Charger and Starry strolled along a rusted metal gantry, stepping lightly for fear of anything giving way beneath their hooves. Each pace echoed quietly about the twilit area, until they stopped at a metal support column. Rather than stay standing in one place for too long, both took to their wings, as Charger scanned up and down the column. He settled on a particular point, flew up to it, and removed a green fabric strap from his rucksack.
"So this is the last one?" Starry asked.
"Yeah, last piece of the puzzle," he replied, looping the strap around the column and cinching it tight, before pulling out several packs of explosives and attaching them by velcro to the strap. When all of them were in place, a few rounds of duct tape around the outside sealed the deal. "Oh, this'll be beautiful, Starry. Put the Canterlot Tower job to shame, I promise you that!"
"If you actually get to set it off," she reminded him. "Now come on, the Princess had that other job for us to do back at base, and..."
"Heya, who'sis down there? This part of the city's off limits, ya hooligans!" A new voice echoed down the corridor, accompanied by an approaching beam of light. Startled, Starry and Charger both hid behind the column, hoping to avoid a confrontation. "It's no use hidin', I saw you foals! What're ya messin with this time? Poison joke, crystal smooze, that newfangled gak...?" He rambled on incoherently, in old-timer dialect.
"He probably saw us," Starry muttered under her breath, trying to be discrete. "I know, I know..." Charger replied with the same tone, fishing about in his saddlebag, until he pulled out a metal spike. The spike itself was flat like a knife, and opposite the business end was a cylinder no more than an inch or so long.
"Really? Do we have to go that route?" she hissed.
"Standing order; no witnesses," he replied in a very firm, unemotional voice. Charger peaked around the column, then, as soon as the flashlight was aimed in another direction, hurled the spike down toward the gantryway. It spun cleanly through the air before embedding itself in the raised platform, and on contact, the cap of the metal cylinder lit up red.
"Whatta...?"
Before the confused security guard could bend down an examine the device, it exploded with a dull thud. Very little flash, even less bang, but more than enough shrapnel to inflict fatal wounds. Charger left cover and quickly flew down to where the guard lay dying most ungracefully, then yanked the blade out of the floor and used it to slit his throat. Rolling the body off the walkway to one side, then throwing the knife in the other, he hovered upward on his wings, before stomping down and causing that entire section of floor to give out and collapse. As the metal clattered loudly in the darkness below, he flitted over to the stable platform and started walking back to base.
"What an unfortunate accident."
Starry was close behind, but not without a wince and grimace of disgust.
The palace was abuzz with activity, as bureaucrats, aides de camp and pencil-pushers rushed about trying to accomplish all manner of this-and-that. Celestia had recently retasked many civil servants, entire ministries even, to assist with the security of Canterlot. If you worked for the Crown, in all likelihood you were either hunting for the Shadowbolts or trying to predict the next move of the changeling horde. A smaller group of unicorns, however, had a more specific assignment, which Celestia herself was briefing them on as they moved away from the throne room. At the head of them, and at the Princess's right hoof, was Twilight.
"But what is a tantabus?"
"An eldritch creature that can only be created by the most powerful, black-hearted magicians. It lives in the dreamscape, and travels into the minds of ponies as they sleep, filling their dreams with terror."
"I never read about any creature in Equestria like..."
"You wouldn't have," Celestia interrupted. "A tantabus has not been seen in Equestria for at least two millennia. I thought they were gone forever, so many years ago I had all records of them sealed in a secure archive in the Royal Library. Stories like those serve no purpose but to stir up fear." She stopped and turned to the group.
"That archive is where you all will be going next; you must use its knowledge to devise a way to defeat this creature. I assembled you because you are the most magically talented unicorns Equestria has to offer. This tantabus was no doubt created by Nightmare Moon herself, and thus is more powerful than any in recorded history. There is little even I can do to combat it..."
"We won't let you down, Princess Celestia," Twilight replied with resolve. As she led her fellow scholars toward the library, Applejack in turn led Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie towards Celestia. "How can we help, Princess?"
Celestia turned to her with a weary look in her eyes. "By staying safe within the palace. Right now, I am hoping against hope that the Element of Loyalty will choose a new bearer, but even if it does, all six of you must be present to use the Elements of Harmony against the Shadowbolts. I cannot put your lives at risk again; the city is simply too dangerous."
Ordinarily Applejack would've protested vehemently, but the Princess's arresting gaze kept her silent. She was, however, more than willing to glare back defiantly, and maintained this glare as she turned and led the others back to their quarters. "Ah can't stand just sittin' on the sidelines..."
But as soon as she was gone, another mare approached Celestia at rapid pace. It was Fortitude, one of her strategic attaches; she wiped away loose locks of her long black mane as she came to a stop. "Princess Celestia! You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Fortitude." She turned and started walking back to her throne room, and her attache obediently followed. "I wanted to discuss some... changes to our strategic plan." They reached the large wooden door, which Celestia opened magically, then closed with equal speed once both were inside. Now they were in private. "Obviously, we face a two-fold threat. But one threat is immediate, while the other we can anticipate. And we have no desire to face both simultaneously."
"Yes, yes, Princess, I actually just wanted to talk to you about that..." Fortitude advanced rapidly, obviously enthused, but a shush from Celestia held her back.
"At the same time, I worry I am moving too hastily, being too reckless in my efforts to capture the Shadowbolts. Ever since you were assigned to me, Fortitude, you have been a trustworthy adviser, wise beyond your years." She turned her head toward the balcony, looking out on Canterlot. "What is your opinion on the issue?"
"I completely agree, we need to stamp out the Shadowbolts before the changelings arrive." Her enthusiasm took the princess aback, who was expecting her aide to be a bit more pensive. "Once we root them out, no one will question whether what we're doing was necessary. The results will speak for themselves!"
"I assume you already have our next move planned, then?"
"Yes, Princess; I recommend we undertake a city-wide sweep using the Royal Guard! We'll move hard and fast, leaving no home or business in Canterlot unsearched. The rebels won't have time to react, and unless they've found a way to live inside the walls, there will be nowhere for them to hide."
This was even more surprising. "City-wide? Every home and business in Canterlot? Fortitude, I respect your thinking, but this is..."
"Unprecedented? Yes, your majesty, but with all due respect, so are these attacks. A state of emergency has been declared, you have the power. All we need is one bold, swift move to put an end to the Shadowbolts, once and for all!"
Celestia's eyes turned back to her view of Canterlot. Looking down a major thoroughfare, she could see ground zero of the Grindhouse blast. Pylons supporting caution tape still protruded into the street, framed by the burnt-out husk of the building. "Yes, I see. The time for being reactionary has come and gone. If we are to protect the citizens of Equestria from these terrorists, we must take the fight to them." She returned to face her adviser with a steel-cut glare. "I authorize your proposal, Fortitude. Tell the acting Captain of the Guard to commence the search immediately."
"Yes, your Majesty."
Bowing quickly before turning to leave, Fortitude wiped the sweat from her brow and mentally breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that growing personal stress would affect her mental clarity and ability to advise the Princess, especially given the events of the past few nights. But these nightmares of hers weren't about to stop her from doing her job!
Stratus gently let down the large, rectangular package he had been balancing across his back, then laid it on its side and opened it. A mint-blue mare at his side then pulled from it a styrofoam block of the same approximate size, and splitting it in two, removed a large, laser-esque device from inside. The main piece of its body was a rectangular metal box, but attached to it was a long glass tube, with a stack of plate-like focusing dishes at the far end. Nearer the body, it was encircled by many smaller glass tubes, held in place by a skeleton metal cylindrical casing.
"A high-frequency sonic lance!" the mare announced with pride. "The only one in existence, as far as intel led me to believe."
Nightshade smiled. "Thanks, Reverb, you really came through for us."
Having set down the lance, Reverb grinned and put a foreleg around Stratus. If one looked just hard enough in just the right places, one could detect the slight formation of a smile on his lips as he looked back to her. "Oh yeah, anything for you guys!"
The entire team had gathered around, looking at their new toy as it was unboxed in their home-away-from-home. "So... what does it do?" Rainbow Dash asked. Nightshade gestured to Reverb to answer.
"Well, the technical details are a bit complicated, but in the end, it shoots an intense blast of high-frequency soundwaves. Trigger's back here, and the sound comes out the other end."
"Another gun, charming..." Starry replied sardonically. "What are we going to do with this one?"
To answer, Luna stepped to the center of the room. "Open the ears of Canterlot, my dear. An opportunity has presented itself, and Reverb's creation puts us in an ideal position to take advantage of it..." Starry nodded, masking her annoyance; how predictably cryptic. "We shall need a tripod to mount it on; Charger, that can be..."
"Hey guys! News flash!" The Princess was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Blueball Blitz, who had burst through the door fast enough to knock it off its rusted hinges.
"What's up, Blueball?" responded Nightshade.
"Well, first of all, remember that big, ugly bubble shield we punched through when we first came here? Yeah, it's back up. Ponies are already complaining that the pink-purple tint is ruining the local aesthetic."
"Any idea why?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"According to my friends in the M.O.D.," Charger replied, "there's been an uptick in chatter about changelings. None of them are high enough clearance to know the whole story, but rumor has it an invasion force is on the way."
"Is that your opportunity, Princess?"
"Precisely," she replied with a vicious grin.
"Ooh, but that's not the best part! The Royal Guard is out on the streets; you should see what they're doing!"
boomboomboom "Royal Guard! Open up!"
The mare on the other side of the door unlocked it and began to open, only to have it shoved violently the rest of the way by the unexpected visitor. He (and two others just like him) barged into the front room, scanning everything in sight before fanning out to search the rest of the house. It was a smooth, practiced routine, executed unflinchingly and without apology.
"What is this?" the mare cried in shock, soon to be joined by her husband, who had been in the bedroom when he heard the initial ruckus. He reached out a hoof to block the path of the leading Guard. "You've got no right to..."
But the Guard only sidestepped around him, before producing a piece of paper with fine cursive print and a large royal seal. "The Princess has authorized a city-wide search of Canterlot, in the interest of national security." Yes, he could've tried to be more civil about the matter, but any amicability had been exhausted by the time he finished searching the second block of his squad's assigned area.
"National security my hoof! If you don't..."
"Clear, sir. Nothing of interest." Before there was the opportunity for a punch to be thrown, the two other Guards returned to the front room. The one who had not spoken nodded in turn. "In that case, that will be all. Good day to you both." The trio turned in place and left the domicile as quickly as they had arrived.
"The nerve!" declared the mare, while her husband resisted the temptation to swear at the departing guests.
And this scene was reenacted very many times that day, albeit with occasionally varied results; there were a record number of drug busts, along with the occasional illegal weapon or illicit spellbook. But this success was at the expense of every homeowner and businessmare in Canterlot, not to mention the toll exacted on the Guards in carrying out such a sweeping operation. And their greatest prize still eluded them; not one trace had been found of the Shadowbolts in all of Canterlot.
"Don't go out alone, Applejack," they said. "It's too dangerous on the streets," they said. Whelp, she reckoned, they could go polish her horseshoes, because here she was. Applejack strolled down some numbered street, taking in the atmosphere of Canterlot. The palace had become as much a prison as a fortress for her, and though she was by no means claustrophobic, she simply couldn't abide by such an enclosed environment. No Apple was meant to live like that.
She continued her stroll, taking a gander into some of the shops she passed; far too high-end for her tastes (and means), but quaint in a way Rarity would better appreciate. But just as she was about to cross the street, she noticed that two blocks ahead, the city seemed to just stop. Not just become less congested or dense, but actually stop, as in the pavement seemed to drop off into oblivion. Applejack's curiosity was piqued, and she traversed the next two blocks with far greater focus and purpose.
"Well I'll be..."
The road hit a dead-end, becoming sidewalk, and the Ponyvillian realized that her eyes were not playing tricks on her; just ten to twenty hooves away, the city did simply drop off into oblivion. Granted, there was a large, intricately-woven metal fence in between her and there, that she poked her head over to see a dizzying drop into a gorge below. If Applejack listened closely, she could just hear the whitewater roaring through the chasm, but she quickly looked up from the vertigo-inducing view; as an Earth pony, she had no head for heights like that. Taking stock of the situation, she reminded herself that the city was in fact perched on the side of a mountain; this balcony-turned-boardwalk must've been the far edge of that perch.
Applejack instead looked to the horizon, through the pink-purple tint of a familiar magical shield, to see the river snake off into lush farmland. But that farmland swiftly became the dry and yellow sand of the Badlands. All the same, it was a majestic view. "Maybe you cityfolk are good for somethin' after all..."
ping! It was an odd, reverberating sound, almost like an electronic sound effect. Applejack looked to the source, somewhere up on the force field, and spotted a blob of chitin black attached to it that she was fairly certain had not been there before. Then two light-blue orbs opened up on the blob, darting about in every direction. Just between and below them, a maw of twin white fangs opened up, and the blob sprouted two insectoid wings.
Somewhere in the general vicinity, an observing mare screamed. But Applejack was already gone, fairly certain about what the thing was, and even more certain that somepony needed to be warned about it.
Using Nightshade's lateral momentum against her, Rainbow Dash laid flat against the floor, then brought up her back legs, kicking her opponent away as she tried to pounce. Nightshade pulled up from the throw with her wings, circling back as Dash got back on her hooves.
"You never did explain how you survived Celestia's death beam way back when!"
Dash leapt into the air and charged, but Nightshade nimbly dove around her, sneaking in a quick gut punch as they passed.
"Would you believe me if I told you it was an accident?"
Doubling back faster than expected, Dash tackled Nightshade in midair and took her to the ground, pinning her on her back.
"Not a chance."
But a quick swing of Nightshade's back legs took Rainbow's out from under her, leaving them both grappling for the pin. Eventually Nightshade came out on top, left hoof on Dash's throat: her right came down with resounding impact on the metal floor, simulating a lethal finishing strike. But then she dismounted and helped her opponent to her hooves.
"An accident? Really?"
"Yep," Rainbow Dash panted, but with a forming smirk of pride. "I was stuck between the force of the Rainboom and the death beam, and even with the sword I knew I couldn't hold out forever. So I tried to ghost out of it."
"Ghost?"
"It's using speed magic to turn invisible and intangible at the same time. Y'know, like a ghost? Luna taught it to me as a trick for making quick escapes."
"I follow," Nightshade replied, with the same wariness she always had when discussing voodoo speed magic.
"So I got out of the way, and the Rainboom's force and Celestia's beam canceled each other out! I thought I could sneak back around, hit her from behind before the dust settled. But since the sword is immune to magic, including speed magic, it turned out I couldn't take it with me." Dash's tone started to slow. "When I turned around to figure out what had happened, I saw the sword, then you guys, then them. You all thought I was..."
She stopped, drawing a few breaths and mustering her courage, as a long-repressed moment of doubt finally came to the surface. "I froze up, Shade. I knew if I came back, we would start fighting again, and I wasn't sure how much we could take, then Luna started ranting, and, and I didn't know what to do, so... I didn't do anything." Then Nightshade hugged her, in spite of how sore they both were.
"Hey, that was a hard day for all of us, you especially. No one would blame you for not wanting to restart that battle. And the Shadowbolts lived to fight another day..." They kept hugging for a few seconds, before dropping and continuing on their way out of the makeshift arena. But just as they were about to leave, Princess Luna rounded the corner of the doorway.
"Ah, Nightshade, Rainbow Dash! I presume you both have been keeping each other sharp."
"Yes, Princess Luna," Nightshade replied.
"Excellent. Actually, Rainbow Dash, if I could trouble you for just a few minutes more?"
"Of course, Princess! I'll catch up with you later, Shade."
Nightshade nodded and continued on her way, but she couldn't shake the concerned look she always got when Luna and Dash had their little "sessions".
"So what do you need? Juice for another tantabus?"
"Nothing so exciting, apprentice. Quite the opposite, in fact." This puzzled Rainbow Dash, but she said nothing as Luna shut the door and switched off some of the rudimentary electric lighting. "The past few weeks have been a rush, have they not? We've been so busy setting pieces into place, from one to another, right under the nose of sister dearest."
She was preaching to the choir; yes, they had been a rush, but that was exactly how Dash liked it. Never a dull moment, always looking forward. "Yeah, it's been pretty crazy. So?"
"So," Luna replied chidingly, "the climax of this drama is fast approaching, we must all be at our best. I thought perhaps some meditation was in order, to help us both recharge."
Of course. Dash had never truly bought into the more yoga-esque elements of Luna's training, but did see their value at moments like these. Ritualistically, she sat back and spread her wings; the Princess assumed a similar position facing her, and her gaseous mane spread out across the floor, tinting the remaining light a deep twilit blue.
"Calm yourself, breathe deeply. Free your mind of worry. Do not think, allow yourself to feel."
This one felt even better than before. Slowly, the strength flowed into her, revitalizing every sinew of muscle. Dash felt every emotion amplified, her pride in the Shadowbolts, her loyalty to the Princess and their cause, her hatred for the tyrant Celestia. Any conflict or doubt in her heart vanished, leaving only absolute certainty and confidence. Eyes still closed, her lips formed a victorious grin.
Watching with pleasure, Luna replicated the expression, as dark, navy-tinted cracks of energy spread out around her apprentice's eyes.
"Their number has grown exponentially in the past hour since Ms. Applejack reported the first one, but intel says this is only the spearhead of their full invasion force."
"Thank you, keep me informed." Princess Celestia dismissed the guard, but continued to watch the growing black mass at the edge of the city. Standing next to her on the balcony was Princess Cadence, whose attention seemed more focused on the growing crowd at the castle gates. They were a loud and unpleasant lot, hoisting signs adorned with various inflammatory slogans, though one or two bore a claw-and-paw insignia. It did not take Celestia long to deduce its origins.
"They take their imagery from Discord, of all creatures..."
"No doubt angered by yesterday's Guard sweep, simply here to rabble-rouse and provoke," Cadence replied with uncanny calm. "Would you like me to disperse them?"
"No, no, responding with force will only add fuel to the fire. Their protest will run its course; we have other concerns."
"Quite. I think I'll go provide my dear fiance some... motivation."
Cadence departed back into the castle, leaving Celestia alone. She pondered the situation for a moment, before noticing Rarity on her suite balcony the next tower over. Taking to her wings, the Princess swooped up to her, touching down before the startled Element of Generosity.
"Oh my, Princess Celestia! What an... unexpected honor..."
"No need for formalities, Rarity, I am glad of the company."
"I wish I could provide a more appealing view," Rarity offered apologetically.
"Yes, it is a troubling sight. Invaders at the very gates of Canterlot, and unrest amongst its citizens in the meantime. And even then, our most feared enemies are still hidden from view." This was followed by a pause, as they both surveyed the city with apprehension.
"I might be able to help you with that."
The third voice from behind caught them both by surprise, spinning about to see Starry Skies emerge from the shadows of Rarity's darkened suite.
"You!" Rarity accused. "How did you get in here?"
"I'm a Shadowbolt, dear, it wasn't terribly difficult. My whole squad could be in here if we wanted to be."
A burst of light from Celestia's horn illuminated the rest of the room, then faded as she saw that there were no other surprise guests. "Why are you here?"
"You could say I've had a change of heart. Princess Luna didn't expect the changeling invasion either, and I don't think we stand any better chance of victory in this situation than you do."
"I'm not convinced." Celestia's voice was firm and hostile, but only elicited a pained sigh from Starry.
"Rarity, remember in the tower, how I told you mares like you and I were above senseless violence?"
"Yes, well I..."
"Well I can't take it anymore. The bombings, the assassinations, it's not what I signed up for! I'm through with spilling innocent blood."
"And therefore..." Celestia prompted.
"Therefore, in return for amnesty, or at the very least a reduced sentence when this is all over, I'm willing to lead you to where the Shadowbolts are hiding. You asked me why I was here; the answer is I'm here to defect."