//------------------------------//
// Ch 8- Lunar Dreams 
// Story: The Mystics 
// by TheMysticBrony 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 8
Shining Armor and Flash Sentry, both panting with their unconscious prisoners, walk out of the Everfree Forest trotting quickly to Twilight's Castle. Flash Sentry, who is falling behind, runs up to Shining Armor using his wings to hold Sand Stream on his back.
Panting he speaks with a rushed tone, “Hey Shining Armor what is with the rush?" Flash Sentry gets up next to Shining Armor, with unconscious Kodama lays on his back.               
Shining Armor turns his head replying, "I can explain when we get to Twilight's castle. These two will be in code red lock down. Do you understand Flash?"
"Alright Shining, but it better be a good reason. I haven’t ran like this since boot camp!" Says Flash Sentry as the two stallions make their way up to Twilight's castle. The two guards quickly go inside and down the main hallway. The guards around them watched with confused faces nodding to each other to wait for orders. As Shining Armor and Flash Sentry reach the throne room Twilight jumps at the sudden slam of her door.
"Shining Armor! What is with the rush? You’re acting like the world is ending." She exclaims only to have Shining Armor trot up to her.
"I will explain in a second Twilight but right now I need a room with no windows and completely made out of crystal." Says Shining Armor in a hasty tone. Twilight nods and trots in front of her troubled brother leading them down a hallway on the left side of the throne room. As they make their way down Shining Armor looks around the hallway, seeing the crystal sparkling in bright colors while the windows sparkle in dazzling light from the sun. The ceiling lined in lime stone that glowed in soft green light, illuminating the ceiling and chandeliers that hang down. The two guards follow Twilight until coming across a blue sparkling door no more than a pony length high.
Twilight turns to her older brother and hands him a key saying, "This was going to be a storage area once the hotel was built, so you can use it for anything you need brother." As Shining Armor nods and reaches for the key she pulls it away continuing, "Now tell me what’s going on." She demanded looking at Shining Armor with a stern look.
Shining Armor looks back at his sister then nods to Flash Sentry who sets down Sand Stream then pulls of Kodama from Shining Armor's back as Shining Armor says, “We were following a lead and came across a meeting between these two ponies and another. When we intervened and captured these two the third one told me that King wouldn't be pleased." Shining Armor stops as Twilight looks at him confused. He sighs and continues, "King is the leader of a large gang of unicorns that the Royal Guard have been after for years. If these two belong to that gang I need to get information out of them as soon as I can. It could be crucial to find and stop them from causing anymore chaos." Shining Armor looks at his sister who hands him the key and nods. Shining Armor gives Flash Sentry the key, who then opens the door, dragging the two unconscious ponies inside. He puts them back to back before shutting the door and locking it back up.
"Now we need to get Celestia here before we continue." Says Shining Armor who then nods to Flash Sentry continuing, "Do you mind using your Transponder Crystal?"
"Sure, first time I used this thing though. Well here goes nothing I guess." Flash Sentry places his hoof on the purple crystal within his chest plate. He keeps his hoof softly placed on it and takes a deep breath closing his eyes. He lets his mind drift letting his breathing match up to his heart rate. A sudden rush goes through his body as the crystal suddenly glows purple. His body feels light as a feather making his wings fluff up as if preparing to fly. He then exhails and opens his eyes speaking in a soft voice, "Celestia, this is Flash Sentry, do you hear me?"
Twilight tilts her head and looks at Shining Armor, "What is he doing? He is talking to a pony that is miles away."                  
"That may be true Twilight but during our recent exploration of the Crystal caves we found some special crystals that react when magic is present." He points to Flash Sentry's chest plate where the glowing crystal rests, "For example, the crystal that Flash and I have in our chest plates is a Transponder Crystal. When magic is applied it allows us to communicate with whoever has the other half or piece of the same crystal. Think of it as a Telepathic spell that Luna uses to get into ponies dreams." Says Shining Armor.
Twilight nods and turns to Flash Sentry again who nods saying, "Yes Celestia. Something has come up and we need you here in Ponyville as fast as possible." He says then moves his hoof away from the crystal shaking his head. "Man that drains you. Feel like I have ran for days through a tornado." He says as he sits down with his back against the wall.
Twilight looks at the both of them saying, “So tell me about this Uni-Corn Triad group. I mean what makes them so powerful and feared."
Shining Armor sits down in front of Twilight while Flash Sentry says, "Yea I would like to know the same thing. You have been acting like your tale has been on fire ever since we lost that other stallion.
Shining Armor looks at both of them before saying, “Sorry about that. It has been a while since we have heard from these guys and we should take immediate action, however, without Celestia's approval we can't interrogate them for now." He lays down onto his stomach before clearing his throat. "The first thing to know about this group is that they have a heavy presence in the Manehattan. It all started about 8 years ago. There were heavy reports of mares vanishing within the city and never being seen again. From fillies to full grown mares they just vanish without a trace. Once we began our investigation within the gangs we discovered them. It is a gang only made up of unicorns and they are merciless. They kill and kidnap any pony that would ever talk down on them. Even royal guardsmen were slaughtered by them from magic that was strictly forbidden. They even have key points in drug and pony slave trades through out Equestria.”
"So if they are so popular why haven't they been seen or even caught by now?" Says Twilight as she lays down on her stomach as well letting her wings fluff up a bit.
Shining Armor looks at his sister saying, "They haven't been caught because they have covered their tracks. They use sorcery spells that hide their faces and hoof prints. They even have spells that wipe ponies memories and in the end if that isn't enough that just kill the loose ends. Their leader was identified as King. A unicorn that has immense strength and is feared by his members. He runs the entire show when it comes to their operations. We were lucky enough to get information on his magical abilities as well as his Generals.
Twilight tilts her head confused, "Generals?"
Shining Armor nods to his sister, "Yes his generals. These generals have been his top ranked ponies within the gang and are split between three groups or units. These units were categorized by the skills and magic among the generals. The first general is Gilgamesh, general of the Assault unit. This unit is used for fear and gorilla tactical assaults on rival gangs. They are ruthless, blood thirsty and have never taken prisoners. Their leader Gilgamesh is the most aggressive out of the Unicorn tirade. He is reported to use Enhancement magic.
Twilight tilts her head in confusion, "Enhancement magic? That magic is used to reinforce objects and condense enclosed spaces. Most ponies use that basic magic for construction. How would that magic even benefit him?"
"Your right on the mark Twilight, like always, however, he uses his magic in a more creative way. By building up magic within his body he is able to condense and reinforce his muscles. That allows him to have a body that is practically made of iron." Says Shining Armor.
Flash Sentry stands up and trots up to Shining Armor and Twilight sitting down on his haunches rubbing his face with his hoof saying, "So in other words this stallion is like a tank? That’s just great."
"Yea I know. He can even reinforce objects he touches or grabs onto. So for this stallion anything can be a weapon." Says Shining Armor as his ears perk up to the echoing of hooves coming from the hallway. The metallic clanking of armored hooves made Shining Armor stand up and slowly edge around the corner. Twilight follows him, turning her head around to look at him. Before she could see much she notices him solute clicking his hind hooves together with his left foreleg to his forehead. Twilight giggles seeing her brother before getting to her own hooves to greet Princess Celestia and Luna as they come around the guard.
Princess Celestia trots up to the room and looks inside. Her eyes narrow as she spots the unicorn tirade marks on Kodama and SandStream's shoulders. She turns to Shining Armor and Flash Sentry before speaking, "How did you two come across these two?"
"Sir! We were patrolling the streets when we came across a suspicious pony with a cloak on. We followed him and came upon a meeting among him and these two. When we intervened to arrest them the one in the cloak teleported away, however, these two weren't so fortunate." Says Flash Sentry in a stern and direct tone. Celestia nods before her ears perk up hearing the captives steering. She turns around slowly and sees Kodama raise his head.
Kodama groans as he looks up at the ceiling. His head pulses and his vision is still a little blurry from the hit on the back of his head. He tries to move his forelegs but the rough rope scrapping against his skin. His hooves are bound by crystal cuffs making him fidget. He looks around confused before weakly saying, "Where the hell am I? How did I get...?” He cuts off as he looks to his left and sees Celestia. He grinds his teeth as anger flares up in his eyes. He begins to struggle against the rope, bouncing and shaking his chair before toppling in the chair making him land on his face. He glares, eyes full of anger, at Celestia and the guards spatting, "You scum! Who do you think you are tieing me up like this! I would kill you all on the spot if I wasn't bound!"
"It’s no use Kodama. They have magic absorbing cuffs on us. No way we can get out of here so shut up before you make my head split." Says SandStream who looks calmly at his companion, who spits at him in spite.
"Of course you would be calm in this situation!" Kodama yells as he tries to get his hooves freed. SandStream looks down at his companion and just shakes his head before looking at the guards. We are in a terrible situation. Neither of us can teleport out of here with these cuffs on. SandStream thinks as Shining Armor turns to speak with Celestia.
Celestia keeps staring at the tirade members then says," Shining Armor and Flash Sentry question these two and see what they can tell you. Then prep them for transfer to Canterlot." The two guards nodded and trotted inside shutting the door behind them. Kodama looked up at Flash Sentry as the guard pulled him up and pushed him back into his chair while Shining Armor trotted up to SandStream who looked calmly into his eyes.
Shining Armor turned to Flash Sentry saying, "Flash push the other one to the other side of the room. I'm going to put up the interrogation barrier".
"Alright Shining Armor. By the way why do you always get the quiet ones?" Says Flash Sentry as he pushes the reluctant Kodama to the other side.
"Hey you walked up to him first. Not my problem. I am putting the barrier up now. Knock twice if you are ready to leave." Says Shining Armor as his horn glows blue. He walks to the middle of the room and bows his head letting shimmering light creep its way onto the floor and branch to the walls. As if filling the room with water the shimmering magic begins to merge creating a wall of magic. It sparkles as the reflections of each pony flash into view.
SandStream calmly looks up to Shining Armor as he turns around, "Let me guess. That magic barrier prevents any pony from hearing us if they are on the other side." SandStream says.
"Good eye. I like to call it an Interrogation barrier. The only ones that can hear or see anything in this space is you and me" Says Shining Armor as he trots up to SandStream, who calmly stares at him. Shining Armor towers over him making SandStream crane his neck up to face him. "Now you are going to tell me everything I need to know.”
 	“In this situation I guess I have to don’t I? However I is impossible for me to tell you anything about the Triade.” Said SandStream as he fidgets in his chair from the ropes rubbing against his forelegs.
Shining Armor looks down at him and lets out a puff of frustration, “Oh is that so? And please tell me why you can’t tell me? You would really give up your freedom for your gang?
SandStream lowered his head and gaze leaning back into the chair letting his head rest against the head rest. “I can’t tell you anything because I literally can’t. Once you join the Triade King puts this on us.” He turns his head revealing the Unicorn Triade’s mark on the side of his neck. Shining Armor hasn’t seen one up close before. He bends down to get a closer look and to his amazement the mark glows red along its edges as if lava runs beneath.
Shining Armor straightens back up astonished by the mark. It’s not a mark. It’s a Magic Sigil! SandStream straightens his neck back out looking back up at Shining Armor before saying, “Now do you understand? This sigil prevents any information about the Triade being revealed. If we were to say anything at all this mark would send a charge of magic through our bodies. Thus killing us within seconds.”
Shining Armor still baffled by the discovery thinks to himself to collect his thoughts. That sigil is a big problem! With that thing on these members we can’t get them to say anything to us. Wait SAY anything. That’s it! Shining Armor walks toward the door, lowering his shield he walks out and turns to Celestia, Luna and Twilight.
Before Shining Armor could explain Twilight chimes in saying, “So what do you find out? Anything that could help with stopping the Triade?”
“Unfortunately no I have not Twilight. We have a slight problem. The Uni-corn Triade’s member’s marks aren’t just marks. They are magic sigils. They prevent any of the members to speak about the triade and if they do that mark will kill them, but I think I have an idea. He told me that they couldn’t say anything but what about writing information down? It would be the same information and we wouldn’t lose a captive.” Says Shining Armor.
Twilight rubs her chin with her hoof, “That could work but when Sigils are placed the caster can put different coding for each one. It is possible that the sigil will do that same thing if he writes the information. Like if the sigil’s code states, that if any pony gives information about the Uni-corn Triade then that pony will perish.” Says Twilight.
“In other words it’s a 50-50 gamble on the stallion surviving? That’s just great.” Says Shining Armor who starts to trot into the room again but is stopped by Luna who goes in before him. Confused Shining Armor trots in after her sealing the barrier back up. SandStream looks up at the two ponies with a calm face but then sighs.
“I already told you that I can’t tell you anything about the Triade.” SandStream says turning his head to the side against the chair.
Luna looks at the stallion before saying, “We know you can’t so we some other questions to ask instead."
SandStream turns his head in curiosity, “What do you mean other questions? What would any of you want to know besides the Triade?”
“Please tell me about yourself. SandStream was it?” Luna says before sitting on her haunches in front of him.
Confused even more SandStream looks at the alicorn mare, “Um I think I am good not telling you that kind of information.”
Luna shakes her head saying, “If you don’t tell me anything it’s going to be worse when I force myself in.”
“Wh-What is that suppose to mean?” SandStream says nervously as he fidgets in his chair. He pushes the chair with his hind hooves trying to get away from the alicorn. Luna stands up and walks up to him putting a hoof to his forehead. Luna then leans her head in and looks into SandStream’s eyes. SandStream’s heart races and his breath becomes scarce. What is she doing! I can’t die yet! SandStream thinks as sweat trails down his face.
Luna closes her eyes and takes a deep breath as her horn starts to glow purple. He hoof is then enclosed with dark purple magic, sparkling and humming, as she begins to rub SandStream’s forehead in a circle. His forehead begins to glow a light purple as Luna says the following words, “I call upon the stars and moons to give me the strength to guide this lost soul. Allow my soul to wander throughout his being as do his own! Memory Magic, Soul Merge!” Luna suddenly lifts her head with her eyes solid purple before pushing her hoof onto the light purple circle on SandStream’s forehead. When her hoof connects SandStream screams in pain. He tenses his body and struggles as his body burns as if on fire. Tears run down his face but the suddenly a bright light brightens the room that makes his head slump over with his eyes closed. He lays silent as Luna hovers over his body with her hoof against his forehead.
Twilight, which is hiding against Celestia, peaks out to look into the room as Shining Armor trots out putting another barrier up on the door. “What just happened? They were talking then all of sudden he was screaming in agony!” Twilight says as she slowly walks out from behind Celestia.
Celestia looks down at Twilight wrapping a wing around her, “Sorry Twilight I should have warned you about that. That was Luna’s Memory Magic. It lets her go into the minds of other ponies and see their memories of their past. It’s like a forceful way of how she helps ponies in their dreams.
“It also would have been easier for him if he told her about himself. The more she knows about the pony the less painful it would have been for her to enter their mind.” Chimes in Shining Armor who takes a seat next to Twilight. Shining Armor looks at the levitating princess then at her captive before saying, “I wonder what she is seeing in his mind.”

Luna hovers in the darkness of SandStream’s mind. She turns her head looking for anything to salvage but with a couple blinks the space begins to twinkle with stars. She smiles at the sight of stars before looking down to see a path made of the night sky under her hooves. She softly lowers down onto the path folding her wings against her body before beginning to walk down the path. She walks in silence throughout the starry skies, looking around for any sort of life. She suddenly comes upon a door that forms from the darkness. Chains rattle down its red frame that seems to be glowing in a orange tint. The light coats the insignia of the Uni-corn Triade in the middle of the door as Luna gets up to it. She stops and examines the door looking for cracks or door knob of some kind. She reaches her hoof out slowly and places it on the door and begins to push. The door begins to shake as if opening but instead the chains stretch out from the sides suddenly and glow a dark red color. They reach for Luna, who jumps back quickly as they hit the starry floor. With a loud thud they connect to the floor and spark leaving a burnt patch to the stars below it, before retracting to their original positions along the door.
Luna looks bewildered catching her breath, “What is with this door? I have never seen anything like it.” Luna says. Hoof steps can be heard behind Luna, who turns her head over her shoulder to see SandStream. His hoof steps echo throughout with a steady rhythm as he lifts up his head to look at Luna. The rest of his silhouette comes into Luna’s view before stopping feet in front of her.
“You can never get past that door you know. Anypony that joins the Triade can never have their mind broken into. Well without dieing that is.” Says SandStream as he trots past Luna and up to the door. He then sits down in front of it facing the lunar princess.
Luna watches him before replying, “Why is that? Or can you not tell me that either.”
“You already know the answer to that Princess.” SandStream replies.
Luna stares at the stallion before trotting closer with a slow pace. SandStream stands up suddenly onto his hooves, “Luna I can’t let you near this door.”
“I need to find out everything you know. If you force my hoof I can damage your mind permanently SandStream. Even if you are my enemy I wouldn’t want to do that to anypony. So get out of my way” 
“Are you deaf? I just told you that if this door is opened i die. Either way you shake it nightmare this is where you stop.” says Sandstream. Luna stops to look at him again giving off a low snort at the insult. Sandstream stared at the lunar princess for a moment longer before laying down again crossing his fore hooves, “what now princess? You going to remain in my mind forever or you just admiring the view of emptiness?”
Luna scraps her right fore hoof across the black floor. She shakes her starry mane resting it across her right shoulder as she flicks her head getting it out of her face saying, "I may not be able to get information about the Triade, but that doesn't prevent me to look at everything before that.” Luna waves her right fore hoof in front of her. As she lays it down images begin to appear around the starry space. Images of Sandstream as a foal running throughout a city holding a small saddle bag with a fishing net inside. His light green mane blows in the wind revealing his horn before turning into a bright red tent. He pants looking up to see a tall adult horse, with a brown coat and black mane smiling down at him. Luna rose a eyebrow to this and looks at SandStream saying, "Fascinating you were raised in SaddleArabia. Judging by this memory here you were out trying to get insects for this horse's healing remedies. Am i wrong?"
SandStream only looked at Luna before looking up at the memory giving off a smile, " You're right. I was born and raised in SaddleArabia. Lived there for more then twenty years of my life." He says before turning back to her as the image fades away into white smoke allowing another to fill its place. "That was a long time ago though so there's no point in looking at any of these." Says SandStream as he looks up and freezes for a moment letting his shoulders relax.
Luna looks up at the image to see a female horse with a light milky tan coat and a curly brown mane. She looks at SandStream with her bright green eyes and gives a soft smile leaning into his shoulder spreading out her body to the opposite side of him. Sandstream looks down where a blanket rests underneath them before leaning in to kiss the horse on the snout rubbing his muzzle and cheek to hers. Luna watches the image fade away before looking at SandStream who lowered his head to look at his hooves. "From what i can see you were very happy where you were. What i don't know is why would you ever leave to join the Triade."
SandStream looked up again shaking his head before locking eyes with Luna with a blank expression, "That is none of your damn business. Now get out of my head" he demanded shifting his forehooves crossing them.
Luna stands up saying, "We can help you if you would just co-operate. We can get what King may have over you SandStream."
SandStream stands up as well letting droplets of tears splatter onto the starry floor before looking up and shouts, "Get out of my head!!"
Luna was taken aback by the reaction and turns away from him trotting the other way, " This will continue until we get what we need. With or without your help SandStream." She says before trotting away into a bright purple light leaving SandStream in the darkness.

"She has been doing that for a while. Should we be worried?” said Twilight Sparkle. She watches Luna hovering in front of Sandstream glowing in her purple aura. Her eyes glow bright white while her left forehoof pressed to Sandstream’s forehead. 
Celestia puts a hoof around Twilight, “It’s okay Twilight,  Luna knows what she’s doing. I bet she will come back anytime no-” Celestia says only to be interrupted by a flash of bright vibrate purple light. Luna touches the ground softly with her eyes returning to normal. She puts her hoof back onto the crystal floor before looking around the room. She sees Kodama in another chair stareing at her giving off a smirk. Luna rolls her eyes at him before trotting out to Celestia and Twilight who stand to their hooves. 
"So sister what did you find? Any information on the Triade or their operations?" Says Celestia. Twilight trots up next to her with curious eyes.
Luna shakes her head, "The sigil prevents me from even accessing any memories about the Triade, but i did found out that he was raised in SaddleArabia. He may also have not joined the Triade willingly."
Celestia curious asks, "What makes you say that?"
"I saw a memory of him with what seemed to be a wife or marefriend. They were very happy and when i asked about it he just shouted at me to get out of his head." Luna says looking over her shoulder at the unconscious SandStream. 
"At least we got something. I mean its better then nothing right?" Chimes in Twilight who looks up at her mentor who nods in agreement.
"We will have to try again tomorrow morning. Its getting late and we will need to rest after all this." Says Celestia who turns and trots down the hallway with Twilight and Luna. She nods to two Royal Pegasi Guardsmen, who run down to the door and stand at guard with spears in wing.
Luna looks around and asks, " What happened to Shining Armor and Flash Sentry sister?"
"Oh they had to investigate a fight at the highschool. It seems a student uses magic to harm another student." Says Celestia.
Luna nods and continues to trot down the hallway with Twilight and Celestia to their rooms for the night.

Crickets chirp softly thought the stary night. A light breeze blows making the trees shake and houses creek. Two Royal guards stand guard outside Twilight's castle front enterence. Their swords in their sheaves, resting on their sides. A snapping branch makes the guards turn to attention reaching for their swords with a fore hoof while one says, "Who's there!" A slim figure appears from the shadows with a soft grin, but before revealing fully a bright green flash of magic sparks around the figure and the two guards. The guard that spoke shakes his head and takes out his sword only to drop it immanently and stand at attention before saying, " Forgive me Princess Luna! I didn't know it was you."
Luna chuckles and walks past the guard casually replying, "Oh its fine. I should have said something. Anyway keep up the good work." Luna walks by the two guards and heads toward the stairway to the second floor. Once she reaches the top she stops and looks over her shoulder then around her surroundings. She then turns to her left and trots down the hallway towards an dead end. Two Royal Pegasi Guards stand guard of a door where both Kodama and SandStream are imprisoned. They nod their heads as Luna approaches and move away from the door allowing her to enter. 
Luna walks in then turns to the guards, "Give us some space please." she tells the guards before turning around to face Kodama and SandStream. The guards look at each other before backing away from the door towards the other end of the wall. The moon peaks through the windows coating the room and hallway with the soothing moonlight.
Kodama looks up at Luna and chuckles, "Took you long enough! Thought i was going to rot in this shit hole." says Kodama. 
Luna steps in front of him and bends down toward him and sharply says, "Shut up you filthy dog! How dare you speak to me that way."
"I see you havn't lost your sense of humor sir." SandStream chimes in weakly slowly moving his head up. His eyes are dim with little emotion before straightening up in his chair as much as he could. 
Luna walks up to him and gives off a large smirk before leaning down into his face, "SandStream its good to see you again. You look like hell! Did the lunar bitch run you through? Or are you just running out of steam?" She says before turning her head seeing the two guards who were at the door looking at her. 
"What did you mean by that Luna?" One guard says before beginning to trot up to her gripping his spear.
Luna sighs before turning toward the guard saying in a soft and mellow tone, "I wish you didn't here that." She begins to walk toward the guards who draws their spears but before they can strike Luna was between them. Her wings softly drop down in front of their snouts before folding down to her sides. She looks at one guard to the other saying with a large smile across her face, "You're way to slow. Such a disappointment. I thought you guards were suppose to be the best around to protect the "innocent" ponies in the world. Oh well." After she finishes talking she quickly reaches back under her wings, drawing two long daggers. Before the guards could take a breath the blades were stabbed into the side of their necks. The guards gasped before quickly falling to the floor as the blades were removed with the same quick motion before looking back at the two stallions. Luna's body becomes surrounded in mist before transforming into a black coated stallion with white going down his chest. His swirling horn sparks red as his orange eyes wonder towards his kills. He trots over to Kodama and SandStream flicking his black and white hair before slashing the ropes and magic suppression crystal cuffs before putting his blood covered hooves onto them."Its time to go you two. Its getting alittle to crowed for me."
SandStream stands up before bowing his head towards the stallion trying to look away from the dead bodies, "Yes General Ichigin" SandStream says before the three stallions disappear in a bright red flash.