The world became light again, as the black bag was torn from the stallion’s head. Before him stood a Pegasus, with a coat of faded red. The first thing the stallion noted about his captor was his size; one of the largest Pegasi he had ever laid eyes on, but a mass clearly born of training and exercise, in true military fashion. He wore a patchwork set of leather armor and over it a civilian webbing vest with utility pouches. Practically a vision torn from a propaganda piece on nationalist rebels, his captor looked probably as imposing as he must have felt.
“Why have you come here?” The Pegasus asked. His voice was a deep, anhalter accent with an air of authority. His voice radiated power, in a sinister way, lacking any form of subtlety. The captive stallion before him stayed silent a moment, responding slowly, and quietly.
“You are the Schaffer der verlorn then?”
“I ask the questions here, mein herr.” He said with no lack of contempt.
“And you are right to do so, of course. How else to keep your company safe? This merry band of outlaws you guide, living in constant fear of those who cast you out, who else to safeguard them from the dangers that follow than, a shepherd... I am quite sure you are Schaffer, though I expect you shall deny that to me. I come to you as a volunteer, with a set of well honed skills that I believe you may find useful.”
The stallion nodded. “A volunteer? I feel you may have misunderstood the nature of our organization....” With a nod, the guard cocked his weapon and placed it to the captive’s head. “We’re referral only, you see.”
The captive did not even flinch; his face remained completely straight, with a confident, charming smile that looked to belong more at an aristocrat’s dinner party than at this business. This earned a smile from his captor, if nothing else, the foal was not afraid to die.
“I am Schaffer, as you say. With stallions as intelligent as us, there is neither a need for, nor a point to, deception.”
The captive nodded. “I am glad that we can be civilized, we have much to discuss, and having no title by which to address you is making this conversation rather difficult.”
Schaffer tilted his head, playing along with the charade. “May I then have the honor of knowing what you call yourself?”
“My real name is of no importance, to you or to me. I go by Gloaming Dusk, as you go by Shepherd of the Lost.”
“Both those words mean the same thing.” Schaffer said flatly.
Dusk smiled. “Ah... so they do.” Dusk paused for a moment before continuing. “Believe me, herr Schaffer, I would not take the time to seek you out here in the wilderness if I were only to waste your time. I can be a valuable asset to your organization, if only allowed the chance to do so.”
“Make your proposal then, herr Dusk. We shall see if it is worth my time.”
“Very well. I am, like all of you, a patriot. However, unlike all of you, I still have a number of friends, from my old life. Well connected friends, in key positions within the military and intelligence communities. My network of contacts is extensive and influential. I can provide avenues to secure armaments, supplies, funding, and most importantly; I can provide you with information. Warning in advance of police raids, intelligence on troop movements, potential recruits under surveillance, targets of opportunity, that sort of thing. I have observed your organization, the Verbannten for some time; I know you are but a band of survivalists, ex soldiers and patriots only wishing to live alone, out from under the iron hoof of the Unicorns. What I am offering you... is the opportunity to become so much more.”
Schaffer scoffed. “You’re suggesting we become everything they say we are? That we terrorize them and validate all their lies? Lend legitimacy to their propaganda? The RIB and the Royal Guard would descend upon us like a swarm of locusts; we’d be swept up and in black site prisons before we accomplished anything.”
Dusk dropped his facade of civility and took up an accusative tone. “They started this war! They made enemies of us! You say you wish to be left alone? They do not share your quaint 'live and let live' attitude! They seek to spread their filth to every corner of this land! Their settlers push further in every direction year after year, and they’re getting closer. When they come here, do you think they will extend a hoof of friendship to their new neighbours?”
“They fear the everfree forest like a colt fears the monsters beneath his bed!” Schaffer retorted. “The Unicorns are weak here, their magic less potent; the weather is beyond their control, they dare not venture in! We are safe, and always will be, as long as we keep to the forest.”
Dusk looked to the sky and let out a spine chilling maniacal laugh, his mouth opened wide and eyes closed. The laughter was so terrible that even Schaffer found himself disconcerted, lifting a forehoof as if to step back. The laughter continued for a few seconds, and Dusk continued, catching his breath. “Oh my dear Schaffer... how can the hunted take shelter in the darkness, if the hunter brings a torch?” Schaffer looked puzzled, and opened his mouth to speak, cut off before he could do so. “Open my bag. In it you’ll find a folder. That folder contains the classified reports of an agent of the Royal Inquiries Bureau. He outlines the steps necessary to begin an Equestrian colonization of this forest.”
Schaffer scowled and opened the bag. He tore out the folder in question and sifted through it furiously. After a moment, he looked back at Dusk. “How do I know you didn’t fake this?”
“You could wait until the colonists bring a host of soldiers and police, if you wish. That would certainly affirm what I say.”
Schaffer pulled a blade from his vest, in a heartbeat he was upon Dusk, the blade held to the captive stallion’s throat.
“No more games, no more witty remarks. If you’re lying to me, I’ll spread you over this forest like strawberry jam.”
Dusk smiled. “No more games? My friend, you have a lot to learn. Everything is a game; it’s merely a question of the stakes. You and I, our stakes are very high, in fact we stake our very lives just to have this conversation. And we play against a cunning and deadly foe, which also happens to have more pieces.”
Schaffer’s scowl deepened and he pulled the blade back from Dusk’s throat. “Hmm. This game of yours, it doesn’t sound all that fair. I’d prefer not to play, I think.”
“We have one advantage, one the enemy cannot hope to counter.”
“And what would that be?” Schaffer asked facetiously.
“They don’t know they’re playing yet.”
Schaffer turned around, looking at the ground in contemplation. Since the first day they had fled to the woods, the Verbannten had dreamed of striking back at the nation that had cast them out. The most prominent desire among all of them, after survival, was unquestionably vengeance. Though he wished to protect them, as he had always done, Schaffer had to admit that most of the company would gladly lay down their lives for even the chance to settle the score with the Unicorns.
Though he couldn’t see Schaffer’s face, Dusk knew he had struck a chord.
“Tonight, far from this forest, in their great cities, Canterlot, Manehatten, Fillydelphia... The Unicorns and their puppets sleep soundly in their beds. Their perfect little world goes on every day, interrupted every now and again by some supernatural occurrence or other, but ultimately undisturbed. They are content, they are complacent... and they are weak. Not one of those politicians honestly believes that ‘nationalism’ is a serious threat. To them... the idea of a Pegasus rebel, a patriot, restoring the glory of an ancient empire, flying proudly a banner that has been trodden upon by the hooves of the unworthy, that’s their worst nightmare. But they sleep easy, knowing that it’s just that. A nightmare.”
Dusk took a moment to let his comment sink in. “Look at me. Look at me Schaffer!”
Schaffer turned abruptly, and Dusk continued, seething. “I am offering you the chance of a lifetime, my friend, all of you. I offer you the chance to strike back, not just for yourselves, but for your ancestors. Your exalted forefathers who made this land kneel before their might! I am offering you a chance to restore the honor our race once held. Together, you and I can make their nightmare very, very real.”
Schaffer looked the captive Pegasus in the eyes. As Dusk spoke, Schaffer could see the conviction, the belief. The fanaticism manifested as a look of righteous fury, and Schaffer knew all he had to from this self proclaimed volunteer’s countenance. Fervour was as powerful a weapon as any crafted for war, even more so, being infectious.
"I will, naturally, require proof of your loyalty, and proof that you can deliver on these grand promises." Schaffer said, his softening tone indicating to Gloaming that he was ready.
"You shall have your proof. By this time next month, there will not be a living soul in Equestria who has not heard the name Verbannten."
There was no more consideration in Schaffer’s mind. If this stallion was to be believed, hiding from Equestria was no longer an option.
The time had come to strike back.
******
The cell isn’t really all that bad, the unicorn thought. Yeah it’s dank and all, but this cobblestone is more comfortable than some beds in the barracks. Ever the optimist, Shining Armor had managed to find some sleep, and was now amusing himself by carving out battle plans in the floor. The infantry symbol was giving him some trouble, the shape of the stone meant it kept coming out all wonky. He had written out a scenario for two regimental-sized forces running into each other around Ponyville, one had orders to secure the town, the other had orders to evacuate the civilians.
A half hours worth of toying around and Shining got a little frustrated. There weren’t a lot of options for the defenders. Ponyville was small, a town of around 3000, but even still a mass exodus would take considerable time. The defenders could reach the outskirts of the town quick enough to establish themselves, but not enough to entrench. Add that to the force needed to lead the evacuees and prevent looting, and the attackers had a clear advantage. Without entrenchment of any kind, the defenders would be rapidly dislodged, and the fighting would be in the town soon enough. Mission failed.
Shining laid back against the wall thinking about his little thought game. Why had he chosen Ponyville? Obviously he had thought of his little sister, still wanting to protect her even in hypothetical exercises. The thought struck him though, had he really thought of her? Twili would have made a massive difference here, he wouldn’t need much of a contingent to organize the evacuation if he were commanding the defense, he’d just need to ask his sister to take care of it.
Shining shook his head. Twili, the quiet shy little filly who had once told her brother: ‘I don’t want any friends, I don’t need any friends, I just need my books’. Now she was a de facto community official, a national hero, and a leader. A bona fide leader. He was so damn proud of his little sister. The magic had always come naturally to her, as had her schooling, but socially she had been one of the most awkward little fillies he had ever known. He remembered a long talk with Cadance about whether Twili could actually handle boarding school.
That thought took him to Cadance. He had been in here less than a day, but he already missed his wife. Absolutely bizarre, they’d been apart for longer before, but something about this felt different. Probably the whole ‘detained and arrested’ thing.
There was a bit of a ruckus outside and one of the guards on the door cocked his head to look. His partner took a few steps forward. Suddenly the lock on the door to the cellblock clicked into position, the two guards returned to the position of attention and saluted. Shining walked up to the bars of his cell to see who had come in.
Iron Venture walked right up to the cell door and gave Shining one of the angriest death glares he had ever seen. Venture said nothing but Shining read ‘you got me into this’ on his face. Shining beamed when he saw who came in next and exclaimed in joy.
“Cadance! What are you doing here?” Shining realized about a half second after he opened his mouth that he had made a very bad call. He had just sailed blindly into a typhoon.
“What am I doing here? Are you serious?” Cadance snapped at her caged husband. “What the buck are YOU doing here? I’m out of the capital no less than a day and suddenly my husband, a Captain of the Princesses Royal Guard is a convicted felon!”
“Traitor, actually.” Venture said, annoyed.
“How in the world did you get charged with treason? What were you thinking? Was this another one of your stupid jokes? Or did you finally push the council over the edge? Wait, no, let me guess, you were playing hero and made somepony look bad?”
Shining spoke up. “My jokes are not stupid. They require significant planning and preparation to properly execute. Not to mention the technical expertise involved...”
Cadance seethed at him. “So you think this is some kind of joke then?”
“No, I didn’t prepare for it.” Shining said, smiling.
“Stop! Just stop! I’m glad you think a life in prison is funny, but I’m not sure I like the idea of seeing you 72 hours every month.”
“Cadance, calm down, they’ll probably just put me to the gallows.” Shining quipped.
She pushed Venture aside and put her face right up to the bars. “Don’t you dare talk like that. This isn’t funny! We can’t let them do this! Whatever you did, I’m sure Princess Celestia will help!”
Venture cut in again. “We thought the same thing. She thought a cell would be more appropriate.”
Cadence looked at him, utterly shocked. “You- you can’t be serious,” She said. “Princess... Auntie... no, no she wouldn’t...” She looked back at Shining. “What did you do?”
“I issued an order to a combat unit and it was countermanded, so I impersonated the Princess and issued an illegal order which countermanded the order to countermand my original order.” Shining only really recognized the ridiculousness of that sentence after he had said it.
Cadance stared at him flatly. “So you got bored and wanted to play general?”
Shining snapped. “Bristle was leaving soldiers to die! I couldn’t just stand there while Equestrian troops were slaughtered because of one stallion’s idiocy! 150 REA troops were caught behind enemy lines; I tried to send them reinforcements! To bring them home!” He caught himself after the outburst, Cadance hadn’t meant to hurt him, and she hadn’t known about the circumstances (not to mention she didn’t know anything about Gale Storm). He felt awful for yelling at her like that, especially when she was probably in a state herself. He gave her an apologetic look and was about to vocalize it when she spoke.
“Oh Shining,” Cadance said melancholically. “I... I know you just want to do the right thing, but why didn’t you just go and ask Celestia if she would issue the order for you?”
“I didn’t have time!” He insisted. “And besides, if she threw me in here for it, she probably wouldn’t have issued it. And then the order wouldn’t have even got out! Cadance, the officer in command of those soldiers in trouble.... he’s, he’s a friend. A very old, very good friend.”
Cadance shook her head. Shining’s heart, as always, had been in the right place. She had heard so many rumors, up to and including one that claimed her husband had tried to initiate a coup. She had rushed to leave the Empire frantically, absolutely horrified at what might have happened. Of course he had been trying to help somepony, it was all he ever did. She loved him dearly for it, but knew it would lead him to an early grave if he wasn’t careful.
“Shining... I... I’ll figure something out, I... I can’t lose you, not like this.”
Cadances eyes watered, and Shining slipped his snout through the bars.
“Hey, come here,” Shining said.
Cadance leaned in and kissed him, it was a soft, longing kiss, the kind usually reserved for when either of them had to go away, and wouldn’t be coming back for a long while. After a long moment, Shining drew back a little and broke the kiss.
“You’ll be fine. No matter what happens to me, you’ll be okay. Believe that.”
Cadance looked away from her husband, choking back tears. She couldn’t believe he would consign himself to this so easily, he was a fighter by trade, by nature even. Sometimes it seemed to her that the uniform was as much a part of him as his coat. The princess turned around to try and mask her tears, Iron Venture shook his head distraught at the whole thing.
Shining seethed. He wanted nothing more than to break free of his cage and hold his wife. He no longer felt slighted by Celestia for imprisoning him, but instead, he was furious with himself for not being there for Cadance. All the while Venture wracked his brains for some obscure legal precedent that would allow him to release Shining. There were some technicalities he could exploit, but Princess Celestia knew very well the difference between the letter and spirit of the law.
Though Venture was stumped, Cadance was not. A flash of inspiration came to her, stemming from her thought about Shining’s uniform. She wiped the tears from her eyes and made an effort to stand up straight and composed. There wasn’t much to her plan, really only a basic idea, but it would have to do. She had improvised before.
“Captain Venture. I need you to set this stallion free at once.” Cadance said, making an effort to sound as dignified as possible.
Venture stared blankly for a moment, unsure of how to respond. “I... thought we all understood why I can’t do that.” He said, confused.
Shining lifted an eyebrow. Just asking to release him, there was no way that could work, Cadance must have known that.
The Princess continued regardless. “Captain, you run the risk of causing a serious diplomatic incident.”
Venture followed Shining’s example and raised his eyebrow as well. “I... what?” Venture said.
“The Stallion in your cell over here plays a vital role in the security of the Crystal Empire. In fact, I cannot overstate his importance. He is the Supreme Commander of the Crystal Legions.”
Venture wore a disdainful look of incredulity, and spoke in the flattest tone Shining had ever heard from him.
“What.”
Cadance made an effort to sound offended. “Iron Venture! Every moment Supreme Commander Armor languishes in his cell is another moment my empire spends in a paralysing state of military indecision!”
Shining noted that, as an absolute monarch, Cadance didn’t need any such supreme commander, the position would naturally fall to her. But he elected to keep that observation to himself.
Venture, however, had other thoughts.
“Are... are you serious about this?”
“Yes.” She replied tersely.
“So, if I don’t let him out, you’ll turn this into a diplomatic incident and have half of the court calling for my resignation?”
“That’s about right.”
“And if I do release him, I disobey a direct order and you’ll have the other half doing the exact same thing?”
Cadance gave him a sympathetic look. “Captain, if it were your family, how far would you go?”
Venture’s mouth hung open for a moment. He swallowed, closed his eyes and lowered his head. Without another word, he opened one of the utility pouches on his armor with his wing, and produced a keyring, which he threw on the floor in front of Princess Cadance.
Shining was surprised at how deeply the comment had affected his counterpart. Venture lived alone, and if he had any family, he had certainly never mentioned them. Cadance’s attention was focused entirely on her husband.
“Shining, I don’t know how much trouble we’ll get in for this, so just... be ready.”
“Cadance, please, don’t throw away your whole life for me.” Shining pleaded.
Not listening at all, Cadance opened the cell door. “Come on. We’ll need to move quickly.”
Shining thought about staying, refusing to put Cadance in danger for his sake, but when he realized just how sanctimonious that would be, he nodded and followed her out.
“Where will we go?”
Cadance gave him a dour look. “To.... my empire?”
Shining rolled his eyes, why would she think he hadn’t already considered that? “It’s an Equestrian client state Cadance! It’s a train ride from here to there.”
“Trains can be stopped.” Cadance replied.
“We’re going to cut off ties with Equestria over this? Cadance, I know you’re just trying to protect me, but we have to draw the line somewhere,”
“THERE IS NO LINE!” Cadance shouted. Shining was taken aback, he had never heard Cadance this... desperate.
“There’s no line... not when it comes to you.” Cadance said as she held back tears. “I didn’t let Chrysalis take you from me, I didn’t let Sombra take you from me, I didn’t let any of those wars take you from me. I’m not going to sit here and watch you rot in prison.”
“Cadance.... I,” Shining started.
“No, just, we need to go.”
The two left the dungeon at a trot, and failed to notice the other captain of the guard, silently weeping in the corner of the room.