I slowly opened my eyes and I looked out to the window. It’s raining. I just know because the hospital window looks towards to the cave entrance. It’s a little bit weird when half of your town built in the mountain and the other half built outside. I know Canterlot built on the mountain and they had to hide from every other creature but it feels weird somehow. The hospital sits place a little bit above than the other houses so I can see the whole town itself. I can’t believe what am I seeing.
The whole town itself is Canterlot. I recognize the streets and the financial district. It has just a few differences between the two cities. First, it’s darker here everything than back at Canterlot. They used some sort of black stone to build the houses. Maybe they like to use the black color even if most of the ponies coat blue in here. The other thing with the darkness, they don’t use a lot of light in here. I mean they literally live in the shadows. I saw another weird thing earlier. They had our currency here. They use bits and somehow in the correct currency like back in Equestria. I can’t imagine how.
“Monsoon are you awake?” – I slowly turned around and I looked to Twilight who was sitting in the hospital bed. She’s probably woke up before me.
“Yes, yes I am.”
“Where am I and what happened?” – I explained her what happened and she’s here in Oakhaven with us and with the thestrals.
“They give you the antidote and something to help your recover faster. Ask Frost Wing if you want to know what was that. Anyway, we will gather up and go to the landing zone because the airship will come today and we will go home.”
“What about the thestrals?”
“They won’t come back to Equestria but they will send a delegation with us. I can understand them because they settled in here and they won’t give up all of that what they built in here.”
“Yes, I can understand them too.” – She hung down her head.
“Is it something wrong?”
She looked back at me – “No.. nothing.” – we sat there in silence for a few moments – “ I… feel I let you down and the Princesses.” – She said with some tears in her eyes.
I moved and stood next to her bed. – “And why do you think that?”
“Because….because I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t there when you first met them, I wasn’t there either when you try to convince them to come back to Equestria. In the first battle, I didn’t fight with the others. I just stood there. In the top of that I-I almost died.”
“Look Twilight you didn’t let anypony down. You are a researcher, Princess Celestia protégé and you represent The Element of Magic. You’re not a solider or a diplomat so you don’t have to blame yourself what happened.”
She looked angry. - “Yes, I’m blame myself. I failed Princess Celestia and I almost died from a flower.”
“Hmpf. You haven't failed Princess Celestia yet, am I right?” – She glared at me.
“What do you mean?”
“Twilight look at me. I’m not an idiot. So why are you here?” – She is nervous so I think I found something.
“I’m here because I have to conv-“
“Twilight as I said you aren’t a soldier or a diplomat. So, I ask again why are you here?” – I know it’s rude to cut in somepony sentences but I should know why is she here.
“I’m here because I have to retrieve an artifact.”
“An artifact? What kind of artifact if I may ask?”
“Did you ever hear about Moonlight Moor?” – I shook my head. – “He was a great general when Princess Luna and Princess Celestia rule first in Equestria together. He fought against the griffons and the zebras to strengthen the borders. He was a good tactician and a war hero so he founded an academy in Canterlot.”
I rubbed my chin then I glared at her. - “Wait, are you talking about General Master Crescent?”
She nodded. – “Yes, that was his second name. He had two great pupils in the academy. The one was who founded the Wonderbolts after Princess Luna banishments, General Firefly. The other was named Ire Shade and he founded the Lunar Division. When Moonlight Moor died the Lunar Division and the Wonderbolts fought each other. The Wonderbolts protected Princess Celestia and the other fought for Princess Luna.”
“Wait a minute again. This happened after Princess Luna or Nightmare Moon banishments, right?” – she nodded – “And this Lunar Division not the Shadowbolts right? – she nodded again. – “But they can’t break out Princess Luna from her banishment.”
“In theoretically no, The Elements of Harmony sealed her to the Moon for a thousand year and the Shadowbolts doesn’t exist.”
“How this two thing connects each other?”
“The General had a medallion which is called Lumen. The medallion contains earth pony, unicorn and pegasus magic. When the civil war broke out in Equestria and Princess Celestia had to force out the thestrals, the Lunar Division stole the Lumen with the Generals armors and weapons. If they can use it correctly they could have brought back Nightmare Moon from her prison. Luckily, they couldn’t use it. The Lumen is very dangerous to us and the ponykind. That’s why we have to bring Princess Celestia and destroy it.”
I start to feel uncomfortable myself. Our Princess lied to us. Yeah save the thestrals and come back home with them. That was the disguise Twilight little secret mission. I think Princess Celestia doesn’t want to destroy this powerful artifact. Maybe she wants to control something or somepony. I know this is a traitorous thought but what can I do in this situation.
“I will help you find and bring back the artifact Twilight but I have to delay the flight home and the team won’t like at all.”
“Thank you, nopony can know about this artifact and don’t worry we will be there.” – she smiled at me.
“Okay I go and give the orders to the squad and gather the Lunar Pony delegation. After that I will come back for you.” – she nodded. I left the hospital and moved to my squad.
--------------
“Sir I don’t want to interfere but I don’t like this idea at all.” – White Lance said. I explained them we should delay the trip back to Equestria. They didn’t like it but I expected that. - “So why are we delaying the airship?”
“They set up a meeting again so we can’t go home right now.” – I looked to the map. “Sargent White Lance will move to the landing zone and signal the airship. After that you form a defensive circle around the airship and wait for us. We will be home at tomorrow morning if everything goes to the plan.”
“Princess Luna is going with you?” – Spitfire asked from a dark corner. The only light in the room was a candle in the middle of the table.
“No, she won’t come with me. They asked only me I go there and I see what they want for us. Then I come back with the delegation and we go home.”
“Did they say why?”
“No” - I can’t figure out any lie to that but I think they believe me. Or they just follow the orders. – “It isn’t trap I can assure you that.”
“How can you say that?”
“If it’s a trap they won’t let you out from here. Okay if I don’t come back about two hours go after White Lance without me. Understood?” – they nodded in unison – “Good”
“Sir what about Twilight Sparkle or the Corporal? They still in the hospital.”
“Twilight is coming with me and somepony carry back the Corporal here.” – they nodded again. – “Move out ponies” – I don’t like to lie to them but I must to do it. I need to get the Lumen before anypony, if it’s exist really. I can’t trust Princess Celestia anymore and I don’t want to fight against Princess Luna and the Lunar Ponies. So, we must destroy it in our way.
--------------
We arranged a meeting with Moonlight to ask about the Lumen. Twilight is excited about to meet the leader of the Lunar Ponies and I was nervous about this situation.
“You can move inside.” – said the thestral guard. We step inside his private office. In the middle stands a big office desk. This room looks like a big library because each side has bookshelves with full of books. Suddenly I stopped in front of a painting. It was General Master Crescent on it but he was older in that painting.
“That’s my great-grandfather, Moonlight Moor.” – He stands next to me.
“But you aren’t 600 years old, right?”
He laughed that. – “No, I’m the XII. Moonlight Moor in the family but I suppose you aren’t here to listen my family stories. So why do you want to speak with me?”
Twilight opened her mouth but I was faster. – “We here for ask about a medallion which is called Lumen.”
That got his interest because he stopped moving and I just saw his back. – “And why do you search such a powerful artifact?”
“Because we want to destroy it.”
“Hmm. Do you think I believe that? Do you know how many ponies sought and died for the Lumen?”
“No but you are the only pony who knows where to find and how to destroy it.”
“You made a lot of risk to come here before your journey back to Equestria. I can kill you both and the others never return to Equestria.” – he turned and looked to me.
Twilight stood in a battle stance but the guards didn’t come inside. Did he want to fight alone?
“You won’t do it.”
“Yes at least not for now but can you guess why?”
“You scared from another war with Equestria. Get to the point and say what do you want from us?”
“I know Princess Celestia sent you for this and I willing to give you on one condition. I give the Lumen to my daughter and she will help you figure out how to destroy it.” – I stepped back then I looked to Twilight. She tried to say something but she was speechless just like me. A box was on the table which was a beautiful and carved. He opened it and he took out the medallion from it.
In the medal was a table which sat by the three tribes. On the top was an alicorn who is wrap her wings around the tribes. I feel the strong magical aura around the Lumen. – “I want to get rid of this. This is a curse to my family so I give you but you must promise you will destroy it. Keep it away from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Dark Song will explain everything.”
“Okay I promise.” – We both bowed – “Monsoon Shine you were honest were honest with us. Thank you.”
“We thank for your all help. So long Moonlight.” – I turned to the door with Twilight and we left the room.
We went down in the hallway when Twilight stops in front of me. – “How I suppose to give the Lumen to Princess Celestia if somepony else carry it. You weren’t intended to give it to her right?” – I smirk and shake my head.
“No, I wasn’t.” – I sighed – “Moonlight warned us to not give it to her or Princess Luna. I don’t want to see what will happen when any of them get the medallion. I know you trust her and I understand you can’t finish your mission. I ask you for a lot now but please don’t give it to her.”
She hung down her head and after a few moments she looked back at me. – “Okay I won’t but what should I say to Princess Celestia?”
“Don’t worry about that I will solve it. Besides you can work together with a thestral.”
“Yes, you’re right. Can we go home now?”
“Yes, we can.”
--------------
We walked about an hour in the forest. I didn’t think that rain from the morning will be a storm but we must reach the airship. I hear something far away from us. Maybe the wind or the thunder but it sounded differently. It sounded like a pegasus and a few meters after we hear battle-cries. Suddenly Soarin appeared from the woods and crashed with Princess Luna.
“What’s happening?”
He got up from the ground before he spoke up. – “We encountered a group of ponies near the airship. Sargent White Lance sent me to get reinforcement. They outnumbered us but we made some defenses before the airship came.”
“What ponies?” – asked Princess Luna
“Your Highness these ponies are Equestrians. They are wearing our armors.”
“WHAT?”
“Soarin are you sure about that?” – He nodded. – “Grace of the moon. Okay plan changed. Private Halberd, Corporal Sandy Blade, Twilight and the Lunar Ponies stay here with Princess Luna and try to stay hidden while we come back for them. The others, with me.”
“Lieutenant but it’s not better to get reinforcement from my father or my brother?” – asked Dark Song
“We don’t have enough time for that. Move out ponies!” – We start run to the landing zone. I thought we already run out of time. White Lance is a good tactician but if they wear our armor then I don’t expect any chance for them.
We hear the battle-cries more clearly and closer. I saw the unicorns shield in my sight. We were close and jumped out from the forest. I clearly saw them, they barricaded themselves near the airship door. They were few of them and the enemy really wear our armor. They wear the EUP armor but why did they attack us?
No time for that we must save the others. They outnumbered us but we can surprise them. I turned to my team – “They are wearing the EUP armor so you have to attack that ponies. Everypony ready?”
----- 30 Minutes earlier – Perspective Sargent White Lance -----
“We made the traps the to the southwest and the southeast but this storm is not the best for us.”
“Good and you know it can give us some advantages.” – I said to Soarin. I was looking the map about an hour but I can’t drive my thought about Monsoon Shine and his delay. Maybe he will explain everything but I have my doubts for that. – “We have luck with that mountain wall at least. They hardly can backstab us.”
“Yes, it’s hard to fly in that strong mountain wind in storm and-“– suddenly we hear a big explosion not far away from our position. Captain Silver Visor came out from the airship.
“What in the Tartarus was that?”
“Defensive position!” – I shouted the order and I held my lance through one of the barricade near the airship. Soarin held his sword next to me. – “Ma’am go inside and ready your crew up.” – she nodded and disappeared from the airship board.
Private Blazing Charge approached us. – “Sir they our ponies.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“They are wearing EUP armor but I didn’t see Princess Luna or the Lieutenant with them.”
“Maybe the vanished ponies?” – Soarin suggested. Maybe but I doubt it.
“Don’t engage them but stay in alert. I will speak with them.” – I moved to the middle of the field. They just stood there and they were doing nothing. Where the explosion came from? – “STAR!” – I shouted them. If they shout back the correct code then they will be our soldiers.
“CRYSTAL!” – came the answer which was correct but I have my worries to them. One of them stood out of them and trot to where I stood. It was Sargent Drawn Impact.
“What happened with you Sargent?”
“Well that’s a long story which I don’t want to share with you. I see Princess Luna and the Lieutenant didn’t come back from Oakhaven, right?” – In that moment, I realized we are in deep shit.
“Why do you want to know that?”
“White Lance as you see we outnumber you so be a good boy, surrender and say where are they.”
“I see but you know my answer. Before we start to fight with each other I just ask one question. Why?”
“We had enough from Princesses ruling so we have to act but how do you understand that because you just a pawn in the game.”
“A pawn huh? Well if we meet in the battle I make your death painful and slow” – I turned around and run back to the barricades. – “They are traitors. We have to kill them all.” – I looked to my guards. They didn’t want to do this but this is our duty. To protect Equestria.
“Soarin go and get reinforcement. The Lieutenant won’t be too far away from us now.” – he saluted and flew away.
They start to run us in arrow formation. They want to pierce through the defense line and separate us. – “Half circle formation around the airship. We have to keep them away from the airship.” - I shouted the orders – “FOR EQUESTRIA”
“FOR EQUESTRIA” – shouted the others. I held my lance in front of me. The first wave came and I already killed a pony. He just run to my lance blindly but they pierce through our positions.
I barely can do anything about it they really outnumbered us. If the airship in the air they can provide us with some supports with that cannons. An earth pony attacked me but I blocked his blows.
I flew up a little bit and try to charge him but a unicorn fired. I dodged it and I continue my charge. He hasn’t got any chance against me. I pierced through his armor to his heart. I tried to take out my lance but it stuck. I drew out my sword in the correct time because that unicorn didn’t give up to killing me. Fortunately, I blocked her shot with my sword. I charged her but she made a shield.
The unicorns made a big shield to push them us back to the airship board. I hate the unicorns and we can’t counter it. The only thing we can do is hit the shield and try to tire out them.
“FOR EQUESTRIA! FOR THE PRINCESSES! SAVE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS!” – it was Monsoon Shine. For Celestia sake they finally arrived. That give us the opportunity to push them back and kill them all. The unicorn shield faded away and I made the first move. I cut the first Pegasus neck in front of me.
They didn’t have any chance. We attacked them from two sides. Maybe they outnumber us but they can’t outnumber our tactic. I killed another earth pony. They broke out on the left side and try to flee.
We tried to get in front of them but they were fast. They lost and maybe six or seven ponies survived in Sargent Drawn Impact team.
Monsoon Shine approached me – “It’s good to see you alive buddy. What the actual fuck was that?”
“Traitors sir. It was Sargent Drawn Impact and the other ponies which disappeared in the caves.”
“I see. Board the everypony to the Renegade and we immediately leave this place.”
“Sir yes sir”
----- Perspective Lieutenant Monsoon Shine -----
After Princess Luna arrived with the others we boarded to the airship and left the ground. Finally, we really moving to home. I need a drink after what happened. I never thought we have traitors in the army. Okay I had my doubts to the Princesses after Princess Celestia sent Twilight to this secret mission. But try to kill them, that’s ridiculous. I go and speak with Princess Luna right now.
I went down to her cabin and knock on her door.
“Enter” – I moved inside and bow to her. She sits on her bed.
“Lieutenant what can I do for you?”
“Princess Luna we have to speak about what happened today.
“I understand. Sit down Monsoon Shine.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” – I sat down to a pillow. – “I’m starting to really worry about your protection. If it was just a civil group I will say we can handle it. But they were soldiers.”
“My sister said once it has a group in Equestria and they want to change our country drastically. I did not think either, that they would be soldiers.”
“Princess, you and Princess Celestia have to share information like that. We have to prepare everything.”
“You can’t be prepared for everything Monsoon Shine but you were right. I had to share this information with you. “
“When we are back in Equestria again, we have to investigate this situation. Maybe we have more traitors in the army than we thought.”
“Yes, I will speak with my sister about this.”
“In that case Princess, I will go back to my cabin.”
“Monsoon Shine in private you can just call me Luna” – I bowed to her
“Goodnight Luna”
“Goodnight Monsoon Shine” – I left the cabin and headed to the canteen. I need to grab some strong drinks. I had to figure out what should I say to Princess Celestia and keep the Lumen in secret from them. After this speaking, I’m sure about one thing. Princess Luna trust me.