Chapter Three
Assistance
I needed sleep and lots of it. On the way back to my room I felt as if I could curl up into a ball and sleep on the marble floor but I fancied a good night’s sleep. I opened the door; the moon light lit up my room I didn’t even need to flip on the light switch. I took off my blood soaked flight suite and threw it on the floor then landed on my bed.
I think I was asleep for about an hour, and then I started to dream. The previous day’s mission was playing through my head like a film. There was nothing out of place. Every word I heard and spoke and everything I saw was flashing before my eyes. Then came the part I dreaded.
Honey Bell and her last words, the image of her exploding plane was stuck in my mind I couldn't shake it, it was driving me mad, it was torture. Then suddenly Luna’s face appeared.
“Whirlwind...meet me in the high tower at midnight.”
I woke from the nightmare and sat up, the sweat dripped from my forehead and on to my sheets. I looked at the clock.
“11:44pm. Can’t I get just one good night’s sleep!”
I dragged my tired self out of bed and up to the highest tower of the castle. Before I could touch the door to the tower it was opened for me via magic. Some stairs led up to the room where Dashie was freed from the obedience curse. Luna and Trixie were waiting with Spitfire lying unconscious in the middle of the room.
“I was thinking all you wanted was a chat your highness.”
Luna shook her head “It’s a full moon tonight why should you have to wait until the next full moon for your sisters…freedom.”
Luna pointed with her hoof to where I needed to stand. Spitfire was lying in the middle of a chalk outline of a moon eclipsing the sun. The torches in the room faded, Trixie stood next to me.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For doing this again.”
“I had to choice, I was ordered by Luna.”
“Well thank you anyway.”
The moonlight on the floor now circled Spitfire and the diagram, Trixie’s and Luna’s horn both glowed. Spitfire was lifted up, the moon light intensified then faded. Spitfire was placed gently back on the ground. I went to her and propped her head up whilst Luna and Trixie preformed the stun reversal spell. Spitfire’s eyes twitched open.
“W-Whirlwind?”
“Hi sis.”
See turned her head and looked at Luna.
“Princess Luna?”
“Yes. Welcome back Spitfire.”
Spitfire looked at me and smiled, I smiled back, she extend her hoofs for a hug but grappled my head and brought it shapely to hers, she head butted me. I was thrown off, my sword was draw out of my scabbier but not by me. Spitfire lunged at Luna with my sword but was stopped by Trixie. Trixie’s spell hit Spitfire; she fell to the floor just a few feet from Luna.
“What the buck happen!” I shouted.
“I-I don’t know.” said Luna.
“What do you mean I don’t know?”
I still to this day regret shouting at Luna like that. Trixie jumped in front of her mentor.
“How dare you speak to Luna like that!”
“How dare you stun my sister!”
“If I hadn't Luna would be where Spitfire is now.”
For some reason I couldn't see sense at the time. I felt so angry at Trixie for failing to help my sister and then stunning her.
“We will try again. Trixie back into position.” said Luna in a clam voice.
“Yes your highness.”
Once again the ceremony went through its procedure; I kept my glare fixed on Trixie the entire time. When the spell was cast a placed my sword next to Spitfire to see what would she do, attack Luna or come to me. Spitfire struggled to her feet, she looked really dizzy.
“Spitfire.” I called out from the other side of the room.
She looked at me, then to Luna who was opposite me and then to the sword by her feet.
“Make your choice. Celestia or Luna.” I said to Spitfire.
A moment passed. Spitfire grabbed the sword and went for Luna, I closed my eyes to avoid seeing Trixie’s spell hit Spitfire who was hiding in the shadows. I didn't open my eyes until Luna placed her hoof on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry Whirlwind.”
“It is I who should be sorry your highness. Please forgive me for snapping at you earlier.”
“I do.”
“I don’t.” said Trixie.
“Thank you Trixie that will be all for tonight.” said Luna.
Trixie diapered in a puff of blue smoke.
“What do you think went wrong?” I asked Luna.
“Maybe my sister didn't use the obedient spell on Spitfire, maybe her behavior is of her own free will.”
“It can’t be...”
“I’m sorry Whirlwind. Get some rest you need it, I’ll make sure Spitfire is kept stunned until we figure something out.”
“If that is what you wish your highness.”
I stood up, sheathed my sward and headed to the door to leave.
“Whirlwind.”
I stopped listen.
“There is another thing I want to discuss with you.”
“Pardon?”
“You expressed some concern regarding our pilot’s inexperience; well I may have a solution.”
“Intensify their training?” I asked.
Luna shook her head.
I took a step forward and arched my head.
“Are you giving us permission to start air raids against Imperial positions?”
“Havens no.” Luna replied.
Luna’s horn started to glow, thunder could be heard outside. Black clouds covered the sky but didn't cover the moon. The moon light intensified, Luna was now off the ground and her shadow was cast on the floor in front of me, well at least I thought it was her shadow. Three figures razed out of Luna’s shadow.
The clouds outside disappeared and Luna was now back on the floor panting and looking week. I rushed to her aid.
“Are you alright?” I asked as I helped her off of the floor.
“I’m fine. Well what do you think?”
“To be honest your highness, I don’t know what to think. Who or what are they?”
“We are the Shadowbolts.” said the three figures in unison.
I remembered Dashie telling me about them and how they tried to temp Dashie away from helping her friends to recover the elements for harmony. That shadow I saw on the floor it wasn't Luna’s, it was Nightmare Moons. I cupped Luna’s face in my hoofs and looked deep into her eyes.
“Whirlwind W-what are you doing.”
“Just checking, that’s all.” I wanted to make sure she didn't change back to Nightmare Moon. as they say "The eye's are the gateway to the soul."
I walked over to the Shadowbolts, they were stood to attention. Their flight suites were an exact copy of the Wonderbolts flight suites except for the color. Blue was replaced with purple and black which made them look sinister.
“Do they have names?” I asked Luna.
“I don’t know, asked them.”
“Names?”
“Private Crescent Moon.”
“Sergeant Eclipse.”
“Captain Nightmare.”
I looked at the captain; she was the spitting image of Spitfire. The facial features were exactly the same but her coat and mane were a different color. It unnerved me.
I walked back over the Luna and used my wing to hide our conversation.
“Is this a wise decision your highness?”
“What else could have I done?”
“You have a point but wasn't there any risk of Nightmare Moon? Your shadow did change to hers for a moment.”
Luna smiled. Her body glowed white and she transformed into Nightmare Moon in blink of an eye. I jumped backwards and ready my sword, I glanced at the Shadowbolts they were just standing there as if nothing was happening. I looked back at Nightmare Moon but all I saw was Luna. I stammered.
“But...I...huh?”
“My dark powers are gone but I can still condor up some help if I need it and you've seen be change to Nightmare Moon during last years Nightmare Night Festival, remember?"
"Oh yeah now I do. So the Shadowbolts...there your Royal Guard?”
“Precisely.”
Luna walked over to them and inspected them.
“There loyal to me and the Republic and will follow any orders given to them by a higher ranking officer such as yourself. They never get tired or hungry and are the perfect pilots.”
“No offences your highness but I still have my doubts.”
“Give them a chance Whirlwind.”
“Alright I will. Shadowbolts! Listen up! Tomorrow evening at 1700 hours you will be put through your paces, I want to see aggression and tactics. We will provide you with aircraft. Be warned the whole air force will be hunting you your mission is to survive and show us your skill. This that clear?”
“Sir yes sir.”
“Dismissed.” The Shadowbolts disappeared into their own shadows which was also unnerving.
“What’s wrong Whirlwind?”
“That one call Nightmare gives me the creeps.”
“Because she looks like your sister?”
“It’s not just that, it’s something else and I can’t put my hoof on it.”
“Well it can wait until tomorrow, you need rest.”
“Once again you’re right, thank you for trying to help Spitfire tonight.”
“My pleasure, good night Whirlwind.”
“Good night your highness.”