The train ride to Ponyville was uneventful. We had to take a civilian train to there because that was the only train in the station and we couldn’t waste our time to wait another one. We got a few information about Princess Luna. She was in the Everfree Forest so there we start the search for Princess Celestia and Twilight. Me, Spitfire and Mighty were standing at the forest enterance and I was levitating the map in front of me.
“So where should we start the search? The Everfree Forest is pretty big, and we don’t have enough time to search through all of it.” – said Mighty next to me
“Yeah and we can’t fly top of it because the foliage is more massive than I thought.” – said Spitfire on the other side.
“Well you don’t have to because you just scout the area in front us. Secondly I already have a plan which doesn’t include to search through the whole forest.”
“What do you want to use a tracking spell? I’m not a unicorn but I know it’s easily can be countered.”
“True but not completely.”
“What do you mean about that?”
“It’s true we can’t track her down with a single tracking spell, but we can track her regalia down.” – they just looked at me with a confused face. – “I mean she has a special stone in her regalia which we can track down.”
“How?”
“It has a different magical energy than any other spells and magical stones. Normally not a single unicorn and in that case alicorn can detect it. Starswirl the bearded gave her as a gift to her coronation but apparently, he gave her a tracker which is currently comes in handy for us.”
“That’s a gift from a teacher.”
“Yeah so can you do it Monsoon?”
“Yep I can cast the spell, but it cost too much energy. I don’t know how long I can maintain the spell, because I have to recast it time to time, but I hope long enough to find them.”
“Then I got one last question for you. When did you become a smart flank?” – asked Spitfire with curiosity. She just only knew I can make some plans to win a fight, but she never knew what advantages you get from being a royal guard officer.
“In lunchtimes when I got free times, so I usually go to the Royal Archives and read a few old books.”
“And it was all in a book?”
“Mostly. It was in several books.” – I turned around and put the map back into my saddlebags. The ponies stood in attention waiting for orders. – “We are going to go inside the Everfree Forest. It’s very dangerous and not just physically but mentally so keep your heads clear and focused. We have to be as caution as we can because it’s not just timberwolves wants to feast on us. It probably has so much darker things lurking inside. Alright then into the forest!” – I turned around and leaded the group at the front.
When we leaved the outskirts of the forest I already felt the depressing darkness around me. Behind me Sandy already made some lights from her horn. I charged up my horn either and started to cast the spell which tracks down Princess Celestia magical gem. It came with large sparkling, so I closed my eyes and concentrated on the spell.
It drained mostly all my magical energy and when I opened my eyes again I was on the ground. I probably collapsed while I casted the spell. The others helped me up and I just shook my head. It wasn’t just a simple magic for beginners and my horn hurts badly.
When I didn’t feel dizzy anymore I noticed something weird on the ground. A green glowing arrow which went continuously into the darkness.
“Are you alright bro?” – asked Winter.
“Yeah I think so.” – While he helped me up I spotted something on the ground. – “Do you see that?”
“What should I see exactly?”
“The arrows!”
“I don’t see any arrows. Are you really alright Bro?”
“Yes, I am but I think I know our direction to Princess Celestia. I said it was hard spell, but I will do it again and again until we find them. Let’s move!” - Of course, how could he see it if I was the one who casted the spell.
I followed the arrows and the others followed me. I just hoped we were on the right track.
-------------------------------------------
As we went deeper and deeper in the forest it was more darker too. The unicorns were our only light source. We didn’t even know, it was day or night. I could sense the fear amongst our ponies. It wasn’t new to be scared from the Everfree Forest.
When the tracks fainted I casted again the spell and each time it was more worse than the previous one. I drained most of my magical energy and the last one I almost blacked out. That was the moment when Mighty ordered to make a camp where we were.
I sat at the campfire with Spitfire and Sandy. My brother was probably with Frost Wing and Soarin and that gives me a question. Where was White Lance? I saw him before we came inside and spoke with him, but he just vanished again. He is my second in command but apparently, I didn’t see him anywhere. Actually, he’s acting weirdly in these past few days.
“Sandy, where is White?” – the question hit her surprisingly.
“Sorry but I don’t know Sir.” – she answered it after a short pause.
“Oh, somepony lost his little soldier again.” – said Spitfire
“Please can you shut up. Besides don’t talk like that because I know you lost a pony before.”
“You don’t know nothing.”
“So, I don’t know about Soarin and the Baltimare fiasco?”
“You don’t dare and how do you know that?”
“I got my connections.”
“Why what happened there?” – asked Sandy.
“Well they had show in Baltimare and after that they couldn’t come out from the stadium because of the fans. They were a lot and Spitfire decided to send somepony out to bait the fans somewhere else while they come out. So, she pushed out Soarin. They didn’t hear anything about him for almost a day.” – I said.
“And what happened after that?”
“Well he went back to home and he was angry to Spitfire, but he forgave her.”
“Okay I lost somepony once and I didn’t think they will tear him apart.”
“What did you expect from an excited crowd?”
“I don’t know maybe he just give them some autographs and come back to the hotel.”
“Typical Spitfire. You never thinking anything trough before you act.”
Before she tried to retort Sandy asked first. - “How long do you know each other?” – We both turned our face to her.
“Yeah I’m curious about that too.”
“I think I’ve know you since that big competition at Cloudsdale. Where Winter first time competed against you.”
“Oh yeah I remember it. You were such a cute little colt and amazed how we could build a whole city on the clouds.” – I stared at her. Sandy started to giggle. – “What? I have emotions too! I just don’t like to show it.”
“How did you get in Cloudsdale. You can’t walk on clouds just the pegasi can.”
“I was on my mother’s back mostly. Mom saw her and taught her everything which a true wonderbolt has to know. In the other side that meant she wasn’t spend too much time with us. The duty was always the first than the family, but we understood that. Me and my brother became friends with her and we were fine until the selection of the new Captain of the Wonderbolt.”
“My mom was led the wonderbolts for a long time, so decided to retire. Of course, they didn’t want that, so they agreed she will train the new members and she’s stay as a formal captain but Spitfire the one who leads them. Winter thought he’s going to be the next one but when she chose Spitfire instead him, he got angry.”
“That’s mean he attacked Monsoon.” – Spitfire said.
“Yeah, I tried to speak with him, but he just attacked me with no reason. After that we haven’t spoken too much since last night. We always stood side by side in any problems, but I never knew he has that side too. Probably it was from the jealously, but I never want to fight against him like that. We are brothers for Celestia’s sake and we are a family. Anyway, I don’t want to bore you so that’s how I met with Spifire.
Spitfire nodded – “More or less.”
“And how did you become a guard Sandy?” – I asked.
It was a long pause between us before she answered. - “I’m afraid I don’t have an interesting story like you has Sir.”
“But you have story indeed so tell us.”
“Why do you want to know it?”
“Because I’m curious and Spitfire too right?”
“Nope not at all.” – I looked to her. – “Okay a little bit.”
“So?”
“I’m from a little village up north next to the griffin border. My father is blacksmith and my mother is nurse. I had four brothers and I was the only filly in the family. In that time, I helped a lot to our mayor of the village and in response she thought me rhetoric. That’s how I got my cutie mark then she wanted to send me that school for gifted unicorns in Canterlot. It was never happened because we were attacked by the griffons.”
“They burned down almost the whole town and robbed out. The only garrison, who’s duty was to protect the town, fled. They executed the mayor in front of everypony. The nobles didn’t do anything and Princess Celestia neither. I thought if I enter the army I could change the situation there and maybe I can get a revenge on them. However instead of I entered to the army I entered to the Royal Guard. They said I waste my talent in the army, so they sent me to the guards. That’s how I become your communication officer.”
“Why didn’t Princess Celestia do anything?”
“Because we weren’t so important, and they didn’t want to go an all-out war against them. The nobles denied the help first, so she couldn’t do anything for us.”
“I’m sorry for what happened there.”
“Thank you.”
It was a provocation from the griffons but that was a totally logical decision from the nobles. If we go for a griffon-pony war, we probably lose it with heavy casualties. We are not prepared for such a thing because it was peace in here for almost a thousand years. So they fortified the garrison more and put some real guards in it.
“Did you speak with your brother about it?” – Sandy asked a few moments later
“About what?”
“About what happened between you two.”
“No.”
“Maybe it’s the right time.”
“In here I don’t think so.”
“She’s right you know? The sooner, the better.”
“You know if we survive this nightmare I will speak with him.”
“Good but if you won’t I will kick your flank until you speak with him.”
“Yes ma’am.”
After that we were just telling stories to each other and some of the other ponies joined us. I couldn’t say it was day or night, but we had a great time. In these dark woods the morale is the most important thing, and this is one way to boost it up.
Before I laid down Frost Wing checked on me and he gave me four potions. He said if I drink it I regain my strength for a little time. I closed my eyes. I get some rest before we continue our mission in these dark woods.
-------------------------------------------
Ponyville was the only village I didn’t want to return. I had a lot of memory from there and fortunately most of them was a good one, but I never felt, I belong to here. Maybe that was one of the reasons I left.
Our house wasn’t far from the town center. It was the same house as every single one in Ponyville but it was rather big house with a small garden. My mother always said she will learn gardening in one day, but she never did.
I was standing in front of the house and I couldn’t tell what’s waiting for me inside. Honestly, I didn’t want to know but I couldn’t leave either.
“So, this were you came?” – a familiar female voice said behind my back.
“Yes, I came from here Your Highness.”- she trotted next to me. – “What do I owe the pleasure to see you in here Princess?”
“Turn back Monsoon Shine before it will be too late.”
“Princess we both know I can’t do that.”
“I do not want to harm you and your ponies but if you continue your journey, I have to.”
“Princess why do you do this?”
“Because I need to secure the future for her.
“Who is her?”
“You will know if the time has come.”
“Princess stop this madness. We could talk this out and help you.”
“How could we ‘talk this out’ after you lied to me? My sister gave you that mission? I thought I can trust in you and you betrayed me.”
“No firstly she sent Twilight for it but after Princess Celestia said I have to keep in secret in front of you.”
“I thought the ponies love me again and happy about I get back to the throne. I was mistaken. Face the consequences Monsoon Shine.”
“Luna please don’t change back to Nightmare Moon again.” – That was the first time I didn’t call her princess. In that moment I didn’t think through it so I just said it what was in my mind. She was surprised too.
“I will not. Farewell Monsoon Shine.” – She vanished, and I left in front of the house alone.
-------------------------------------------
“They are attacking the left flank!”
“Hold your positions!”
“They are everywhere!”
I didn’t know what’s happening. I still felt a little dizzy from the last time I was awake. I just heard the shouting and screaming.
“Get up Monsoon! We are under attack!” – I opened my eyes and White stood in front of me. At first, I hardly recognized her because it was so bright from the unicorn shields. I got up and grabbed my sword with my magic.
“What’s happening and who are attacking us?” – I asked.
“The thestrals just appeared and attacked. Luckily our patrols saw them before they surprised us. Now we made magical barriers around the camp and holding out. I tried to wake you up before but nothing.”
“How much time left before they broke the barrier?”
“Not too much” – Mighty said behind me. – “We have to do something fast because they are striking intensively the barriers.”
“Which direction came the attack?”
“From southwest mostly and I sent a few unicorns to support our forces there, but I think they surrounded us by now.”
They probably know we can’t hold out long enough and we don’t have any reinforcements. They are striking the shield continuously because they want to scare us out and hunt us one by one.
“Mighty I have a plan, but I need a second group of unicorns next to me.”
“What’s in your mind?” – asked Spitfire.
“We will charge out to north. Me alongside with a few unicorns will fire flares to blind them while Mighty and his team make a path to us. Spitfire your task will be to capture one of them.”
“What? You can’t be serious?”
“They want us to flee from the forest but not with empty hoof. We must capture one of them to get some valuable intel.”
“Sir we are the edge of collapsing!” – shouted Sandy.
Mighty gathered everypony in a circle formation. The unicorns who’s made the shield was inside and the others made the outer perimeter.
“On my mark we will lower the barrier and flash them.” – I ordered. I waited for a little bit because they were striking the shields rapidity. – “NOW! FIRE!”
The shield collapsed, and we fired the flares out. As I planned that blinded them so Mighty could charge out. We continued to send out more flares until we saw our way out of here. I drew out my longsword and pointed there. – “Follow me!” – I said.
While I galloped I saw one of them try to ram me from my left side. I immediately turned against him and cut down with my sword. He fell down behind me. The others still galloped towards to the exit. Spitfire was already out with one of them. I saw Mighty and he was pinned down. – “White lead them out I try to help on Mighty.”
“But Sir-“
“I gave you a clear order Sergeant!”
“Yes Sir!”
I went next to Mighty. He was in hoof to hoof combat with one of the thestrals. I lifted my sword and stabbed the thestral. Another two came and I fired a magical blast one of them. Mighty killed the other one.
“Mighty bring out them I will blind them.” – He nodded and ordered his team to follow him. I sent out some flares and tried to gallop after Mighty but unfortunately another two came across me.
I turned around and went towards to the thicker parts of the forest. They came after me I heard it. I didn’t look back just galloped forward. My breathing became more difficult and I felt my armor got heavier.
I didn’t pay attention, but I ran out to a plain in the middle of the forest. The foliage was still thick, but I could tell it was nighttime. I couldn’t run anymore so I turned back against them and drank one of Frost Wings potions. Then I readied my sword.
Surprisingly just only one came out from the forest. He was a little bit taller than me. His armor was full black, and he had something metal on his wings. I think he’s not just a normal soldier in their army. He opened his wings widely and flew up then he went for me.
I dodged it to the right side, but he managed to scratch me with his wings. So that metal things on his wings was sharp. I need to disable them somehow first to survive. He strikes me again and I dodged it to right side again. He is trying to stay up high and kill me with his wings.
He tried to strike me again but this time I charged my horn and flashed him. He fell down and I barely had time to roll to the right side again. He tried to recover himself but I already standing next to him. Suddenly he knocked me back with his hindlegs. Probably he broke on of his wings because he drew out a short sword with his mouth and attacked me.
He strikes me rapidity both with his right wing and that sword. I couldn’t defend all of his attacks and he cut me twice, but I saw, he was exhausted. Now it’s time to me to pay back. I rolled to my right side and stabbed him. That did the trick because he backed away from me. He’s trying to change his position.
He knows he can kill me with short rapid strikes but if he does that he will worn out himself. He was way faster than me, so I have to timing my heavy strikes. My magic was drained to make a perfect blast on him, but I could distract him with that. I fired a magical blast and I hit him on his head with it.
I lifted my sword with my mouth and charged to him. He didn’t have time to deflect it. I stabbed him deeply on his throat and his body fell down to the ground. I tried to get away from there, but I had a serious blood loss, so I didn’t get far enough.
I collapsed the edge of the plain, but I heard hoofsteps came towards to me. The last thing I saw it had a purple coat after that everything blacked out.