//------------------------------// // Conversations with the self... // Story: One Trip We Didn't Plan // by That Pegasus Over There //------------------------------// One Trip We Didn't Plan Chapter 17 "Night! Get up!" "hnngfff..." "NIGHT! I said get your lazy plot up!" Shining Armor, in full armor, screamed at the sleeping Night Air. "mmmmfff....Huh? Wha?" Night Air was a heavy sleeper and slow to wake. It was early morning when Shining Armor came and started yelling in the barracks. "Come on Airhead. Rise and shine." "What now? I was sleeping... Sir." Night Air hated being woken up- especially in the morning. "It's your shift, and the princesses want you." "Oh road-apples! Why didn't you say that first!" The startled pegasus exclaimed as he rolled out of his cot and ran to his armor locker. He knew whenever the princesses wanted somepony, it was expected that they be there within minutes. "Sir, did they want me specifically? Or just my patrol?" "I was told that the next patrol get was to get to the dungeon ASAP. We have an emergency. I'm going to be coming with you." That bad? Ah road-apples... Ah crap, The patrol! "Sir, did the 'toon wake up yet?" "The early risers are up, but I'll go get 'em for ya. You just get your gear on and meet us outside, lieutenant." "Thanks, cap." "Don't mention it!" Shining Armor shouted over his shoulder as he trotted out of Night Air's room, and into the enlisted bunk room. His stern voice could be heard throughout the barracks. "Rise and shine, ladies and gentlecolts! Solar Platoon 3-A has patrol this morning, but the Princesses want to see you first. So, MOVE!" The barracks became a whirlwind of ponies flying, running, and levitating to get their armor on. It wasn't that the princess requested an entire platoon to see. They had their personal guards for that. The whirlwind of colors began to drain as each pony put their armor on and their enchantments activated. Where once brightly colored ponies stood, now only a mix of white, browns, and gold. "Atten-shun!" Night Air exited his room and called everypony to attention. Each guard knew their place in the platoon and filed into their squads. "At ease." The filed in guardsponies relaxed. Night Air was always lax with his platoon, though he did have a rough side. It just didn't show very often. "First order of business. The Princesses want to see us before our watch today. We're later than I wanted already... Secondly, Captain Shining Armor will be accompanying us today. Any questions? Speak now or forever hold your peace." One of the newest recruits raised his hoof. Night Air nodded for him to ask. "What'd they want to see us about? They never call us in. -sir!" "I think Captain Armor would be better suited for this question. Captain?" "You'll find out when you get there." "Ay! Look at tha time! Platoon, atten-shun!" The platoon's collective hooves snapping together resounded through the barracks. "Fall out and fall back in outside Luna's chambers. Double time it ponies! Di-smissed!" "Aye, sir!" The collection of guards resounded and took off down the stairs toward the dungeon. They had no idea what they were in for. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Luna? What gives!" Doug asked his blue alicorn captor as he was put back in the magical electric shackles he was in not a day ago. "I thought we were friends!" "We are, little human. This is for our safety." "To throw me in the dungeon? But I haven't done anything!" "Yet." "What?" "We'll be back in a minute. Don't try to escape." "..." Princess Luna left the room and Doig was left hanging. Literally. He waited for a few minutes and nopony came. So he started doing what he seldom did in his alone time: he talked to himself. "Alright, what'd we do now?" "You probably insulted her, brain." "Pfft. As if. I mean, I don't see what could've gone wrong." "Arrgh. I hate these cuffs." "Shut up body." "So... If we didn't insult her... What'd we do?" "Conscious, Body, I think we may have a trust issue with the princess." "You know, think you're right brain." "But I like her! She gave us tea." "We like her too, but I do't think we can trust her." "I know! Lets kill them all!" "Shut up insanity!" Doug continued to talk to himself personifying his brain, consciousness, body, and insanity. He mostly talked in circles until Luna came back in with a mirror. "Hey Luna! Any news on why I'm here?" "Thou needeth see this." The princess held up the mirror to Doug's face. Doug widened and moved his eyes around. "Oh. Shit. When'd that happen?" "We think it may have happened when we restored thine eyes. We do not think it is permanent, but it may be an omen for things to come. Thou may have received some... " "Unwanted?" "Yes. Unwanted attributes as well." Luna paused. "Like?" "Black magic." "Ah. Yes that is undesirable." "We fear thy corruption and the possible damage thou may do." "I'd fear it too... So whatcha gonna do to me? Elements of Harmony? Peruse my mind?" "Actually, yes. We were intending on doing both." "Wow. I got that? Huh." "Do you mind if we-" "Go ahead." Luna was surprised at his response. She didn't expect the human to be so open with sharing his memories and thoughts. Besides, you can just invade my mind whenever you want. It's not like I have a say in the matter" We'll try to be as non-evasive as possible. Luna closed her eyes and laid down on the cold dungeon floor. Doug closed his as well. Thy mind is... Balanced? Yes. Good, yet... Oh. You going through those memories aren't you? We haven't even scratched the surface. We're just looking at your mind from a harmonic perspective. ...So everything's in good? So far, yes. Now what's these other memories you speak of? Umm... yeah about that. There was a pounding on the heavy dungeon door. Luna opened her eyes and severed the link between her mind and Doug's. She looked to the door. "Enter" A white pegasus clad in guard armor stepped into the cell. He saluted the princess. "Your Highness, Royal Guard Alpha Company, Third Platoon reporting in." "Ah, you're here. And who is it we art speaking to?" "First lieutenant Night Air, ma'am." "Go and tell your platoon to guard this door. We don't want anypony coming in or getting out without our say." "Yes ma'am" Luna dismissed Night Air as he walked out and started giving orders to his guard. Luna shut the door and turned her attention back to the helpless Doug. "Night Air... Why does that sound familiar?" :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "Twilight!" Spike ran up the stairs of the Golden Oaks library as fast has his legs could take him. "Yes, Spike?" "Letter from Princess Celestia. Says she needs you and the elements in Canterlot right away!" "Really?" Twilight took the letter and began reading. "Spike tell her we're on our way. We'll be there within two hours. I just need to get the girls." Spike belched and a spout of green flame produced another letter marked with Celestia's seal. Twilight took it and started reading. It only said three words. "What's it say, Twilight?" "And bring Discord."