I am hiring you and Trixie." Antoine forfeited the staring contest in favor of gazing once again around her living room, taking interest in the bland room. "Your job is simple: reform the Legion, and demonstrate its continued ability to operate." 

Lightning frowned, sensing an underlying joke that Antoine would only be able to tell if Gilda had told him about the trial in Ponyville, and Lightning's commentary on the Legion. "You realize that Celestia outlawed that?"

"For Equestria, yes," Antoine spoke, "Not for the Griffon Republic." 

"Republic?" Lightning had checked just earlier that week, and there were no such things as republics in the world. "What is a republic?"

"A form of government ruled by elected leaders, who rule via law rather than whim," Antoine explained, a strange light in his eyes, "It is a fragile sort of rule where the leaders must be willing to abide by preset laws rather than their own personal agendas." 

"Sounds like a bunch of crap," Lightning jeered, "How do you ever get anything done?"

"A chief executive limited in public permissions." Here Antoine smiled and sat on his haunches, putting a talon to his breastplate. "Consul, highest military authority in the land-" 

"But on the leash of a bunch of pen pushers." 

Antoine seemed stricken in his pride when Lightning had said this. She would recall the look of dismay, insult, and even anger that followed. "A balance of power is necessary to rule by law. Equestrians with their monarchical system of government would never understand." 

"Right." Lightning strode past the still posed griffon and hopped back onto her fluffy couch, reclining strenuously as if to prove that she was ready to move on in topics. 

The griffon shook his head and turned, walking until he stood over the stretched out mare. "Anyways, you comprehend your task? Make the Legion work, keep it together, and prove to the world its worth." 

"Alright," Lightning nodded in compliance, "So, when do we need to set out to meet them?" 

"Immediately." 

Lightning frowned. She should have guessed that he would say that. Rising from the couch, she hovered a few feet before landing on her hooves. "Alright, let's get a move on then." 







Wearing a long, hooded cloak in broad daylight in late summer was guaranteed to attract attention. As a result, both Lightning Dust and Trixie were relying heavily on the very thick crowd that had gathered, intending on blending in with the other ponies. As there were no identity checks, it would be a simple matter to view the ongoings from within the crowd. 

A large stage of sorts had been put up, with various guards stationed all around it. In the middle was a single pedastal, the otherwise inert object likely being the location for the punishments. A griffon was placed there with no grace or precision by some royal guard pegasi, who promptly flew off to join their comrades in other places. 

The crowd was hushed, which made it difficult to verbally formulate a plan of attack. As Trixie had predicted, there were guards everywhere; Luna had likely retired for the day, so that meant that Celestia would likely be presiding over the proceedings. The most powerful of the alicorns thus meant that even with the alicorn amulet, Trixie would be no match. 

In short, as Trixie had put it earlier, if they managed to pull this off, there would be much glory to revel in. But oh the consequences if they were to try and fail! 

"So the have yet to bring Sunset Shimmer out," one of the ponies nearby noted, "Seeing her get her just reward is what I came here for." 

Some murmurs of agreement made it clear that Gilda being up there alone had not been the show's promise. Lightning would have laughed at the notion did the figure of Celestia approach from the rear of the crowd. The ponies parted ways, and hastily Trixie and Lightning ensured that they were not on the fringes of the aisle, lest the princess recognize them. Trotting behind her was not Sunset Shimmer, but a familiar unicorn all the same. 

"Fleur dis Lee?" Trixie gasped in shock, the chains and shackles a very unfitting garment for the pony. 

Trixie was not the only pony taken aback, and what used to be relative peace turned into a frenzied hub of chatter and inquiry, everypony under the sun wondering the same question as Trixie. What was she doing here?

"Well, this is interesting," Lightning mused aloud, "Look like Celestia is checking her list twice, better make sure we're not counted like rice." 

Trixie gave Lightning a most irritated look. Some of the ponies around her actually laughed uneasily at the joke, though they too seemed to be taking this quite seriously.