//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: An Equestrian Odyssey: Lightning Dash // by TessiFlameheart //------------------------------// Epilogue Celestia, Twilight, and Cadence sat on chairs especially brought into the Night Court’s audience hall for the occasion. Around them were seated the nobles of Equestria, at least those who bothered to attend the last minute meeting. Seated behind the rows of Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, and Countesses were the common ponies who had decided to attend the “Public Announcement”. Princess Luna stood behind a large podium set up in front of her throne which was currently hidden by a large white banner which bore Luna’s crescent moon coat of arms. “Ponies of Equestria,” Luna began, speaking as loudly as she dared so everypony present could hear her words, “in recent days I have come to at last have a true sense of the modern Equestria. I ask your forgiveness for how long it has taken I beg you to understand that as an immortal I am somewhat slow to change. However one thing about me which shall never change is how deeply I care for the safety and prosperity of all those within my care. It is out of this sense of duty that I gather you all here today as witnesses for my first true act as Equestria’s guardian.” The audience hall suddenly became abuzz with conversation. Luna gave everypony a few moments before holding up one hoof to silence the crowd. “I have watched many of your dreams, and I have read many reports regarding the state of our kingdom. Monsters roam the lands, there are those who go hungry because of problems beyond their control, and worst of all true threats to our land and culture both new and thought long dead assault us from every side all too often. My sister has created a band of heroes, the Element Bearers, she has also created a loose guild of volunteers who travel to remote locations and attempt to ward off threats to our land before they happen, and of course every major settlement has a regiment of guards to protect the citizens. But these protections are not enough.” Once more the audience hall filled with the buzz of concerned conversation. This time Luna let the conversations die down, using the moment to glance at her sister’s face flinching at the suspicion upon it. “The Elements of Harmony must be used together, they can not be used in more than one place at a time. The Adventurer’s Guild is not a true military or even police force though they serve a valuable purpose. The City Guard, even my own Night Guard, are not trained to attack, only to defend. We also must be honest, how quickly do you remember the Canterlot Guard being overwhelmed during Queen Chrysalis’s attack upon our city? I for one remember it to be all too quickly. “Because of these concerns I have decided we need another military force, one with the authority to patrol problem areas, track down dangerous criminals wherever they hide, and which can be sent anywhere Equestria Needs a shield to shelter it, and a sword to strike for it. While I do not have the authority to form a standing army on my own, I do have the authority to create new branches of the Office of Special Services. As stated in the Law of the Sun and Moon Chapter 14 Section 3 Paragraph 5, as ruler of the Night Court I Princess Luna hereby decree the creation of a new branch of my Special Service, the Lunar Crusader Corps.” Luna winced as Celestia’s eyes narrowed, the crowd of assembled ponies broke out into roars of outrage, questioning shouts, and a few cries of approval. As the crowd’s discussions died down Twilight raised a hoof, “Luna, what powers will you be granting these… Crusaders?” “My Crusaders have the right to a concealed identity, no pony save royalty may ask for their true name. They have the right to combat training, excluding mega spells. They have the authority to perform arrests and transport criminals. They have the right to bear arms, technological or magical in nature. They have the authorization to command other forces as if an officer of the lowest equivalent command rank.” Luna paused for a moment giving her sister a knowing look, “My sister, I see the wounded look upon your face. This is not a personal attempt at power. I do this for the safety of our nation. To prove my words I will allow you to assist in the creation of the Crusader’s Oath Spell, a curse which will ensure all volunteers for my Crusaders can not stray from their duties.” Celestia blinked in surprise, “You are going to magically control these ponies? What are their duties?” “No sister, they are free to do as they will, but they will be bound to: Protect the Innocent. Serve the Public Good. Keep the Peace. Be Honorable in their Actions. But most of all to be loyal to the Corps and to the sovereign rulers of Equestria. Command of my Crusaders will not be solely mine, for any major operation the four Princesses must agree to ‘Launch a Crusade’ as it were.” The three other princesses discussed the matter amongst themselves for a time. As they spoke with one another the other ponies in the audience hall loudly argued back and forth. “Please ladies and gentle colts, I know this is a controversial development in your lives, but the next time a dragon attacks Manehatten, and at the same time Basilisks invade Trottingham you will be glad my Crusaders could assist you.” Cadence raised a hoof, Luna nodding to let her speak, “Princess Luna, we have decided to stand by your decision on one condition. You must provide a demonstration of your Crusader’s capabilities within a week so we can assess how much danger they will be in should they bey sent on a mission. While your motivations are just and for the greater good, we cannot endanger the lives of any-” “Commander Lightning Dash, please come to my side.” There was a loud whoosh as a silver and red blur shot from behind the banner, the white silk thrown aside as a pegasi clad from head to hoof in an exotic suit of steel and a flowing red cloak sped to the princess’s side, hovering next to her on four pillars of light. “As you command my Princess!” she shouted in a metallic booming voice. “Miss Rainbow Dash,” Luna asked, taking advantage o the stunned silence to address Dash who was seated just behind and to the left of Twilight, “I understand you raised the commander a day hence. Can you attest to her speed?” Rainbow Dash nodded, “Yes your highness. Lightning nearly beat me in a fair race, even after my sonic rainboom. She is certainly one of the fastest pegasi in Equestria. But not quite as fast as me!” Luna noded, smiling softly, “Commander, could you lift this podium please?” Lightning Dash nodded and landed with a metallic thud, stepping over to the podium, placing two hooves on either side and lifting it over her head with ease. “As you can see, my Crusaders will be strong, fast, agile, and their armor possesses more then enough tools for any mission they may need to undertake.” as Luna finished speaking Lighting returned the podium to the ground. “How is she able to do these things?” Celestia asked, a look of surprise on her face, “I sense no magic within her aside from that in a normal pegasi!” “A very specially talented mare designed the armor the Commander has on. It is a marvel of technology and magic. All of my Crusaders will possess a set.” Twilight grinned, “The mystery mare!” Celestia gave her a confused look, “Remember when I wrote you saying I believed I had found our thief?” “Yes I do. Luna is this the same mare? May we meet her?” Luna nodded, “Of course my sister but it must be another day. As a member of the Lunar Crusader Corps, only the four of us may know her and she has no armor with which to conceal her identity.” The three princesses talked amongst themselves for a short time before nodding, Celestia standing up and speaking loudly enough for everypony to here, “So be it! The Lunar Crusader Corps have my permission to operate as intended by Princess Luna.” Luna’s horn glowed as she levitated a new banner up from the floor and hung it on the left hand wall of her audience hall near her thrown. The banner was a bright red rectangle featuring a silver sword behind a golden shield decorated with the silver crescent moon. “From this day forwards Equestria has another team of guardians. Evil beware and good take head of the Lunar Crusaders!”