//------------------------------// // Respite // Story: Fallen Equestria; Shattered Silence // by Endless Nightmares //------------------------------// Chapter 14: Respite Celestia and Twilight wait quietly in Celestias study, both of them enraged beyond belief. It was only an hour ago they had learned of the source of the attack during her little sisters and pilots emergency crash landing, learning that it was of all things, a member of the nobility and royal family. Twilight is pacing near the desk slowly, her wings and ears twitching with irritation, while Celestias icy stare is trained on the door. "Twilight...no matter what happens here, you are to remain quiet and not interfere. Don't correct me, don't stop me, don't you dare even make a peep unless I say so." Celestia says coldly. "You have no idea how angry this has made me.." Twilight nods and sighs. "Understood, Celestia..Just please don't kill him...not infront of me. I've seen enough blood for one day." "Night, it's still night time." Celestia corrects her, motioning with her horn at the frozen grey skies of dawn. "It's still my sisters time to hold the heavens, I won't take that from her." The white alicorn sighs, flicking her gaze to her love. "And you wound me, my love. I will not harm him...perhaps put him in his place, but I would never kill him. I could never forgive myself." Twilights expression softens and she starts to step slowly to Celestia, freezing in place when they hear a knock at the doors of the study. "Enter!" Celestia calls out, her tone still somewhat cold. The doors slowly open, and being escorted by two solar guards is a disheveled and dirty Prince Blueblood, adorning a smug grin on his muzzle. "Ha! I told you clouts that she would demand you set me free. This is absurd, arresting me for doing Equestria a favor!" Blueblood snidely states. He plops down in the chair before Celestias desk and reclines, an arrogant smile plastered on his features. Celestia flicks her gaze to the guards, silently nodding as she motions with her horn to leave. The two solar guards salute and grin as they turn to walk out, closing the doors of the study to stand guard. Once the doors close, she takes a breath and looks at the pompus unicorn casually lounging in her study chair, insulting her. Her eyebrow twitches. "Nephew...It was brought to my attention that it was you who had struck down the commanders machine as it was returning home, and caused it to crash...given your words when you were brought here to me...it seems this was an accurate statement. I'm only asking once, and one time only. Why did you do such a thing?" Blueblood ignores the white alicorns gaze and stares out the window, his forelegs crossed over his barrel and a smug smirk on his muzzle. "You mean you're angry at me for doing you a favor, auntie? All I did was clear your name. You should be thanking me and awarding me. Perhaps a medal, or even a statue would do fine. Could we put the statue next to yours in the main square? It would look so splendid." Twilights ears pin back as she growls, her wings deploying with a snap. She starts to step to Blueblood while grinding her teeth, her face red with rage. Celestia holds out her hoof instead and blocks her, staying Twilights fury. She glances over to Twilight from her side, then shakes her head. Celestia clears her throat and focuses back on Blueblood. "Clear my name, you say? And what was it...exactly...that you had to clear my name from, my dear nephew?" She accentuates the word nephew with ice and venom in her tone, her eyes dancing with ire. He snorts and turns his smug gaze on Celestia, grinning ear to ear. "From that abomination of a pet your sister has, and that wretched machine. All of the nobility has spoken ill of it, being the cause for cancelling the gala this year, auntie. Your sisters disgusting fetish for strange creatures has always brought shame to the royal family, and every pony knowing that they sleep in the same wing of the castle is disgusting enough, let alone anything that dreadful mare does with it. Besides, you seen for yourself how the creature was clearly unfaithful. A black whorse was removed from that abomination, a mare who's coat was as black as the very banshee it crept out of. It's obvious the commoner monkey can't keep its vile paws off of a common street whorse. You both should be grateful." Celestia can take no more, seething quietly as she hears his heart wrenching words that are being spouted out of his vile, smug mouth. She takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes, her tone still cool and collected. "A black whorse you say, nephew? And how are you so sure that beautiful mare plucked from the machine was some common street whorse...nephew?" She states again, more venom and ice places on the emphasis of the word nephew. "Didn't you look at her, auntie? That hidious blue ratty mane and that splotch of a cutie mark? Why I'll bet she was probably related to Ma'dam La' Fluer. What was her cousins name..Southern Belle or some hosh posh like that. Rumor was that she was a common street whorse out of Trottingham, who didn't marry into nobility like Fluer did to Fancy Pants. It did look like her, come to think of it. Be happy, auntie. Now with that abomination gone perhaps auntie Luna will become more proper and find herself a normal stallion. Perhaps even you should consider it, after all...a filly fooler princess is somewhat of an abhorrent thing these days, even with modern day etiquette." Blueblood pauses for a moment. "Is it getting warmer in here?...your study is always so stifling hot when I'm here auntie. Perhaps you should open a window and let some air in." Twilight looks at Celestia, her eyes open in surprise when she sees wisps of flame puff off of the white alicorns tail at random. She comes to a rest on her haunches, smiling at the smug unicorn, knowing exactly what's about to happen. She says nothing, only counting away the seconds before all hell breaks loose. Celestia opens her eyes, glaring dangerously at him now. This gets his attention. "First off...nephew...if I should even bother calling you that. I never have cared for whatever trash and rumor the so called nobility speaks. Nobility implies noble. As in having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals...something that it pains me to say you and about half of your so called social class has yet to honestly show for the past several hundred years." Her tone begins to become colder, more venom being laced into it. "Secondly, that whorse you so callously insult was my precious and dear sister...the aunt you very nearly killed this evening." Blueblood takes notice now of her anger, straightening in his seat. "But auntie..!" Celestia snaps, shutting him up. "That WAS Luna you foalish oaf. She and her HUSBAND, that wonderful friend of mine you insult and call a vile monkey were on their HONEYMOON when they were ATTACKED BY THE PARASITE!" She shouts. Celestia is panting hard now, the rage clear in her voice. "She turned that way to save them, Nephew!" She hotly declares. She pauses for a moment, glaring daggers at him as she tries to calm down. "Had she of not transformed and used her dark power, they may not have survived that crash! That machine and the pilot have protected this kingdom, you yourself owe them BOTH your life! You come here with that smug look on your slime ball face, and insult them?! Then you have the audacity to insult my own marriage?!" Blueblood begins to backpedal in his seat, scooting back. "Now, calm down now auntie--" "That's Princess to you." She cuts him off again, her icy stare boring holes into his own. "Your blood has never had relation to mine, I simply adopted your great grandfather because he was such a promising young student. I became friends with him over his lifetime and watched over your family as a thank you to him for being such an honest and caring stallion." She states coldly. "You, Blueblood...obviously need much much more than any talking to I can give. Your head is so thick with your selfishness... I clearly could never deliver the very corrective punishment you deserve." Blueblood stares wide eyed and jaw dropped as she speaks. "You are hereby stripped of your title, land, assets and all rights and privileges, Blueblood. Furthermore once my sister recovers, and if her husband recovers from his injuries...your full punishment will be left in their hooves. " She seethes. "Now that's not fair, auntie! You can't cast me out! What will the nobility think of such a scandal?!" He counters. Celestia sits quiet for a moment. "Twilight...?" She bites out between clenched teeth. The purple alicorn turns to her. "yes, Celestia?" She smiles as she looks to her love and mentor. "You know that outfit I wanted you to wear...that special one?" She says, keeping her gaze focused on blueblood. A smirk crosses her lips. "Go get it and bring it here." Twilight gulps, blushing furiously. "Uh...alright...but this is hardly the time..." She mutters as she blushes, her ears pinned back and a sheepish grin on her features. Celestia smiles. "Go get it." She says again, still focused on Blueblood. Twilight obeys and steps out, leaving the two alone. "Blueblood...I can very clearly see the dungeons aren't enough to humble you. And as luck would have it for you, I promised my own wife, your other princess? I promised Twilight that I would not simply kill you...as much as I would be doing the universe a favor. I wouldn't dare banish you to my sisters moon...she would never forgive me for placing such a rodent upon its surface. You're too slimy for my own Sun, in honesty." Blueblood quivers in his seat, wide eyed and sweating. Whatever arrogance he had before is washed away now and replaced with fear. "No...for you I have a fate much more fitting, that is truly worthy of your obvious talent of being manure. I hereby place you in the care and custody of Canterlots waste sanitation services, under supervision of the dumbest, hardest and most hardheaded stallion I have ever met. Furthermore, your ONLY allowed uniform of dress which will be magicly attached to you until I personally remove it.." She states with a cruel smile. Twilight enters the room as if on que, levitating the outfit in question, blushing bright red. "Will be that. If you even think about taking it off by the way...it'll turn pink for a week." Blueblood slowly turns around, eyes wide in terror. Much to his dismay a fate worse then death is before him. Hanging in the air, is a short, frilly french maids outfit, obviously from Prance. It's much shorter and more revealing than that of the standard palace maids uniforms, complete with a frilly lace apron and black semi see through fabric, adorned with white lace trim and puffy puffy shoulder cuffs. Even the dress bottom is flared out, as if to accent and draw attention to the flank. "Dear Celestia no! Anything but that!" He shrieks, trying to run away from it as if it's some kind of monster worse than even Discord could conger. He attempts to run past Twilight, only to be held in a magical purple aura. Twilight smiles wickedly at him. "What part of...you shall not pass...did you not get? Now take your punishment like the mare you are." She states coldly, the purple alicorns eyes narrowed dangerously as she approaches. Celestia smiles smugly and forces the dress onto the stallion, wordlessly enjoying this divine punishment. "Guards!" She calls out once the magic is released and the dress is sealed on the fallen prince. Two solar guards enter, their stoic faces not betraying their joy and mirth in the sight before them. "Take him to the manure treatment facility in the industrial district, and tell the fore-pony there to put him to work. Be sure to take the scenic route." She says, grinning. The two guards salute and drag the kicking and screaming stallion out of the study, closing the doors behind them. Celestia sits down in the study chair at her desk and sighs with relief, her features returning to her calm and peaceful norm. Twilight on the other hoof...is on the floor rolling around in laughter, unable to contain it any longer. If there ever was karma in creation, it finally did something right. * * * * * Luna awakens to the sounds of hushed whispers not far from her doorway, sounding distressed and worried. She blearly opens her eyes and cranes her neck from her laying position on the medical bed, straining her hearing to listen. It's not good. "I know she's still hurt doctor, but we need to awaken the princess and ask her help! If we don't, the creature will die!" A mares voice says. "Show some respect, Nurse Redheart. You may be from Ponyville General and unaware, but that so called creature is the Banshees master and Princess Lunas stallion. You calling him a creature may invoke her wrath." A loud sigh. "And I understand your position, but I believe there is nothing that can be done. Even if we did somehow restore all of his lost blood, we still can't awaken him. Whatever black magic the parasite used, it's ensnared his mind. I doubt either of our princesses could break the spell." The stallion doctor replied coldly. "The longer you wait, the more that bug will rape and ravage his mind! Oh...Celestia help us. If he dies, I don't want to even begin to think of what kinds of terror the night princess will rain down from the heavens. She may be our only hope..." The mare whispers. Luna rolls onto the floor, her hooves touching the cold stone tile of the rooms floor. She slowly wobbles in place, before limping to the door. Her muscles are sore from the earlier crash and flight, her mind still somewhat of a fog. She pushes the door open slowly, then limps into the hallway. "Bring me to him." She commands, her voice cracking from sleep. She sways on her hooves, unsteady, then leans against the door frame. "Bring me to mine flame..." She squeaks out. The doctor and nurse scramble to her, steadying her between them. "Now princess, you need to rest! Please return back to your room now, everything will be just ---" He's cut off. Luna glares at him, her jade eyes boring into him. "Do not trifle with an alicorn and her mate, mortal. Now I'm asking one last time. Take me to him, please." She states coldly. The two nod quickly and gulp, helping guide her to the pilots room. The door opens, to reveal the pilot laying on his back on the medical beds. Two have been pushed together to accommodate his size, being he's much closer to an alicorns height rather than that of a normal pony. She breaks free of them and limps to the beds, climbing up next to him and laying on her belly beside him. Luna probes him with her magic after alighting her horn, scanning his body with all of her senses. Indeed the black alicorn finds that his vitals are failing quickly, his heart skipping every few beats due to the significant loss in fluid and pressure. She closes her eyes and sighs mournfully, burying her muzzle in his chest. Her ears twitch and swivel behind her as she hears the stallion clear his throat. "Um, princess...if I may. Due to his injuries over the past week, his body has lost a significant amount of blood, and seems unable to compensate. If we can't get a suitable replacement or a donor of his kind...there is little we can do to save him." He says somberly. Luna cranes her head and turns to him, tears welling up into her eyes and streaking down her muzzle. "Take mine." She says. The doctor stutters, forcing Nurse Redheart to speak up as a save. "We can't, your highness..That's the thing. We already tried a sample of his blood and mixed it in with some of our own reserves on hand...the two types simply aren't compatible. We tried several samples, even from you and your elder sister. His physiology is simply a mystery to us. We can't replace his blood...even with yours. Doing so would only kill him." She says softly, her ears pinned back flat as she looks away. "That's not the worst of it princess. Though we've managed to impede the connection...it would seem that drone that attacked him left a parting gift before you ripped it to shreds. We found fragments of the changeling drones horn within his body...and it's somehow formed a connection with the commanders mind to the parasite hive. We're not completely certain, but we believe that the parasite may have infected his remaining blood with a cursed virus." The doctor says quietly, while looking at the pilot. "We've checked and probed with our best diffusion spells, and even called in a heart healer to try and disperse the connection. Chrysalis is raping his mind, princess. You're the only one who is strong enough to walk the dreams in shadow and break the spell upon him." Nurse Redheart hurriedly adds. The doctor turns and pins his ears back, looking sheepishly at her." Luna stares at them, bewildered. "Why didn't you foals tell me this earlier?! You should have awakened me!" She shrieks out. She frantically begins to alight her horn, casting her dream magic. Her heart races within her barrel. "Luna, stop!" A voice calls out. Celestia comes bursting through the door, panting. She takes a moment to regain her breath, all eyes focused on her. "I came--" she pants." I came as soon as I heard you were awake again." She slows her breathing down and steps forward slowly, coming close to the bedside. "Luna, I know what your planning, and I sensed the link too when he was sedated. You can't enter his mind like this, we have no idea what kind of state it's in. If you go in and his mind collapses, you'll be killed too!" She cries out. Luna turns her gaze back to the pilot, her jade eyes focused in on the bauble. It's flickering dimly as if it's lost power, its soft iridescent glow acting like a flame in the wind. She gulps and closes her eyes, drawing a breath. "Some risks are worth taking, Tia. If there's something we can do to stop this and save him, we have to do it. I don't know what we can do about his injuries, but stopping that parasite is all that matters now, sister." Luna turns again, craning her neck to face Celestia and the medical staff. "Find a way to replace the fluid. In our days before my banishment, we used salt water in a mixture to act as a filler for injured Lunar Stallions. I'm sure that their methods and techniques have improved over the centuries. Speak with them, and try. It worked on the battlefield, it may work here." Luna narrows her gaze, her eyes flickering back to her draconic slits as Nightmares powers begin to push through again. "Have faith in me, sister. I have no intention of allowing his mind to fail, and his life slip into the void. Trust in me, and let me do this. He saved mine life several times over...he protected all of us...Now let me do the same for mine flame." Celestia reluctantly nods, understanding she can't convince the black alicorn of anything otherwise. "Very well...Then I shall help as well. I can bridge the gap and keep it open for you. Go get him, lulu..." She says as she nuzzles her sister. Luna turns again and lays her head down on the pillow next to the pilot and alights her horn once more, weaving her spell around them for her dream magic. It's one thing to simply walk dreams and observe, but this time she knew she would need to have full control. It's a taxing, difficult spell that consumes double the energy, and required another magic wielding pony to maintain the connection. As Luna begins to slip into the spell, Celestia comes to a rest on her haunches and weaves in her own magic, helping boost the spells strength. Within moments, Luna's mind makes the connection, and sleep once again claims her. Watching quietly, the solar guards and medical ponies all sit in awe of this, wishing warm feelings and prayers for them both as the two regal alicorns work. Celestia turns her attention to them and nods. "Go find any Lunar Stallions you can, and see about this solution my sister spoke of. Be swift, time is of the essence!" She hurriedly whispers to them. Every occupant of the room with exception of the two alicorns and pilot quickly rush out, to carry out the orders. * * * * * Luna opens her eyes in a fog filled void. Her ears twitch and swivel as her eyes dart about in the darkness, straining to detect anything. Movement, sound, a voice, anything to gain a perception of where she is or what is going on. A soft ticking is heard in the distance, getting her attention. She turns to her left and quietly trots into the darkness to find the source of the sound. Everything in here she knows in dangerous. In reality, Alicorns are built to be stronger, faster, smarter and better than all life in creation. They embody all of the best traits of the three great races, Earthen, Unicorn, and Pegasus ponies. Their minds however, are just as fragile as all forms of life. Luna knew one little known fact- if you die in your dreams, you die for real. She cautiously walked to the sound, her horn alight and casting off a soft glow to shine her way through the darkness. The ticking is growing louder as she approaches. Her heart quickens within her barrel, the soft click tick sound matching her own hearts beat. She picks up the pace and trots forward faster now through the darkness. Up ahead, she begins to see movement and light. The sight that greets her, leaves her in pure terror. Before her in the distance, is her flame. He is resting on his knees, his head down and hanging limp, she can't see his face. His wrists are bound to great heavy chains, pulling him against a cold stony wall. She begins to gallop faster and faster, her breath ragged and labored. More details come into her view. The wall is covered in blood. There are splashes and spatter of blood everywhere behind him, pooling onto the ground. The wounds upon his form match those in the waking world. She comes sliding on her hooves and falls to her side, sliding to him as she scrambles to him. "Talon!" She hurriedly whispers. She frantically looks him over, her jade eyes tracing his form. He's bleeding from his nose and lips, his eyes held tightly closed. She can hear him mumbling incoherent words quietly. "Talon, awaken mine flame! It's me!" Luna begins to shake him with her fore hooves. "...United States Navy, Victor Foxtrot 114-4...Lt. Commander Masters..." She hears him mumbling. 'His rank and station...was he interrogated?' She wonders while listening. It clicks. The shackles, the torture, the injuries. Chrysalis was doing exactly what nurse Redheart had said, she was raping his mind for information. Blood begins to boil in Luna's veins as she comes to understanding this. She alights her horn once more and touches the tip to the chain links above him, breaking the dream chains and shattering them into dust. The pilot falls to the ground in a crumpled bloodied heap. The night alicorn gingerly picks him up in her magic and brings him to a rest upon her back, turning and looking around. She rises to her hooves and stands, struggling under his weight even in the dream. 'This is strange...' She thinks, looking around. 'I can feel a link here, I can sense their presence, yet I see no signs of the parasite.' Luna swivels her ears backward, hearing Talon repeat the same mumbles and broken words again. Her own Lunar Stallions are trained so that if they were ever captured, they would only give name and rank information, and nothing more. She figures the pilots military possibly teaches all of their warriors the same kind of training to protect their own national security. She doesn't waste any time. She alights her horn once more and takes to wing with the pilot in tow upon her back. She knows if she's going to awaken him and break the link, she needs to do so in the safest place she can. She begins to fly higher and higher into the void, climbing as the scenery around her slowly shifts into a starlit sky. She weaves her own magic and forms a cloud bed for a resting place to land upon, high off of the ground. She finally forms one after a few moments of concentration, and comes in for a soft silent landing on it. She nestles in gingerly and lays the pilot down upon his back on the cloud. She glances around and signs, looking over his injuries. She can see sickly green tendrils of magic weaving its way around within his dream body and soul, the same signature magical aura of the parasite queen; Chrysalis. Luna breathes softly and alights her horn, touching it to his broken and bloodied chest. The clicking sound ticks within her ears as she does this. It's his heart, she comes to realize. Luna studies the magic link while they're resting in this isolated spot between dream realms, her sanctuary and safety from the eyes of creation. This was her spot where she passed the centuries during her banishment, the only safe haven she knew Chrysalis would have no control. "It's a melodic keyed spell. You need to rewrite it to break it." She hears the voice of Celestia echo in the area around her. Luna nods and smiles. These were her specialty, having been the one who initially invented this magic, so many millennium ago. "Thank you, Tia.." She whispers, her eyes closed as she rests her head upon his chest. If this is the magic in question being used here, she could effortlessly break the spell and counter Chrysalis here. She lifts her head and licks her lips, spreading her wings as she inhales deeply to begin her own counter spell. ~*~ Music boxes have within; Melodies that they carry with them. Once they open Music fills the air.~*~ She breathes out in a soft tone. Her horn alights and begins to weave a spell around the changeling hive magic. The spells tendrils wrapping ribbons around each line, choking it and tightening as they move, to crush it and replace it. ~*~ It's not easy, you must listen, with your heart for what lays here then~*~ She closes her eyes, her soft voice echoing in the air around them. Her horn glows brighter for the spell, continuing to weave. As she continues, the damage to the pilots soul begin to mend with her magic. Everything the Night alicorn has, she infuses into this. All of her love, all of her adoration and affection, every warm feeling and intention she places into this. ~*~There was a melody; lost deep inside of me and now it's free....free to find a place called harmony, sweet harmony. ~*~ She breathes, drawing in breath faster as she holds each note of her hearts song. She absolutely refuses to allow any possibility to fail this. Her cutie marks begin to glow, her fur slowly shifting back from its shined black velvet sheen once more to her midnight blue color. Her mane and tail also begin to take on their once normal appearance of a peaceful night sky, rather then the chaotic cosmos that was that of Nightmares mane. ~*~Love more than anything, teaches our hearts to sing. Only love...could break the spell~*~ As if on Que, the spell finished weaving around the tendrils of foreign magic and shatter it, crushing it into dust as is harmlessly falls away. The remaining wounds upon the pilot seal before Luna's eyes, once more opened and transfixed upon his form. Her features have softened as a loving look appears in her eyes and on her muzzle, completing her counter spell. ~*~And now I know...very well. The love within, myself.~*~ She finishes the final verse of the spells incantation, before dimming down her horn and powering down her magic. She lowers her head down and rests her lips upon the pilots, gently kissing him affectionately. He finally stirs, opening his eyes. Talon blinks the sleep out of his eyes, coming to see a starry mane filling his vision. Luna rises away from him and looks into his eyes. This is a sight he certainly didn't mind. He swallows hard and slowly turns his head, looking around. He then focuses back on her. "I guess I kicked the bucket after all then..." He sighs. Luna raises an eyebrow and smiles. "Oh? Pray tell, what bucket was it thou kicked?" She says with a wry smirk. He sits up and looks at her, feeling the spongy cloud under his palms. He looks down, then back to her. "Not quite how I pictured heaven...Let me guess. I died and you're God, just trying to make this easier on me?" The alicorn snorts and laughs. " Neigh, mine flame. You're not dead, and I am no God. We're in the place the eye does not see, mine sanctuary between dreams, where none that have no connection can come. It is a safe haven I brought us to so that I could heal you and break the parasites spell." He raises his eyebrow and looks at her with surprise. "So...I'm not dead?" She nods happily. "You are not dead. However...we do still have a problem." "What's the problem?" he asks, sounding unsure. "I'm healed, so lets do the wake up thing and get back to Canterlot. We need to inform your sister of what happened here in Horseshoe Bay." Luna sighs. "We are back in Canterlot, mine flame. We're in the palace medical wing in the waking world now. The problem is, once we leave this area, we're going to encounter the changelings in this dream world. ...All of them. We have to fight our way out of here to get back to the point where I can break the link." He furrows his brow. "So what's the problem? You control dreams, so give us the advantage. Just whip up the warbird here, and I'll fly us out. I don't care how many of them there are, they can't out fly that." The alicorn purses her lips forward and taps them with her fore hoof, considering this. "You know...you're right. We could do that..." A smirk crosses her muzzle, then forms into a sinister grin. "Lets try it." Luna rises to her hooves and stretches, closing her eyes for a moment and alighting her horn. Shimmering before them in the dream air, is the completed warbird, and all of its great and terrible glory. Only...it's different. It looks much larger, more aggressive and sinister here. Luna's perception of it. The pilot shakes his head and gets to his feet, stepping to the dream warbird. "Damn I love having you around. Ha ha!" He nods in approval. The pair climb into the cockpit like they've done so many times before, the pilot settling in and closing the canopy. "Glad you learned the flight controls after all then. This would be weird if I didn't know what I was flying." Luna nods while looking down, strapping herself into the harness. "Actually, I just read your minds memory of them. I...I'm not quite familiar with everything..heh." She gulps. She's dreading having to tell them she actually crashed and destroyed the aircraft when they awaken. "Mine love...once we leave this safe area understand that this place is just like the real world. If we die here, we die for real. If we're hurt here, the damage shows up on our bodies when we awaken...try not to get us both killed." "Initiate Scram-jet Sequence!" He calls out, the aircraft's engines roaring to life in Luna's sanctuary. The sound is much louder and stronger than ever before, the banshees cry howling all around them. Yet somehow, the aircraft's cockpit is whisper quiet. Talon leans over against the canopy glass, catching the whine and howl of the engines. "No need for headsets...cool!" He says with a grin, pushing the throttle forward. Luna concentrates and shifts the scene back to the dream world, a brightly lit starlit night sky with the moon high overhead. The cloud they were once resting upon fades as the warbird begins to plummet and surge forward, wind whipping over the wings and body as it cuts through the dreamscape sky, twin pillars of fire reaching far behind it in a beautiful stream of eternal blue focused fire. Luna looks ahead, seeing the rippling vortex that will allow them to break free back to the waking world in the distance. "You didn't seem surprised, and you just went with this. Were you expecting all of this, mine flame?" Luna asks, leaning forward in her co pilots seat. Talon glances back grinning. "With all due respect, I've already figured you space ponies are just fucking nuts. So I just go with anything anymore. Why question it?" The alicorn smiles hearing this statement, finding it amusing. The vortex is coming larger and quicker into view up ahead. She senses a surge of power nearby with her own mind, and forces the warbird to twist in the air hard left. A massibe bolt of sickly green magic flies by the warbird from below, coming so close it scrapes against the belly and nose that it causes the aircraft to shudder. "Talon, they're here!" She cries out. He looks out the canopy and sees a swarm of drones coming from below, quickly gaining on them. The aircraft violently rocks again and pitches down hard as another bolt smacks it, causing them both to look up through the canopy. What greets them is even scarier sight---Dragons. And lots of them. "Oh...well that complicates things." Talon says. He pulls back on the flight stick, forcing the warbird to bank hard and turn. "Taking fire, must engage!" He calls out. He glances back. "Do we have weapons?!" Luna nods her head furiously. "Yes! This is your memory of our aircraft! It'll fight and respond how you will it!" She declares hotly. "Give em' hell and get us out of here!" He grins. "Can do!" The pilot flips the flight weapons control over to missiles and arms a side winder. The weapons bay doors open and the rack rolls out, a missile at the ready. Fuel Air Explosive armed. Missile locked. The computer chirps. Without hesitation he pulls the trigger, the missile deploying and screaming out ahead, smacking into one of the leading dragons head on. It explodes on impact, the enemy dragon shimmering out of existence with the explosion. Another belches out a fire bomb, the flaming ball rocketing to the warbird. He arms another missile and fires, smacking into the incoming fire bomb with it, creating a massive explosion that lights up the night sky of the dreamscape for a moment. * * * * * Celestia rests on her haunches, a sheen of sweat forming on her coat and dripping onto the floor. Her breaths are labored and ragged. Holding open the connection for Luna is becoming more taxing than she had initially thought, making this to be far more work than she had imagined. Twilight levitates a cool damp rag within her magic from a nearby wash sink in the room, wiping the sweat from Celestias face and neck. "How are they doing in there?" Twilight asks, concern laced heavily in her voice. She glances over at Luna and the pilot, watching everything carefully. Mysterious things have occurred since she entered the room, from watching the night alicorns coat change from black velvet to the midnight blue it once was, to some of the pilots wounds somehow closing and mending on their own. In the room, Lunar Stallions and other medical ponies work feverishly, setting up a fluid drip and checking various monitors nearby along the walls. Celestia pants slowly, her eyes showing her fatigue. Her eyes appear unfocused and glossy, as if she's in a trance. Her eyelids are drooping, as if they have been weighted. Celestias wings hang loose and limp at her sides, and even her ever flowing ethereal mane and tail seem to have slowed and diminished in color and bounce. "Luna has healed him..." She breathes out. "And now they're fighting for their lives against the entire hive...They need to focus on the drones, and not on the--" She winces and gasps in pain from the load on her magic and energy. Her own heart is beginning to beat out of control within her barrel. "Uhgh...on the dragons.." "Dragons? Why in Tatarus are there dragons in there? Does this guy just love making things complicated?!" Twilight almost shrieks out, her jaw almost hanging to the floor. "How can I help, so we can get a message to them?" Celestia continues panting, her horn beginning to crackle with sparks from the high powered magic. "Don't, Twilight...they're almost free. Once they cross the rupture, I can break the spell and awaken them." The younger purple alicorn nods, her wings twitching excitedly as she comes to a rest at Celestias side. "Can you do anything in there? Could you help give them cover to escape...?" She asks, wringing out the rag again and continuing to help wash Celestias coat and neck of sweat. Celestia nods slowly, her eyes still unfocused as she observes the dream spell. "I think...I'm sure i can try. Just don't do anything to pull me or them out, Twilight. So do nothing." Celestia hears Twilight gulp and smiles, wrapping one of her wings around the smaller alicorn beside her. "I'll be back." * * * * * Alarms screech inside the cockpit as the aircraft shudders and jerks hard, another bolt of changeling magic smacking it under its belly. Despite this still being within the dream realm and Luna having full control, the sheer amount of drones within the hive mind has over whelmed her spell and is starting to take over. The midnight alicorn quickly realizes that this is becoming a losing battle. "Mine flame, we have to escape and head straight for the rift! This is not a battle we can win!" Luna cries out. Another hard impact this time from above, a fire bomb ripping through the aircraft's port canard, shearing off a portion of the flap and wing tip. Smoke begins to billow out from it as it catches fire. Talon pulls back hard on the flight stick, attempting to correct the warbirds course as another bolt strikes from below again. Weapons Bay One Inoperable. Hydraulic Failure. The computer chirps. "We just lost missiles! We're dead in the water Luna!" He shouts back. One of the smaller dragons flies close to the warbird and slashes at it, its claws sheering off the weapons bay door and gouging into the belly of the warbird. Chunks of metal fly off and flip in air, knocking a small group of drones into the inky blackness below. The warbirds belly bursts into a plume of smoke and flames as fluid and oil begin to spurt from a ruptured hose lines. Starboard Canard Malfunction. Port Wing Inoperative. Warning. Warning. The computer chirps again. The aircraft begins to spiral in air, the right wing attempting to retract of its own accord. The warbird shudders violently in the dreamscape sky. Warning, Missile Lock. Warning, Missile Lock. A new siren blares over the warbirds cockpit speakers. Danger. Missile Alert. Danger, Missile Alert. Both Talon and Luna crane their necks back to look out the canopy, seeing something they never expected. A dragon was towing one of the warbirds own missiles attached to the missile rack it ripped out from the aircraft during its attack, the missiles rocket firing and aimed. The dragon releases the missile from its claws, sending it screaming to them. The two can only stare helplessly at it as it rockets through the night sky to them, heading straight for the crippled warbird. Talon can only stare wide eyed as it comes, holding a baited breath. As it comes closer, time almost seems to slow for a moment within the warbirds cockpit. He glances at the alicorn in his co pilots seat, seeing a a sight that he never expected. Luna only stares at him, a resolute look on her muzzel as if she's accepted the inevetable outcome of death. Her eyes meet his own, glistening with tears. The two know death will come for them after all, in this dream realm. More and more drones come closer now above them and along side of the out of control warbird spiraling helplessly in the dreamscape. He nods and closes his eyes to her as she reaches out her forehoof to him, grasping it in his hand. If this is their final moments, then he's glad he would have fallen in battle next to his closest friend and love, the one who so willingly opened her heart to him in this strange world. The sirens continue to blare around them as they remain helpless, the missile almost to them now. Luna releases her breath as she closes her eyes. 'I'm sorry, mine sister...but it seems our time has come after all...' Lunas mind races, a soft smile coming to her muzzel. Her heart is still within her barrel, peace overcoming her mind and soul. Though she had so much more she wanted in her coming years, she's accepted the fate of knowing this is where her journey ends, and another begins in the void of death. She could think of no one but her flame, or no where she'd rather be in these final moments. 'Make way in Heofon, mother. We come on wings of fire; to Paradise to you this night.' The missile explodes seconds before impact, the shock wave knocking the warbird down and unfreezing the wing, bringing the craft back into a sustained straight flight. The two open their eyes and look out the canopy glass, seeing Celestia streak by them and twist in air, her wing tips drawing sharp contrails as she pulls into a steep climb. Celestias horn glows with a bright golden aura as she releases a volley of rapid fire bolts of white hot magic, shooting down and decimating the drone and dragon numbers in the blink of an eye. Celestias features are a mask of rage as her eyes glow bright white, her magical aura and pressure lighting up the night sky of the dreamscape as it it were daylight. "Get away from them you BUCKING PRICKS!" Celestia bellows in her royal Canterlot voice, the concussive force sending out a shockwave that knocks more drones into the abyss below. Celestia turns and hovers in air, firing off a supercharged beam of magic, cutting down more dragons in an instant. She flaps her powerful wings quickly, the sound of her wing beating even reaching the ears of the pilot and alicorn within the warbird. "It's Tia!!" Luna cries out, a happy wide smile of surprise on her muzzle as she stares up in wonder, joyful that her sister has come. She stares out the canopy in awe, mesmerized by her sisters display of daunting power. Talon fights for a moment more to keep the aircraft aloft, turning as hard as he can into a wide bank to the rift. Smoke and flames continue to trail from the war machine as he does, leaving a trail of black smoke in its wake. Celestia locks onto the crippled warbird within her magical grasp, encompassing it within her ever gentle magical glow and turns herself away from the onslaught of coming drones, and starts furiously pumping her wings again to race to the rift. She drags it into the swirling vortex with her, closing it with her magic before anything more can pass through. Within moments of entering; the world around the three fades to black. * * * * * Celestias horn dims in the medical room, as she crumples to the floor. Shes panting hard and sweating, life coming back to her eyes and regaining their focus. She smiles and starts laughing, trying to catch her breath. "I got...heh...I got them!" She pants out. Twilight rushes to her side and nuzzles Celestias neck. "Are they ok?" the smaller purple alicorn asks. "Did they make it through safely?" The white regal alicorn looks up, her breath slowing down a bit as she struggles to rise to her hooves from her belly. "They're fine now, Twilight...safe and linked in Luna's dream world now. She'll wake him and herself up soon...though now that's two aircraft that are bucked up." Twilight and every pony in the room stare at Celestia, unable to comprehend what it was she just said. the room falls silent, as they all stare at the sun princess for a moment. Celestia looks up and grins a wide Cheshire grin. "What, do you have a better phrase for it?" She says slowly as she catches her breath. Every pony in the room shakes their heads furiously, shutting up and deciding it's in their best interest not to correct the regal alicorns choice of wording in this case. It's been a rough night for all parties involved, and best not to find yet another reason to add more chaos into the mix. They all turn their attention as they hear a soft moan come from the midnight alicorn on the bed, Luna stirring and coming back to consciousness. Celestia rises to her hooves and wobbles, then slowly steps to the bedside. "Luna...?" She says softly, coming to a rest on her haunches again beside her sister. Celestia rears up and places her fore hooves on the bedside, stroking her younger sisters mane. Luna's eyes flutter open as she locks her gaze on her elder sister, a soft smile coming to the dark alicorns muzzle. "Thank you...Tia." She murmurs. "We almost had it in there, until you came...you foalish big sister of mine." Luna says mid yawn. She sits up and embraces Celestia in her fore legs, nuzzling her neck and holding her tight as she lets out a sigh. Luna's ears twitch and swivel as she hears the soft beeps from the monitors and various medical machines in the room. She releases Celestia and sits back on the bed for a moment, looking around. In the room, she can see Captains Aegis Shield and Stalwart Hide working on the fluid drips, and the doctor and nurse Redheart still checking over the pilot and herself. Twilight is resting next to Celestia at the bedside, a smile on her muzzle as well as her gaze is fixated on the pilots sleeping form. Celestia nods and smiles silently, thankful she managed to catch that missile before it could bring harm to her beloved sister and the pilot. She sighs and ruffles her sisters mane with her fore hoof. "That's what sisters do, silly filly." She croons adoringly. Celestia yawns and grins, still looking at Luna. "Princesses, if I may..." Nurse Redheart interjects, somewhat ruining the moment. "You all need your rest, and the pilots vitals have stabilized. We need to finish bandaging these two up and allow them time to rest, so please consider continuing this in a little while." She gently urges. Twilight and Celestia nod and smile, standing up again on their hooves. "I'll come back then in the morning, Lulu. You two just be good for the medical staff and try not to make too much of a fuss to them." She says softly before planting a kiss on Luna's cheek. "Sweet dreams, you two." Luna nods and yawns, laying back down on the bed and cuddling up to the sleeping pilot. The two other alicorns turn and exit the room quietly, as the staff continues their work. Celestia steps into the hallway, closing the door quietly behind her once Twilight and herself exit, slowly making their way back to their chambers for the remainder of the night. The sun is due to rise in only a few more hours, and it's going to be a long day in the noon court explaining to the ponies of Canterlot what happened. * * * * * Celestia tiredly yawns, her lidded gaze staring at the doors of the throne room. She's since risen the sun, and started her noon day court after only a very short half hour nap. Herself and Twilight not being able to get to sleep, after all of the events from the previous night. Her mind just simply wouldn't shut up from the sheer shock of everything, and her constant thoughts of Luna and nearly losing her sister due to a selfish ponies greed. "Captain Jolt Flash, please send in the next petitioner." She yawns out, taking another deep drink from her now eighteenth cup of coffee this morning. The Solar Stallion nods and opens the door, allowing yet another of the seemingly endless droves of ponies in today in just the first hour. She looks and cocks her head to the side at the new face, a red unicorn stallion with a billowing sun bleached blond mane and tail she's never seen before. Due to his saddle bags on his sides covering his flank and rump, she can't make out his cutie mark. "Greetings, fair subject. And what brings you to the noon court on this beautiful morning?" She asks slowly, catching herself from doing yet another yawn. She focuses her lidded gaze on him, desperately fighting with herself to remain awake. The red unicorn bows very respectfully, before coming back to his hooves and grinning at the regal white alicorn. "Greetings, Princess. I am Zamairiac. Zamairiac Scribe, of the Canterlot Press." He says smoothly in what can only be described as the same accent a certain spy pony from a popular play series held in Equestria. His accent grabs her full attention as she smiles at him. "I was sent here to ask what has become of the Banshee of Canterlot, as so many ponies have rumored about this day...but in all honesty with how tired you appear, you seem more like you could use a vodka appletini. Shaken, not stirred, of course." Princess Celestia blinks in surprise by his candor, an honest smile coming to her lips. "Though that would be delightful my subject, I'm afraid that something such as that would set a poor example for every pony, considering the time of day. What is it you wished to inquire about? Is it for the tabloids?" Zamairaic nods. "Agreed then, princess. I'm sorry to trouble you with what is likely the millionth question along these lines, but is there anything you could tell me about it so I can place information in my article? I would also request to have an interview with the creature and your beautiful...oh so beautiful sister if it would be alright!" His eyes seem to go unfocused for a moment at the thought of the Night princess, a small glimmer of drool peaking out at the corner of his lips for a moment before he snaps back to reality before the sun princess. She didn't seem to have noticed the sudden lapse in his composure. She nods and glances down at a scroll she has within her magical grasp, levitating lazily beside her, then turns her attention back to him. "I'm afraid I cannot comment at this time, my friend. However, I can assure you that all is well, and that the aircraft is safe and sound within the palace walls. Furthermore, I will place your request upon my sisters desk within her study and mention that you wish to interview her and her husband in the near future. Is there anything else I can do for you today?" She asks, still smiling. Alicorn mischief dances in her eyes, wanting to draw out this conversation longer to listen to that delicious Buckingham accent from the Trottingham district of Equis. He bows once more and shakes his head. "No, your majesty. That is all I wished to inquire today. Thank you very kindly for your time. Just please feel free to let me know if you ever wish to join me for that appletini. I know of a great place in Soho near my flat." She nods and dismisses him, watching him trot happily out of the throne room and exit the doors into the grand hall. The doors close behind him as he leaves, leaving the princess and the several solar guards alone. She sits quietly on the throne, musing for a moment before a thought strikes her mind. "Scribe...Zamairiac Scribe...wait a moment." She goes wide eyed, her irises dilating to pin pricks as a furious blush crosses her muzzle and face. "Isn't he that famous clop writer that always writes about Luna and I?!" * * * * * Luna bats away the nurses that are swarming her and her flame gently, smiling. She's uncomfortable in the bed, her mid section of her belly and a portion of her throat and head bandaged, as well as several bandages on her forelegs. "I'm telling you, we're fine now!" She laughs. "Please don't make such a fuss and check on us constantly." Talon sits up in the bed as well next to Luna, refreshed after finally getting a full nights rest. His own chest and left arm wrapped up as well. He's having difficulty seeing out of one of his eyes, the tissue swelled up from his black eye courtesy of Chrysalis' sucker punch in the ally way. "Give it up Luna. They're going to do their job and make you their favorite pin cushion today." He sighs out. "Hey, I'm feeling fine now. Can I please head out and get back into my uniform? I need to go back to Baltimare and look over the war bird so I can fly it back, then let Princess Sunny Butt know what the hell is going on about your bug problem." He mutters. Luna gulps uneasily and looks away from the pilot, dreading telling him of the aircraft's condition. He still didn't know that they actually crashed, and the mighty machine is in pieces in the hangar now, being rebuilt and repaired by nearly every engineer in Equestria. "You two will be released as soon as the doctor clears you two. Now be good ponies and eat your breakfast. You may be royalty, but while you're under my care you're going to be treated as any other patients and doted on until I say you're fit to be free." Nurse Redheart says coyly, smirking at them both through narrowed eyes. "Your sister stated to give you the best medical care, and I have every intention of doing that job to the letter!" She raises and clenches her fore hoof to accentuate her point. The midnight alicorn puffs out her cheeks in annoyance, folding her forelegs ac crossed her barrel. "Hmph!" She snorts. "We have to prepare for war, Mrs. Redheart. We have no time to be eating breakfast and resting." She sighs in annoyance, adjusting her bandaged wings and nestling into a more comfortable position. "Besides, we must do as mine flame stated, and look over our machine." The nurse rolls her eyes. "The banshee is being tended to as well, and from what I've heard it dosen't complain nearly as much as you two to the engineers." She muttered under her breath. "Princess Luna." She speaks up. "Please just rest until the doctor returns. I can assure you Princess Celestia is well aware of everything reguarding the parasite, and you two suffered a great ordeal! War or no war, you BOTH need to relax. Things will be managed accordingly. You can't prepare for a war if you yourselves are not in fit condition." She levitates the trays of carefully prepared food before them again, softly dropping them onto the pairs laps as she releases her magic. "Now please just eat, and regain your strength. I'll be back to check on you in a little bit." She says as she turns on her rear hooves and trots out of the room, closing the door behind her. The pair notice her tail was swishing quickly from side to side, displaying the nurses mirth with her rather uncooperative patients. Luna sighs and shrugs, her ears twitching as she hears the metallic clatter of something against a porceline plate. She turns her head, seeing that her flame has already devoured the entire plate full of food, blinking in surprise at his speed and appetite. He beats his chest with his fist for a moment, before letting out a loud long belch. He turns to her and grins, leaving Luna's eyes wide and twitching while her jaw hangs open in shock. "How did you...?" "Mess hall on the boat. You had to eat fast otherwise the Marines would take your chow." he laughs. "Excuse me by the way. Luna, you should try this, the food is pretty good." Luna pins her ears back, still in surprised shock. "Aquatic beings would eat your food? What kind of a boat were you on, mine flame?!" She asks, perplexed. She looks down at her plate piled high with pancakes, a muffin and a juice box. "Not sea life. Marines. gyrene, Jar heads. Devil dogs. In short, the guys that pound the ground and put a boot in the ass of any enemy of the American people. Think Navy like me, but these guys are the real muscle of the military. As my grandfather put it, there is no better friend, and no worse enemy to have than a United States Marine. They do on the ground what us Navy pilots do in the sky. Defend freedom around the world on my planet. It's just face to face on board the carrier, these guys were often the biggest pranksters and jokers. Despite being such good soldiers, these guys were a load of laughs and often the bane of my existence. Especially on pizza Fridays. I have yet to even get a single slice of pizza since I joined the navy, thanks to these guys always clearing the entire line. They decimate everything they get into, including the chow hall." He said with a smile. "But lets face the facts, Navy is still better." Luna snickers and starts happily munching on her muffin while listening to him. "These Marines you speak of sound much like the special combat division of the Lunar elite guard. They're the warriors I send in when it's a very very critical mission...at least they were before my banishment. Mine sister has made a very peaceful nation while I was away...Perhaps I should see about us watching their training after we crush the parasite. I'm sure that you would be pleased with how skilled they truly are." She says after swallowing a mouthful of muffin. "Pray tell...what is a pizza?" Talon looks at her blankly for a moment. "You...you don't have pizza here?" He watches her shake her head, a curious expression on her features. He smiles. "Ok...when we get out of here and it's lunch time, I'm dragging you and your sister to the palace kitchens. You guys have got to try one." He says, still grinning. "Trust me, it'll be a huge hit here in Equestria with you space ponies." Luna nods happily, then focuses back on her muffin. She alights her horn and pokes the straw into the juice box, then picks it up in her fore hooves and sips lightly at it. She's always looking for ways to appear appealing to her flame, this being no different. Her eyes fall to her still intact band on her foreleg, a smile coming to her muzzle as she eyes it, glad it survived the fight and the ordeal of the recent night. She sets down the drink and hums happily to herself, leaning against the pilot as she munches, the two still awaiting the doctor. The minutes pass in silence as the two rest together in the large hospital room. The analog clock on the wall softly ticks away the minutes, passing the time quietly. Luna finally finishes her plate. Her eyes are closed as she happily hums a soft melody, cuddling against the pilot. The last few days have been rather chaotic for the pair, so this is a welcomed respite. The door opens, in stepping a pegasus medical pony. He is wearing a white lab coat, with a stethoscope draped loosely around his neck. The tan maned pegasus greets them with a gentle smile and soft voice. "Well good morning you two! That was quite an ordeal you had upon your arrival." He says, stepping to the bed side. "Why, I've done plenty of medical checkups for the wonder bolts, you'd be surprised how often that Soarin crashes! But I've never seen some pony walk away from a crash like yours before. Praise Celestia you're still with us!" He says. Luna opens her eyes, focusing on him with a small smile. "Greetings, kind sir." She says flatly, looking him over. "Art thou our doctor coming to release us?" "Oh, where are my manners! Yes, I'm Doctor Life Flight, the resident medical chief here in the palace." He says, still smiling with his warm bedside manner. He picks up the medical charts on the foot of the bed closest to him, glancing it over. The pegasus pushes his glasses up the bridge of his muzzle, then looks at the midnight alicorn. "Well Princess Luna, it appears you two are fine, but I'm afraid I can't clear you just yet to leave the palace or anything, as we would like to keep you both close by for medical observation for the time being. Our hero banshee rider here..." He motions to the pilot with his fore hoof. "Has seriously gotten roughed up. Though we were able to replace most of his lost blood with your miracle salt water from your guards, his body is still in a weakened state. I will however, release you two under the condition that you continue bed rest and no exertion of any kind for the next day or two. This means no stress from your midnight courts, no crazy adventures, and absolutely no flying. Do we agree?" He says with a smile. Luna nods slowly, her jade eyes still boring into his own. " I understand, doctor. I promise thee that we shall try to stay off of our hooves and rest. Is that well enough?" She asks, equally as kind. Doctor Life Flight sighs and smiles, nodding. "Good enough, your majesty. A nurse will be by shortly with the commanders uniforms and your regalia, as well as your discharge papers and medicine. If you feel at all uncomfortable, any strange symptoms or just any kind of pain, please feel free to come find me right away. Have a wonderful day!" He says, turning and walking out of the room, leaving the two alone again. Luna rolls slowly out of the bed and back onto her hooves, stretching out and sighing with relief after a few audible pops. She hears the sound of the pilot clearing his throat, and turns to see him. The expression on his face and features is exactly what the midnight alicorn was dreading. He knows. Luna gulps nervously, as she sees him cross his arms to his chest. "So uh...Luna." He looks at her, unamused. "Crash...? Care to explain just what he meant by that?" He cocks an eyebrow. Luna swallows hard and grins nervously. "Eh heh...Um...about that, I can explain!"