//------------------------------// // 18 Blood Ponies // Story: Blitz And Balance // by Ennelly Von Swortts //------------------------------// Author:  Ennelly Von Swortts  Co-Author:  ElectroPHX228 (Blitz)  Chapter Eighteen:  Blood Ponies      Celestia reread the letter twice.  And still could not believe it.   A few hours after you left, refugees from towns south west of Ponyville arrived only an hour or so before an army approached town from almost due west.  Princess Twilight Sparkle flew to them to negotiate, but it didn't go well.  Sometime before sunrise is when we figure whatever fight ensued came to a close, but we waited till daylight to survey the damage.  I stayed behind, and heard there are uncountable Unicorns literally piled there.  Twilight Sparkle was found among them, and has yet to awaken.  Yours truly, Starlight Glimmer.      Celestia quickly wrote a reply.   Relief efforts are already on the way, as well as a number of Solar and Lunar guards.  I hope they, and the Psychologists are taken care of.  But I will be sure to send plenty of supplies such as food and building materials.   I hope this letter finds Ponyville in good condition. Princess Celestia.     "Now, to figure out where Chrysalis is..." She muttered as she worked on the paperwork required to collect the supplies to send to Ponyville. ...0...    Nyx was working with Mayor Mare to organize the incoming ponies into the growing field of tents on the edge on Ponyville when Spike ran from the direction of the Crystal Castle he called home.  He held a letter out to Nyx.  Reading the contents, she passed it to Ivory Scroll.   She immediately set to work making sure the Royal Guard would have a place to make camp the moment they arrived, leaving Nyx to continue her organizing.  She looked up to see perhaps fourty to fifty Solar Guards approaching vea chariots.  They landed close by just as Ivory returned.   Three of them quickly approached the two.  "Are you in charge here?"  One of them asked.  Nyx nodded.  "We bring a total of sixty Solar guards, twenty Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies apiece.  We also have a dozen Phycologists.  Lunar Guard members will be arriving after sundown.  Is there anything we can do to assist here Princess?"   Nyx smiled.  "I am sorry to say I have yet to earn that rank.  But yes, there is plenty to do.  For starters, we need more ponies setting up tents on the north side of town.  As well as bringing in the piles of Unicorns from just over the hill to the west."  All three nodded as they turned and started yelling orders. ...0...    Twilight woke up in the throne room.  She carefully stood, remembering where she was.  She slowly moved to the library and started reading 'Stories Of Balance' from cover to cover.  She glanced out a window at the setting sun as she settled onto a cushion.  "I hope everything's ok."  Spike walked in at that moment.  "There you are, Twilight.  Celestia is making relief efforts for all the Unicorns west of town.  Who are being moved to the north of town, where Mayor Mare and Nyx have a field of tents.  We also received sixty Solar Guards, and a number of Phycologists."  Twilight nodded.  "Twilight, are you ok?"   Twilight smiled at him.  "Just tired."  She said softly.   "Then shouldn't you be in bed?"  He asked.   "Not necessarily Spike."  Starlight Glimmer walked through the door behind him.  "She used all her magic.  She just needs to take it easy for a while, let her body recharge."  Twilight nodded.  "How are you holding up Twilight?"   "Not as bad as the time loop.  I was mentally exhausted."  Starlight winced.   "Yea...  Sorry about that..."   Twilight smiled.  "One of these days, your going to start laughing at it."  Starlight snorted as she turned to leave.   "Just take it easy Twilight."  Spike followed her out.  Twilight smiled as the door closed before turning back to her book.   "They'll be fine." ...0...    Starlight stepped outside with Nyx and Ivory as wings could be heard approaching from the dark.  It wasn't long before a hoof-full of chariots emerged from the darkness before landing.  A black Pegasus glided up to them, her helmet hiding her face and mane.   She ruffled her bat wings as she came to a stop in front of them.  "Nyx, it has been too long."  She said as she tipped her head slightly before turning to Ivory.  "I'm afraid I have forgotten you, ma-am."   "Mayor mare.  But you can call me Ivory, Captain."  Ivory smiled, but it felt almost fake.   "Of course ma-am.  I have ninety members of the Lunar guard.  Consisting of thirty bat ponies, thirty Earth ponies, and thirty Unicorns at your service."  She glanced around.  "Might I ask where Princess Twilight Sparkle is?"   Starlight raised her hoof.  "She is resting.  Last night left her exhausted."   The black pony turned to her.  "I do not believe we have met.  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Silent Bloodmoon.  I'm the Captain of the Canterlot Lunar Guard."  She gave a small nod of her head.   Starlight returned the nod.  "Starlight Glimmer.  Princess Twilight's student."  She shook Silent's hoof.   "It is an honor to meet the pony who saved Equestria from the Changelings the last time they attacked."  Silent gave her a small bow.  "Everypony I know appreciates what you did."   Nyx stepped in.  "Sorry to interrupt, but why did you come down to Ponyville Silent?"   Silent smiled at her.  "Is it really that hard to believe I came just to visit with friends?"  Nyx raised an eyebrow.  Silent sighed.  "You do have a point...  I got worried last night.  The barrier, and the flashes of magic both nagged at my mind.  So...  I made a request of Princess Luna.  Nyx nodded.   Silent removed her helmet, allowing her blonde mane to fall free.  Starlight felt as if her cloudy-red eyes pierced straight to her vary core.  She shivered slightly.  "It is getting rather late.  Good night.  She turned and walked back to the crystal castle.  Nyx watched her till the doors closed.   Turning, she looked straight at Silent.  "What was your plan for food?"   Silent smiled back.  "We'll be getting regular shipments from the CRCA.  No need to worry about the ponies here in Ponyville."   Ivory put her hoof to her chin thoughtfully.  "CRCA...  That's the Canterlot Red Cross Association, isn't it."  Silent nodded.  "Good.  Make sure you keep you and your blood ponies away from the citizens of my town."   Silent nodded.  "I am well aware of your strong dislike of my kind.  I remember well..."  Silent suddenly shook her head.  "I can guarantee they shall be perfectly safe.  We are talking about members of the Royal Guard after all."  Ivory nodded.   "Shall I show you where you'll be staying then?  Silent nodded.  Both made their way toward the center of town, followed by the other Lunar Guard members.  Nyx watched them till she could no longer see them.  She turned to face her castle.   "Sanguinarians..." She said softly.