//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - The lost Princesses // Story: The Lost Lunar Civilzation: The Awakening // by Monsoon //------------------------------// “This is your last chance Lieutenant to step aside with your team.” – said their leader while the other cloaked ponies drew out their swords. I shook my head then charged my horn to make a shield. They immediately reacted and charged to us. One of them got really close to me but before he could do anything, White blocked him. After my shield was on, I looked around. On my left Sandy draw her sword out and stood in a battle stance. Suddenly something hit me on my right side and I went through the tavern window. I was laying outside on the cold stone road and I could hear the fighting inside. Of course, that was my luck. I wasn’t even in the fight for a minute, but I flew through a window already. A few moments after I tried to stand up and two familiar pony appeared front of me. One of them has a snow white mane and I couldn’t see his coat because of the wonderbolt suit but I surely know, he has a night blue coat. The other had a blue mane and he was wearing a wonderbolt suit either. They didn’t say a single word just followed me back through the window. They were in hoof to hoof combat except Twilight because she made herself a shield. Two enemy pony tried to break her shield so I charged my horn and shot two magical blast on them. Then I rolled to my left because their leader fired a blast towards to me. We mostly stunned all the hooded ponies. Three of them left and their leader. “Surrender now by the name of Equestria!” – I said. “Equestria is already doomed because of them.” – their leader said and dropped smoke bombs to themselves. After the smoke disappeared they vanished. “Could somepony explain what happened here?” – asked the night blue maned wonderbolt. I turned to him – “It’s good to see you too brother.” - I looked behind my brother to see the wonderbolt. – “And you too Soarin. What are you two doing in here?” “Sir we captured six of these hooded ponies. Orders?” – White said from the other side of the tavern. “Keep them down and one of you go and alert the nearest outpost.” “Affirmative” – then he left through the window. I turned back to my brother. – “So, Winter what are you doing here?” – Twilight and our two thestral pony trot next to me. “Well you know I tried to spend my free time with drinks and mares, so we searched a good place to do that, but I found you outside laying in deep agony on the road.” – He said. Before I could retort anything Dark spoke first. – “So, who is him Monsoon?” I sighed - “Ponies, this is my brother Winter Shine.” – I pointed to him. – “Winter this is Dark Song and Ivy Night our two thestral guest and Twilight Sparkle.” “Nice to meet you.” – Winter said. – “So, brother could you explain what happened here?” I started to explain him and while I did that White came back with some of the city guards. After that we agreed we will escort Dark, Ivy and Twilight back to the castle so we left the tavern and headed to there. “I’m sorry.” – said Twilight who trots next to me. “Excuse me?” – I asked back “I’m sorry. It was me who send you through that window.” “You know it still hurts badly” – she dropped her ears and looked down. – “but luckily I met my brother outside who give us some support in the fight. Next time see where you are aiming with your horn.” “I tried to shoot the pony next to you but unfortunately he ducked so I shot you instead of him.” “It was a pretty damn hard shot. Are you angry to somepony or you just like to use strong killing spells?” – I said with a smirk? “Actually, I am angry.” “To?” “To my friends and Shiny.” – I looked to her and tried not to laugh on Shining. I respect Shining no matter what but that’s hilarious. “So, … why are you angry?” She sighs - “Did you ever meet with Princess Cadence?” “Yep and you know I’m guard in the palace, so I see her a lot.” “No, I mean in personally.” “Well your brother asked me to be her personal guard but luckily I had to go down to the southern outpost because the city guard are lacking commanding officers, so they asked from royal guard.” – She looked back to me. – “She was awfully unkindly and unfriendly with the ponies. I thought she is the Princess of Love.” “That’s what my friends didn’t understand. They said she is like that because of the wedding and I’m possessive of my brother. But I know she is evil. She was my foalsitter and she didn’t even remember me.” – she looked down again. I don’t know what to think about that. Yes, I met her a few times and yes, I recognized her behavior with ponies. I always joked about her when Shining said something extremely dumb thing, but I never thought her sister will accuse her something like that. “Twilight maybe you should speak with your brother.” She rolled her eyes again. - “Gee thanks. That’s a great advice. No wonder why are you the greatest strategist in Equestria.” “No, I mean seriously. Look if somepony believes you, that’s your brother.” “How can you be sure about that?” “Because you are his little sister and your opinion is really important to him.” “Maybe you’re right.” – We continued trotting to the palace in silence but a few moments after she broke it. – “So, you don’t believe me, right?” “I didn’t say that. I just only said-“ “Twilight!” – Applejack shouted from the palace gate. Next to her was Rarity and the others. I feel some trouble here. – “I’m so glad, you’re alright.” – she continued then she left with the others through the gate without any word. “She’s angry to you.” – Winter said next to me. “Do you think so?” “Yes.” – I looked around for a moment and I didn’t see anywhere Dark and Ivy. Abruptly some sparks appeared on the sky and a dark carriage just left from the back of the palace. “STOP THAT CARRIAGE!” – One of the sergeants shouted but the chariot escaped, and we went inside to the palace. ------------------------------------------- We galloped to the throne room with Twilight and her friends where Shining Armor, Spitfire and Princess Celestia waited for us. “Your Highness.” – I said with a deep bow and Winter followed my action. “Princess what happened?” – asked Twilight “Twily leave out of this.” - said Shining the he turned towards to me. – “Monsoon where is Dark Song?” “I..I don’t now Sir. I wasn’t paying attention for a moment and they just vanished.” “They killed two guards while they escaped with Princess Luna.” – I dropped my ears when I heard that. – “The guards couldn’t recognize that carriage and me neither. Whose carriage was that?” “My sisters. I locked away with magic in restricted area of the castle” – said Princess Celestia without any emotion. “Princess why we didn’t know anything about that?” “Because I do not have to share everything with you Captain.” “Yes, you don’t have to but a room with THAT kind of a thing needs to be shared. “Shiny leave Princess Celestia alone. She had her reasons why did she keep it in secret.” – said Twilight while she went in front of him. “Twilight please leave out of this.” – said Princess Celestia to her. “Yes, Twily please I ask you again leave out of this.” – he passed through Twilight and he went next to the throne. - “We must figure it out where were they went. Any ideas? Monsoon?” “Honestly I have no idea sir. They headed south so we can send out some scouts to a few choke points and hiding spots.” “For starters that will be good. Spitfire can you do that?” “Sure thing.” “At the moment Princess Luna is a threat to Equestria. I order the Royal Guard in full alert. Our main task is to find and capture Princess Luna and the thestrals. If we can’t achieve that…achieve that-“ – He couldn’t say it out loud. I knew what he wants to say but nopony could do that. – “If we can’t achieve that we must eliminate her and the others.” “How could you do say that?” – said Twilight. Before Shining Armor could answer that Princess Celestia rose from her throne. – “How dare you to say that about her! She’s not a threat! She’s my little sister and she’s just acting wrongly! – She shouted on the royal canterlot voice. I heard Princess Luna speaking on that voice before but Princess Celestia was different. It was more scary and unusual. The throne room gone silent. We just stood there, and we couldn’t figure it out what should we say after that. It was a complex situation and it would be more complex if I started to talk. Luckily, I didn’t have to because suddenly the throne room doors opened. A messenger came through and stopped in front of me and Shining Armor. “Sir I got a report from Baltimare. They were attacked by the thestrals. The EUP already sent two battalions there to stop them. Tomorrow the war council get a full report what happened until then General Violet Mace wants the Royal Guard to remain here and protect Canterlot. – then he saluted and left the room. I looked to Shining Armor – “Orders Sir?” “Stay on full alert and everypony go back to their room. We will be smarter tomorrow morning I hope.” “And what about Princess Luna?” “We can’t do anything at the moment with her. We have to focus our power to protect the other two princesses and Canterlot itself.” “Yes, Sir.” Princess Celestia left the room first. Then followed by Twilight and the others. Me and Shining Armor was the last in the room. He was in deeply in his thoughts. I wanted to say him something but after this I didn’t know what should I say to him. I just left the room and headed to my office. ------------------------------------------- I sat in front of my desk with a cup of coffee. I didn’t sleep too much last night because of the situation so, the rest of the night I made various plans for how to find Princess Luna and how to approach her if we must fight. I hope I wouldn’t have to use any of these tactics against her. But how could any of it work against a divine alicorn? I say none of it. Anyway, we got another report last night from Baltimare. Nopony injured from the attack which rather weird and interesting. When the soldiers arrived at the city the thestrals have already gone. They just burned down a few houses and carts. I looked to my clock. The sun was rising so I looked to my clock. It was 6. a.m. The eternal night delayed for another day luckily. Abruptly my doors opened, and Sandy came through it. “Corporal what happened?” – I said. “Sir we have another situation! Princess Celestia disappeared!” “What? When?” “We don’t know. Her advisor wished to speak with her and when he went inside she was already gone. The captain rallies up the officers in the throne room and he asked me to escort you there.” I got up from my chair. – “Where is SergSeant White Lance?” “I don’t know Sir. Nopony saw him since the last night.” “Go and find him. Tell him to wait here at my office until I return.” “But Sir what about the captain’s order?” “I gave you a new one. Now go!” She saluted and left the room. I followed her then I went to the throne room. Spitfire was next to one of the windows with my brother Winter, Soarin and Fleetfoot. Some of the city guard officers appeared in the room but not a single EUP officer. Weird. Shining Armor was in front of the throne alongside with Princess Cadence and Princess Celestia advisor. Lieutenant Mighty Strike and Lieutenant Stream Force was there either and I stopped next to them. “Look who shows up at the end?” “Good morning you too Stream.” – I said. Mighty just chuckled on this. – “Good morning Monsoon. I assume you heard what happened?” – he said. “Yes.” “You were already known what happened with Princess Luna too, right?” “Yes, actually I saw it last night.” “Why we are the last ones who get informed?” – asked Stream. “Surprisingly that’s a good question from you. Monsoon?” – said Mighty. “Well-“ “LISTEN UP PONIES!” – Shining Armor voice went through the room. Everypony turned to him. – “We are currently on high alert and our choices limited. Two princesses are missing, and the Royal Guard failed. But we have still got chance to correct our fails. We must bring them back because of the ponies of equestrian. They are the ones who control the sun and the moon. If we lost them we will stuck in the eternal day or night. I think I don’t have to mention each option is worse than the other. So I – “ – Suddenly a group of ponies appeared at the throne room door. It was Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Great what’s next? This whole thing just gets better and better in each minute. Applejack rushed towards to the middle. “Where is Twilight?” – she asked it out loud to the air. The ponies in the room looked each other and they didn’t know what’s happening. “What Twily is missing too?” – the question came from Shining Armor while he tried to get through the crowd. “Aye and we searched through the castle but nothin.” Shining shook his head. - “We send out a squad immediately. We must find Twily so I lead this mission. Monsoon and Mighty you are coming with me so gather up your squads. Spitfire we need your squad either. Stream you stay here and watch over my fiancé and the rest of the elements of harmony.” “Sir with all due respect but you can’t lead this mission and come with us.” – I said. “What are you talking about? My sister is out there!” “Sir if anything happens with the princesses you are the next royalty who rule over Equestria with Princess Cadence. That’s why I can’t allow you to come.” “I don’t care Monsoon! I must find my sister no matter the cost.” “My dear they are right. They have to handle it and if it’s true what your speaking about Monsoon Shine, he will be the perfect choice to send after them.” – said Princess Cadence. That was the first time I saw her supportive. Maybe she could be kind sometimes. “We are coming with you guys. We aren’t let our friend down.” – said Rainbow “Nope. You five will stay here because you are the last ponies who can do something against Princess Luna if we find Twilight.” “But-“ “No, that’s my last order. Mighty, Spitfire grab everything what you need and meet me at the train station.” – They just saluted and left. “Monsoon please promise me you bring back Twilight alive.” – said Shining in a low tone. “I will.” – I turned around and left the room. The next step was to speak my White to get my squad together. I hope Sandy found him. While I trotted back to my office I had a few questions which bugged me. Firstly, Princess Luna behavior. Why did she leave everything including her sister at the first time when she heard about the artifact which we tried find with Dark Song? Because obviously Dark Song told everything but still why? Was that thing that really powerful? Or did she do for the thestrals? Secondly, the bat ponies. We still didn’t know a lot of things about them but mostly their plan. Why did they just act now? They could be stay hidden until they will find the thing which they seek. The thing was they didn’t kill anypony in Baltimare and that’s not normal when you siege a city. I think that was a distraction for a bigger plan. Maybe they want to assault Canterlot. Thirdly Princess Celestia and Twilight. I was certainly sure Twilight was with Princess Celestia. After all she was her protégé and she never let her down so of course she will help her. But I didn’t know what she wants to get out of this? The thestrals won’t let her close to her sister so she just made herself and Twilight in big danger. In some way I could understand her because I have a brother and if he in danger I will probably help him. Anyway, I only knew one thing. One of Equestria darkest time has just only started and I was part of it.