//------------------------------// // A summons from the Princess // Story: Inquisitor of the Moon // by Snowliasion //------------------------------// As I lay in bed, a smile found its way onto my muzzle, for the simple reason that a certain pony thought he was being sneaky when he shuffled closer towards me. As if I wouldn’t catch on. “I’m onto you, Brass,” I whispered and turned my head nuzzling him. Brass Tempest, the not-so-sneaky-pegasus and father of my foal, chuckled and tried to coax me upright. I yielded to his subtle suggestion. So that was his angle. “Heh you got me, Nighty.” He nickered and nibbled gently on the tip of my ear. “You’re lucky that you’re hot and that I’m actually really in the mood to unwind,” I playfully scolded, though he knew there was no malice in my words. It also helped that I was incredibly fond of my stallion. After all, he was there when I returned from long missions or endless briefings with the others. But for now, the time for talking was over as I felt him grab hold of me and once again remind me why I married him, and always loved coming back home to him so much. He was so eager, so willing, and I could do naught but give in to my proud husband. Every nibble along my neck was bliss, and every time he caressed me with his feathers close to divinity. Yet, eventually, even good things need to end, and I lay with my head on his chest as his wings wrapped around me, a warm sensation still coursing through my body. “Where is Spell Dancer?” I asked him before nipping along the fur of his shoulder. “Oh, she asked if she could sleep over at Gust Jumper’s house, and seeing as she behaved very well during your absence, I allowed her. Hope you don’t mind that on a school day, hon?” he replied while he nosed along my mane, knowing that I really loved it when he did so. I nodded and smiled warmly. “That is fine, my love. I was simply wondering. I know you take good care of our filly, so I trust your judgement.” Yes, this stallion was everything I ever desired. Along with my darling foal of course. “You’re the best, Nightshade,” he murmured, pulling me closer as I nestled my head under his chin and closed my eyes. Drifting off to sleep in my lover’s embrace as the realm of dreams soon awaited me. The next morning I helped my husband into his armor, still thinking that the gold accentuated his brown coat and fiery red mane quite well. “Will you be gone again, love?” he asked, his gentle green eyes meeting my lavender gaze. I kissed him while the lavender glow of my telekinetic magic pulled the last strap of his armor tight and locked it into place. “You know that I can’t ignore a summon from Her Highness and that I will miss you both more than anything.” He nodded knowing I would never hide the truth from him. “Could you bring Dancer to school today though, hon?” Tempest asked while I donned my mage plate and hooded cloak. I nodded. That I could do. It gave me more time with my daughter; something I would never pass up. While I slipped my saddlebags on, however, I felt Tempest mess with the fabric around my flanks, and smiled, swatting at him with my tail. “You sir, are an insatiable stallion, you know that?” I nickered, glaring playfully. He laughed in that deep voice of his and patted my rump. “Blame the attractive flank and the mare it’s attached to.” He flattered and I snorted, giving my rump a shake to torment him, then trotted out of the room and headed down the stairs. I looked back and winked at him. Grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl in my magic on my way out, I took a moment to make sure I had everything I needed with me, then smiled and channeled energy through my horn. Reality faded away with a loud popping sound as I teleported towards Gust Jumper’s home. Appearing at Gust Jumper’s home, I saw two familiar fillies waiting near the gate. One was a red-maned unicorn with an indigo coat whom I knew to be my daughter, the other was Mist Heart, a pegasus like her mother, Gust Jumper. Behind them, a stallion appeared from behind the wall and reached out, grabbing Mist Heart. Acting on reflex, I tore the pegasus foal out of his hooves, and was on him in a flash. “You are not Gust Jumper’s husband,” I all but hissed in his face. “But since I’m having a good morning, I’ll give you five seconds to explain why you grabbed my friend’s filly before I hurt you.” Dancer and Mist who now both stood behind me tried to get my attention by pulling at the hem of my robe, then I saw Gust Jumper gallop towards me calling out. “Nightshade, wait! That’s my little brother, what is going on?!” I nodded and got off of the stallion. “He grabbed Mist out of nowhere, so naturally I reacted to it. I’m sorry.” Offering a hoof to help him up, I gave him an apologetic smile, even if I had tackled him due to a misunderstanding he deserved an apology. Accepting my help, the pegasus stallion got to his hooves and smiled awkwardly. “You sure are a feisty one, ma’am.” He chuckled and luckily took the whole thing in stride. Gust Jumper nuzzled my cheek, she understood my reaction. “Nightshade, this is Sky Blaze and Sky, this is Nightshade, a good friend of mine and a royal guard.” Yep just a royal guard, thanks for not spilling my true profession to strangers, Gusty, it was for family and close ponies only. “Nice to meet you, miss.” Sky Blaze smiled. I smiled back at him and then turned to the fillies. Hugging Spell Dancer a moment, I nickered. “I’ll go and take the girls to school then. Gusty, see you later I presume?” She nodded, and I gave my friend a nuzzle, then trotted into the direction of the elementary school with both fillies in tow. Reaching Canterlot Elementary School, Mist Heart galloped inside excitedly, but Spell Dancer turned around to nuzzle my leg. “Mom?” my sweet filly asked. Smiling, I kissed between her fuzzy ears. “Yes sweetheart?” She looked so adorable wearing the ribbon I gave her. “Will you be home this weekend to go to Ponyville with me for the fair?” Well, I didn’t see that coming. I thought for a moment, if I was quick  on my assignment I could certainly be back on Friday. “I will try my very best to be home, Spell Dancer dear.” She nodded gleefully, and hugged my muzzle with her hooves. “Thanks mommy, you’re the best. I hope you defeat all bad ponies.” I smiled, what had I done right to deserve such a sweet filly as my daughter? While Spell Dancer galloped inside as well, I waved after her and went on my way. I had some preparations to make before I could leave. So I made my way towards the Royal Palace. One of the guards at the gates saluted me, and I returned the gesture with a gentle smile towards her. “Inquisitor, Princess Luna is expecting you in her chambers, ma’am.” Leave it to the Princess to exactly know when I come to the palace. I nodded and quickly made my way through the all too familiar halls and corridors until I reached a set of oaken doors, bearing the crest of Luna’s moon. I made myself more presentable for a moment and then knocked politely on the door. “Please enter,” a regal voice called out. Once I stepped inside, I saw the majestic indigo alicorn that ruled the very night, smiling at me. “Ah, Nightshade. I was waiting for you.” I bowed in front of her, but a smile graced my features. “I live to serve you, Princess Luna. What can I aid you with today?” I knew I overdid it a little, and formality was not always needed with her, but one should never just assume.  She smiled back gently. “Please rise, my inquisitor. I have a task for you that needs your expertise.” I perked my ears and rose, she sounded awfully serious, worried even. Getting to my hooves, I nodded, forgetting playfulness for now. “How can I be of assistance, Your Highness?” I inquired while looking up at her curiously. To be honest, I prefered playful Luna over worried Luna. “It came to our attention that there is a necromancer active in the wooded areas near Hollow Shades, and since we can’t go there now, we wish for you to deal with this threat.” A necromancer? That explained why the Princess was so disturbed by it. Nodding, I asked. “Do we know anything about him or her, Princess?” The more information I had upfront, the less risk there was on the mission in general. She shook her head sadly. “Not too much, Nightshade, only that they possibly hole up in a mansion in that area and that the magic used, raises those that recently passed away.” Recently? That could mean that this necromancer was either inexperienced or focusing their power elsewhere. This could be useful. “I will prepare for the journey and gather some supplies then, Princess,” I said and turned to leave, but a wing brushed along my back and I turned again. Luna smiled tenderly, and I knew formal Luna was gone and friend Luna was here now. “How are Spell Dancer and Brass Tempest doing, dear friend?” she asked. Returning a warm smile of my own, I nickered. “They are both doing well, Luna, and despite this looming problem, how are you and your sister doing?” “We are very busy with court and affairs of state lately Nightshade, but in good health and taking great joy in seeing our little ponies prosper. Most no longer fear me and realize the night’s beauty instead of its supposed horrors, and Celestia is really looking forward to this year’s Summer Sun Festival.” Then she brought her wing around me and hugged me close, resting her forehead against mine. “Do promise me that you will be careful though Nightshade. You are my dear friend first and my Inquisitor only second.” I smiled and bowed lightly. “That is great and I promise I shall do my best.. Tea after my return, Your Highness?” I asked as I made ready to leave. She blinked, but then nodded, smiling in a gentle regal manner. “That sounds just lovely, my loyal subject.” Then, she couldn’t suppress a yawn, so I nodded and waved at Luna before making my way out of the room and towards the royal armory. I had a necromancer to stop.