(During Twilight and Amethyst's run...)
"I know that we're in a tense situation and all, but you mind if I ask you a question?"
Spike and Cinnamon were flying as quietly as possible towards Canterlot Castle, both keeping an eye out for any incoming arrows. The snow didn't particularly bother Spike, but he could feel that Cinnamon was shivering from the cold. Thinking of that, he also wondered how cold Twilight and Amethyst were.
"Go ahead," he replied, blowing out a small puff of flames to warm the air.
"What's got you so infatuated with Starshine? You were looking at her like you'd never seen a mare in your life!"
Blood rushed to Spike's cheeks. "W-what?!? I wasn't looking at her weird or anything!"
Cinnamon laughed. "I see ponies fawning over others every single day at my shop. I know the look you had on your face. So what's got you into her?"
He looked up at the stars. "Well... She's really nice looking, and from what's happened I can tell that she's really smart..." He sighed. "But I barely know anything about pony culture, and I don't see how a pony could love a dragon..."
"Hey, I don't know much about relationships, I do know that love works in mysterious ways." She paused. "Does she still go by Starshine? I know I've been calling her that his whole time, but that girl has over ten nicknames."
"Twilight said that her name was Amethyst."
"Amethyst? That's a new one to me. Well, once this whole situation is solved, if you want to take her out on a date, you should take her for a flight. She loves being as high up as possible."
"I thought that most ponies were afraid of heights."
"Yeah. Most ponies. Starshine isn't like most ponies." Cinnamon frowned. "For better or for worse..."
Amethyst and Twilight bolted across the bridge spanning the moat of the castle, with Twilight grabbing the crank in her magic and yanking the bridge up.
"Better to have one blockade over none..." she muttered.
"Lieutenant Sparkle!"
Both unicorns turned to see a thestral with a gray coat and dark orange mane wearing lavender armor run out from around the corner, with Spike following behind her.
"Private Pumpkin, report in," ordered Twilight, the two saluting each other.
"Ma'am, currently no attackers have been discovered. Captain Blue has sent out a squad in search of those who have disappeared, with no replies yet. The whereabouts of Corporal Meteor, Private Ice, and Private Nebula are currently unknown."
"Did you find anything in the ballroom?"
"Ma'am, I was not disclosed that information. You would need to speak with Captain Blue."
She nodded. "Then I need to see her."
Pumpkin nodded in return, and gestured for her to follow. "Right this way, ma'am."
The group of four ran down the hall, with Spike slipping back so he was beside Amethyst. "Are you alright? Did you get hurt at all?"
"I'm fine," she replied, continuing to try and not very visibly limp on her hoof. "Where's Cinnamon?"
"One of the guards said something about not letting civilians get injured, so I'm not sure why they let me come with Pumpkin."
"I suppose that you are from another region, so maybe you don't fall under their jurisdiction?" Spike blinked in confusion. "They can't enforce certain rules on you." She clarified quickly.
He nodded in understanding, and the two fell silent. They followed after Pumpkin and Twilight until reaching an area where the white marble walls were now a deep purple, and an abundance of moonlight shone through thick windows with huge curtains. There were several Night Guard members standing at ease, the majority being thestrals, while there were still some pegasi, unicorns, and Earth ponies all wearing lavender armor.
Pumpkin looked up at the ceiling, and saluted. "Captain, the Day Lieutenant would like to speak with you."
A moment later, a thestral with a dark blue mane and matching wings and eyes descended from the ceiling where, Amethyst realized, she had been hanging from. Her armor, while still lavender, had a full blue moon on the front of it, similar to the magenta star that Twilight had.
"Ma'am, what the current status?" asked Twilight with a salute. "Have you found anything in the ballroom?"
"The squad we sent is yet to report back." replied Blue calmly. "And we have yet to determine a cause of the blackout."
While the two conferred, Amethyst quietly took a step back as to not disturb them. Spike's tail was flicking back and forth nervously, but he was being careful not to hit anyone.
"Elemental Amethyst?" a voice called out.
Amethyst turned in confusion to see a thestral with a pink mane and eyes looking at her with interest. "Uh, yes?"
"Private Strawberry, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you." She spoke with an air of formality that confused Amethyst even more. "Captain Blue said that you needed some armor."
"Um, okay..."
Strawberry turned and started walking towards a door, and Amethyst followed, looking back at Spike questioningly. He just shrugged in response, while Amethyst stepped into what appeared to be a supply area filled with extra armor and weapons. Strawberry casually searched through the armor until pulling out a galaxy blue set with a white crescent moon from the abundance of lavender and black.
"Princess Luna said that this was her old armor," said Strawberry. "But she outgrew it before she could use it very often. It's enchanted to survive many years, which is how it's still in good condition." She looked at it longingly. "Alas, we are not worthy to wear that which belongs to our Princess. Whereas you are most certainly."
"I am?" questioned Amethyst. "Why?"
"You are one of the six who defeated the Nightmare! You control an artifact that can cleanse the corruption within and purify it! You are an Elemental, and outrank even Captain Blue. Only five others are worthy to wear this armor, and so it is bestowed to at least one of you."
Blood rushed to Amethyst's cheeks at the unexpected praise, and she shyly took the armor in her magic. "How do you put it on?"
"I can assist you if you require," said Strawberry proudly. "It would be a great honor to help one of the Elementals."
Amethyst nodded, but still she was confused by the formality. Having some armor would be excellent protection, so she didn't question any further.