Shortly after raising her moon, and while Celestia retired to her quarters to consider the map she had found; Luna considered the same map- from an altogether different perspective.

Luna admired the copy her captain had made, slowly pacing around it, as it lay on the large wooden table before her.

"You have very stable hooves captain: this is a nearly perfect copy, impressive."

She pointed to a spot on the map, and levitated a small clay model of a swords-pony there.

"Well, there's the river, which will make attacking from the ground difficult. I suggest we take the long way around and attack from the forest in force, while a group of pegasi attack with the sun at their backs. A one-two punch."

He gestured out his plan using his wings, deftly grasping a few more clay models. At the end of his plan, he knocked over the bandit.

"I know your realm is the night, but this is how it has to be. Until ponies learn to see in the dark, there isn't much we can do after sundown." Hurricane said.

"Of course, if you really want, we could attack at night. It would really put the fear of... you, into them."

"No, it would deny us the tactical value of the sun, you're right. We'll attack after sunrise tomorrow. Be prepared, and bring your best." she ordered.

"I'll see that it's done. I've got a few tricks to try in the field. Ever heard of a Wonderbolt?"

Hurricane nodded, and departed through the door behind him. Luna watched him, pretending to gaze at the map. Her gaze, however, was on him. He had a rather nice flank, and his cutie mark- a flaming bolt streaking through a cloud- added to it.

She had felt his gaze the same way dozens of times, it was a simple physical attraction- nothing more. She was, after all, locked in a state of perpetual youth. She took pride in her image, her visage, as did her sister. She was older, however...

The area they had known was only a sliver of the total. Everfree was marked, although only as a forest. White Tail lay nearby, and from there roads branched off to a dozen more settlements. Luna made a note to send a few scouting parties out. Celestia was probably already thinking about their long term plans, and Luna knew best to leave that to her. She was older, and admittedly wiser at those sort of things.

The rest of the settlements would come under their control in time, it was enough for her to have a goal in the present. That goal: destroy those bandits. Following that, extend their zone of control to White Tail, and establish a garrison.

With one last glance over it, Luna yawned, and left the map room. The needs of her body, often forgotten, caught up with her as she felt a pang of hunger. As such, she went to the kitchens, and met her sister there as well.

Life in the Everfree had meant everypony pulled their weight, and even as princesses they took care of their own meals, as they always had. A few chefs kept the pantry stocked, and served dinner, but they had no servants- yet.

Celestia frowned. "We overthrew Discord, I think that warrants a vice or two." She said, and turned away from the oven to her sister.

"Luna, we have to speak more seriously- and soon. I never wanted to start handing out domains, Luna. This isn't going work unless we're on the same page- work with me."

Luna gave her reply as she looked through the pantry, eyeing the collection of pies.

"Are we not? I thought our mission was to unite the Equestrian ponies under our banner. How will we do without vassals? Captain Hurricane is a good stallion, and he'll see his domain is well taken care of."

Celestia sighed. "I suppose you may be right, but I would rather you be less... quick in the future. Ask me next time."

Luna selected the finest pie, and turned to her sister with it hovering before her.

"Good, that's all I ask. Now, about your captain..." Celestia said, with a sly grin.

Celestia laughed. "Does it have to be? You two seem perfect for each other, I only want what's best for you, you know."

"Sister, I will live for millennia, and I do not plan on settling down any time soon. The world needs me, and I certainly don't want to spend those thousands of years anchored down. No, I think it can wait."

Luna opened her mouth to reply, but found she had nothing to respond with. Instead, she quickly departed with her pie.

Celestia watched her with a bit of concern, but figured she had said all she could. Her thoughts on immortality could wait- they certainly had enough time.

In her quarters, at the top of the tallest tower of the Everfree Fortress, Luna set down her pie on a bedside table, and undressed. Her horseshoes she simply left on the red carpet, and her armour she hung up beside her bed. Other than the bed- an ornate multi-pillared structure with thick curtains to keep out the daytime sun. She was, and always had been, a creature of the night. Her love of the night was, indeed, part of her very being- the moon marked her flank, after all.

Elsewhere, there was a stand for her armour, and a dresser. At the far end of the room, beside a window, a doorway led to a balcony that opened with a view to the sky.

When she had disrobed, she took her pie outside and beheld the splendour of the night sky as she ate. The stars -her stars- shone beautifully in the sky above. Thin wisps of cloud drifted by, their spectral form contrasting with the deep black of the abyss. It was astonishing, even to this day. She had always found an everlasting beauty in the night sky, and to know that she would live long enough to actually see it change gave her a great sense of pride.

She considered that void, infinite in depth and scope, and thought on what Celestia had said. Perhaps she was right: as a near immortal, Luna couldn't afford to think in ways the average person did. She would live to see the next few millennia: she would see empires rise and fall, and the stars themselves change. It was her gift, and she knew it as such -she never lamented her fate. Some might say that sort of "gift" was a curse in disguise, but Luna did not. She had much to offer the world, and the longer she was around, the better for all.

Out of the corner of her eye, Luna noticed an unfamiliar form perched atop the opposing tower. It seemed to be staring up at the sky as well, seemingly entranced by its beauty. Before she could react, it glanced back at her with its glowing eyes- and disappeared into the night.

The creature hadn't seemed to mean them any harm, and if it did- she could certainly take it on. Luna closed the door behind her, placed the empty tin on the stand beside her bed, and flopped herself on her mattress. With a final yawn of exhaustion, she drew the curtains and quickly fell asleep. Normally she would be up much later, but it had been a long day- and tomorrow started early.

While her body slept, her mind almost never did. She could sleep dreamlessly if she wanted, or conjure up her own dream, but tonight she decided to again watch over the minds of the mortal. She took flight through the deep blue abyss of the dreamscape, searching for anything that might be amiss.

The mayor of White Tail was dreaming, he was taken by the idea of peace, and dreamt of a peaceful future in which his daughter seceded him as mayor, it was rather touching.

His daughter was dreaming of flying with Celestia, through fields of flowers. It was rather adorable, but Luna sensed something dark, elsewhere, and flew away from that dream. She searched the dreamscape, looking for the disturbance.

Like a flame in the sky, a nightmare bloomed away from the others Luna dashed towards it, determined to help with the matter. On approach she could see what looked to be towers of crystal, bathed in an eerie green/purple light. She swooped into the dream proper, and gasped.

Such beauty- and such horror. Towers of crystal shaped into a sort of fortress-city, with thousands of inhabitants scurrying on the ground. Fires drew up from the base of many of those towers, melting their bases and toppling them. If such a place really existed, it would be quite a prize.

Before Luna could learn more she was thrown awake, laying in a cold sweat. Such was often the case when a nightmare overtook the dreamer. Somewhere out there, a pony had awoken screaming.

An image remained in her head however, disconnected from the dream itself. A red cloak, and a red horn. What these meant, Luna did not know. She spent the next seven hours in a restless sleep, unable to return to the dreamscape. Her mind ran with wonder, and questions.

When Luna awoke again, to the sound of a whistle outside, she dragged her groggy body out of bed with a deep yawn. She was certainly not used to rising at such an early time, and the lack of real sleep added to it. Nonetheless, she was a princess now...

So naturally she gave herself an extra half hour before rising- this time for good. After rubbing the sleep (mostly) out of her eyes, she slunk out of bed and strode to the armour stand. She quickly fitted her armour, with an expert pace honed by years of practice. The helmet, as always, fit on her head like a second skin, and allowed her blue mane to flow out behind it. Armoured and ready to go, she departed, and soon came across Captain Hurricane, who leaning against a rooftop parapet, and staring blankly at the sky.

Hurricane yawned, and turned around to face her. Luna yawned as well, contagious as yawns were.

"They are, and I've given out coffee rations. I don't drink it myself, but it should help."

Hurricane saluted. "I'll await you in the courtyard." He said, and fell backwards off the roof.

Still, it was a good exit, and Luna had to appreciate it. She continued down the hallway, and down a few flights of stairs, to the library. there, she hoped to find her sister.

Luna walked in to find her sister standing before a great blackboard, and a chalk outline of Equestria on it. The continent was filled in with a basic version of the map Celestia had found: with two locations circled.

Vanhoover, on the coast. Beside it arrows pointed outwards, with the words "potential trade?" underlined over top them.

Towards the centre, Highbreeze. This town had a dotted line around it, with the words "inland expansion" over top.

"I think you need to ask your sister, I am just a scholar." Star Swirl said, sitting nearby on a stack of books.

"Control the sea, guard the coast. I doubt we'll have any serious competition within the continent, but what of without?" Luna said.

"Good morning to you too, get enough sleep?" She asked, clearly more awake than her little sister.

"Yes, I shall set forth to destroy these brigands within the hour. I assume you will be raising the sun at the proper time?"

Her next stop was the kitchen, where she took a quick breakfast of oatmeal- and a good deal of coffee. She saw to the rest of her physical needs as well before meeting her troop in the courtyard. Seventy ponies, all armoured, and well-armed. chattered amongst themselves. Overtop, a dozen pegasi with crossbows did the same. Enough power to conquer any force.

Luna looked at them, and noticed a difference between them and the grounded ponies.

"They are, I think the black helps with the intimidation factor. I was originally going to call them 'Shadowbolts', but it seemed... villainous."

Luna chuckled at the thought, and had a thought of her own. An epiphany even, which blazed into her mind.

She sped to the library, and slid inside. Her sister had left, which was quite good. Luna wouldn't reveal her new idea until she perfected it.

Luna groaned, and made her way to that aisle. Aisle seven, indeed, seemed to be the place where transformation magic texts were kept, and after only a few moments searching she found what she wanted.

It seemed perfect, so Luna took it off the shelf and quickly scanned the first few pages. Most of it looked to be an essay, and instructions on how to specifically maximize the effects of this magic, but that could wait. She found the spell, and an important warning.

So be it. Luna closed the book, noted its location, and tried the magic. She tried something simple first, giving herself fangs.

It was at this point she realized she didn't have a mirror, and glanced around for something suitable. What she found was a
painting, covered in glass. It would do, so she strode towards it and excitedly looked at herself.

"Oh, oh my. This will do wonderfully!" She exclaimed, and gave herself a big toothy grin, baring those new fangs.

Luna glanced back at herself, and noted her dark blue coat. She grinned even wider, and with a bit of magical exertion shifted it to black. Then she looked at herself again.

Realizing how much of a fool she must look, she glanced around, and cleared her throat. The new form dissolved back into normality, and she walked off with her head held high- and a great smile on her face.

Outside, she came before her troop again. This time, she halted before them and spoke loudly to get their attention.

They all snapped to attention, almost as if she had flipped a switch on their brains. She had trained each of them, at some point or another, and they knew full well to never disobey or question her.

"The pegasi will cover us from the sky, and will attack with the morning sun at their back. The rest of you are with me, and we will attack in force together This should be an easy mission, but don't underestimate the enemy.They may be ill-mannered brigands, but even a sword held by an idiot can kill." She boomed, and about-faced to the gateway.

Hurricane took her side, and fitted his helmet. Behind them, their force marched obediently. Soon they were out of gate, and on their way to the enemy camp.

"I did it myself an hour ago, and briefed our force. Looks like around fifty, they were already in defensive position though- do they have reason to expect us?"

"No matter, we'll cut through them like a hot knife through butter anyway. It'll just take longer." Hurricane continued.

Luna grinned. "That's the spirit, captain! We'll run roughshod over these fools, and this first victory will be known far and wide! We take no prisoners today, captain, we're going to send these evildoers to their makers. It will be a statement heard far and wide."

It took an hour for the force to reach their destination, slowed by the heavily armoured earth ponies that made up the brute force contingent of their battalion. They would crash into the enemy like a force of nature- somewhat literally considering how earth pony magic worked- while the unicorns lay onto the enemy with magic. The pegasi were armed with arrows, and Hurricane explained his idea.

A dedicated flying unit, ten to a squadron. They would fly towards the enemy as quickly as possible, and rain arrows down on them in attack runs. Once they had depleted their quivers, they would dive with swords drawn. Less efficient than the arrows, but they would slash so quickly out of the air that the enemy wouldn't be able to counter it.

"I think I prefer "Shadowbolts", but as this is your force I will defer to you. I may use the name for myself, eventually." Luna said.

Hurricane, trotting beside her, glanced up from the map he was holding. They had just crossed the river, and took a wide route around the camp to it's rear. Any defences would be positioned that way, but attacking from the water instead would bog them down. A frontal assault was the plan.

"I am grateful. Now, this waypoint is just over this hill, we'll break for the others to catch up."

"Good, sun rises in a few minutes." Luna said, and looked up beyond the treetops at the dawn sky.

The irony of relying on the tactical value of the rising sun was not lost on her, but she buried that deep. Her sister seemed to constantly overshadow her, but she was the eldest... so was it not proper? Luna loved her, but couldn't help but feel eclipsed.

She shook her head, and removed the dark thoughts that seemed to be welling up. Over the next hill, she halted.

"Earth ponies up front, unicorns in the rear. Standard attack formation. I don't want to see any of you messing around, we get this done quickly, and we get it done thoroughly! I will remind you all that these are brigands, they are all guilty of heinous crimes by virtue of being here. Take no prisoners, and give no quarter- for they give none."

Finishing her declaration, she saluted her troop, and they saluted her in return.

"Stand by!" She ordered, and turned back to the line of trees, beyond which lay their objective.

Behind her, the force shifted into position. Earth ponies took their large shields from their backs, and the unicorns formed up behind them. This wasn't the first time they had launched such an assault, and they were all professional soldiers. Hurricane bolted from the ground into the air- presumably to lead his own charge.

Luna waited, impatiently, for the correct time to lower the moon. She wanted more than anything to lower it early, but she had been warned about the consequences of that. She was forced to wait for a very specific hue in the sky. While she waited, she used her magic and transformed herself- to a few audible gasps behind her.

Finally seeing the sign in the sky, Luna quickly ducked the moon under the horizon.

Out of the forest, with Luna at their head, fifty ponies of war came screaming out. The sentries at the edge of the camp were quickly torn down by a barrage of arrows loosed by the Wonderbolts as they flew over, blinded by the sun behind the aerial force. The camp gate was a thick wooden construct, but it was no match for Luna's magic as she blew a ten meter hole into it. Into the camp her force, and herself, streamed. The bandits inside were panicked and scattered, Luna looked for a suitable match while her force ran in around her.

At the forefront she saw the gleam of a sword, and a large stallion charging her from some distance away. He held his sword high, and ran at her with a murderous hate in his eyes.

The bandit, an earth pony with a half-decent looking sword, charged at Luna, with his sword roped to one arm. He swung hard, but Luna was able to effortlessly dodge the attack, and butted him in the stomach with her helmet. The force tossed him aside like a ragdoll, with a deep gash in his midsection.

Luna approached the stallion, as he was coughing up the remains of his life. She spun her sword, clutched in her wing, and came upon him.

"Your nightmare!" Luna yelled, and plunged her sword into his chest. One less bandit in Equestria.

With that accomplished, she turned from his body and found three more bandits, staring at her in horror as her force did their duty all around.

"There is no surrender for the likes of you, only a quick passage." Luna growled at them, and picked all three up in a blue field, just as they turned to run.

"I know what you did, all of you. I pronounce my sentence on you, and may whatever lay beyond have mercy on you."

A moment later, their lifeless corpses dropped out of the air. Luna picked up her sword, and trotted past into the tents. Her force was doing quite well, and already the sounds of battle were becoming quieter. The bandits were thrown into total confusion, running to and fro before her, before being brought down from the air or her soldiers on the ground. It was quite pathetic, really. An ignoble end to their evil reign of terror in the area.

Luna turned, and grinned to see what she assumed was the bandit leader. He was dressed in thick armour, stained with blood. A scar covered one eye, as the other glared at her with an animalistic hate. A unicorn, the first of the day. He pawed at the ground and lowered his horn into charging position.

He bellowed a laugh, and then pointed a hoof to Luna. "So say you, who looks like an inbred mare? You think you can take me?"

Her opponent bared his teeth, and scratched the ground. Luna whinnied, and did the same. Her legs tensed up like springs, and she waited for his charge.

He charged forward, letting loose a war cry as he lit his horn. Luna followed instantly, baring her fangs and charging directly at the stallion. Staring right into her eyes, he was quickly overcome by fear- these were not the eyes of a pony. He blinked, and made a critical error at a critical point, as he hesitated to swing his hornsword at the right time. Luna took advantage of his split-second hesitation, and collided into him, sinking her hornsword deep into his flank, cutting a wide gouge straight through his armour.

Luna slid to a stop, and turned back to watch the life fade from the stallion, his eyes full of the last thing he would know- absolute terror. Luna herself was only bruised, as his head had harmlessly rebounded off her armour.

Luna snorted, and left his body where it lay. She strode off, bringing her sword back before her. A short walk later, she came upon two of her soldiers, with bandits kneeling before them, shaking with fear.

Luna scowled at them, and then stared down at the two cowardly bandits, who refused to even look her in the eye.

Her soldiers cringed, and looked away. The yelp of argument from the bandits was cut short.

The job done, Luna wiped her sword clean and holstered it. The two headless bandits remained behind, while the soldiers followed Luna off. She dropped her "disguise", and saw Hurricane approaching in the sky.

"I told you, like a hot knife through butter!" He exclaimed, and landed at her side.

"We count fifty dead, and not a single injury in our own number. An easy victory, almost too easy. They seemed exhausted, as if they hadn't gotten any sleep in days."

"Good, Equestria can breathe easier with this filth cleaned up. I will return to the Everfree, take your force to White Tail later, and garrison it."

Luna opened her wings to take flight, but was halted by the sound of Hurricane unsheathing his sword.

Luna did not know how they had gotten there so quickly, or so quietly, but when she turned she found a dozen of those odd ponies she had seen the day before- with a hundred more circling in the sky.

The pony whispered something in the ear of one of its followers, and swooped down towards Luna. Hurricane rushed forward, but Luna held him back.

"I should congratulate you on your victory today, saves us the effort. We have been harassing these vile excuses for ponies for weeks, and today we were going to deal the killing blow." The pony said.

"I suppose it's time for a proper introduction," she added, and landed before Luna.

"I am Penumbra, Commander of the... well let's just say Commander. I recognize your dominion over these lands, and as such I am at your service, Princess Luna."

"I am pleased to meet such a well-mannered person. Be you pony or... something else?" Luna asked.

"We prefer to be called thestrals, but there are those that simply call us "bat ponies". Myself, I do not care."

Luna smiled. "Well met, honourable thestral. Perhaps in the future, our peoples will be partners."

Penumbra smiled as well, and shook Luna's hoof. "Perhaps, but it is not mine to decide. We will meet again, Princess of the Night. I have matters to attend to, now that this camp is destroyed." she said, and took wing.

"Can they be trusted?" Hurricane asked, watching as the swarm silently flew into the distance.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. They seemed nice enough, and we certainly have the same enemies. You know what to do, I'll be heading home." Luna said, and took wing herself.

She flew high into the sky, in order to get a view of the receding force that had so effortlessly surprised them. To her chagrin, they had already vanished into the forest. While she flew back to the Everfree, she considered just how skilled they must have been to pull that off. Not only did they seem incredibly skilled at stealth, but their numbers were more than double their own- and every single one of them flew. Whoever commanded this force was a power to be reckoned with, and this would require adjusting their plans.

A short bit of flying later, Luna arrived at the gates of the Everfree. Celestia stood there, apparently caught as she was about to leave. She turned from the guard she was talking to, and smiled warmly at her sister.

"It was merely a camp of brigands, not serious work. I have some other news, however." she said.

"Indeed. It appears there are more of those creatures we saw last night. They are called Thestrals, and I spoke to their commander. They are a force to be reckoned with, sister."

"Thestrals, I believe I read of them once. A nocturnal pony sub-species, but Discord was said to have made them extinct. If they yet live, then I wonder what else persists."

"Indeed. I shall order increased scouting towards the north, since that seems to be where they are coming from."

Celestia nodded. "Good, I'll do my part and ask around on my own. I'm heading to Vanhoover, and I won't be back for a few days. I'm bringing a guard along with me, so don't worry. You've got your hooves tied securing the roads."

Luna shrugged. "It's true. You know how to find me if you encounter difficulty."

"Of course. I'll see you soon, sister," Celestia said, and embraced her sister tightly.

The guard she had been talking to returned, his back heavy with the weight of whatever assortment Celestia had ordered be brought along.

Celestia trotted off down the road, while Luna trotted into the Everfree fortress. Quite a few of the inhabitants were out now, either scouting the roads or as part of the hunting party earlier; so it was mostly quiet except for a few youths. Luna saw an unfamiliar form- at least outside- watching her from under the library doorway.

"Actually, it's the moon I was after," he said, and stepped into the light- grimacing as it hit his face.

Luna snorted. "Or what, it will corrupt me? I assure you, Starswirl, I can handle any kind of magic."

"No, you don't understand. You may have been my teacher once, but you hold no power over me now. I am the princess, and you are still but a scholar." Luna growled, and prodded him with an armoured hoof.

"This will all end in tears." He grumbled, and ducked back into the library, slamming the door behind himself.

"Foolish old stallion, what would he know about real power?" Luna mumbled to herself.

She strode off into the barracks, and into the map room. She took a long hard look at it, and pondered where their rival might be, while she also outlined the days patrol. There were many roads to secure, and she would be hard at work for the next few days.

Luna grinned, baring her fangs, and let her mind run wild with the thrill of knowing that she had a real fight to look forward to.

She then realized she still had fangs, and sheepishly adjusted her form before leaving the room for her quarters. Her armour needed a new set of paint, and she herself was in dire need of a shower. When she arrived there she hung up her armour, and pulled a string beside it that extended from the wall. Her squire had been summoned, a pony she rarely ever saw.

Frankly, she wasn't even sure of his name. He did his duty well though, and kept her armour and weaponry in good shape.

She stepped into her washroom, and conjured a magical cloud of water to wash herself. Such a thing had only been invented years ago, and it was an exceptionally relaxing experience for those with the magical expertise to do it. She spent the better part of an hour basking in the warm water, and cleaned the dirt and grim of the days battle off herself. When she dried herself off, and strode out, she found to her delight that her armour had been cleaned and repaired.

She put her armour back on, applied the eyeshadow that had become part of her visage, and prepared to leave again. Before she could do so, she found a letter on her bed. She read it quickly, and frowned at the last line.

Luna crumpled it up and tossed it aside before leaving her quarters. The Everfree Fortress was quite quiet at this time of day, especially considering how many were out on patrol. It was quiet, which Luna found quite pleasing. After a quick trip to the kitchens to make herself a pie, blueberry as always, she found herself relaxing in the courtyard. Today was a fine day, just warm enough, but not too hot. A pleasant breeze blew in from the North, and the fluffy clouds in the sky shaded her now and then. A fine day indeed.

She was also in charge of the Everfree for the time being, and that improved her mood as well. Repect, power, Luna greatly enjoyed these things. She shared power willingly with her sister, and enjoyed her company, but the days she was left alone were quite enjoyable.

Luna finished her lunch, and noticed a paper fluttering in the breeze. It was on the notice-board, and bore her sisters cutie mark. Intrigued, Luna strode forward and read it.

"She knows full well we are both equal! How could she be so foolish! By this document, my power comes from her!"

Luna strode off angrily, as the few others in the courtyard tried to make themselves hidden. She made her way into Celestia's quarters, where she knew her sisters parchment and pens lie. Luna sat herself down, and amended her sisters document.

We, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, by the authority vested in Us as head of the state; do decree the following:
That a tax will be levied on all current, and future, settlements in Equestria. This tax will be no less than forty percent of total economic output, and will be payable in whatever form a representative acting with Our authority decrees.
That only We, as head of the state, or Our representatives, have the authority to conduct international diplomacy and trade.
That We, as head of the state, have the authority to manage the economy as may be needed.
That all current, and future, settlements will be required to contribute to a national military, as decreed necessary by Princess Luna. Princess Luna acts as commander and chief of the Equestrian military, and any militia formed.
That We both, as Princesses of Equestria, are equal in all things. No one is above the other, in the day or the night. While Princess Luna has dominion of the night, and Princess Celestia has dominion over the day, no one shall act in a way to deny the other the rights of a sovereign. We are as one mind, and Our word is law.
Any deviation from this order will be dealt with severely.

Luna was quite pleased with her edits, and stamped her cutie mark on it. Like her sister, she triplicated it... after burning the copy Celestia had left in her desk. That she replaced, and then strode out with the two others.

She stuck one of those to the notice board, and took the time to clear out any other notices. Months of requests for leave, passive aggressive notes on who ate who's lunch, and a few items for trade. Luna swept these aside, and stuck her proclamation in the very centre.

With that accomplished, she about-faced and marched right out of the Everfree. She would deliver the other copy to White Tail herself, and amend this regrettable mistake her sister had made.

She took wing, and quickly cleared the treeline. The weather was starting to turn sour, and she saw a storm building to the North. No matter, she had a place to be, and no mere rain would stop her. Onward she flew, powering forward by her wings. She had always been an accomplished flyer, but rarely did she really stretch her wings. Today she did, and it only took three hours of flight-sprinting to clear the distance to White Tail. She flew over the town high in a circle, and looked down on it from above.

The gleaming metal of Everfree troops were visible here and there, and an encampment was being constructed on the outskirts. Towards that camp she soared down, and gently landed before a pair of startled guards.

"Princess Luna!" They exclaimed, and dropped to the dirt immediately before her.

The second, whom Luna noted was taking the lead, cleared her throat. Luna took a second to look her over. She was quite well built, and much older than her partner. Her armour was cleaner as well.

"Iron Hoof is in the town inn, talking with the mayor. I hear they are getting on quite well." She said.

"Good, it is time we spoke with him. I will leave you to your duties, but first I require your name." Luna returned.

"You have done well, continue to do so," she said, and then departed towards the town.

Delightfully, the townspeople now showed her proper respect. They bowed low as she passed them towards the inn, and she held her head high. They knew their place, and she knew hers. The natural order.

She thrust open the doors to the inn, and strode inside. Something brushed against her, and she almost lost her footing.

It was a guard, swaying on his hooves, and clearly drunk. Luna stepped aside, and gripped his shoulders tightly to steady him.

"Very well, Stiff. You are relieved of your duty, I expect to see you in the Everfree tomorrow for discipline."

Stiff apparently didn't quite get the message, and nodded lazily before slinking back out of the door.

"Ironhoof!" she shouted to the room in general, startling the rest of it's patrons. Somewhere in the middle of them a pony scrambled off his chair, nosily sending it against the ground. The contrast with the sudden silence caught the rooms attention.

"I am here, your Highness!" Ironhoof shouted back, and scrambled to Luna's front.

"Explain why you are allowing your subordinates to get drunk while on duty. Furthermore, explain to me what you are doing here."

Ironhoof quickly dove against the ground, knocking his forehead against the wood floor.

"You are the ranking officer, and his actions look poorly on yourself. I will not look kindly on any further errors in judgement, do I make myself clear?"

"Good, now stand and tell me why you are in this inn, and not out there setting up the garrison."

"I was... making contact with the local populace. I felt that I should win their hearts before getting settled in."

"You felt the best place to do this was an inn? Ironhoof you are not their friend, you are their protector and the enforcer of law. As the ranking officer, it is highly improper for you to be found in a place such as this. I imagine Hurricane will not look kindly on this."

He was out the door before her mouth shut, and Luna turned her attention back to the crowd. She recognized the mayor amongst them, who stood and bowed upon catching her eye.

The others in the room took his lead, and after seeing the scene that had just transpired, bowed themselves.

Luna took in the respect, and almost felt as if it physically flowed into her. It was good to be worshipped like this.

Mere moments later Mayor Goodsteed emerged, and found Luna standing in the street waiting for him.

"I understand a proclamation has been made, I assume Ironhoof has delivered it?" Luna asked.

"He arrived a few hours ago, and left a copy up on the board," he said, and gestured towards the stone form of Discord.

Goodsteed was clearly relieved, and vanished back into the Inn. Luna strode forward to the board, and quickly tore off her sisters proclamation. Her own she stuck in it's place, and then turned on her heel to face the few ponies watching.

"Study this new proclamation well subjects! We have made certain... amendments."

She took her time returning to the Everfree, and took a low path as the rain began to fall. It was quite a storm, so she surrounded herself in a protective magical field just in case lightning struck. So it was that a blue sphere flew over the treetops, towards the Everfree. It was not along however, and after a while Luna noticed a dark figure behind her. Thinking it to be Hurricane, she slowed and glanced back at it.

It was not Hurricane, it was a thestral. Noticing it had been spotted, it quickly caught up with her.

"You have a keen eye, Princess Luna, but not keen enough!" It shouted to her over the rain.

Luna paused, and turned in the air to face it. There she hovered, looking at her pursuer.

The thestral smiled, and looked at her with it's glowing eyes. Luna examined them, and made a note of how interesting they looked.

"My business is simple, I bring a message. Do not approach Highbreeze, do not speak to any delegation from there. Doing so will have.. consequences."

"No, it is a promise. We recognize your dominion over these lands, and will respect it so long as you respect ours. Highbreeze, is ours."

"Nobody, pony or thestral, tells us what we can, and cannot, do. We are the only just rulers in Equestria, and we will expand as we see fit." Luna growled, thumping her chest with a hoof.

The thestral dropped from the air, and before Luna could adjust her position to follow it, vanished into the rainy mist below. Luna was quite disturbed by all this, and redoubled her pace to the Everfree. It was quite easy to spot, as an orange half-sphere covered it. Starswirl was apparently scared of something, and it that was not a good sign. Luna quickly soared into, and through, the field. Starswirl was pacing in the courtyard, and quickly saw her.

"Luna, you're here, finally!" He shouted, and halted his pacing to watch her land.

"That is no matter, We have arrived now. Explain why you have a shield up." Luna asked quickly.

"Using the royal we now? No matter, much more important business at the moment. A group of ponies has arrived, and they are asking for... asylum." Starswirl replied.

"They say there are from Highbreeze, and they refuse to tell me what it is they fear. Whatever it is, they fear it greatly. I have never seen ponies so nervous, it's like they expect to be attacked at any moment."

If the thestrals want peace, I will invite them to tea. If they want war, I will crush them.

Starswirl stopped ahead of door, which Luna knew led to a large meeting room that had been rarely used.

"Since we are yet to have a proper throne room, I led them to our meeting room. They're inside, and will be happy to meet you. I think I have worn out my own welcome..." Starswirl said, and meekly stepped aside.

"Very well, you may depart. Inform the guard to double their patrols on the Everfree, and drop your shield."

He departed, and Luna strode into the room. The only furniture was a long table, with light provided by torches on the walls. The room had been used on the few times Luna and Celestia had needed to talk in absolute private. Thick walls, no windows, and a deep position in the fortress made it impossible to spy on. She found three ponies, with their fur nearly on edge, huddled at the opposite end of the table. A pegasus, an earth-pony, and a unicorn. They all shared the same orange coat and yellow, flowing, mane. Luna guessed that they must be a family, with the pegasus mare the eldest.

"Princess Luna, Princess of the night!" The pegasus said, and seemed greatly relieved to see her.

Luna put her hooves on the table, and looked on the odd trio from across the room.

"I have done nothing yet, and I may not do anything at all. I need to know more. Who are you, and what are you running from?"

"Them, we're running from them!" The unicorn exclaimed, and then ducked under the table when Luna shifted her gaze.

That got them, and after a flash of what can only be described as absolute terror, the pegasus stood.

Luna sat, and listened to their story. They were a family known as the Silver Moons, and had been run out of their home-city of Highbreeze for opposing some sort of political union between the city leaders and an, as of yet unknown, force in the North. They were irritatingly short of details, and apparently no more than peasants. That they managed to make it this far was simply luck, they had heard rumour of a force in the Everfree that could save them.

Luna gave them quarters, and decided to wait for her sister before going further. They were definitely exhausted from their journey, and perhaps a good rest could clear their minds. Her mind needed some clearing as well, he had a long day too, and was rather tired. After dinner, she waited only long enough to raise the moon, before slumping into her bed and quickly falling asleep.

She once again returned to the dreamscape, and immediately felt a disturbance. Someone else was out there, which was unprecedented. She could feel them searching, hunting, for something. What it was, she did not know. That seemed less important than who it was that was doing the searching. Nobody else had ever intruded on her domain, so it was rather distressing to find this.

Luna flew amongst the dreams, and found that they were nearly all nightmares. They had something in common, and that thing was a figure in red. It seemed like all of Equestria was fearing the same thing, as if it had passed through the dreamscape spreading terror in its wake. Terror of itself.

She followed the path of terror, and found it led to a central zone of darkness. Luna knew no fear, and dove into it with her horn glimmering alight. She heard a faint voice as she entered, and recognized it instantly.

Luna paused in her flight, and adjusted herself towards the direction of the scream. She started forward towards it, but paused again as her mind returned to that morning, and Celestia's proclamation.

"If she thinks she is all powerful, perhaps she should try fighting this herself!"

Unbeknownst to her, a green haze emanated from her eyes as her thoughts darkened.

"Fight your own battles, if you're so high and mighty!" Luna yelled, and turned her flank to her sister.

Then she shook her head, and realized what exactly she was doing. Without any further reservation she spun back around, and dove towards the source of her sisters screams. She broke through the darkness and found Celestia cowering in the darkness.

Luna put a hoof to her sisters mouth. "Do not thank me, I... hesitated," she said, and turned away without further explanation.

"You have threatened the wrong pony! Whatever you are, understand this: I will allow no harm to come to my sister, not from you, and not from any weapon you may have! Leave her mind in peace!" Luna shouted.

Luna's horn blazed to action, and shot out towards the abyss that surrounded them. Whatever force was here clearly hadn't expected any opposition, and cried out in pain. Luna redoubled her efforts, and watched as Celestia faded away, back out of the dreamscape. She would sleep dreamlessly until waking.

The darkness abruptly vanished, and was replaced with a blinding white light. Luna cried out in shock, and sprung up from her bed.

"What..." she mumbled, as half of her body was still asleep. It took her mind a moment to catch up, and she realized she was now in the waking world. Quickly glancing out the window, she found it almost morning. It was odd how time worked when one was asleep.

She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and slipped out of bed. While she dressed herself, her mind focused on what had happened. Events were moving incredibly fast, and now she had a practical threat in the north, as well as a more elusive threat that had targeted her sister. Nothing was more important to Luna than Celestia, and she gritted her teeth with anger.

"Whatever "power" you may have will be no match for my own. I will hunt you down, whoever you are- whatever you are."

As Luna strode out of her quarters, something jabbed out beyond the door-sil, and sent her sprawling. She quickly rolled on her back, and barely dodged a dagger that had been stabbing down at her. The intruder was skilled, and quickly backed off into a proper fighting position.

It was a thestral, and it was staring her down with a bloody dagger clutched in its wing.

"Intruder, there is an intruder in the castle!" Luna shouted, and dodged another swing of the dagger.

Another swing clashed against her armour. This thestral was skilled with his weapon indeed.

The thestral deftly leaped back, and swung at her from below, nearly cutting her throat open.

He flipped over her, and switched wings with his dagger, following with a stabbing motion that connected with Luna's right-rear leg. Luna yelped in pain, and spun around with the gash spewing blood on the carpet. The situation had become desperate, and she lit her horn.

Luna shot off a beam from her horn, which he managed to dodge. She put her weight on her forehooves and swung her body using them as a pivot as well, and that managed to connect with him. She hit him hard, and flung him against the wall. The force sent the dagger flying, although in a rather unlucky arc that cut the tip of Luna's right shoulder off.

The thestral pushed off from the wall and tried to steady himself again, but Luna was quicker, and spun around to deliver a kick with her rear legs to his midsection. The crack of his ribs was audible, and he was sent to the floor, he coughed up blood, and yelled in pain.

"You are a talented fighter, but more will come. I doubt you will fare as well against a hundred of my kind." he coughed.

Luna leapt on his legs to keep him against the floor. "What is the meaning of this? Why have you attacked me?" she demanded.

"You have... made an enemy of the North. None of our enemies have lasted long, as you will soon see!"

"They were civilians; peasants, what sort of heinous villain would order such a thing?"

With that, the thestral drew his last breath. Luna left his body were it lay, and dragged her bloody leg down the corridor back to her room. She made a quick dressing from her bedsheet for her leg, and soothed most of her pain with magic. Once she was bandaged, she departed from her quarters back down the hallway. She passed two of her guards, dead, on her way downstairs. When she got to the Highbreezers quarters, she found it to be just as she feared.

Luna limped into the courtyard, and was spotted by a guard. He wisely raised the alarm, and a few minutes later the Everfree garrison, or what remained after all the deployments of the previous day, stood before her. She addressed them while one of them more properly dressed her wounds.

Luna felt that she had played the fool. She should have expected treachery, and should have ordered increased guard after the first thestral, perhaps even the same that had come tonight, had breached the perimeter. She had been so eager to find a friend in the night that she had become blind to reality. There were no friends in the night.

The Rise of the Night Guard

by Gladi Writes

Paraselene